In early high school (yes, I still trick or treated then), my friend Susan and I went as Cool Beans one year. We dressed in head to toe green and put little ribbons on the top of our hoodies to signify green bean nubbins. This costume required some explanation to several of the adult candy givers.

Later in high school, as I fully embraced my alternative, maudlin nature, I went as “The Executioner of Love.” This is a title from a song by Robyn Hitchcock. I loved RH and his crazy cryptic lyrics. I also pined away for a boy who refused to requite my bountiful love. So I dressed in an executioner hood, cape, and black ensemble. Then I cut out a paper heart and drew a dagger that stabbed through it.

Once a drama queen, always a drama queen.

As an adult, I’m known for making my long-suffering, good-natured husband wear ridiculous outfits. Our biggest hit was Siegfried & Roy & a White Tiger. I was the tiger, he was Siegfried with a spray tan, blond wig, and sparkly jumpsuit. We carried Roy’s head on a stick. The children at the party we attended were not suitably horrified at this, and instead spent the evening trying to hug me because I was a “big kitty.”