Of Donating to Hurricane Disaster Relief~~~~

Hello Darklings,

Here I am complaining about our Summer, and people are drowning in Texas because of Hurricane Harvey,  I should be ashamed of myself.

I've been watching the 5 o'clock news and the devastation is unimaginable, flooding on a Noachian scale, what some people would call a thousand year storm, worse that Hurricane Katrina.

My sister and I are making donations as well as other family members and friends.

If you have been hearing about this devastation and want to donate the best organization is the Red Cross.

Either call 1-800-Red-Cross or go to their web site you can find it on the internet.  

Be careful to not get taken in by scams,  especially any "gofundme" campaigns, the Red Cross is the best way to go.

Later Darklings

Of wanting a Gothic Summer (not), Pennydreadful, Timothy Dalton and Halloween~~~

Hello Darklings,

Oh we were having another heat wave, with most of August being overcast and chilly for the summer why is it before Labor Day, we get a real blast of Summer??  

I can only take the dogs out early in the morning and early evening, when it gets like this,  and even then just around the block, I do not trust drivers driving at twilight, but then isn’t twilight when Vampires come out to play, and early dawn when they go to sleep? 

Well I have been busy, my doctor has been having me do all kinds of tests, blood, urine, and just recently a bone density test, well considering that I’ve worked indoors most of my life and avoid sunlight, I have to take vitamin D to compensate, but ever since Coralline broke her ankle, even I have been cautious.  

And to add insult to my body, the doctor wants me to have a G.I. exam which means having a camera go up the nether regions where no one wants to go, again!   It seems they didn’t complete it the last time because I showed discomfort while under a light anesthesia ---- DISCOMFORT!!???   When I was told that I said “YOU give me that camera and I’ll show YOU DISCOMFORT!!”  

But they said once done it doesn’t have to be done for 10 years, (maybe)  sometimes I think my doctor is a sadist, and I’m no masochist. 

I like a little bondage but only with black furry mink handcuffs.  (at least in my younger days) and I prefer to do the tying up,  now that I’m thinking about it I did do that some years ago with one of my college boyfriends, I tied him up with his silk ties, and you know what they say “You can’t break old school ties.”   Sorry very bad pun.

Even with the heat wave I’ve been feeling a bit Gothic of late, I haven’t had a chance to purchase the latest installment of American Horror Story “Roanoke”.   But Doyle happily fulfilled my Gothic morbid craving by purchasing the three seasons of Pennydreadful,   Oh I had forgotten how wonderful Timothy Dalton’s voice could be, he could recite a grocery list and seduce me.

“Pennydreadful” is a most unusual series not PG13 more R rated, it deals with evil, and re-discovering redemption after giving in to one’s darkest desires,  focusing on the female lead, but some don’t quite make it, and some do, and bringing in a number of the classic “monsters”,  Frankenstein’s’ creature,(which was sensitively played), Dr. Frankenstein himself, Dorian Grey, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll, a werewolf, a monster hunter, in a way you sort of wanted it to continue after the end but then it would have gone in a different direction, which was not the authors or producers idea or concept.  In the end a very dark and Gothic morality play----at least in my opinion.

During my “Pennydreadful” fest, a local church was having its annual 3 day rummage sale, and I love rummage.  I managed to snare 4 Victorian  plant stands, and then had fun looking through the china and glass ware finding a few Victorian style pieces, including soup bowls although modern, were in the “Rose Chinze” pattern, perfect for soup on a cold winter’s night.  

 As I purchased, Doyle dutifully took them to the car, then I went book hunting there.   It’s amazing what people no longer want that are treasures for others,  there were a few Earl Stanly Gardner “Perry Mason” mysteries, and a couple of books in the ‘Sookie Stackhouse’ series that I think “True Blood” is based on, plus a few others of interest.

But then I began to feel a little haunted, because I had wandered over to the children’s toy area, sometimes I get lucky and find complete board games for children and adults to play and there it was! In a metal frame that was falling apart, a coming attractions movie poster of the James Bond movie “License to Kill” with Timothy Dalton (much younger of course) looking dark, dangerous and deadly.  Well for $2.00 I HAD to buy it.  

 Doyle gave me a ‘raised eyebrow’ but carried it good-naturedly to the car, the poster was in fine condition so I’ll re-frame it, and hang it, in the down stairs bedroom, that I use for guests or when one is too ill to climb stairs.

I had fun with my newly found treasures, the plant stands just need a little clean-up and a fresh coat of paint, the soup bowls washed and ready to be put to use, the books put into their proper spaces in my reading library, and when I’m done with them they will go to the Library book sale, perfect to re-purpose.

I am already seeing signs of Halloween here and there, a few new magazines, which I purchased, Halloween candy on the high shelves at Safeway, but I do have to ask, why is it that the first store to carry Halloween decorations is called ‘Michaels’ ?   (if some of you don’t get the Halloween pun, it’s your own fault)

I had gone into Michaels to get a replacement jewelry fixing for a necklace that broke and something prompted me to wander around and there they were---- all kinds of ghoulish, morbid things. 

 It’s a good thing that the credit card that I use to buy Halloween items was all paid off, now I didn’t buy everything, I was picky, there were crystal balls with a skull floating in the middle, bottles of weird contents, and a wonderful large glass dispenser with a skull on it perfect for strawberry lemonade.   And Halloween tree ornaments of skulls, witches hats, pumpkins and little bats, and tiny skeletons,  and a perfect witch topper for the tree.   

 Yes Darklings I have a black (but fake) tree, to put out for Halloween,  it’s just too bad that it will be on a Tuesday this year but I can have at least 2 maybe 3 parties for the season. 

I mean is it too early to start decoration for Halloween in September?  Why Not!

Then Doyle surprised me the other evening, he had been on the “house computer” in the Library, which is my computer, but he told me that it was for personal use and didn’t want to use his in his office since that was for work.  I just rolled my eyes on that remark.   

Then he comes up to me as I’m reading one of my Perry Mason mysteries, with Belladonna and Wiener Dog curled up next to me (making it difficult to shift around) and he announced “I bought a copy of ‘Jane Eyre’.”   I looked at him and said “Why buy a copy?  I have that book in our Library.”  

He went on to say “Not the book, the BBC program from 1983, with Timothy Dalton as Mr. Rochester.”   I looked at him dumbfounded.

I had always thought that was the best ‘Jane Eyre’ and that Dalton’s impassioned and obsessive Rochester was the best of all of them.  

 Doyle looked at me and then said “You’re Welcome.”  Finally my mouth sputtered to working as I quickly got up (which the dogs were not happy) and rained kisses all over Doyles’ face.    And I love seeing that Humphrey Bogart smile on his face as he said to me (once I came up for air) “Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.”

Yes, Darklings, Halloween treats do come early in my home.

Later Darklings 

Of Gothic Moonlit Gardens~~~~

Dear Darklings,

What is it with the weather???   Yesterday it was overcast and chilly cold that even the dogs decided to snuggle in their doggie beds together, which is something they rarely do.   And I had to wear a sweater (black of course), it was so nippy.

Now it’s overcast in the morning and sunny in the afternoon but barely above 70.  And this is supposed to be the Dog Days of Summer, you know like Hot August Nights and all that stuff. 

Not that I want to get overheated, there is a limit. 

I’ve been talking to my gardener and I said I’d like to do a Gothic moon garden considering that the overabundance of rain rotted out my blubs and other plants so I’ve been letting things sort of even out and rest. 

He suggested that I plant white plants that is blubs and flowers that are white, and soft grey foliage and replace those roses that have died with roses that produce white blooms, as well as night blooming jasmine, and moonflowers, evening primrose, night phlox,  and 4 o’clock.

I found out that other night blooming plants (depending upon what zone you live in) include  Queen of the Night which is a type of catus with  exotic white flowers with undulating petals that open only at night, it looks a little like a water lily set upon upright green fronds.

Now there are some that are dangerous even toxic if eaten by pets and children such as  Night Blooming Jessamine (Cestrum nocturnum), Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia) the scent is intoxicating on warm summer evenings

 Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana)  it smells like jasmine but you need to use Caution because all parts of flowering tobacco are toxic if ingested so if you have children and pets that like to nibble plants you might want to avoid this one.

There’s also  Evening Stock (Matthiola longipetala)  A wildflower originating in Portugal and Spain, they release their heady perfume, described as a mix of vanilla, rose, spice, and cloves.

 Ever-Flowering Gladiolus (Gladiolus tristis) this has buttery cream petalled flowers perched atop a twisty stalk. They release a strong almond fragrance after dusk.  Of course one has to have  Lilac (Syringa vulgaris), even if it’s blooming period is short.

Summer Snapdragon (Angelonia angustifolia), because its long-blooming upright 8-inch spikes resemble those of the popular dragon flower it’s available in several hues, the “serena white” variety is the best choice for a moonlight garden.  It has apple-scented foliage, this will stay in bloom from June to September.

Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri) is lovely but you need to prune frequently but great for ground cover.

And you’ll need plants that have a silvery sheen to them to pick up the rays of the moon like  Silvermound (Artemisia schmidtiana), Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’), Jack Frost (Brunnera macrophylla) White Trillium,  and Lamb’s Ear.

And we also have Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)and  Alba Plena Camellia (Camellia japonica ‘Alba Plena’) it has exquisite overlapping petals in snowy white, the alba plena camellia is commonly referred to as the rose of winter since it blooms from late fall until early spring.

It is recommended that along with night-blooming and night-fragrant flowers, adding plants that will shine under the stars is the crowning touch of the moonlight garden. You’ll want to select showy flowers in white or other cool colors like light blue, soft yellow, and lavender and be sure to include reflective non-flowering plants to create a diverse range of textures, shapes, and sizes.

Of course this is helpful if you have a garden even a tiny patio if you have a ground floor apartment, but if you don’t find out from your nurseryman which plants will grow well it pots to have on your apartment balcony to enjoy on those warm summer evenings to engage in your Gothic moon viewing as you read “Dracula” or one of the “Twilight” novels by candle light.

My artist friends directed me to someone who can do small concrete skulls for me with slightly different “grins” on their faces, and with metal armature do skeletal hands breaking out of the ground.  He recommended not too many, it would be better that they are a sudden surprise but not where anyone could trip over them,  and with my outdoor pond I’ve been stocking it with mosquito fish and having the water circulating to prevent mosquito's from hatching, and floating white waterlilies, at least with those fish if they get eaten by the cats I can replace them for free.   

My gardener suggested that maybe the evening stock and the poppy be used where I have my pet cemetery as ground cover,  so I have a lot of planning for my Moon garden and hope to have it fully in place by next summer  so we shall see.

Later Darklings.

Of the Dog Days of Summer, Open House and Vampire Cowboys~~~~

Hello Darklings,

Well it is the “Dog Days of Summer”,  and we’ve been having heat with monsoon humidity and now it’s just warm with a breeze.

But during our heat wave both Belladonna and Weiner Dog, were panting even with the fan on them and water close at hand with ice cubes in it.    Everything with the humidity felt sticky,  so cool cotton, and large sun hats were needed.

I haven’t been posting much of late, getting called in to cover for staffers, but now with vacation almost over and parents buying clothes and supplies for their children things are creeping back to normal.

We had a grass fire up in the hills and sad to note that it was arson caused,  the smoke made breathing difficult, I was sneezing a lot, fortunately Cal-Fire got it knocked down quickly, but still it’s frightening.

My brother and family have come back from their long vacation up north staying mostly coast side to take advantage of the cooler weather, but up in Canada there was a million acre fire burn and in one phone call from them it was difficult to breath at one point so the drove closer to the coast where the ocean breeze helped.

They’re back now, getting uniforms, going to appointments, getting school schedules, but they plan on going south for the weekend to the Beach Board walk in Santa Cruz, get in some of that old-fashion Summer-time fun.   But the children promised to go no further than up to their knees because there might be sharks coming closer inland.

I showed the children what I’ve been able to get for their lockers and in school supplies, My brother reimbursed me, but Christopher was happy with what he can do to organize his locker and Coralline was thrilled I was able to find the same things in Gold as well as the battery operated chandelier to light up the interior of her locker.   

Coralline is getting around a lot better with the compression cross-brace but she has to ice her ankle every night, it still swells up from time to time.   She and Christopher are looking forward to this school year, to see how things will go, but the twins are not looking forward to it, moaning that they can’t have fun and instead are going to be doing the dreaded homework.  

I’m feeling a bit sad today,  one of our long time neighbors are selling their house and going to move to Idaho, to a small town that has what they are looking for low crime, good schools, good after-school programs for the grandchildren,  affordable, good medical and a quaintness that has been lost in big city living.    Their son and daughter in law and their two children had been living with them for over a year, they had to leave their apartment because the rent went up and they couldn’t find an affordable place to live.   The Grandparents were fed-up with the craziness happening in this state and when Anthem-Blue Cross said it was leaving the state they too felt it was time to get out of town.

So today was open house for their property, so many people looking but one thing that is a bit off-putting for the house is that it does not have off-street parking, the new owner would have to park their car(s) on the street, so I’ll see who will be willing to buy the house, but I heard it had a sale price of nearly ¾’s of a million dollars, that nearly made me faint.   But it also told me that I’d have to plan my estate very carefully to see who will get my Great-Aunt’s home.

Our neighbors Crazy Son is home again, and for the last few months had been behaving himself, taking his medication,  but last week he went off the rails again ranting and carrying on, at 1 in the morning.  I called the Police because he was disturbing the peace and his sister was having a hard time with him.  The police took care of him, taking him in for evaluation.

I talked to the sister and she said her Father wanted him home thinking he’d be fine, so he was discharged,  Lovely I thought.   So we’ll see if he has to go back into the care facility.

At the end of September if I can I think I’ll do another wine tour but just a week I think,  I want to be home in October to decorate for Halloween.

But I have been discouraged at not finding more Gothic things.

Although last night on TV on Svengoolie he showed a vampire western---yes Dear Darklings a Vampire Western,   it was called “Curse of the Undead” 1959, with Eric Fleming (of Rawhide)  and Michael Pate as the  gun fighting vampire.    I have to say that the plot line was good as well as the acting there was nothing “cheesy” about it.   It did what “Billy the Kid Vs Dracula” (1966) couldn’t do.   Michael Pate even made the cowboy vampire seem both to be pitied and yet feared.  And he had a great line "Oh the dead don't bother me, it's the living that gives me trouble".

I’m not sure if I have it among my collection of vampire movies, but if not then I’m going to get a copy.  Who thought a cowboy Western Vampire movie could be so Gothic.  But this one is.

And now Sis has come by with dinner for us, take out Chinese, yes when you don’t feel like cooking but don’t mind driving take out Chinese is the way to go.

Later Darklings

                                                                      

I just found out I can buy a reprint of this poster,  I think I will and have it framed.