James Preller's Blog

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I love this photo of my two oldest brothers, Neal and Billy, and sister Barbara, in the early 1950s. This is Adelphi Road in Wantagh, Long Island. It’s where the Prellers lived. 

Though four more of us came along later — I was last, born a decade later, in 1961 — I can still remember those cheap, plastic Halloween masks. That was it as far as our costumes went; that, and a pillow case to carry the loot. Later, as we got cool in our pre-teens, we usually dressed as “Hobos.” Every year. 

Those masks were stuffy and claustrophobic, and we’d constantly flip them up on top of our heads so we could breathe. At night, all the Preller kids were dump out our candy and wheel and deal. The trading of candy may have been the best part. 

“I’ll give you three Smarties for one Reese’s peanut butter cup!”

“Who like coconut? Anybody want my Almond Joys?”

I think that’s still my general disposition. Simple is best. I don’t like when things all get all fraught and overcomplicated. This is true of everything — proms and weddings and birthdays — not only Halloween. 

Busy weekend coming up: On Saturday, I’ll be at the Marlboro Children’s Book Festival; and Sunday, at 11:00, you can find me at the Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady. I’ll be signing Halloween-themed books!

Next week, I have a book due, the third in my upcoming “Survival Code” series. But we can talk about that on another day.

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