While growing up I didn't often see the humorous side of my father, mainly because of the hostilities between us. But towards the end of his life we called a ceasefire, and I visited him at his wee island cottage.
Every evening he went out to the pub, while I would stay at his place until he returned after closing time. On Halloween, he disappeared to the pub as usual. Late that night, I was sitting watching TV when the electricity suddenly went off, the door opened slowly, and a turnip lantern appeared in the doorway, going "woooo" and swaying unsteadily in mid-air.
In some countries I believe it would have been a hollowed-out pumpkin, but in Scotland the tradition is to use a turnip instead. Cheaper too. You put a candle inside, and the light shines out through the eyes and mouth.
I enjoyed my father's little joke, and next day I insisted we take a photo. You
I regret my old man didn't live long enough to see all the letters after my name. Rob McJ, H.N.T., O.C.D., N.P.D. and R.D.D.
If you missed previous HNTs, you can access all the old half baked thursday posts here.
