The evening was colder than usual but the streets were full of bright and eager trick-or-treaters, some older than we would like, but especially the young ones in their inventive costumes and holding pillowcases for what would hopefully be a big night for candy. There were cries of "Chuckie!" and "Happy Halloween," and a few teary eyes at the decorations that were a bit too scary for some. Fog rolled across the red-lighted graveyards and eerie sounds thundered and screeched and howled into the night. It was just another Halloween in Sierra Madre, and the only thing that was missing was our daughter and her best friend who are both away in college.