Time Warp

“It’s astounding – Time is fleeting
Madness takes its toll…”

Let’s do the time warp again. Wow, that sure brings back memories. When I was younger, my best friend and I used to watch that movie all the time. The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I had always wanted to see a midnight showing of the movie with people on stage acting it out. Fast forward 16 years and I get to actually take part in it – at least I’m helping with the props.

Jess and Bryan roped me into helping out at TrickConTreat this coming up weekend. It’s a weekend dedicated to everything Halloween including that midnight showing of Rocky Horror. There’s an art show, exhibit booths, activities for kids, parties…. Sounds like it will be a packed weekend.

I used to be all about Halloween. I remember the first story I wrote was about a ghost and a pumpkin in elementary school. Halloween is a time to be creative and to be anything you want. I even get into making my own costumes but have slacked off the last few years. Probably because it’s not really fun to celebrate alone; my friends don’t really get into the season. This year, though, will be entertaining.

Check out the TrickConTreat website www.trickcontreat.com.
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“Autumn’s the mellow time.” –William Allingham

I love fall. Everything just seems so clear, the air is crisp and it really is a mellow time. I was running around the city for court hearings and work errands (it never ends) and I noticed I had a bounce in my step that I haven’t had in a while. The weather was awesome! Goodbye 90+ degrees of torture! I could step outside and feel refreshed rather than ready to run back in after just walking to the car. And fall has only just begun!




I found some pictures from my Philly trip a couple of years ago. I went the week before Thanksgiving and it was perfect fall weather.

"I love fall!

Fall is exciting.

It's apples and cider.

It's an airborne spider.

It's pumpkins in bins.

It's burrs on dog's chins.

It's wind blowing leaves.

It's chilly red knees.

It's nuts on the ground.

It's a crisp dry sound.

It's green leaves turning

And the smell of them burning.

It's clouds in the sky.

It's fall. That's why...I love fall."

- Author Unknown

Back Again

Wow. See what I mean. I’m not really good at keeping these things regular. Report from Eureka Springs – well, we didn’t see any ghosts. Although the first night of our trip, as Jess and I were passing out, I could have sworn that I heard my bags moving. I heard a rustling sound next to me and I was too freaked out to turn around. Other than that, no profound paranormal experiences. Guess I’ll just have to go back.

It was a fun trip though. I really enjoyed Eureka Springs and would like to go back when I have more money and time to really relax and enjoy it. Stacey and Jenn’s wedding was very nice and the reception was beautiful. Jess and I hung out with one of Jenn’s friends most of the time and it was fun. We got a little crazy but that just made the trip memorable. Nothing like slipping and tumbling down a hill head over feet.

I so did not want to come back though. Work, my CASA case, everything just got crazy when I got back. It’s finally starting to settle down. We’ll just see what happens.

The Crescent Hotel

Jessica (my sister) and I are going to Eureka Springs in less than two weeks and we’re staying at the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa. I can’t wait! We’re going for my friend’s wedding which will be a lot of fun in itself but we’re staying at the Crescent for two nights and I'm looking forward to that. The Crescent Hotel is considered one of the nation's most haunted hotels. I know I’ll have hundreds of pictures to sort through and hopefully I’ll catch something a little paranormal.

The last couple of years I have gotten on a bit of a paranormal kick. I even thought about joining the local paranormal society if I had free time, which I don’t. I applied for a position but I had to turn it down because I decided I didn’t have the time for it. (I don’t think I’ve told anyone that yet. Shows a little bit of my true obsession.) Anyway, one of my favorite shows of course is Ghost Hunters. I like Ghost Hunters because they go in to disprove and debunk hauntings. They like to base their judgments on evidence. Well, they got a pretty good piece of evidence at the Crescent Hotel.

Check it out.



The Crescent Hotel has gone through many stages but one of its darkest times was when it was a “fake” cancer hospital. Norman Baker advertised the place as a health resort where the local spring waters could cure cancer. Legend is that he experimented on both the dead and the living. Check out more on the Crescent at http://www.prairieghosts.com/cresc.html.

Hopefully when I come back I’ll have more evidence to share.

A Trip to Cedar Lake

Spent the weekend at the cabin at Cedar Lake and just relaxed. I so did not want to come back. It wasn't too hot, it wasn't too cold, it was just perfect.

We sat around and talked, had a few drinks - we even went fishing! It's been forever since I've gone fishing. I had forgotten how relaxing it could be. Although Jess wouldn't bait her hook and she freaked when she actually caught a fish. Derek was in charge of taking all the fish off of the hooks because of course Jess and I didn't want to do it.

Pictures: (right) Jess forcing a smile as Derek holds up her catch. (Bottom) Dingo, formerly known as Hershey.

We spent most of the weekend out on the deck and we were blessed with the presence of Hershey. Hershey is the cutest little puppy. Apparently he was abandoned and was just being fed by the neighbors. He looks like he's part Rottweiler and part Lab. It's been awhile since I've witnessed such cute puppy behavior. He kept jumping into the late and swimming around the dock and he was running in and out of the water at the shore attacking seaweed. There was no way we could leave him there to roam the neighborhood so we convinced Derek's dad to take him in. His name is now Dingo, short for Dingbat which is reserved for when he misbehaves. I think he and Derek's dad will be good for each other though.

I've only been back for a day and I'm already wanting to get back out of town. I head to Eureka Springs in a couple of weeks so I guess I'll just have to wait until then.

Pilobolus

Saw this and thought it was cool. They do awesome things with shadows.

A New Fairy Tale

This is the fairy tale that should have been read to us when we were little:
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Once upon a time
in a land far away,

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a beautiful, independent,
self-assured princess

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happened upon a frog as she sat
contemplating ecological issues
on the shores of an unpolluted pond
in a verdant meadow near her castle.
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The frog hopped into the princess’ lap
and said: “Elegant Lady,
I was once a handsome prince,
until an evil witch cast a spell upon me.
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One kiss from you, however,
and I will turn back
into the dapper, young prince that I am
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and then, my sweet, we can marry
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and set up housekeeping in your castle
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with my mother,
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where you can prepare my meals,
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clean my clothes, bear my children,
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and forever feel
grateful and happy doing so.”
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That night,
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as the princess dined sumptuously
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on lightly sautéed frog legs
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seasoned in a white wine
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and onion cream sauce,
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she chuckled and thought to herself:
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I don’t fuckin think so.