It's time for question of the month, hosted by Michael D'Agostino. The question is: Are you an extravert or introvert? I am an introvert. I think a lot of writers are. Although I enjoy being with people, and have no problem with public speaking or performing, I need time alone to recharge. I am quite comfortable with my own thoughts, and I can go long periods of time without saying a word (sometimes much to the frustration of my family!). What are you? Introvert or extravert?
Now for the story:
A few days ago, I mentioned that my house was the scariest in the neighborhood. It turns out, I was wrong. There's another house with inhabitants way scarier than mine!
Last night, I went Trick or Treating with my kids and their friends. On the way back to our house, the kids decided they wanted to check out a residence on the main road that was set far back in the woods.
"I don't know about that," I said. "It looks a little off the beaten trail."
They didn't care. We trekked through the dark woods on the gravel path up to the front door and knocked. The door opened. I swear, the woman who answered looked just like a witch. And she wasn't even wearing a costume.
"Why, hello, dearies," she said. "We don't get many visitors here on Halloween."
I could see why. And "we"? There was another witch?
I looked over the tops of the kids' heads. There was another creature. It wasn't a witch. It was a man. And he looked just like a troll.
The woman continued. "We don't have candy. But we have cookies. Would you dearies like some cookies?"
I cringed.
The woman put some cookies in Ziploc bags and gave them to our clan. She smiled sweetly, or at least as sweetly as a witch can smile, and said, "I hope you dearies are protected by an adult."
"They are," I said, stepping forward in my Cleopatra costume.
"Oh, good," she said. "You have to be careful!"
I smiled sweetly, or at least as sweetly as Cleopatra can smile, and said, "Of course!"
As soon as we were out of the woods, we breathed a sigh of relief. "You will not eat those cookies!" I instructed.
They didn't!
<< What are you? Introvert or extrovert? >>
ReplyDeleteHi, Sherry! I can be either one. When I am around my kind of people, it puts me in a good mood. I open up and the playful side of my personality comes out. If I am in the presence of a person or a group of people that are not as good a fit, I tend to become quiet and withdrawn and only speak when spoken to.
It's not a good sign when people greet you with "We don't get many visitors around these parts." Did you happen to notice a chainsaw in the room? :) Unless and until proven otherwise, I would choose to believe that they were genuinely nice folks who did their best to please your kids and their friends.
They probably were good people, but the Halloween setting made the whole thing creepy.
DeleteI think most of us writers are going to say we are introverts.
ReplyDeleteAfter that experience, I bet your kids don't want to visit that house again. If that's what they looked like, be scary to see their pets or kids.
You're right. They won't be visiting that house again!
DeleteWow, that sounds like a real life horror story. I wouldn't even want to know what was put in those cookies.
ReplyDeleteWe're both equal parts introvert and extrovert. We don't need to be the life of the party, but we're probably more outspoken and outgoing than your typical writer.
My son thinks they put weed in the cookie. He's probably right. ;0)
DeleteI bet the cookies were fine. Just a perfect Halloween-type house. And I'm pretty much an introvert.
ReplyDeleteIt probably wouldn't have been so scary if it wasn't so far back in the woods, and the lady didn't call us, "dearies."
Deletelol cookies may have been fine, but yeah, I'd never risk that. Chuck them
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't worth the risk!
DeleteI'm an introvert. That house sounds scary...or maybe it was just spooky because of he Halloween atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the Halloween atmosphere had a lot to do with it.
DeleteI too am an introvert , I can go quite a while without speaking, I live alone and have no choice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a creepy house and people, will you ever go back there again?
Yvonne.
No. We won't go back there, again!
DeleteI'm an extrovert... but I wasn't always... now it's second nature.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the scary house and the cookies... I totally agree with not eating them... very spooky xox
I didn't want to take any chances!
DeleteThat is terrifying! My mom would have done the same thing. She never let me have anything that was in ziplocks or twisty packaging (like tootsie rolls or smarties).
ReplyDeleteI never let my kids eat things out of Ziploc bags. Too scary!
DeleteUm, that's weird. Who gives away cookies in today's world? Even back in my day, we had to make sure there weren't any holes in wrapped candy.
ReplyDeleteI still check every last piece of my kids' candy.
DeleteYikes! That is a creepy experience. I'm definitely an introvert too.
ReplyDeleteReally creepy!
DeleteLike yourself I'man introvert.
ReplyDeleteLoving your spooky experience, puts me in mind of Hansel & Gretal and the gingerbread house.
I couldn't help but think of Hansel and Gretel, too!
DeleteDearies? Oh my. No, I wouldn't eat the cookies either. We made our house extra creepy this year by stuffing my husband's old Scream costume like a scarecrow and putting him out by the driveway. With a balloon in his mask, he looked like he was nodding in the wind.
ReplyDeleteI'm another introverted writer as well.
Your decoration sounded cool!
Delete"Recharge" is a word I often use because it's something I often do--maybe too much when it comes to socializing. I've been slipping back into my naturally introverted ways, but manage to place the social roles when I need to.
ReplyDeleteThe trick-or-treaters probably thought my house was scary since the lights were off and I blocked the front door. Sorry kids.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
You were recharging! ;0)
DeleteUh-oh. That was a close call. Good thing Cleopatra was there to protect the kids.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree that most writers tend to be introverts. Writing is a silent, solitary act that most extroverts can't do...at least not for long.
I don't know too many extroverted writers.
DeleteGreat story, and a little scary... It seems everyone in blogland but me is an introvert.
ReplyDeleteYou're surrounded by writers!
DeleteCreepy house and I'm glad the kids didn't eat the cookies.
ReplyDeleteI have never been accused of being shy and have always been a regular Chatty Cathy--but I am also very picky about who I invite into my home. Even housebound for over a decade I am never lonely, always busy with various projects, and quite content with my own company. But I can also talk your ear off. ?? So I don't know which I am more than the other, I guess.
Would have loved to see a picture of Cleopatra! ;)
There's a picture of me dressed as Cleopatra on my Google page.
DeleteI am an introvert, seems many writers are!
ReplyDeleteSpooky story!
Definitely spooky!
Deleteand the poor lady probably spent half a day baking them :) Oh, well,,, more for Schultzie and Bootsy
ReplyDeleteShe probably did. And they were probably her favorite kind of cookie.
DeleteLove your story. Sounds like a fun one to retell and retell.
ReplyDeleteSusan SaysSusan Says
Definitely a good Halloween story!
DeleteYou and I sound quite similar. I have no trouble speaking in public and I like conversing with people. I think in some ways I'm and introvert, while others ways and extra... For me, over the years, I think I've narrowed it down to an intimacy issue and feeling accepted. Weird, but I think somewhere in my subconscious that's what it is.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right. I have to feel like I can trust someone and relate to them before I completely open up.
DeleteYeah, that's creepy, cookies and all.
ReplyDeleteI have no trouble speaking in public as long as there is a clear barrier between me and my audience or I have an emotional anchor. I can converse with people I'm comfortable with as long as there aren't too many of them around me at once. It's a lot harder with strangers.
I'm usually not one to go up to random people and start talking. I like to observe.
DeleteI would have called you an extrovert, but I only know you from what I've seen on your blog. Surely the lady was role-playing... Surely?
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. I'm certainly someone who likes to try new things and I do spend a lot of time interacting with people in real life, but ultimately, I am an introvert. I need alone time to regain my inner peace.
DeleteHa ha ha - I wouldn't have gone anywhere near that house!!
ReplyDeleteIt was scary!
DeleteOo. Fun Halloween spookiness. The I/E question was a good one this month.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
Lots of introverts in Blogland!
DeleteWow...that house sounds scary. Were the kids scared at all?
ReplyDeleteOoooh. That is creepy.
ReplyDelete