More Wonka

 Sunday, I drove across town to help Tinkerbell set out her Halloween display. She doesn't do a scary theme. She feels they get too many kids and doesn't want to scare them. She is really enthusiastic about Halloween.  She has been working on her creations for ten months. 

This year's theme is Willy Wonka. When I arrived, Tink was trimming back plants around the front of her condo. There is something very nostalgic about hanging out with Tink. Listening to her exaggerated groans as she pulls plants from the ground is uniquely her--like walking past a bakery and smelling cinnamon. 

"Help me get the cookie," Tinkerbell says.

She leads me to a narrow hall closet where a giant, round object wrapped in plastic is wedged. I struggle to remove it, wondering how she managed to put it in there in the first place. She reveals the cookie. It is a glossy recreation of a chocolate chunk cookie with M &M's, three feet in diameter.

We place the cookie next to the air conditioner. Then I am assigned to cover the bushes in lights and purple gauze. 

Next come giant lollipops and candy confections — a Pop-Tart, cupcake, and ice cream cone. Each with intricate details. 

Tinks boyfriend comes out to help, but he mostly stays out of the way. He knows better then to incure her sharp tongue when she is working. I don't hold back. Tinkerbell bicker good-naturedly over details.

They want me to dress up as Willy Wonka for Halloween and join them. I haven't decided yet. It is a long drive.