Of Dressing Darkly, Full Moons and Death Parlors~~~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I really should get back on how an Elder Goth should dress, but frankly I have to admit that a lot of the clothing that I've seen from Macy's and Nordstrom are a bit "preppy".

And having your hemline end above the knees is not aesthetically pleasing.  As Mae West once said "Long Dresses hide a multitude of shins".   Of course in the work place that is not possible and in some cases not practical either.

But what you want to "advertise" is your "Power" not your legs and too short a hemline is not at all attractive.

On the subject of pants most pants too are not Goth in my way of thinking, unless however they project a feminine, feline Gothic grace.

Now when I'm working in the yard or doing housework, or even on vacation or camping (yes Darklings I've done camping) then pants would be called for, but if I'm vacationing at a luxurious location, then again remember feminine, feline Gothic grace.

At work I usually wear either suits, a dress with long sleeves coupled with a coat (mostly for cold) or if hot then a scarf and hat when commuting.  Many of my suits have been sewn up for me by a wonderful seamstress following vintage patterns, and fit me beautifully.

But most of us are not that fortunate, in the Macy's collection for fall I've seen some suits with interesting collar designs and fitted waists, which I think would be very nice, but of course many ladies would say "Oh that's not goth", well you have to take into account where you're working, if you're in a bank, insurance office or lawyer's office etc. what you can do to make it goth is choose a piece of jewelry (costume) that would indicate you're a bit different. 

Like a spider pin, or and I have seen them an octopus pin, or a cross in black stones, you will know it when you see it. 

Most of my suits, dresses, skirts  are in black, with a few in deep maroon, or the deepest darkest, richest purple or green one can find.  The slacks or Jeans that I have are in black, it goes with everything. 

My hem line for work is several inches below my knee, for sure mid-calf, unless your legs cannot carry off that length, then stay with several inches below the knee,

I always wear a hat and gloves, it protects the face and hands. 

Now I have seen some lovely shoes on line from Woman Within, but their clothing tends to be granny style  and a Elder Goth is never granny looking.   Think of Regina in the T.V. series "Once Upon a Time" she is the epitome of powerful, elder goth.

One thing I do HATE is panty hose, the worse abomination to give a woman a disagreeable discomfort that you have to go to the doctor for. 

Thigh high stockings are fine but I always back it up with a good garter belt, and not those froo-froo one's from Victoria Secrets either, but one's that will hold up to a full days work.  And wearing shoes without nylons is asking to get blisters on your toes and backs of your heels,  flip-flops are only proper for wearing at a pool, and should be banned from your car or to the store, if need be wear a good pair of flats.

Another thing I detest is the wearing of pajama bottoms and tops to the store, to me it means that you don't care, you haven't showered or bathed, nor even brush your teeth, Yuck!!! 

Now at home what I do is if I am cooking then I wear an apron if I just got home to prepare dinner, most of the time it's either in a slow cooker or I've put it in the oven, after dinner and picking up the dishes to wash I switch out of my outer clothes and nylons into a house dress to wear under the apron,  and then I do the clean up.

After clean up I switch to one of several lounge outfits, with mules that have the little fluff on the toes, to sit around the house as I read or watch T.V.  if someone drops by, I'm at least in an outfit that is acceptable to receive unexpected company.

For bed well it depends on how cold it is, but I have several silky, soft night gowns with matching robes or penoirs, when it's really chilly out comes the flannel night gowns. 

On nail polish I have not be overwhelmed by much except that I have seen a few colors by Essie that look intriguing, right now I'm wearing one by Sinful called Starry Night, perfect for October.

Much of my cosmetics is either by Besame especially their lipsticks, Clinique and Physican's Formula.  Now that I'm older I've tone down my eye make up, but do enough to define my eyes, the lipstick I still remain bold with, and no matter what I continue to wear cologne or perfume.

My favorites are Channel No. 5, Elizabeth Taylor's Passion and Black Pearls, and an old tried and true favorite Tabu,  my Mother use to wear Tabu.  I'm not above trying a few others if the scent pleases me.

On hair, if I could wear the hair styles from the 1940's I would but they are complicated, most of the time I wear it as seen in the movie "Dracula's Daughter" as it is so long, but my sister has taken to coloring her hair as close as possible to it's original color, and I too am going to succumb to that,  there is too much grey appearing in my hair that although I do still get carded on occasion when I ask for Senior discount, because facially I have few wrinkles (Lucky in the DNA department) my hair is becoming a give away----YES Darklings I AM vain.

But all this straight hanging getting into one's eyes stuff, no,  and cutting it short, no, Betty Page?  Not really, but there are some styles depending upon your facial structure would look very good, again Regina, and Meryl Streep in "The Devil wears Prada".

Well enough of that....

Last night was also a beautiful Full Moon, and Sis had dropped by,  Doyle and I were setting out the lights for the Halloween display, seeing what would work best, so we relaxed on the front porch sitting on the steps, we had the metal front gate closed so Belladonna and Weiner Dog would not dash out, and they were sitting on the steps with us.

Sis told me that a colleague of hers had invited her to a "Death Parlor" conference being held in the City, an all Day affair that would last until past 9 p.m. she tried to get one or two more tickets knowing that I would be interested in it but alas no more were available it had sold out quickly.  She told me about this Web site called "Order of the Good Death" and I could check to see when they would hold another one, although she heard that the one for next year would be held back east.

Oh it would have been fascinating to go, but it was not meant to be, but I told her to gather as much info as possible.  And I'm going to check out this web site.

Just then we looked up as Brian joined us  and enjoyed and remarked about the full moon, after a few minutes Belladonna and Weiner Dog started to howl, and we couldn't resist Sis and I joined in, Brian with a shrug of his shoulders as if saying "why not?"  joined us as we howled, our neighbors who were walking by with their dogs joined us in the Howlfest.

 After a minute Doyle came back out side and I heard him exclaim "again??!!  Children of the Night!!  Shut  Up!!"   we stopped, and then Brian turned to him and said "Spoil Sport."   All of us including our neighbors, laughed. 

Now today, I will be getting out the Halloween serving platters and such, and getting them ready for our event.

But I am going to check that web site.

Later Darklings

Of a Blood Moon~~~~

Hello Darklings,

This is going to be a short post, but I want to let you know that tonight's Full Moon will be a Blood Moon, that is possible that we will have a lunar eclipse.

Now the time for the West Coast will be between 2:15 to 3:45 a.m. that is very early Wednesday Morning,  from beginning to end. 

What time it will be for other parts of the country I'm not sure so check your local weather stations or the internet for your times.

I'm looking forward to it, and will set my clock.  Doyle thinks I'm a bit loony-toonie

But I would not be an Elder Goth if I didn't take this opportunity to see this unusual event.

I'd howl at it but I might scare the neighbors that  early in the morning. 

So if you can Darklings do take it in.

Later Darklings

Of Full Moons and Friday the 13th~~~~~

Yes Darklings,

Two posts in one day----well I just had to post this tid-bit for you.  Especially if you like to howl and Bay at the moon, which I and Sis might do later tonight.

Because this is a very special moon, its a Friday the 13th Full moon a rare event.  

Yes very Rare---for me to see this next Full moon I will have to live to be 102 years old.

I think I will try to do that, just to freak my nieces and nephews, of course my nephews will think I'm a crazy old hag, but I know one niece who will think I'm pretty "cool". 

So Darklings---it's a Friday Night, it's the Thirteenth, and there's a Full Moon----Get you Howling On!!!   AAARRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Later Darklings---I feel like running with the Wolves tonight.

Of Easter, Blood Moons and exhausted!!~~~~~

Hello Darklings!

I am SO glad that I am taking next week off for vacation, frankly my Dears I need it!

Well I shouldn't be so bad about it, but things at work have been a bit crazy, people out ill with allergies, Easter Break so spending time with their children, and one of my co-workers being in a car accident, not too bad but has a broken leg and cracked ribs, so it is obvious we are short handed, long hours, working late, shouldn't be working so late, and Doyle being so lovely picking me up and driving us home.

I was seriously tempted to stay for a few days at a near by hotel but they are charging Holiday rates, no, no I'm not getting caught in that trap, cheaper to pay for gas.

But next week a number of people will be back, so there will be a certain amount of sanity.  But I do think that last Monday night's blood moon might have affected some people.  Doyle came to pick me up and was waiting for me,  we had only a quarter of a block to walk to his car, when suddenly a naked man came running up to us, only wearing a smile and tennis shoes.

He was dancing back and forth mostly in front of me, and Doyle was ready to belt him one but instead I pointed at the man's pitiful wanger, laughed at him and said "Is that all you've got?" and proceeded to walked passed him as the smile on his face and his wanger fell. 

Doyle still wanted to belt him one but I reminded him that it wasn't worth going to jail for punching out idiots, took his hand and made him walk to the car, leaving the naked fellow just standing there.

As we settled into the car I remarked "I hope he doesn't catch a cold",  Doyle just gave me a look, and then laughed as we drove through the night lit streets of San Francisco,  across the bridge and I looked at the skeletal remains of the old bridge highlighted by the rising almost full moon.  As I looked at the metal work of that old work house I found myself sadly nostalgic for the old Beast, and as always,  I mentally said "good night" to it, an old worn out faithful friend.

It was just past midnight when we got home and I looked up at the moon as it was going into eclipse, did I want to stay up late and see this astronomical wonder?  Yes I thought, it would be one of those few times when the time was nearly right, so bundled up with a blanket and with a glass of dark red wine, I sipped and watched.   Doyle decided to stay up with me and we used the moment to quietly talk about things, Wiener Dog and Belladonna were curled up in their daytime nap beds in the kitchen, they thought humans staying out side in the chill when there were nice warm beds inside, were being silly. 

Then the Moon was in full eclipse, turning a copper color red of dried blood. How wondrous I thought, how mystical, how Gothic and a bit evil, I was almost tempted to howl but stopped as Doyle and I hear softly in the distance dogs doing mournful howls in the near silence, there was something almost agonizing about it, Primitive, primeval.   I heard a soft growl at my feet and there was Weiner and Belladonna, doing low warning growls, and then the mournful sounds stopped, and our dogs stopped growling.

Doyle gave a bit of a shake of his shoulders and said quickly, "Let's go in, lock the door."  The dogs were quick in the lead.  Doyle locked and bolted the kitchen door as I put our glasses in the sink,  then Doyle told me to go upstairs and he would re-check the windows and front door as well as the door that led into the basement, since the basement also had an outside door for convenience.

I did as he told, almost glad to get into the imagined safety of the bed, with both Weiner and Belladonna jointing me, and waited for Doyle.  A few minutes later he entered and assured me that all was secure.  As he turned out the light I asked him "What did you feel?" and he paused and then said "I really don't know but it didn't feel right" then he kissed me and said "Morning will look good".

And I woke up the next morning opening one eyeball to see the nose of Weiner dog in close up checking me out and being reassured when I said "I'm fine, I'm fine".

The good thing is that I could sleep in late and go in later in the morning, last nights' experience during the eclipse seemed un-real, but we did have an eclipse,  as I went out to catch the bus into the City I ran into one of my neighbors who asked me if I too heard the dogs howling, at least it was not mine nor Doyle's imagination.

So with free moments I and Sis have been able to get the house ready, and this morning we did the final bit of shopping for the Easter Dinner and managed to go to Good Friday Services, a period of mourning and to remember those whom have gone on before, now I am relaxing and typing. 

Sis will be back later she had an appointment with a client, Coralline called me last night to tell me she received your card Trisha, she hope you received yours,  she knows of the "Easter Beagle" as her Dad has been teasing her about it, but she hopes you like the Easter Pickle. 

Last night she told me a joke "What happens when you go out and plant Jelly beans in your Garden?"  I told her I wasn't sure and she said "You'll get your hands dirty."  And when you think about it, it is so true.

Doyle pleaded with me if we could skip the umpteenth showing on T.V. the "Ten Commandment's", and I said "Of course, no one can say 'Their God is God' like Yul Brenner, and that is the highlight of the movie, along with the parting of the Red Sea."   But I also said I was not going to watch "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"   no matter how much my Brother insists that it too is a religious movie. 

And now at this moment, inside and outside the house is quiet, not a bird, not a car, no neighbors calling out to each other, silence, almost expectant silence.  As if something is being anticipated.

Redemption??  Re-Birth?? Renewal??   I don't know, but I feel the need to go out into the garden and wait, I don't have these moments very often, but when they happen I take them and wait to see what will develop.

Later Darklings

Of "Valentine's Day and a Full Moon"~~~

Yes Darklings,

A beautiful Full Moon for Valentine's Day, depending upon if its raining, snowing or just miserable weather.

But Last night Sis and I looked out her bedroom window and saw the most magnificent full moon, framed with clouds, the moonlight doing a dance among the clouds, streets damp with the left over rain, the air washed and feeling fresh, the sky not black nor blue but a combination of both creating a velvety color.

Sis and I sat up last night, she is feeling a bit better, but she didn't want to come down stairs, just huddle in her bed, so I certainly wasn't going to force her, except to chase her into the shower and into a fresh nightgown,  while she was doing that I changed the sheets and pillow cases and re-made her bed, for which she was profoundly grateful.

So as a surprise I went into the upstairs linen closet and got out the card table that we use to sort and fold the linens,  and carried it into her bedroom, I lined it up with the window so we both could look outside from our chairs.  Covered it with a table cloth and sent up via the dumbwaiter (yes the house has a dumbwaiter but it has to be pulled up manully) the plateware, glasses and food and drink to the 2nd level.

From there using an old tea cart I wheeled dinner into her room, more won ton soup, but with a touch of sweet french bread, and to keep a settled stomach Ginger ale to drink.

We didn't have to worry about Doyle last night as he wasn't going to be home until very late.  Sis and I listened to music on the Sirus radio and talked, she was still feeling a bit weak but felt that by her first appointment next Tuesday she'd be up to par.  As we Elder Goths get older things like colds and flu's can really wreak havoc on our bodies, we don't bounce back as fast, so coddling and taking extra time to get well is important.

How she got the cold I'm not sure, I'm still well (I hope) but with all she and I have been doing it is possible her immune system got weakened.

Belladonna and Weiner Dog were having fun with this change of venue for dinner,  and to keep them busy I had their toys scattered about for them to play with.

It was fun looking out the window from our high vantage point and watching the neighborhood at night, watching people arrive home, and observing the various night time rituals,  the husband and wife across the street watch T.V. in their bedroom already in the P.J's  sometimes he watches and she reads, and vis-versa,  another family attempting to bar-b-que at night their dinner, someone wanted ribs, the scent wafted across the street and was making my mouth water,  as well as the dogs,  and someone having an arguement with their teenage daughter (not Marissa) and the daugther screaming that age old line "You're ruining My LIFE!!"  

When Sis heard that she shook her head and remarked to me "Do you think our parents ruined our lives?" and I turned to her and thought about it for a second or two rummaging through my mind.  Finally I said "No, they didn't, I mean as I remember if they said 'No' they explained why it was 'no' but we were also brought up to listen, and we have to remember how Matt taught us things as well."  I paused and then said "It was a different life style, a different time, we were brought up with different mores, we didn't have our lives interrupted with internet, cell phones, bullying tatics, and the types of Peer pressure that young people have today.  I think the parents of today have it much harder than the parents 50-60 years ago when we were growing up.  I think too the television programs that we had at the time also taught moral lessons, something that I really don't see much now a days, granted back then the moral lessons were simplified but how many young boys were influenced by, for example, "The Lone Ranger" code.  Children are forced to become adults before they can have fun being children."

Sis agreed with me and then said "I'm thinking of retiring from my line of work and putting more effort into my writting"  that surprised me I asked "Why?"  and she said "Oh maybe this cold really took it out of me, maybe its time to leave this business to younger people who understand better the pressures that people face in this 21st century world."  "You could become a consultant" I suggested, "You don't have to give it up right away, look you're still recovering, wait until you're feeling completely well and then do a reassesment."

Sis nodded and agreed to put it off until another time, our dinner was finished and I was putting things back on the cart when Sis said "Turn off the light and just look at the moon with me"  I angled the card table away and brought my chair closer and turned off the light, we had the moon light streaming in.

I was reminded how as children and young teens Sis and I would look out the window when there was beautiful full moon, our bedroom light turned off and how we'd quietly talk about things, different things and here we were doing it again.  Talking quietly, different things that would pop into our heads,  then Sis went to the window and completely opened it up and stuck her head out and howled at the Moom.

Well I wasn't going to let her do it alone, so I joined her sticking my head out and howling just as loud,  the dogs from up and down the block started in, I had no idea what started them off, I could hear Belladonna and Weiner Dog behind us howling as well, and we were doing it beautifully-------

Until Doyle pulled up in his car, he got out heard the whole thing up and down the block and Sis and I leading the pack, when we saw Doyle we did it even louder,  he looked up at us as we leaned out the window and yelled "Not Again!!!"   so with his hands on his hips he yelled "Children of the Night!!  SHUT THE HECK UP!!!"

And we did, the dogs did and giggling like school girls, Sis and I ducked back into the room and closed the window, collapsing into our chairs and laughing.  When Doyle climbed up the stairs we managed to get our giggles under control, he stepped into the room turned on the lights clucked a sound of disproval and said "A Full Moon, I should know better."  and he left the room as we started laughing again.

And now it's Valentine's Day,  I managed to get a red velvet cake for desert,  Sis said she felt up to coming down stairs,  and Coralline is going to be staying with us for the weekend, her Mom and Dad are going to drop her off in an hour as they and the boys go to one of the ski resorts,  the weather goes from cloudy to sunny, to cloudy and now sunny, now cloudy.  Coralline is hoping for my beef stew over rice which I have slowly cooking in the crock pot, Sis's appitite is coming back and looking forward to that as well.  It will be a quiet Valentine's weekend but Doyle has surprised us with a huge box of See's Candies and Roses,
His card to me reads thusly----Boy meets Girl.
                                               They like.
                                               They listen.
                                               They laugh.
                                               They love.
A simply perfect love story --- and it's ours.

I will never argue about that......Happy Valentine's Day Darklings.

Later

Of "Oh my goodness, we did it again! LOL~~~~

Yes Darklings,

We did it again!

And what was it???

Well last night the moon was so full and beautiful, a perfect gothic moon, with clouds gently framing it and having its moonbeams reflected off of them.

Brian had joined us for dinner, and he remarked about how beautiful the moon was, so Sis, Doyle and I joined him on the front porch (with Belladonna and Wiener Dog in their coats) and we admired the Moon in all its glory.

After a few minutes----well Darklings I just HAD to do it, I bayed at the Moon, then Sis joined in and so did Brian as we gleefully bayed at the Moon.  Belladonna and Wiener Dog joined in as well. 

But finally Doyle had enough or maybe he thought the neighbors would think we had really gone off the rails and said in his best Bela Lugosi voice or more like that fellow vampire in "Love at First Bite",---he said "Children of the Night!!!----SHUT UP!!!"

Well Darklings we do have to do that at least once a year when the Moon is full and bright.

Then Doyle said, "Now come on in, dinner is getting cold and I'm hungry"  Oh well, back to reality.

Later Darklings