Halloween

As long as I can remember,rather it be Halloween day or Halloween night,children around the world have antisipated this day. An annual celebration that has dated back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain which (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, lived 2,000 years ago in an area that is now known to us as Ireland, located in the United Kingdom. Did you know that northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. It was said that this day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. I bet you didn't know that Halloween is also one of the worlds oldest holidays. well its true,and I bet you also didn't know that the custom of Halloween wasn't brought to America until the late 1840's. by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's potatoe famine. In fact,The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to have originated not with the Irish Celts,but with a ninth-century European custom called souling. Even a simple thing as the traditional custom of the Jack-o-lantern was once carved out of turnips until the Irish came to America and learn that pumpkins were far more plentiful,and worked far more better. So, my thoughts to all you trick or treaters out their celebrating this holiday, just keep in mind that, although some cults today around the world may have adopted Halloween as their favorite "holiday," the day itself did not grow out of evil practices. It grew out of the rituals of Celts celebrating a new year. Even today, many churches have Halloween parties, bobing apples, or pumpkin carving events for the kids. And remember,the day itself is only as evil as one cares to make it. So get on out there put on your scariest costumes, have fun and spook the dead , after all,thats what the Celtics did.
Happy Halloween!
M.J.

Bingo in Texas

Hello again everyone. Sorry it has taken me a while to get back to you, but I'm still visiting relatives here down in Texas. The weather has been so nice and there's always something to do around here. They have a big bingo hall and I have made a couple of trips there. Although I haven't won any games, I still enjoy playing. Not all gambling is legal in the state of Texas, so if you are looking to win some cash, the bingo hall is the closest you'll get, unless you live on the coast in Corpus Christi. They have gambling on the crusie ship that will take you out to sea. If you are looking for a real casino, then Shreport LA. is the closest you'll find around here. My boyfriend and I live up north in Wisconsin, where gambling is legal on the Indian lands, so we make a trip to one of the Indian casinos on special occasions. It isn't something we can afford to do everyday. If we did that, we'd surely go broke. I guess you could say casinos do have the odds in their favor. Well, that's about it for now. I'll try to post another update soon. Until then, have a happy October.