Celebrating Samhain

Why I celebrate Halloween: It's the one holiday we encourage ourselves to look into the darkness and drag our fears into the light and hopefully see them for what they are: An opportunity to be brave and reclaim our power over them.

Shelley's "Frankenstein" explores the folly of men pretending to be God. Stoker's "Dracula" reveals the horror of those who live by taking from others. I can't imagine a world without Poe, and his willingness to expose the monsters within. We prevail when we choose good over evil.

The early history of Samhain, what would later become Halloween, was a celebration of the end of the harvest and the end of the year as well as the beginning of a new year. Leave in the past what no longer brings life and love. Welcome the opportunity to start fresh with the old and withered swept away, making room for the new. A time to seek God's protection in the coming winter.

For the record, I don't do scary. Growing up in it means it isn't entertainment for me. Dress up is fun. I've always had a fondness for jack-o-lanterns, the cheerful flame flickering inside. Not to mention my love of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The promise of cooler weather, a definite bonus in the desert. The changing color of the leaves, which people generously share through pictures. The prelude to the coming triad holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year (gratitude, giving, and starting anew). Enjoy the day. Indulge in a treat. Laugh.

Some of my favorites to fit a Halloween mood:

Most people will recognize this piece of music but may not know the name. From Carmina Burana ~ O Fortuna by Carl Orff performed by André Rieu:

https://youtu.be/EJC-_j3SnXk 

Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRU1AJsXN1g

Gustav Holst's Mars from The Planets

https://youtu.be/Jmk5frp6-3Q

Hall of the Mountain King (Peer Gynt) by Edvard Grieg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLp_Hh6DKWc

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J. S. Bach needs to be heard as an organ piece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY

Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8

 

A bit of fun...

Why I celebrate Halloween: It's the one holiday we encourage ourselves to look into the darkness and drag our fears into the light and hopefully see them for what they are: An opportunity to be brave and reclaim our power over them.

Shelley's "Frankenstein" explores the folly of men pretending to be God. Stoker's "Dracula" reveals the horror of those who live by taking from others. I can't imagine a world without Poe, and his willingness to expose the monsters within. We prevail when we choose good over evil.

The early history of Samhain, what would later become Halloween, was a celebration of the end of the harvest and the end of the year as well as the beginning of a new year. Leave in the past what no longer brings life and love. Welcome the opportunity to start fresh with the old and withered swept away, making room for the new.

For the record, I don't do scary. Growing up in it means it isn't entertainment for me. Dress up is fun. I've always had a fondness for jack-o-lanterns, the cheerful flame flickering inside. Not to mention my love of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The promise of cooler weather, a definite bonus in the desert. The changing color of the leaves, which people generously share through pictures. The prelude to the coming triad holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year (gratitude, giving, and starting anew). Enjoy the day. Indulge in a treat. Laugh.

Some of my favorites to fit a Halloween mood:

Most people will recognize this piece of music but may not know the name. From Carmina Burana ~ O Fortuna by Carl Orff performed by André Rieu:

https://youtu.be/EJC-_j3SnXk   

Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRU1AJsXN1g

Gustav Holst's Mars from The Planets

https://youtu.be/Jmk5frp6-3Q

Hall of the Mountain King (Peer Gynt) by Edvard Grieg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLp_Hh6DKWc

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J. S. Bach needs to be heard as an organ piece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY

Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8

 

Enjoy a bit of fun, today.

Why I celebrate Halloween: It's the one holiday we encourage ourselves to look into the darkness and drag our fears into the light and hopefully see them for what they are: An opportunity to be brave and reclaim our power over them.

Shelley's "Frankenstein" explores the folly of men pretending to be God. Stoker's "Dracula" reveals the horror of those who live by taking from others. I can't imagine a world without Poe, and his willingness to expose the monsters within. We prevail when we choose good over evil.

For the record, I don't do scary. Growing up in it means it isn't entertainment for me. Dress up is fun. I've always had a fondness for jack-o-lanterns, the cheerful flame flickering inside. Not to mention my love of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The promise of cooler weather, a definite bonus in the desert. The changing color of the leaves, which people generously share through pictures. The prelude to the coming triad holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year (gratitude, giving, and starting anew). Enjoy the day. Indulge in a treat, pizza for me. Laugh.

Some of my favorites to fit a Halloween mood:

Most people will recognize this piece of music but may not know the name. From Carmina Burana ~ O Fortuna by Carl Orff performed by André Rieu:

https://youtu.be/EJC-_j3SnXk   

Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRU1AJsXN1g

Gustav Holst's Mars from The Planets

https://youtu.be/Jmk5frp6-3Q

Hall of the Mountain King (Peer Gynt) by Edvard Grieg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLp_Hh6DKWc

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J. S. Bach needs to be heard as an organ piece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY

Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8

 

A bit of fun...

Have you read:

Dress up, laugh, and enjoy the day.

There and Back Again Day 3

Side note/update: Caught up on emails and blog posts. Did I mention that I disconnected from the world? My little phone is able to make calls and texts. That's it. I only sent texts to let family know where I was. No phone. No computer. No television (by choice). No radio. I'm also realizing that I sometimes note something on one day when it was on another, a bit of blending. I'm endeavoring to be as accurate as possible. Should have taken better notes. Oh, wait! I took notes. I can't find them. *pfft*

On the road again.

We woke between 5:15 and 5:30 AM, dressed, packed the Suburban, and ate breakfast at 6 AM. At 6:30 AM we picked up our fourth hobbit, who did the driving. S has driven the route so many times she could do it in her sleep. We didn't use the interstate but two-lane back roads.

It was beautiful driving through northern Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. We arrived at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, Kentucky, in the afternoon. We settled in. L, J, and S in the sitting room, which included a couple of overstuffed armchairs, an ottoman, and a couch. I was given the bedroom as I was the only one who loves the orthopedic foam mattress. Woohoo!

My walls were covered with costumes:

I wore the brown stretch velvet with lace sleeves above. The costumes were mostly L's, and she generously shared with me.

L wore these. Those are my bedtime socks on the bed and my carryon bag.

I wore these to dinner, combining them into three different outfits.

We met one of our online friends, T, and went to dinner together at the Old Owl Tavern. I wasn't particularly hungry. I looked at what was available that I could eat. The joy of being allergic to all things pepper, of any kind. The only possibility was a kale and poached pear salad. Really? I wasn't thrilled. Not a fan of kale or greens for that matter. A firm reminder that "I'm going on an adventure," which included food (within reason), and I ordered the salad. It included goat cheese and bacon. Oh. My. Goodness! It was delicious. I'd order it again, without hesitation.

One more stop before heading home, Krogers, to pick up a few things. They had my newly discovered Vitacoco water, on sale. Now the tricky part. I had a store card for the grocery store that sells Kroger products in Arizona. Would it work in Kentucky? Yes!

Home, and I was ready to go to bed at 10 PM. I'd adapted quickly to the three-hour time difference.

There and Back Again Day 2

The first room had little roaches running around on the desk. We were given another room. We woke around 5:30 AM. I was last. We readied for the day, packed the Suburban, and ate breakfast at 6 AM.

On the road again, we finished crossing Louisiana, long bridges over huge areas of water. We crossed Mississippi into Alabama and headed north. We cut across to Atlanta and took the loop around, hitting some road construction. It slowed us, but it could have been worse.

We continued on to Dawsonville, Georgia, and met our fourth adventurer. The four hobbits went to dinner, and I ordered a hamburger on ciabatta and French fries. It was yummy. I think it was Ruby Tuesday. Again, I wrote notes and have no idea where they ended up.

The company laughed and planned. Another hotel. No roaches, blessedly.

I didn't see much of the countryside because walls of trees lined I-10.

 
Sugarcane fields. 

Funny

Posted on social media

A bit of fun

Posted in a kitten widget

Wordless Wednesday

Pie Day

Are you ready for Pi Day on Monday?

Fanciful...

Sometimes life offers us unexpected fanciful moments.

This toadstool popped up in the backyard.

This is my size 10 shoe and my size 10 foot in said shoe, to give you an idea of the size.

I don't know why, but toadstools have always conjured up fanciful images in my head. Maybe it's the result of Mr. Jeremy Fisher all slippy sloppy in the larder. Thank you, Beatrix Potter.

Something to brighten the day...

May your day be blessed...

This was posted on FB, and I thought it appropriate. Sometimes bubble wrap comes in handy other places and times, like deadlines.

The 2014 hunt has begun...

Brent: Make her stop.
Richard: What troubles you?
Fitzgerald: He's next.
Patrick: I thought everyone wanted their story told.
Ian: It depends.
Kevin: On what?
Benjamin: What secrets you hold.
Joe: You don't mean our lady reveals them, do you?
Jack: In painful detail.
Fitzgerald: You're a bit subdued.
Richard: Jack's in the queue behind Brent.
Dusty: Tough Luck
Brent: Low blow.
Fitzgerald: Clever.
Jack: Your time is coming.
Dusty: I'm ready.
Benjamin: Trust me. You only think you are.
Todd: Cheer up, gentlemen.
Brent: Why?
Todd: She likes us.
Brent: Not a comforting thought.
Kevin: Of course it is.
Brent: Bring out the Crayons.
Richard: Crayons?
Jack: Paints, without the water or oil.
Fitzgerald: How do you know these things?
Jack: She considered making my story a time travel adventure.
Richard: She didn't.
Jack: She changed her mind.
Todd: A woman's prerogative.
Ken: Is there a way to resign?
Brent: At least you've been delayed for a year.
Ken: Anticipation isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Jack: Enough grumbling, gentlemen.
Leo: She does guarantee a happily ever after.
Benjamin: After she pulls you through a knothole backward.
Ian: Any other pleasant thoughts?
Brent: Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Over on FB...

...my author page received another Like. Something worth celebrating. So I shared a paragraph from the rough draft of Happy New Year?

It wasn't the first time he'd planned to ask a woman out. It wasn't even the first time he was asking the same one. In fact, it was becoming a habit. He'd ask. She'd decline. Since the first day he met her. Each time, he'd let it slide and continue sitting with her in church. He'd ask again, and she'd decline again. After three months, could he be classified as a stalker?

An old dog learning new tricks...

I grew up using a little 110 camera. It was a great little camera. I learned to create compositions and frame without Photoshop. It didn't exist.

I tried a camera a little more sophisticated, a 35 mm, but didn't like the results as well. So I went back to my 110. My little camera went to Yellowstone, Thailand, and Europe.

Then I couldn't find 110 film. They stopped making it.

Using a 35 mm simply wasn't the same.

Then everything went digital. Whoa! For the most part, I quit taking photos.

My BFF bought a new camera and sent the old digital to me. Perfect! The little critter terrified me. It sat in its box for months and months and months... Yeah, you get the idea.

This year's word, instead of New Year Resolutions, is CREATE.

I determined to learn how to use the camera. With BFF's help, I figured out how to take pictures. I couldn't figure out how to download them. I put it away for a while. I'd take occasional pictures, and they would sit in my camera, all alone and unseen.

Last week, BFF offered to walk me through the download process.

Success!!

This rose was outside my window last April.

Enjoyable read...

Lynette Endicott's Starting Over series Book One More Than a Job intrigued me and kept me turning pages until I finished it, in one sitting.

Trying new authors is a hobby. I did not realize this until recently. More books than I could possibly read in six months are queued in my Kindle and shelved on two bookshelves, if all I did was read. Choosing which book to read next is agonizing. Sometimes, it's a matter of not being able to bear the pileup anymore, so I dive in with the intent of reducing the piles. I'm successful, to an extent, until new books show up. Interestingly enough, if my piles dwindle too much, anxiety sets in and the next thing you know new books are shuffled onto my Kindle or show up on the doorstep.

I chose to try Lynette's book because she is a fellow Desert Breeze author. More Than a Job is a contemporary, spicy, inspirational read. The instant attraction between Paige and Josh drew me right in. I HAD to see how it all worked out. I wasn't disappointed.

I loved the support systems both Paige and Josh enjoyed. I was fascinated with how Paige goes about handling her world blowing up in her face. I even took notes for future reference. :-) Josh's honor endeared him to me forever. :-)

Arizona Dreamin'...

My report, at last.

It was amazing!

My sister, bless her, helped with picking people up at the airport. We both liked knowing people we care about made it safe and sound. It was also a lot of fun. She did the driving, and I knew what everyone looked like: Perfect team. :-)

We started with Buildin' the Dream: A writer's one-day conference. It was the first time. There were a lot of excellent workshops and, unfortunately, not enough time to attend them all. Pick and choose.

The Friday Night start-off for the Readers' Conference was amazing. I laughed a lot.

Saturday was packed with events, again. The Book Clubs, where you meet with a favorite author in half hour increments, were fantastic. I met a favorite author for the first time and enjoyed visiting with a couple of favorite authors I've met before.

There are goody bags, food, and a couple auctions. Lots of fun.

Best part: The people. Catching up with friends I only see at Arizona Dreamin' and making new friends.

The hotel is very nice.

There was plenty of food.

I'm one of those alphabet soup types, i.e., C-PTSD, OCD, yes, you get the picture. I was able to manage it all and came home energized and inspired. I stayed an extra day and used it to write and plan the next manuscript.

I will definitely be attending next year.

Will you?

http://www.arizonadreaminevent.com/p/may-31-june-2-2013.html

Me with Lance, my pick for the Man of Our Dreams contest and the cover model on Kris Tualla's book Loving the Norseman.
http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Norseman-Hansen-Series-Rydar/dp/1456562118/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1371736985&sr=8-15&keywords=kris+tualla

Hunted on FB, last Friday...

James: He's gone.
Richard: Who is gone?
James: My brother.
Eric: Are you talking about the guy I saw walking out yesterday?
James: The same.
Eric: I don't know why you're acting so depressed. The way he was looking at the girl on his arm, I think he's pretty happy about it.
Richard: You gudgeon. Matthew isn't gone. He's published. They are not even remotely the same thing.
James: I'm alone now.
Richard: What about your younger brother, Benjamin?
James: I haven't see him in months.
Eric: Our lady's been a bit busy. I'm sure she'll bring him along soon enough.
James: Perhaps.
Richard: Of course, she will. If nothing else, she's tenacious. Never leaves anything undone, though she does take rather long to make her way around to some things.
Eric: Speaking of which, where's Jack?
Richard: He's here. Over there, in the corner.
Eric: What is he doing there?
James: She started outlining his story this morning.
Eric: He should be ecstatic.
James: I'm not sure he's entirely happy with how things are starting.
Richard: It's his own fault for being so complicated.
James: I think we can spare him a little pity.
Eric: Maybe, maybe not.
Richard: Buck up, Jack. She'll work it out in the end.
Jack: So says a man who doesn't have a storyline yet.
Eric: Ouch. Low blow.
Richard: It matters not. Do you trust her or not?
Jack: In this moment, I know not.
Richard: Fair enough.
James: A step in the right direction, anyway.
Jack: How so?
James: You are honest.
Jack: You don't know me.
James: No, but she does.
Richard: And she made you a hero.
Eric: So there must be enough redeeming qualities to save your sorry--
James: Enough.
Eric: No skin off my nose.
James: Not liking your own state of affairs?
Eric: I have to admit I understand Jack's misgivings.
Richard: And then we watch one of our own walk out with a lovely woman on his arm, and maybe it will be worth it…
Jack: Maybe it will at that.
James: Mark has been quiet.
Mark: I'm in a holding pattern, so to speak.
Richard: A what?
Mark: Editing is mostly done. Formatting still needs to be done. I've seen the cover, and it made our lady cry.
Eric: Do we need to take someone out?
Mark: No, she liked it.
Jack: Exceedingly.
Richard: I suppose we ought to celebrate Matthew's success in making it through.
Jack: Cheers, Matthew.
Eric: Go for it, Matthew.
Richard: Godspeed, Matthew.
Mark: Good luck, Matthew.
James: God bless, brother.

Found on FB on Valentine's Day...

Matthew: Have you seen it?
James: Seen what?
Jack: What does it matter? He's returned to gloat.
James: Be a sport, Jack.
Jack: Why?
Matthew: In Crab Street, Jack?
James: Don't bait him.
Mark: Never mind the grump. Spill it, Matthew.
Jack: You, too?
James: Why so aggrieved, Jack?
Matthew: Truly, Jack. You complain like a child deprived of a treat.
Jack: Deliver your news and be quick about it.
Matthew: No need to snap and snarl.
Jack: Button it.
Matthew: Choose, Jack. Talk or silence. I can't do both.
Jack: Stubble it.
James: Matthew, ignore the grumpletonian and share your news.
Matthew: Yesterday, our story's cover was revealed to the world.
James: Brilliant!
Mark: Awesome, Matthew!
Jack: Of course it was.
James: Fribble.
Jack: You accuse me of behaving foolishly?
James: Yes.
Mark: Cowboy up, Jack. Your turn is coming.
James: You are still up in arms about a lack of story?
Jack: All well and good for you to advise patience. She is working on your story even as we speak.
James: Not quite, but close.
Mark: Gentlemen, one of our own is in dire straights.
Matthew: You have a plan.
Mark: Yes.
James: What do you suggest we do?
Mark: We beg and plead with Laurel for some small crumb.
Jack: I beg your pardon?
James: Quiet, Jack. Mark has an excellent idea.
Matthew: What crumb should we ask for?
Mark: It is Valentine's Day.
Matthew: An excellent idea.
James: Decidedly.
Jack: What?
Mark: We ask our fair lady to reveal the name of your heroine.
Jack: You would do this for me?
Matthew: Without a doubt. Our brotherhood formed in the fires of our lady's creativity. It's the least we can do for one of our own.
Jack: I don't know what to say.
James: Thank you would be good.
Jack: Thank you.
Laurel: As you wish, gentlemen. Abigail Stewart. Happy Valentine's Day.

Yesterday's converstation on FB...

James: Jack! Did you see? Yesterday, she mentioned ME on FB.
Jack: This is significant because?
James: She usually mentions you.
Jack: I repeat: This is significant--
James: You do know you are a bit intimidating?
Jack: Surely you jest! I'm practically nothing to speak of, good or ill, except the assurance I am a hero.
James: Don't pretend you don't notice. It's Jack this and Jack that. It's enough to leave a fellow wondering whether or not he counts for anything, if you must know.
Jack: Do not be a widgeon. It's most unbecoming in a hero.
James: Heroes are not perfect, you know.
Jack: Never said we were, but we do need more than a modicum of confidence.
James: True enough. Still…
Jack: Do stop comparing.
James: Still smarting over your story?
Jack: We will not speak of it.
James: I will take that as a yes.
Jack: Muzzle it.
James: Not to worry, Jack. You do understand the only reason I was mentioned is because she is currently working on re-writes for my story?
Jack: Yes. She is working on YOUR story.
James: Oh. I do see the problem, now.
Jack: Thought you might.
James: Yes, well, it might help to know her writing improves with each story, so yours ought to be quite spectacular.
Jack: Now, I fear not living up to expectations!
James: Imagine how she must feel.
Jack: Oh, there is that. I suppose you want to pray for her.
James: Every day.