The Unseeing Touch

Unfeeling touches surround me

Unseeing eyes blanket my soul

In the cusp of the day when all is new

Walk the spirits before they sleep

Seeing and being seen

Feeling and being felt

Until eyes open and all is dispersed.

Final Escape

I deem a story is great when its idea and/or its characters leave a lasting impression. “Final Escape” is one of those films that has embedded its plot twist securely within my memory. It was written by Thomas H. Cannan Jr. and Randall Hood.

The original script was broadcast February 21, 1964 as part of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. The main character—the prisoner—was male in this version. The one I recall as a young girl was released in 1985, and a woman stood in place of the male convict.

Gardening for Her Life

My short story “Gardening for Her Life” was recently published on Smashwords. It’s available in several eBook formats including ePub, Kindle (mobi) and PDF. The cost per download is 99 cents.

With the release of “Gardening for Her Life” through this outlet, I also had the opportunity for an interview for Smashwords. It is found here.

My Smashwords author page is here.

“Gardening for Her Life” summary: Margaret Saunders is a professional gardener who undertakes a personal interest in the lives of her clients. She retains knowledge of their favourite flowers, which plants trigger their allergies and what secrets they require to bury perpetually. When Ralph Burgess’ lover disappears, the citizens of East Pleasant Harbour point fingers. One however looks for a more down to earth solution.

Come Next Monday

This is the title to K. T. Oslin’s song with the black and white video starring Frankenstein and his bride. It’s from the 1980s. I always enjoyed singing along and knew every word.

I heard “Come Next Monday” on the radio recently, and I was curious to see if the video was found on YouTube. It was. Here it is.

Come Next Monday by K. T. Oslin

Light Workers: Paranormal Investigation

According to their website, the Light Workers: Paranormal Investigation (LWPI) is a group of like-minded individuals based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, who bring their interest of the Paranormal into the public eye. They investigate historic locations and private homes around the Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Their goal is to collect scientific evidence to prove or disprove ghost or spirit activity. Anyone who is interested in this group investigating paranormal activity can contact them for further details.

Links from the LWPI website delivers visitors to their Facebook page as well as their YouTube channel where there are several videos taken during their investigations.

Spelunking

My first journey into the earth happened many years ago, but I can still feel the chilly sensation kissing my skin from the damp air inside the limestone cavern. The feeling ignited from standing underground is not one easily forgotten. But unlike those who go below to work, I went to explore and seek the thrill of adventure, and I relished the idea of what was beyond the light cast by my lamp.

I learned at this time I was a spelunker, and the exploring I was doing was spelunking.

Spelunking: the hobby or practice of exploring caves (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). It was first known to be used in 1944. Perhaps the Second World War influenced the term.

From movies, television and books, I had an idea of the appearance of the inside of a cave, but until I entered one, I had no idea how I’d feel. The first cavern was so large only the strongest flashlights illuminated the ceiling and none reached to the depths of the other side where we were to trek to continue our journey.

The time had come for me to stand in awe of the great world beneath our feet, and go where my dreams had only taken me.

Captured from Globo Treks: http://www.globotreks.com/tips/how-stay-safe-spelunking/

Merry Christmas

And all the best in the New Year.

The Darkest Night

Darkness, deep and thick like a never-ending swamp of molasses

Fire disturbs it, stars attempt to break its spell

The longest night is upon us

But it is not the end

Only a beginning

Bursting forth in brilliant light

DAWN

Image from Free HD Wallpaper.

Origins of Gargoyles

Gargoyles have never horrified me. Instead, I returned their gaze, gawking at their features, mesmerised by their expressions. Some people consider them monsters, beasts and fiends, but to be any of these brutes they must first scare me, shoot tremors down my spine and out my toes.

Gargoyles fail to ignite this response.

Gargoyles however are best known for their intimidating faces. They loiter in gardens, on walkways and staircases as if they are watching for something or protecting those inside. This is the gargoyle we recognise, but it’s fascinating to learn their original existence is far from what we imagine.

The mysterious gargoyle began life as a water boy (or girl or creature). The Ancient Greeks poised this unique character at the edges of roofs to channel rainwater away from the structure. Gargoyles were an intricate part of the plumbing world before they transformed into popular figures in mediaeval times.

What fun it would be to bring back this household feature. Envision the characters that might hang off our roofs, watching over our gardens and stalking those who dare venture into our yards.

This image was found on Mystic Wall Paper where many other gargoyle images will intrigue visitors.

The image of the gargoyle at the top of this post was found at The ApriCity, where many gargoyles are featured from around the world.

Top Ten Haunted Places in the UK by Stephen Liddell

Are you eager to be spooked? Are you looking for a magnificent location to visit in the United Kingdom to have your pants frightened off? Then you should drag your chain over to Stephen Liddell’s blog—Musings on a mad world—and check out his post Top Ten Haunted Places in the UK.

Stephen Writes: I’ve always believed in ghosts and even more so since I saw one when I was 15 or 16 years old. I don’t know if you believe in ghosts, if you do then good, if not then maybe you’ll still enjoy my guide to the top 10 spooky places in Britain. These aren’t ranked in any order and there are countless thousands of haunted sites in the U.K from old pubs to battlefields, graveyards and hospitals. Just half a mile or so away from me is the old Leavesden Asylum, burial place of one of the suspects of Jack The Ripper. The buildings there have now been converted into luxury apartments but there have been several reports of ghosts there including by none other than an English Premier League footballer who played for Arsenal.

Although I’d fancy visiting all the places mentioned, if I could choose only one, I think I’d pick to brave a night at the Ancient Ramm Inn, Gloucestershire. It was built nine hundred years ago on a pre-historic pagan burial ground.

Of course, I’d not stay alone.