Of Mother's Day and memories~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

And Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mother's , grandmothers, aunties, Godmother's, and if you just help out caring for children.

Doyle and I are going to the cemetery in a few minutes to put flowers on my Mother's grave, Sis would have gone but she left yesterday to be with her children for Mother's day and won't be back until tomorrow but she chipped in for the flowers.

Doyle called his children last night to wish them Happy Mother's Day, he'll be going down in June for a week to visit---by pass the Memorial Day weekend insanity.

Roses, white and red that is I what I'll be putting there.

Our elderly neighbor lady is coming with us along with Belladonna and Weiner dog because afterwards we are going to my brother's house to celebrate with a bar-be-que, just relax and talk and relax and eat and talk and relax.

I didn't want to leave our neighbor lady all by herself, her children live far away and they did call her last night but on a day like today its not good to be alone.  So we invited her.

Just sitting here and thinking about all the things Mom did for us, all the fun we had and the scolding's too, the tragedy she and Dad had to bear, and her courage to be able to pull up from it.

I remember at old St. Elizabeth's Church there was this 2/3's size tableau at one side of the altar on Good Friday of the 3 Mary's at the foot of the cross, Mary the Mother of Jesus, watching her son suffer and not being able to ease his suffering.  Who ever sculpted that statue caught the pain on Mary's face, in pain and resignation, not denial but resignation.

No parent, no Mother wants to outlive their children but things force themselves upon Mother's.

I remember my Grandmother saying "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world".   And then I think I hear my mother's laughter at odd times in the house, sometimes as I wake up in the middle of the night.  I'm not frightened but at ease. 

I've never had children of my own, life took a different turn with me on that, but I'm happy to be an Auntie and to carry on the memories of my Mother and Grandmother to pass on to other generations.

And now our neighbor has shown up and we're ready to go.

Happy Mother's Day Darklings!

Later.

Of Vampire Blood and Nail polish~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

I have been so bad not posting anything new, bizarre, glamour's or even interesting of late.

But it was seeming like things were just boring, boring, boring.  Except that Sis and I did have a fun Sunday shopping to celebrate Audrey Hepburn's birthday, and we also sent off checks to charities that she supported as well, we are not selfish. 

We are fortunate and blessed, so it behooves us to help out as best as we can.  I think of all of my nieces and nephews and think upon how lucky they are and hope that they realize it.

But we did go to Tiffany's and looked around, and I did splurge, I found a sterling silver chain link bracelet with a heart shaped pendant on it like a charm and I remembered an aunt of mine had something like that so I bought it and asked to have it engraved with my initials and my birthday, I also asked if it's something they usually have and was informed that it does come in from time to time so I'm going to buy one for Coralline have it engraved the same way and give it to her for her next birthday. 

I don't usually buy things at Tiffany's very much but this is something special.

And we went to Saks and Nordstrom and Macy's.  I bought a bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume as well as Coco.   And had fun looking at lipsticks and nail polish but I just could not find a color that would get me excited.

As a matter of fact I just could not get excited by any of the clothing or styles of things they had at the stores, it all seemed so blah and sameness, I asked Sis if I was getting too old and she remarked that it appears that the styles are not marketed to us but to the 20 something's with knobby knees and boney shoulders,  the style just didn't have any style.

At least I can be on the watch for the Vintage Fashion Faire next month I should be able to find something exciting there, I usually do.

As a matter of fact we had a number of women come up to us asking where did we buy our clothing and were surprised that it was either vintage or retro designs, and the fact that we wore hats,  and these ladies had the same complaint.  

But all was not lost I bought a bottle of J'adore cologne as well.  And found 2 bottles of Revlon's Devine nail polish---I had used up my last bottle. And I love the color, if I can every find a bottle of their limited edition of Devil's Lure I'll buy that as well.

I've discovered that I'm now preferring the Matt lipsticks, and the Besame colors seem to suit me very well.  Anything glossy on my lips just doesn't seem to work well or look well on my, perhaps that's the  curse of being an older woman, who is a bit retro.

Sis managed to find in her size a simple little black dress in linen and it fit her beautifully and no knobby knees. 

Then off we went to dinner at the Claremont Hotel, I just had to indulge in a "Pink Lady", I had not had one of them in ages.  Sis suggested that if Doyle and his Storm Troopers were going to have each year a "May the Forth" party we should have our "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Party as well.  I think its a splendid idea.

Ahhh but how does Vampire Blood come into all of this---Well Darklings, my co-workers know I have an interest in things morbid, gothic etc. etc. well one of them found an on line article from the UK from The Telegraph science news section titled " 'Vampire therapy'  could reverse ageing, scientists find"     It seems that old Countess Elizabeth Bathory had the right idea but went about it the wrong way.

It seems that a transfusion of youthful blood may halt and possibly reverse the ageing process, it seems that the chemical make-up of younger blood has surprise health benefits.

It seems that young blood actually 'recharges' the brain, forms new blood vessels and improves memory and learning.  The article claims that a protein known as  GDF11 is present in the blood stream in large quantities when we are young but peters out as we age.

The article goes on in more depth but you might be able to find it under  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/10807478/Vampire-therapy-could-reverse...

I hope I have the right link but if you go to the Telegraph website you should be able to find it.

I found the article fascinating as a few years ago I had problems standing and walking, and I would get exhausted and could not focus.   I became concerned and made an appointment with my Doctor and took a taxi since I felt I could not drive, he had me tested and immediately had me admitted into the hospital, I was severely anemic and needed several units of blood as well as being dehydrated.  I knew I was looking very pale, but I didn't know it was from that. 

It turned out that for some reason my bone marrow was not making enough red blood cells, so I had to start taking Iron pills every day a heavy dose.  I still do but only 3 times a week now.  But with the fresh new blood I felt energized, even plumped up, my cognitive skills were heightened and sharpened, almost supernormal. 

When I talked to my Sister about it I laughed and said "I've become a vampire" but even she said that I looked younger than I had in years.  Now reading this article, and also with taking vitamins and Iron as well as being careful with my skin, it seems that something like this is not so far fetched, but in its own way a bit frightening when you think about it.

There is even a news article about what is called a "vampire facelift"  at this point in time I really don't want to go there.

And now Doyle has shown up with dinner as he pleaded with me for me to rest a bit and not cook.  And it's from our favorite Chinese take out.

Later Darklings

Of Easter Sunday~~~~

Good Morning Darklings!!!

Well I sort of slept in this morning, but for a good reason.

Last night Doyle, Sis and I went to Easter Midnight services, something not done much, we had to hunt for a church that does that, as most people want to go to Sunrise Services.

But I find that there is something very medieval in going to a Midnight Service, the ritual, the awakening, the Priest calling out "Christ is Risen!"  I posted it more at length in an earlier post from a year or two ago. 

But then afterwards to fall back into bed feeling that all will be right with the world sort of feeling. 

But Sis and I while waiting for Doyle to get the car and deal with the traffic jam in the church parking lot, could not help but overhear some people remarking that the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox, which heralds when is Easter Sunday, was a Blood Moon, and they sounded worried.

Oh no, thought I, not amateur "doom sayers"  Didn't need that.  Still considering the timing it was strange.

But then I shook those thoughts off, as we drove home and into a nice comfortable bed. 

Our Easter Dinner will be in the Early Evening, to allow for what ever plans my Brother has with the Boys.   Coralline and her Mother have shown up, and we are all going to get into Doyle's Van to go to a crowded breakfast at a Coffee Shop that he likes, its a bit out of the way, but they serve wonderful pancakes, designed to hold you all day until dinner.

I am going to be feeling fat after today, but I'll have a week to diet, if need be.  It is a bit over cast and chilly here, but I know that will burn off before noon. 

Dinner really will be easy, a nice Ham to be served,  usually if its just a small gathering I'd be serving Leg of Lamb, but with the Boy's, our elderly neighbor,  my cousin and her friend, Sis's boarder Brian, and a couple of Doyle's friends, Ham seemed to be a better choice, and we can have sandwiches for lunch during the week. 

And when we get back Coralline and her Mom will be helping out with things like getting the table set, and pulling down the large serving items. 

I am so glad for my Stove, it will be able to handle it.

And now Doyle has the Van out front, so to gather my coat and purse and off we go, we're sneaking in Belladonna and Weiner Dog in their carry all's into the Coffee Shop, but I think the owner knows but turns a blind eye---He's a dog lover too.

Happy Easter My Darklings!!

Later

Of Wishing you all a Happy New Year for 2014!!!~~~~

Yes Darklings, a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR 2014!!!

We have had our ups and downs this year, here in the States horrible weather conditions, bombings and other tragic situations, and overseas horrible events happening all over, from Europe, Russia, the Phillipines, Japan, Africa too many countries to name.

But here in the United States we've found reasons to hope and be joyful, from the rescue of a little puppy, to young women being found after being imprisoned for nearly 10 years, and the outreach of strangers to help other strangers.

Yes there are times when we wonder about humanity and the human condition and then glimmers of hope and compassion to remind us that all is not lost.

I know that in Asia and in Europe it is already 2014, and in just less than 12 hours here where I'm at, it will be the turn of the year, a new page to write on, a time to improve oneself, to improve relationships or decide which relationships are toxic to one's health and best left alone.

I do not make any resolutions, but I do make a list of what I need to do, yes a "TO DO" List,  this would include repairs or maintance to the house, cars, wardrobe, appliances, what to weed out, sort out, dispose of, donate,  putting together papers for income tax preperation, listing appointments both medical and dental to be made.  Updating my calendar for birthdays, anniversaries, speical events and occasions.

But all of this starts on January 7th---why January 7th?

Well this is something that I and my siblings learned from our parents, and I guess they learned it from their parents.

The true 12 days of Christmas is really from Christmas Day Dec 25 to Epithany or Jan 6 of the following year, in our Family the entire religious season was from Thanksgiving or the Sunday after Thanksgiving to and through Jan 6 Epithany,  from "Stir up Sunday" to "Three Kings Day".  We had our Advent wreath which here in my home we've been observing,  and certain days are set aside to put up the Christmas decorations and the tree, to fill the pantry and make ready both physically and spiritually.

Those Sundays we attended Mass were very important to us,  Mid-night Mass on Christmas Eve although tiring was important to us, and ususally we'd go after visiting relatives for that was how we spent the Day of Christmas Eve, delivering presents, checking on the Grandparents, calling from one house to the other to let them know we were on our way and if we missed someone it was understood that the packages could be found at one or the other Grandparents house, and we always finished at Mom's Mother's house for a late supper, enjoying the Christmas tree making sure Grandma was o.k. making arrangements as to who was going to take her to church on Christmas day, she always said to us that it was hard for her to go to Midnight Mass at her age, Christmas Day was good.

I remember the last Christmas she had and the $2.00 tree but that is a story for another Christmas time.

Then the days after Christmas, writing out thank you notes, putting away the presents received, carefully folding and storing the wrapping paper (if it could be saved), going through the envelopes to make sure nothing was overlooked and checking the return addresses to update the address book and to note any special notes in them. 

When we were children we'd play with out new toys or visit our friends houses to see what they got, if the weather was fine we'd play outside, if not then indoors and watching the sun when it got too low to hurry home,  but as I and eventually Sis got older we'd help out Mom, our older brother (later our younger brother) would help out Dad and we'd be doing lists of things to be done.

Then after we'd help the folks we'd visit our friends.

New Years Eve was mostly the family getting together at one or the other's home, it would be pot luck mostly nibbles and soft drinks, but at midnight out came the champagne, the children and teens would have sparkling Cider,  then just as the clock struck the 12th chime the front door would be flung open to welcome the new year, and we'd go out to the front lawn if the night was dry and yell out Happy New Year, tooting horns and cheering, one Uncle of ours always lite a small string of firecrackers on the sidewalk and we'd cheer and sing Auld Ang Sing, the neighbors would come out as well cheering and yelling,  sometimes dashing across the street to wish us Happy New Year.

Then after an hour or so, things would slowly pack up and we'd all trickle home wishing Happy New Year to one and all.  The next morning We'd get up, breakfast was not eaten unless someone was sick, we'd dress and go to Mass and then afterwards there was always a coffee shop or resteraunt open for New Year's breakfast, but if time was pressing Mom always had pastries ready for us to eat and then we'd go over to one of the Grandparent's house for New Year's Dinner, which was always served by 5 p.m. 

I remember New Years we'd always have Ham, Easter would be Lamb Roast, Halloween roast Chicken, Thanksgiving and Christmas was always Turkey (Impossible to find a Goose to cook but Turkey was a good subsititute.

Every Friday we'd always have Fish, espeically during Lent, I still like to have some form of sea food during Lent.

After the Dinner we'd break up into groups depending upon what was being done, but even way back then, NO Televison, No Radio except for music---it was hard on the men folk, with all the bowl games on, if the games were on before 5 p.m. fine because the women folk were putting together the dinner but during and after dinner completely forbidden, it was a social time for family.  I really liked the idea and fortunately my Sister-in-law is putting that into play.  It will be hard on my brother and the boys but really it is a good thing.

On the days after New Years, we'd start to take down bit by bit the Christmas Decorations in doors with the exception of the manger scene and the Christmas tree, any large outside displays would be taken down except the lights attached to the house.  My Mother always said that the Three Kings needed the light to find their way.  

By the next day, the first thing packed away was the manger scene and then bit by bit the ornaments were removed from the tree and laid out on the couch and over stuffed chair to prevent breakage, the tinsel carefully removed and saved (tinsel was expensive and dangerous to birds to eat), the light would be unpluged first before anything was removed, next was removing the tree skirt, then the last ornament was the angel tree topper, Mother always put it on the dinning room table for safety sake,  then the lights would carefully be removed or unwound from the tree starting from the bottom and slowly working upwards, carefully wound and wrapped so it would not be tangled next year, but somehow it always was.

Then Dad and my older brother would remove the tree from the water tree stand with Mother wrapping a towel around the cut stump to prevent water from getting on the hardwood floor and rug, Dad and my brother carefully carrying the tree out the front door and to the curb to be collected, it always looked so sad and dried up after its Christmas finery was removed, so Sis and I would tie a red bow on the top of it, sort of saying good by to our old friend.  When the Scouts started collecting the trees and we knew what it was going to be used for it didn't seem so bad, it was going to have a new purpose replenishing the soil.

Then out come the boxes to store everything way, oh it would be an all day project, Mother never cooked on that day,  Dad would call an order of food to a place called "Lola's Chicken Dinners", it was the crispiests, most moist, wonderfully cooked chicken we ever had, Nothing at all like KFC, it was the taste of home-made.   When there was a big all day project, we knew it would be "Lola's" that day.   We were sad when "Lola's" closed and then the building burned down, we'd hoped it would be reopened again, but times change.

However vacuming and sweeping tree needles for the next 6 months was a given, even after our careful cleaning when the decorations and ornaments were put away, a tree needle or two or three would always show up.  Mom would always say "I think it wants to let us know its never forgotten."   And that is going to be happening in my home as well.

So tonight Doyle, Coralline and myself will be getting together with Marissa and her folks and brother and young Chris and his parents for a family gathering at a speical place.  We're bringing Brian along, he's been on the phone talking to his ex-wife and children on the phone, making plans to visit during the Summer, I've just been in touch with My Sister while she is visiting her family and I've made arrangements to have our elderly neighbor watch Belladonna and Weiner Dog while we're out.   She is going to make sure they stay indoors because of the possiblity of fireworks in the area.

I've noticed in checking the Stats on my blog I'm being visited not only from the United States and Canada, but also South America, Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Europe, Russia, China, Malaysia, Japan, the Netherlands, France, Germany, even the Middle East, so many countries, I'm glad that you find my blog of interest to you and of some sort of entertainment and perhaps a little insite to parts of the United States, although I am not typical of this country.

To you I wish you a very Happy New Year.

And there have been a few of you who post comments on my blog and take interest in what is going on in my life, to Rebecca, Trisha, Lucretia, Underground for Tea and others Thank you and I wish you all a very Happy, Safe and Wonderful New Year.

See You Next Year Darklings!

From Doyle and Myself Happy New Years Darklings

Of The Days after Christmas~~~~

And all through the house, hardly a creature was stirring, except for a weiner dog with his new toy mouse.

Hello Darklings,

After the sunny days of Christmas today has brought in gray overcast, making any lighting in the house seem warm and cheerful.

Doyle, Louise, Brian and I spent Christmas Day at my Brother and Sister-in-law's house and she served a wonderful feast.  Turkey and stuffing, yams with melted marshmallows, brocolliie with cheese sauce, cranberry sauce and chicken gravy, roasted small new potatoes with butter melted on top, green beans served amondine,  fresh baked rolls, butter, olives and sweet pickles for garnishes, baked butternut squash,  followed for a later desserts a choice of Apple, Dutch apple crumb, peach, and pecan pie with or without ice cream (vanilla),  coffee or spiced tea, sparkling apple cider or hot spiced cider, and for the adults wine either white or red.

My Sister in laws stove was put to a heavy duty test and with two microwaves to re-heat anything that got too cool, and there were plenty of guests, besides my little party and my brother's family there was my sister in laws Mother, her aunt and her husband, a neighbor and his wife and their children, which made for a very busy and noisy household,  but my sister-in-law had it all carefully planned and laid out, having taken some lessons from me.

I was happy to hear from my Sister before we left to go to my brother's place, she was enjoying being with her family in Sacramento and enjoying the grandchildren, her latest one now just over a year old was born on Halloween over a year ago, which should make for a fun birthday party time as she gets older.  And her other younger daughter is getting married, this coming June----I pray it will not be a "bridezilla" situation, and her older daughter and son-in-law are in the process of buying a house in the Sacramento area, the one they are in is rental and they've had enough, as I was told the time was right, the price was right, the house although needing work (a 1912 Craftman) has lovely bones, the location is right, and the terms are right.   I couldn't be happier for them, and the deal should be finalized by New Year's Eve.  And her oldest son and his wife and family are transferring back to California, where he will finish out his 20 year hitch in the military.  What a way to start the new Year!

I was happy to convey that news to my brother and family.   Celebrations will become very interesting in the future.

It was good to spend time with my brother and his family, my sister in law banished video games and loud music,  no televison,  just conversation and board games with an occasion nibbling on the left overs,  no gift exchanges were done then, what we did was give our gifts to my brother just after the  party I had so the children could open them either Christmas Eve or Christmass morning,  except the children wanted to give Belladonna and Weiner Dog gifts who came with us,  new sweaters and chew toys, the squeeky mouse Weiner just pounced upon and squeek and squeek,  some times he'll come up silently behind someone and then squeek his mouse when we least expect it, making us jump.  Who says dogs don't know how to pull a trick on their humans?

 Then it was late and time to go home, Coralline came with us as she is spending the week between Christmas and New Years with Doyle and I, I told her that it might be a bit dull for her but she said she didn't mind, her homework was done she just needed to do a reading assignment, and as soon as we got home the first thing she said as we walked into my house was "Hello you wonderful Old House!"  and did a little pioret in the entrace foyer, Doyle and I looked at each other and sort of nodded about her greeting.

Doyle is going to visit his family in San Diego after the New Years holiday, his assignments kept him in our local area, which he is happy to finish up. 

Coralline and her friend Marissa go back and forth between our homes, they take the dogs for a walk as long as either Doyle, myself or Marissa's older brother is with them.  Although our street is realitivly safe, one never knows. 

They've made a friend of a young boy on the block Christian, but he prefers to be called Chris, he's the same age as Coralline I would have thought he'd be into video games like most boys his age or like Coralline's siblings but his parents are very strict on such things, they don't mind using the computer for e-mail and researching things but things like X-box and video games are not allowed, he's home schooled by his Mother but having interaction with Coralline and Marissa is good, and his parents plan on school type outings with other home schooled children, there are a few home schooled children but not many and to make friends with children on our block is important. 

Marissa's parents introduced me to Chris's parents and I invited them over for coffee,  so we'd get to know each other, I was afraid they'd be ultra Christian or fundamentalists but no, they wanted their son to have a certain educational advantage, he will be going into a private school after next summer so he can aquire what credits he needs to go into college.   He is a bright young boy and very gentle with the dogs.

As a matter of fact Chris's parents were a little afraid of me, I mean who else would rent a hearse with an antimated coffin with a vampire rising out of it to put in front of one's house for Halloween, and of course the Grim Reaper in front with fog rising and to be greeted at the front door by a female vampire with fangs could for some be a little heart stopping.  I took them on a tour of my home, and I think they expected a live lion to come walking down the stairs or the stair treads rising and them meeting "Spot".  

Once I explained myself as best as I could to Chris' folks they relaxed a little,  although I was glad that Coralline and Marissa didn't get dressed in black dresses, part their hair in the center and have long braids and carry headless dollies,  that might have put them off.  Of course it was hard explaining why I had a guilotine in the basement storage area, just off the laundry room, I told them I was storing it for a friend of mine until it could be moved.  Yes Darklings---I have a guilotine in my basement----temporarily. 

I've got plans for us for New Years, there is this place that will be open which will be perfect for fun family entertainment and Coralline has not been there, I ran it by both Marissa's and Chris's parents and they liked the idea although we'd go in our own individual cars incase any of the children became too sleepy and anyone needs to leave early.    Marissa's folks will have dinner at their house and we'll all meet and eat there and then we'd re-group at the location.

But New Year's Day will be a lazy day, sleep in, then go out to have breakfast, I'm not sure what else,  its sort of a feeling of having left an enchanted land of fun and wonder when the Christmas Holidays are over,  and the internal fear that if you leave it you can never capture it again. 

Unfortunately time marches on, the weather conditions change things get warmer, green leaves pop out, snow melts, for adults it's facing the bills to be paid, going to work, dealing with transportation and all the problems that develop.  The child-like wonder slips away like a dream that one can just barely remember.

Come the Day closest to 3 Kings Day will be time to take down the Christmas decorations, the live root ball trees will be donated to be planted in some forest or park,  the live no-longer cut trees will be put out onto the curb to be collected by the Boy Scouts or other group to be made into mulch for plantings.  The decorations will be carefully boxed up and stored away in their various areas the attic, basement, shed or garage, photo's from the holidays developed and hopefully labeled and put into albums, the Christmas card list gone over to check for updated addresses,  and resolutions to lose weight because our clothing is a little tighter.

There is a child's amusment park here in the East Bay called "Children's Fairyland"  it was built in 1950 as a family amusement park geared towards little children and was the inspiration for Walt Disney's Disneyland.  But this is a gentler amusment park with all the storybook characters like the old woman in the shoe, Mother Goose, the three little pigs, Alice in Wonderland, the reluctant dragon, Hickory Dickory Dock, and other Mother Goose tales.

But they have a policy no adult can enter without a child to accompany them, just adults without children are banished from this fairyland,  when I've taken walks around there with Doyle I've often looked at the entrance with longing, remembering the times when I and my younger siblings visited there with our parents.

And now slowly the magic of the Holiday season is slipping by, leaving us behind, the fairytale memories becoming dreams.  

It's like that last line in the song "Toyland"  'once you've crossed its borders you can never go back again'.

***sigh***

And now Weiner Dog has startled me with his squeeky mouse,  Hmmm nothing like a dog to bring one down to earth.

Later Darklings

Of a Quick Holiday Update~~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

The Christmas Holidays are here!  Hooray! Hooray!!!   I know why should I an Elder Goth be cheered by the Christmas Holidays?

Well, Dear Darklings, the days after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the modern Christmas season. A time for Shopping, parties, cooking, buying foods that one usually never eats during the year but must try, going to the theatre, decorations, visiting and most importantly giving thanks to a small child who was and is The Light of the World.


Yes for those here in the Northern Climes, by Dec. 21 to 25 we do enter the darkest period of the calendar year, if you live south of the Equator it is the lightest period.

But it is during this time, of winter cold, of possible hunger and freezing temperatures where we have to put forth every effort to beat back the darkness and the cold, with remembering those who are less fortunate than ourselves, the elderly, the sick, the homeless, and the helpless who are alone and forgotten. It is a time when we should never forget these lives who need help not only during the Christmas season but all year long.

For an Elder Goth, for any Goth, it is this darkness that we must delve in to bring in one candle of light and hope.

From collecting Toys for Tots so those unfortunate children can have at least one gift, to the donating of food for the food banks and meals for those who are down on their luck, to working in food kitchens to feed the needy, of putting into the kettles our dollars and cents for Salvation Army to help during this especially hard time of need. Of putting out food for the birds and small animals, of helping at the local animals shelter so those who do not have a voice will find a “forever home”.

For some people there is a form of unspoken ritual, such as selecting the right Christmas tree, writing out cards to send to friends and family, of planning a party or making something special to take to a party.

For others it is doing the Advent wreath and going to church to remember why we celebrate this season. And it is important to remember the true reason why we celebrate, it’s called the “Season of Giving” but not of presents but of one’s self, either of time or money or doing little things so those who feel forgotten are not forgotten.

Frances P. Church in his letter to a child, Virginia describes what the season really means, a man who really was disgusted with organized religion, was disheartened by war and by the mean spiritedness of people dug down deep into his own soul to produce the most iconic description of what Christmas should be, but using the iconic image of Santa Claus or old St. Nick.

I have an acquaintance of mine who on her own blog some years ago did a wonderful posting about that letter and the people involved in it. I’ll ask her if I can reprint it here on mine.

But for my family, well we are going to select a tree, most likely several trees, for the house, already bit by bit we’ve started putting the lights outside on the house to give it a festive air. And the indoor decorations are already dragged out and ready to be put up, something that we’ve been doing bit by bit, with this Friday for the tree selections, there is a Church operated Christmas tree lot, the sales will help with their educational programs.

We will, with Coralline and Marrisa, take in the Dickens Faire, The Nutcracker, “A Christmas Carol”, the holiday lights at the Oakland Zoo, and see what celebrations at Dunsmuir House, as well if possible any Christmas craft shows; we already are planning to see “It’s a Wonderful Life” playing at a local theatre. And somehow we will squeeze in shopping, but we’ve decided to give gifts to only to the children, and I’m grateful that I’ve had my flu shot.

We are checking the pantry and wines and spirits (the drinking kind) and making a list and checking it twice. The “Spare The Air” hot line is on speed dial to see if we can or cannot burn a fire, but with the freezing chill we’re having I hope we can burn a fire for the next few evenings, if not well I’ve laid in a lot of tea lights and candles to give the impression of a fire.

And now I must finish this post, I’m going in to cover the afternoon and help with some catch up. This is going to be very busy for me.
Later Darklings.

We have such fun at Christmas Time.

Of the Further adventures of an exhausting Halloween weekend~~~~

Dear Darklings,

Oh I so did not want to get up this morning, every bone in my body is aching with exhaustion and the cold, BUT it was a fun weekend!!

I certainly cannot deny that.  Haunted Houses (fund raisers), Halloween displays, spooky music, Harvest Festival goodies, a Day of the Dead Exhibit at the museum, face painting, ice cream, spooky movies, popcorn.

I think the quiet time was really when we were at the musical concert "Pipe Screams"  I wasn't sure the girls would enjoy it but they did, now they want to create their own compulation of scary music both classical, pop and rock,  I hope it goes beyond Screaming Jay Hawkins "I put a spell on you".

Afterwards we had Pizza at one of the girls favorite pizza places, and it had the works,  I had to take Tums to calm my stomach and later Alza Seltzer for the headache,  but even with a headache and a tumbling tummy, it was fun and none of us were going to stop them from having fun because we were enjoying it too.

I had a list of things to go and see for the girls to select and both girls wanted to go to the museum to see the day of the dead exhibit and the Harvest Fair as well, and we manage to cram both of it in.  We let them scamper along as we took our time to buy some homemade goodies for the pantry.  And somehow we managed to grab a bite to eat as well.

Saturday night after pizza fest, I had a selection of Horror movies for the girls to select and watch and they wanted to see "Night of the Demon"   I was surprised they wanted to see such an old (1950's) film, I thought they'd chose "Nightmare on Elm Street" or "Halloween"  but they said they want to be scared but not too much, so with popcorn in the new bowls we all watched it and I approved their choice.

Sunday was overcast and very cold so it was a good thing that indoor events were selected,  when we got home for dinner we fired up the fireplace to add a certain amount of added warmth, and while Sis and I finished up the crock pot stew, Doyle and the girls were playing Mexican train dominos, and were joined by Sis's tennant Brian whom we invited over for dinner.  He had been putting in long, long hours at his job and was greatful for a home cooked meal. 

After dinner in the family parlor the girls told Brian about their adventures and Doyle, Sis and I filled in some of the details.  We were waiting for the girls parents but both sets were delayed, the weather had taken a cold and extremely windy turn and there were some accidents on the roads that delayed their getting to us, but our concern was their safe arrival.

Brian turned out to be a very good story teller, it seems his hobby is collecting true ghostly tales and he told us (mostly the girls) about the local hauntings of Alcatraz, a book store in Oakland, poltergeist activity, and other haunted locations and he did a very good job, his memory of such things was surprizing, we even had a lively discussion about the Amytiville Hauntings and he had recorded the interview from Coast to Coast with Christopher Lutz the youngest son involved at that house and how much of the so called haunting was over exagerated and Brian talked about the Warren's and how they saw Demons in every thing.

Which of course took us into the realm of ghost hunting and such,  and while we talked the wind became wilder and wilder with bumps and thumps and a crash or two, which the men folk checked out, to add to the exciting spookyness of it all----it wasn't until midnight that their girls were gathered up and we bid a relucatant goodbye.

Now this morning it dawned extremely cold, and chilly,  I had a hard time having Belladonna go to the bath room even with her sweater on,  I put her sleeping cushion on the couch in the family parlor and covered her with a fleece throw and she is not complaining.  

Doyle and I assessed the damage that the wind did to the graveyard display, one of the skeletons was blown apart and scattered here and there, some tombstones were knocked down but old Grim Reaper was still standing, so when the sun is higher and a little warmer we will repair the displays.  The wind storm was bad, knocking out power to some area's, a tree crashed into a house, but there is snow on the mountains. 

But it will be clear and very cold come Halloween night, I'm only going to be working the mornings so I'll have the afternoons and evenings to prepare for my party Sis and Doyle will help when they get home and Louise is helping me as well, she was gone for the weekend to stay with a friend of hers who may have an apartment for Louise to rent, since her friend owns a 4 plex unit so things appear to be working out for her.

But it was a fun and spooky weekend, much better than I hoped, even if tiring.

Now I'm going to get some more coffee and get a bit warmer.

Later Darklings


We are such a Happy and Fun Family



Of Oh my aching feet and CANDY!!!~~~~

Hello Darklings,

Right now I'm resting with my feet up as I type this and I think Doyle has gone insane, but let me explain.

Sis insisted that we get up early and go to this new Target store that's opened up, it's much closer than the other one, and since we needed to go to a few other shops in the area we planned on it.

Well Darklings, the layout of all Target stores are pretty much the same, like the layout of "In n' Out Burgers" for those of you who live in California, but there was some layout differences, for instance the minute you go into the store the ladies are immediately hit with the latest Target fashions and----are you ready for this Darklings?  BLING!!!

I am not much into cheap costume jewerly but when it looks nice and stylish and has wearablity for the long haul, then look out I will dive in like a tiger leaping upon unwary prey, and there were pieces any Gothic Dark minded person would love to have, it seems that deep emerald green is the "go to" color paired with gold settings (not real gold, gold colored) and I found a few things that will go with some of my vintage clothing.  

And the clothing was very nice looking, stylish and inexpensive,  but I will not desert my favorite vintage stores or my tailor/seamstress, I'm speaking if you are on a tight budget and have fast growing children. 

We looked around the store to see what was offered, and to get familar with the lay of the land so to speak, toys, toys, toys in the back area and well Darklings I could not help it---the latest Monster High Dolls, two of them, I quickly called (via cell phone) my sister-in-law and asked to check Coralline's list, did she have Polterguesta and a particular version of Clawdeen Wolf?  The answer was No so I told her Guess what Coralline is going to find in her speical trick or treat bag.   And yes I relented I did also get something for the boys for Halloween.

We found the Candy, and it was good bargains, granted both CVS, Walgreens, and the grocery stores carry the same bags and the prices were easily comparable, but Target had the BIG mixes as well and I do get a lot of children, so to put it bluntly, we loaded up.  But then I saw IT, we just walked past the candy area and I said lets see what they have for outdoor decoration,  FORGET OUTDOOR, I was floored by INDOOR, yes Darklings I went crazy!

There were these bowls held up by claws perfect for mints or M & M's or nuts, and then large white bowls held up by skelton hands, and this was not cheap plastic this was substantial and re-useable, then the salad bowl tongs in either gold or silver in the shape of talons very solid, glass wear, and a large ceramic dispenser (much like the glass ones for ice tea or lemonaid) but there were labeled Toxic Brew and another that said Poison---need I say more Darklings?   And a candy bowl with bat's that talk and flap their wings.  Sis and I talked about the expense of these items but I told her that considering our (or at least my) outlook on things these items could be used year round.   She began to laugh when she took into consideration some of the outdoor bar-b-Que's we'd been having.   

Sis teased me and said that the large white bowls would be perfect for popcorn when Coralline stays over and her friend Marrisa comes over for a "fright night" movie watching.  We smiled and said "Why Not!"

It's a good thing we brought a lot of re-usable bags, we looked at other things in the store and I found my favorite mascara by Almay, I was out.  I wanted to check the other cosmetics but Sis tugged at me and said we needed to leave and go to the other stores that we had errands at before School lets out and the maddening hord swamps the mall. 

But I do confess Darklings, just behind the Halloween decorations there they were---CHRISTMAS!!  Just waiting to come to the fore front.   Oh Dear thought I, already?

And yes, a dash to the post office to mail bills, I said forget buying anything there so we went to the nearby UPS store for a few things, and much needed milk, bread and stamps at the grocery store. 

When we got home I was surprised to see on the front lawn area among the styrofoam tombstones a huge Grim Reaper, I thought that it was going to be towards the back of the walk way but Doyle moved it to the front and set up a fog devise behind it we had just come home to see him demonstrate how it would look, he attached to the fog machine a short hose that led to an ice chest that had the hose runing through it and out under the Grim Reaper's cloak, there was dry ice in the ice chest packed around the hose, and with turning on the fog machine the fog passed through the hose through the ice chest and creeped out under the Reaper's cloak and hugged the ground like ground fog in a cemetery,  I thought that Doyle had gone insane with bringing the Reaper forward but there was a method to the insanity and the effect was wonderful and frightening at the same time, some parents with their little ones came by and the shierk of their voices convinced me that it was perfect.  Even the adults were a bit frightened.

I looked at old Grim and wondered if it was possible to set up a permanet duplicate of him in the back garden, complete with fog and such, possibly in the Pet Cemetery,  I sort of muttered it out loud and my sister heard it and said to me "If it could be made to move as well it would certainly freak out any would be criminals"   I LIKE that idea.

And now with everything put away, our feet aching, Doyle has kindly announced that he will go and get take out chinese for dinner tonight, I certainly did not want to argue.

'Trisha when I called my sister-in-law she said that something went into the mail today for you, "Coralline" wanted to send something to you for the lovely card, I think its a card but Monica said that it had to go in a padded envelope.  Coralline hopes you will receive it by Halloween.

And now Darklings I'm going to take some Tylenol for me aching toes and put on Chanel's "Vamp" nail polish, I feel in a Vamping mood.

Later Darklings

I can hardly wait for my favorite holiday!

Of Getting myself back into the routine~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

Well on Monday I will go back to work, but I will be working for a month on half days, from 10 to 2, at least I'll miss the horrendous communte that BART has been inflicting on the public these last few days.

The system is so old now that it needs major upgrading and repairs.   So I will stick to using the bus and the Ferry for transportation while the weather is good, but come winter and rains I'll have to re-think it.

And then after a month both myself, my doctor and my boss we'll all do a re-evaluation if I can go back to full time again,  I think I can, but I have not pushed myself, so this will be the real test.

Yesterday was Lousies' last day, it was sad really, I've gained good friends with her and Ella and we are in touch via e-mail. 

Now my sister and I are going to do shopping we need to re-fill the pantry and we are taking laundry to the laundromate and to the dry cleaners.

I am happy to say that almost all the major work is done in the kitchen,  it moved a lot faster than I thought,  the laundry room below is  done and painted.  Tomorrow Doyle and I are going shopping for a washer and dryer,  I think we'll go to Sears, they have a good warrenty and repair program so we'll see what they have to offer.  

On the stove I'll have to wait at least another week before I could have one installed, the temporary one works fairly well but it's awkard,   so next weekend with measurements in hand for both the door to get it through and the space I want it installed we are going to this vintage stove resortration shop to see what they have and if they can take my old stove (poor thing) as a partial payment or something.

Then I hope I can relax a bit.

Dom Perignon----Ye Gods!!!  Fantastic Champage!!  The palate was never so excited as it tasted this,  where Doyle purchased it I haven't a clue, but now I know why people become so excited about it.

We had  a 1996 Moet "Oenotheque"  and it had a 95-100 rating!!!  and it cost double the quote I mentioned earlier.   Doyle was saving it for when I was able to go back to work and had it carefully hidden down in the cellar dungeon with the other wines, since I could not drink any because of the pain pills I had to take, I never ventured down there,  Doyle did just to make sure nothing was damaged from the water from the fire.

Darklings, you have to try it at least once in your lives---put it on your bucket list or something.   Now I am spoiled for anything else but I am cautious, one does not want to get greedy and to have too much would spoil my palate.

We are saving the bottle as a momento.   Even my sister was thrilled by the taste,  it's a good thing we lingered thru dinner and over desert, just savoring every drop.  And my lawyer was Sis's date, they seemed to hit it off very well.  I felt like Eliza Doolittle singing "I could have Danced all night" it was that sort of heady feeling of Joy!

And then Monday---back to "the salt mines" but I think I'll enjoy going back to work, at least I hope so, we'll see.  

Later Darklings

Of Major Celebration or "Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!"~~~~

My Dear Darklings,

Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU all, Trisha, Lucretia, Tea and all you wonderful, wonderful Darklings for you Best Wishes!!!

In just a few words-----I WON!!!!  EVERYTHING!!!

He is paying for all the medical expenseses that was not covered by my medical plan that I had to pay out of pocket, he is paying for the replacement cost of the "nearly new" car that I purchased, he is paying all lawyer/legal fees and he will pay for any continuing medical treatment and therapy up to two years.  He is also re-imbusrsing me for 1/2 the costs of my two caregivers.  I wanted the full amount but my Lawyer said we were in the home streach and to not "blow it".    And he is paying me the difference in loss income because I had to go on disablity which pays less.

Oh there was some consessions from me, but they were minor.  All so he won't lose his job and position, it seems he gets paid "Very Well".  But there was one thing I would not budge on.  I insisted that he admit he had an drinking problem and to go to AA for treatment and that he had to stay with the program for at least 2 years, the same time that covers my continuing medical treatment.  If he didn't there would be serious ramifications.  He accepted the terms.

Darklings, it was a mild day, the room was comfortable but he was sweating "buckets".  The overwhelming evidence nearly made him faint, as a matter of fact I thought he would.   Later, his lawyer informed my lawyer who informed me that he realized that not only would I have won in court but if we insisted on a jury trial it most likely would have resulted in him being bankrupted and losing his job.  But my lawyer told me that if I had been so injured that I could not work anymore or was going to be in a wheelchair there would have been a trial and he still would have lost.

I half expected the man to be arrogant, and I think in other circumstances he would have been, but for what we had.   There was a woman with him who never said a word, never looked at me just down at the confrence table,  I found out later she was his wife, and the look on her face would have made God run in fear, and the look was not directed at me or my lawyer, but at her husband at the conclusion of the meeting.  My lawyer said that the wife has "major bucks", extremely monied, I thought so by the cut of her clothes and the expensive diamond pin she wore on her jacket.  I knew it wasn't costume jewerly.

And now I'm home, HOME!!  Relaxing, typing on my computer, Louise called me to find out the results and was happy for me, I'll see her tomorrow and Friday and then sadly she will be off to another assignment.  My sister called our brother to give him the good news which he will inform his family, seems there is some event at School and he's to join them there.

Doyle is insisting that he treat us to a very fancy dinner, I do wish that Chez Pannisse was open but he is going to surprise me, and Sis is setting up the television to record "Law and Order" at 8 p.m. something about the murder of a female vampire, which should be interesting viewing for later.  And my Doctor said that if I'm not taking any pain pills tonight I can have a glass of wine. 

What wine, it will be Champagne!!!  Doyle surprised me with a bottle of Dom Perion Oh you know Darklings, the Champagne that "James Bond" drinks although not the most expensive vintage, but at $250 dollars a bottle expensive enough!  It was enough to make my eyes grow wide and pop out of my head!  Where he got it I haven't a clue, but Doyle can be that way.

And now my Sister is insisting that I go upstairs and freshen up and put on my most glamorous dress, and to be on the safe side my fanciest cane. 

Later Darklings

Of a Spa Weekend part 3~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

Just a short post I'm afraid.  Sis and I just came back to the Resort after a wonderful day of shopping.  I really like to do window shopping just to see what the style are coming out, so much better than watching fashion week with the models doing their strange sort of strutting that is nothing close to normal.

And yes I did buy a few things, but I love riding in Sis's car a Chrysler seibering touring convertible model although we kept the top up to avoid getting sun burned, I love her car with it's midnight blue color with an underlay of shimmer and the tan top and interior, classy and noir at the same time. 

Sis has promised that we would do a lovely ride in the late evening after the Sun has set up in the woods, she is a very good driver, we may even go to the observatory for a star gazing event.

 I bought a new swim suit, a one piece, sorry Darklings, even though my body is in good shape I do not expose my navel, and I know what some of you are thinking "What? Vampire Rose getting a tan?"  Not really my Darklings, I prefer to swim at twilight, it's more sensuous (and with my long hair I do need to wear a bathing cap), and also if I'm getting into a more public jacuzzi I'm at least covered up. 

Sis has one more massage planned, something with hot rocks, all I know is my back is feeling wonderful, and then dinner and a drink since I've not needed to take any medication for my back I can indulge in at least one drink.

Then tomorrow we check out after breakfast, this has been a wonderful break and Sis was right I needed to re-balance my mind a bit.

Now I must go Sis says we don't want to be late for our final treat.

Later Darklings

Of a Spa Weekend Part 2~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

I have to say I feel so relaxed as to be almost limp.  But Sis has more things planned, so this will be a short post before we leave to go----Dare I say it?    SHOPPING!!!

I am not even sure if I'm going to buy anything, but I love to at least window shop.

We had a nice early breakfast before the Mother's Day brunch crowd came quietly in.

Sometimes I think I might have missed something by not having children of my own, but then I think being an Auntie makes up for it.  It takes a special committed person to be a Mother or Father or to be lucky to have both that are committed and can balance their day between work and family.  

Yes Darklings, even I can say in this day and age, balance between those two worlds is important.

I asked Sis if she felt left out because her children are so far away and are celebrating with their Mothers-in-law and she said sometimes but even a wise Mother needs to learn that there will be a time when they have to share their child's time with others.  The important years are the early one's to create a positive bond, so that even when they are teenagers and adults they can turn to you with perfect trust to ask for help or an honest opinion.  She did have a chance to talk to them on the phone Thursday evening to catch up and they did send cards and gifts.  I even received a gift of living orchids to put into the green house, all dark purple with wonderful colorful centers, just before we left for our SPA weekend.  I love things that will last forever.

And now we are off to the City by the Bay to shop, Saks, Macy's, Nordstrom, I think we'll even pop in to the Chanel Boutique.  Ahhhh wicked indulgence, just my perfect pleasure.

Later Darklings

Of skipping the Oscars, Chinese New Years and a Nail magazine~~~

Hello My Darklings,

I am so tired, I can barely keep my eyes open.  Good thing my sister is cooking dinner tonight.

Work---insane!

Chinese New Years Street Fair and Parade----Wonderful!  I even bought a small 8 sided mirror to reflect back evil for the front door, my sister and I had fun trying the different treats, I'm going to have to diet, the Chinese New Years and Lent not a good combination but what can on elderly Goth do but enjoy---Eat, Drink and Be Merry for Tomorrow We Die!   Well almost.

It's a good thing we bundled up warmly and wore comfortable walking shoes, I tucked my keys and my small wallet inside my jacket in an inside pocket that had Velcro fasteners, that way my hands are free and no purse to steal, my sister did the same thing.  We wore our Beret's to keep our heads warm , it was lovely during the day but there was a wind chill factor,  we managed to find a restaurant to eat dinner before the parade, just so many people, the colors, the sounds of fire crackers, and Lion dancers to bring good luck, people exchanging red envelopes and the color of red, gold and green everywhere but it didn't feel like Christmas but something else, something very exotic.

And the food was good, but now today, I'm back on Lent.

We went to the cemetery to check on the family graves and head stones and to leave flowers, so peaceful after all the exuberance of yesterday, and a hint of the promise of spring, I even saw a robin.  I look at the old headstones and statues and I wonder if anything like this will exist a hundred years from now or will they become historical artifacts or only memories captured in photo's.  It gives me a further idea as to what to do for my garden and for the house,  its so old and done by a famous architect.  This idea keeps "cooking" in my mind.   Even my sister remarked to me if it were possible to build an above ground tomb on the grounds, the lot is huge enough, huge and deep enough to build 4 houses with room for gardens ---which I won't do.  But an idea.  

The Oscars are on tonight, but I am so tired, I think I'll go to bed early not that the Oscars ever really captured my interest except a little.   I never had a chance to see any of the films people keep talking about, but then film wise my interests are elsewhere.  So I think I'll go to bed early and enjoy sleep.

After we left the cemetery we stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things and I came across a magazine called "Nail It"  it's all about nail polish and nail care and style and designs---premier issue---had to buy it.  I'll give you my thoughts about it later Darklings, but it does seem like fun.

Now I'm going to lie down, I just can't keep my eyes open.

Later Darklings

Of Valentine's Day, Lent and "Skyfall"~~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I know I have not been posting much of late, work here has been keeping me busy and doing late work, just to keep up.

I'm not fond of it but it has to be done, although this last weekend I and Doyle had our Valentine treat, and Darklings I'm not going to give you all the details, but deep blood red roses and a very dark red wine of what vintage I'm not sure, Doyle would not tell me were part of the treat.

He made reservations at this wonderful place that reminded me of a speak-easy of the 1920's and the food was excellent, he told me to dress up in my 1930's best evening gown which I did, in deepest emerald green with matching shoes, purse, and I worn my vintage (underscore that word---VINTAGE) black mink stole.   Doyle also looked fantastic, reminded me of a dapper gangster.   We danced, we dined, we drank wine and we.....I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

Sunday we watched our newly purchased DVD of the James Bond movie "Skyfall"  and I loved it, they are re-vamping the James Bond story to meet with 21st century threats,  I believe M's speech truly outlines that idea.  And seeing a combination of old and new ideas.  I'm going to look forward to the next few Bond movies.   But the actress that Bond meets in a Macao Gambling Hall, how she looked and dressed was perfect for a Goth, she started out being 'dangerous' but she knew the danger was also near her.  I loved how she was made up and how she was dressed.  I don't think I could pull that off completely but still it had a certain style.

My sister Marie has also indulged in buying the March issues of Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Vanity Fair, so this coming weekend we are going to have fun reading it in the evenings to see what can be gleaned from them.

It is raining now, and we so do need it to build up the snow pack, even if did have a brief flutter of warm weather, like a promise of what spring can bring.

My sister and I attended Ash Wednesday services, and now it is Lent, a time of mourning and fasting and remembering,  I and Marie plan to go to the cemetery this coming Sunday to check on our parents and grandparents graves, leave flowers and prayers, we do it several times a year, weather permitting, but during Lent, Memorial Day weekend and just before Halloween.

But before that we intend to go to the Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday and take in their Street Fair and Parade, Doyle will be with us for the parade as he will be busy on assignment during the day, but we'll have to take BART to and from, parking will be impossible.   This year is the year of the water snake, which might be a difficult year for some.   We shall see.

Ahhhh my break is almost over, and my young man friend has brought me a cup of Hazelnut coffee, he is very sweet.

Later Darklings

Of family and friends a Christmas review~~~

Hello My Darklings,

Well Christmas has come and gone, and the dinner went very, very well.

My brother and his family came along with his Mother-in-law she of the uneatable Thanksgiving meal.  The update on her is new medication as well as seeing a therapist about her behavior and strick observation of her,  also her finances are now being handled by her daughter, she was never broke fortunately, but never applied her funds to where it needed to be applied.

The rains prevented the boys from playing outside, but the board and card games kept them amused, and each time they wanted to go upstairs planning mischief,  "Kitty Kat" would roar, the hard part was having Kitty Kat roar when they were on different stair treads but my sister's electronics friend figured that out.

Where my sister found that old Lion head I'll never know but it was rigged with a speaker, so I said let's leave Kitty Kat mounted in the Hall, definitely a point of conversation.

Coralline's and Miranda's mothers were in awe of the decorations of the home, Coralline's mother said she could understand why her daughter wanted to spend so much time here, even she felt that she wanted to stay. 

Miranda's older brother Todd was a wonderful addition, he helped supervise the boys and made sure they stayed out of trouble, he said he missed having younger brothers but after dealing with those three he said he's glad to have had only a sister.

I took them all on a tour of the house although it was too wet to go outside but Coralline and Miranda had fun telling the boys about the Pet Cemetery. 

The food was perfect, all that hard work paid off.  And all our guests relaxed wonderfully.

Todd will be home for another week or so and asked if he could come and drop by sometime of course he's welcomed but I did advise him to call first to see if we were at home.  It seems he's studying architecture, so the house fascinates him.

Coralline and Miranda exchanged their gifts, both of them were delighted with them.   That evening after everyone had left and Coralline was about to go to bed my sister and I presented our gifts to her, and she bounced with joy stating that this was the best Christmas ever.  

I smiled at that thought.

Later I noticed my sister was drooping a bit and she seemed under the weather,  later that evening when Doyle and I were relaxing my sister developed a full fledged cold.  Of course it upsetted her plans to visit her children, and she had me call and cancel some of her appointments and reschedule them for her as she complained that she couldn't think clearly.  

Even now she is still in bed but I took her to the Doctor this morning for medicine for her cough, I was afraid of it becoming worse.  Hot soups and tea as well as Ginger ale is the best things for her now so she can get well.

Yesterday Todd came to visit the house and with Miranda and Coralline giving him the extensive tour including the Pet Cemetery and talking to me about the repairs and improvements he made copious notes and took a lot of photo's,  I think the house will be part of his thesis.

And now with my sister resting and Doyle at his office I am taking the girls to the store to replenish the pantry and we will go in my vintage car as a treat. 

I've come across a few Goth web sites that I will comment about later.

Later Darklings

Of Merry Christmas~~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I am taking  short break from the Christmas preparations.

My sister Marie yesterday made Grandma's fabulous Turkey stuffing, which some people claim is like a pate, frankly it's wonderful but time consuming.

Coralline went home with her parents earlier yesterday for their home Christmas celebrations, and my sister, Doyle and I went to Midnight Mass to celebrate our religious Faith and Foundation of and for Christmas.  The Midnight Mass never fails to move me and the Catholic Church we went to was packed to standing room only.

And now for today the pies are baked, the jello is done, the dishes that need baking are ready with labels to show the temperature and time to cook, all based around the timing of the Turkey;  the table is set and we know what will be put into what serving dish.

The house sparkles, and smells of Cinnamon, Vanilla and wonderful things that maybe baking, the fireplaces are set and ready to burn, but if we find that it's a spare the air day we do have candles standing by. 

Our guests won't arrive until after 2, the Turkey is slow baking and I'm so glad that we have a very large refrigerator and the spare in the pantry,  two ovens, 6 burners and a large microwave to handle the load.   Just love that kitchen.

Dinner will be about 5 p.m.  Coralline will be coming with her parents and brothers, Miranda and her parents and her brother visiting from college will be here as well as our guests, Doyle invited a retired friend to spend Christmas with us as his family is back east. And I am glad I have a long drive way to hold the cars.

I have cards and board games and domino's all ready, the policy is no television, but I did advise my sister-in-law to bring a change of clothing for her boys, because I know if it's not raining they will go out into the back and play and get muddy. 

No gifts to exchange except Coralline will give something to Miranda and Connie told me that Miranda has something for Coralline, so a special exchange.  My sister and I have Corallines special presents to her safely hidden in my sister's closet, we'll give that to her later tonight after her parents leave.

So to all of you all around the world,  yes I know Dear Darklings, my blog is being read all over the globe,
I wish you and yours a Very Merry and Happy Christmas, a Happy Holidays greeting and a wonderful New Year.

Later Darklings

P.S. Coralline suggested I wear the Kardashian Kolor called "Keeping Up with Santa" and it has held up very well,  it's possible that the other color was a bad batch.  And I really like this shade of red.

Of the Brothers Grimm~~~

Dear Darklings,

Do you know that today is the 200th anniversary of the Brothers Grimm and their fairy tales??

I find that so wonderfully delicious, to read such violent fairy tales on such a cold, cold night.

How they came about in putting together their collection I will leave for more informative websites, needless to say all you have to do is Google in the Brother's Grimm.

We are having Coralline early for the Christmas Holidays, she called me from her cell phone during her lunch time at school to tell me about the anniversary and so I promised we would read some of those tales later tonight. 

We need to do some grocery shopping.

And speaking of shopping, once again I went through some stores to see about anything interesting and right now I see tons and tons of perfume collections for all those young men who haven't a clue what to get for their girl friend or friends  (evil wink).

I do admit I did buy some of them to try out and I love the little bottles they come in too.

On nail polish my discoveries were a bit flat, although I did love Sally Hansen's "Wedding Glitters", a soft gold that's a cross between a shimmer and a glitter, perfect for the Holiday parties, I bought 3 bottles, one for Coralline and one for Miranda and of course one for myself---I think that is why I love the holidays,  I can be selfish on shopping.

Another Polish that I came across is "Constant Caribbean" but as a shimmer instead of a polish, this is by Covergirl, there was something so Summery romantic about it and wonderfully dark blue perfect for a Goth to wear.  Cover Girl also did "Grapevine" as a deep royal purple shimmer---I had to buy them both.   Doyle said he's going to have to put up another shelf or two.

And speaking of shelves~~~~sometimes one comes across the most interesting things that people put on the curb side---now I'm not talking about couches or mattresses (I wouldn't touch that with a 39 and half foot pole) but odd things.

Last night Doyle and I had to run a quick errand and as we were coming home I spotted something, and told Doyle to stop and turn back, we did and I got out, sitting on the curb was a double shelf as if it had been removed from the top of a side board, or knick-knack shelf,  it was terribly scared and what finish there was was badly stained, it still was solid no cracks or breaks, and placed next to the recycling bin.

One does not pass up an opportunity like this so into the trunk it went and it arrived into the garage which is also Doyle's workshop, assessing it he pronounced good, no rot or bugs, and will proceed to strip it and paint it to match the decor in my Dressing Room (aka "The inner Sanctum Sanatorium).  I love finds like that.

And one other thing that I will surprise Doyle with and maybe my sister too~~~Vodka.

Yes Darklings, Vodka,  ahhh but what kind of Vodka you ask.

It's called Crystal Vodka and it comes in a clear bottle in the shape of a skull along with a very large martini glass with a skull on the handle  (and yes I bought one for myself).   I thought was a perfect Gothic gift to give for Christmas---I know my sister will love it as she thinks the way I do and she likes dirty martini's.

Doyle will laugh at it, as a matter of fact he pointed it out to me and remarked upon it.  I think it will be fun to surprise them with it.  It seems that this brand of Vodka won a medal in 2011 for its range, but I will have to check out a web site for it.

Must go Darklings, my lunch hour is over and Coralline will be here is a short while.

Later Darklings.

Of Rain Storms, Falling Trees, House Painting and Christmas doings~~~~

Well Darklings,



As I’ve said in an earlier post, I’ve been busy with some Christmas planning.



I know, what is an Elder/Elderly Goth doing Christmas planning, it’s not Gothicky. Well yes and no.



All the Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman stuff is really is not Gothicky unless you watched the episode of “Castle” on Monday evening (Dec. 3, 2012) someone murdered Santa Claus, but if you read Dickens “A Christmas Carol” that is a very dark Gothic Christmas Story with Scrooges’ “Bah Humbugging” all over the place, but to be visited by Ghosts, including the last one, a very dark and somber presence indeed. Yes Darklings I would be inclined to say that there are old aspects of Christmas that are dark and Gothicky indeed.



The rain storm that we had was heavy, not as heavy as feared but it did do serious damage and some flooding in various areas. I think the most frightening thing is when the ground is so soaked and heavy with water that it just falls away, collapsing road ways, like it did in the Santa Cruz Mountains.



But looking out the front windows at night as the rains fell heavily on the street, lighted by the street lamp; it felt almost gas lit as if I was in Victorian London, faintly hearing the clip-clop of a horse pulling a Hansom Cab.



Its nights like that that I do not want too much electric light on, I want that cozy feeling of a cosseted Victorian parlor.



Ahhh but when looking at the house in the clear light of day one can see that it will need a serious coat of paint come Summer, I could see serious paint flecks being peeled off by the wind and rain.



But what colors to paint it? That is my question. A friend of mine told me that with careful scraping away the layers one can find out what colors were there before and decide which one to go with. That might be the way to go. But my sister suggested that I look at the colors that outline the stain glass windows in the front parlor, entrance hall, Dinning room and Library since they are towards the front of the house. She felt that some how the colors of the house paint would reflect the stain glass windows, I liked that idea, but we’ll know more come summer.



After dropping Coralline off at her parent’s home last Sunday a week ago, Doyle and I leisurely returned to my house, my sister was out of town for the day visiting friends and would not be back until Monday.



While Doyle was driving, the car was filled with Christmas music from a radio station, I was reflecting upon my initial thoughts on buying an artificial tree but instead found myself purchasing green trees instead; the scent of the trees as we were decorating was uplifting upon my soul and in the end I was glad we did not buy a “fake” tree. I decided that I can put up with vacuuming tree needles till next July if it brings that much joy to one’s soul.



For some reason when Doyle and I arrived home we were just a bit too wide awake to go to bed, so we turned to reading our respective books, having a glass of red wine and listening to music on the radio; in the midst of a quiet moment Doyle suddenly stood up, turned down the radio, quickly went to the window and looked out.



He stood there looking out at the street for a minute or so, I watched him puzzled by his actions, but dared not to say anything seeing how intent he was looking out, then I heard a faint sound outside, and was puzzled by what that was.



I saw Doyle’s eyes grow large then he stood back from the window, closing the curtain he turned to me and casually asked “How fond are you of the tree that’s on the verge?” (street side strip of grass between the street and the side walk)



I looked at him with a questioning look for a moment and then said slowly “Well----it’s a nice tree but I’m not attached to it, why do you ask?”



“Well, it just fell over into the street” Doyle replied nonchalantly.



With that response I quickly went to the window, looked out and saw that yes, indeed, the tree which was about 9 or 10 feet tall that reminded me of a mulberry tree, had fallen over into the street, what was so amazing was there were no cars either in front of my home or across the street and it had managed to fall quite cleanly without damaging anything nor breaking any power poles.



It was, however, blocking the entire street, and I knew that some people had to leave very early in the morning and it would have been a bit difficult for them to get by.



Portions of the tree roots were uprooted doing damage to the side walk by lifting up part of the concrete slabs and there was a good size hole in the ground.



Knowing where my gas, water and sewer lines were, I was grateful that they were not near enough to be damaged.



We went outside to survey the uprooted tree by flashlight, street light and rain sprinkles. We could see that the roots were quite “punky” or spongy, they had been rotting for some time although the tree gave every appearance of health, but because they were so spongy and soft they had not the force to do any damage to any utilities but just enough to lift the concrete sidewalk.



Taking in the entire scene, I found myself thanking what higher powers there be that nothing was damaged and no one was hurt, but I did find that I had a slight feeling of loss, I had no idea how long that tree had been in front of my Great-Aunts house, but now the landscape with its demise, had changed.



Doyle went and got an old saw horse from the back yard and put it across the side walk to warn people of the uplifted sidewalk in the dark as we knew there were some late night dog walkers. Then we went inside, not knowing who to call Doyle decided to call the police non-emergency number and informed them of the fallen tree.



While we waited to see if anything would happen, Doyle changed into dry clothes and I made hot herbal tea to warm us up.



An hour later a police car showed up and using its pusher bar moved the tree just enough so cars could get by and the police officer put up warning signs, after that we went to bed only to be awaken at 4 a.m. in the morning with the sound of a chain saw.



A street crew was sawing away the tree and putting the remains in a dump truck and packing away the signs, they moved our saw horse and put one of their signs over the side walk and the hole the tree had left.



I was glad that it had been attended to, but at 4 a.m.?? Well that certainly disturbed my sleep, but Doyle was snoring with a buzz saw sound that could cut through a red wood tree.



On and off during the next day, according to Doyle, people were walking by and gawking at the hole, some came to the house to ask him what had happened. When my sister came home she saw the tree was missing, the gaping hole and street warning saw horses, we told her what had happened.



Young Miranda and her parents, our neighbors, came around just after dinner that evening, asking about the tree and over coffee and hot cider we told them about the event. Miranda’s parents became concerned about the city tree in front of their house and decided to contact the city maintenance department to send someone to check the health of their tree.



Miranda and her parents admired the three trees in the house as well as the vintage ornaments, Miranda discovered that some ornaments were placed inside the trees to make small scenes and using puffs of cotton stretched thin to look like snow and tinsel to make it sparkle, she was enchanted by what she saw.



Connie, Miranda’s Mother, said that she was lucky to be able to get lights up and throw what ornaments she had onto their tree. With a growing boy and his cousins rough housing in the house, more than once their Christmas tree toppled over with a crash.



I told her folks about my niece Coralline and we talked about getting the two girls together for an event or two. So we shall see how this develops. Even though there is a 3 year difference it’s possible that the girls might be compatible, we shall see.



Connie told me privately while we were in the kitchen that her daughter always loved old fashioned things, that a lot of the modern things that most girls her age including Justin Beber was not interesting to her. She had such a great curiosity about my Great Grandmother’s house wanting to know what it looked like on the inside. Connie told me that Miranda was worried that it would be either torn down or made into apartments, given the current housing market.



She was delighted to see how it was being fixed up and the opportunity to come inside to see the interiors, it was better than she expected.



Of course Miranda knows that she has to use the computer and such for school and eventually work, but cell phones with all kinds of apps, were too much for her tastes, she liked simple things, but her parents insisted she have a cell phone for emergencies, so she has one that’s simple and basic.



They had gone to the Dickens Faire this last weekend and enjoyed it very much. I asked Connie if Miranda enjoyed living in a Victorian home and she said that she does and can’t imagine living in anything else, she’s very much a “history buff.” She has an older brother who is in college but doesn’t seem to have the same interest, at least not before he left for college, but he was coming during the Holiday break for a visit, that they were looking forward to.



I told Connie about various re-enactment groups and different docent programs with museums, perhaps they might have something that would interest Miranda. Connie thought that was a wonderful idea, Miranda was so interested in how old-fashioned things worked that would be wonderful for her.



Later my sister and I wondered if that would also work for Coralline, because in many ways the Victorian Era was a very Gothic period of time, Gaslight, Dark Alleys, Horse drawn Handsome cabs, Fog shrouded buildings.

We shall see.



This weekend we have again Coralline, Saturday we went to Dunsmuir House for the tea and were happy to see that Miranda and her Mother had the same tea time, so we shared a table, that gave the girls a chance to get acquainted, then we all toured Dunsmuir house, I was so delighted with how the Foundation restored this elegant home to it’s Victorian grandeur, the girls were just amazed by it, we had a chance to ride a horse drawn carriage around the grounds and the girls were pretending to be princesses, I was fascinated by the history surrounding the house, how it was built and I sensed that in some ways it was built to spite people as well. Then the Hellmann’s purchased it as a home away from home, installing a swimming pool and tennis court.



For some reason I felt that the modern mansions built by our current millionaires or billionaires just does not measure up to the elegance of this house. Its interior and exteriors was featured in two films that I know of “Burnt Offerings” and the James Bond movie “A View to a Kill”.



But the movies do not do it justice to the feel of the place; one would have to come in the Summer during the Gatsby Weekend event to get the true feel of it. But I would love to see it in its natural setting at night, especially a winter night, with the grounds all dark and damp, that feeling that the “Hound of the Baskervilles” may be roaming the land. I get very shivery thinking about that.



Connie suggested that we take the girls to the Oakland Zoo’s Christmas lights that very evening, “get them good and tired” she said. And although chilly as anything it was very beautiful, with all the lighted decorations, the animal displays were not open to the public except for a few indoor ones.



I promised Coralline that we’d come back when the weather was warmer to take in the zoological gardens.



Next Friday evening it will be the Nutcracker Miranda’s parents and I managed to get tickets together so far the girls seem to be getting along. Coralline and Miranda pleaded with us to go back to the Dickens Faire one last time, Connie said that she couldn’t afford another visit but in the spirit of the season I said that I would spring for the tickets for everyone. Connie’s husband Bob would not be able to come as he has to pick up their son at the air port.



So far the girls seem to be enjoying each other’s company despite the 3 year difference, but Coralline has a bit of maturity, and Miranda has the wonderful gift of just loving beauty. And they seem to like the same things, Coralline showed Miranda the pet cemetery and took Miranda around for a more in depth look at things in the house.  I found myself amused when they would come into the Library while I'm writing out bills and balancing my banking accounts, all excited with their discoveries and asking a "ton of questions" (as they describe it).

So putting down my pen and setting aside my paperwork, I would answer their questions about things in my "Cabinet of Curiosities", the pet cemetery, strange old things in the attic or basement, and various things around the house.   One thing that has them puzzled is the stain glass windows in the dinning room, each of them has a different statement.  In going over the various repair bills and purchases done long ago by my Great-Aunt, I discovered that she had them specially made, I can only surmise that she had gone, many years ago on a tour of the old Winchester Mystery House and became fascinated with the stain glass windows there.

One reads "Fast unclasp the tables of my thoughts"  the other reads "These same thoughts people this little world"   The girls asked me what do they mean, I told them they need to read the two windows as if they were one sentence and then then will understand the meaning.

Both of them asked me why do I dress the way I do and wear my hair the way I do.  I told them that I would be happy to answer those questions but at another time, if they can wait, which they promised.

I asked Connie about her thoughts on the girls and she admitted that Miranda was socially awkward around older girls and boys, and just a little immature, but her grades like Corallines are excellent. She told me that sometimes according to her information and observation, some children mature a little later than others, but she exceeds her education level, so she’s in advance classes like Coralline but not quite so accelerated. And she prefers to come home and study, she takes ballet classes but informed her mother and the teacher that she does not want to do recitals.

I thought that was strange but Connie told me that performing in front of a group stresses Miranda, if it’s for a class assignment she’ll do it and she’s fine when interacting with people and children her own age but when the conversation among her peer group turns to things that teenagers talk about like whom they adore Miranda becomes shy. Although she has a “crush” on one of the Twilight hero’s.

And both Miranda’s and Coralline’s sense of things Victorian, dark, Gothicky and mysterious are quiet prevalent not in a harmful way but just enough to be a bit “Addams Family” with a sense of fun.

My Sister, Connie and I will see how this develops.

I'm also going to post one or two more postings this morning that I had been planning to post, but have been too busy to.

Today we are going to take it a little easy, Coralline has homework that must be done and Miranda asked if she could come over today to do her homework as well.  Connie had no objections since she has to do things around the house.  So a relaxing Sunday for us I think.

Later Darklings.

Christmas Season is upon us~~~"Stir up we beeche Thee..."

Well Darklings the Christmas Season is upon us.




Here is where I as an Elder/Elderly Goth must stand her ground.



I do recognize this time of year as a Holiday Season where several ceremonies of light occur, if one is Pagan then it is Yule, the time of the year when darkness is at its greatest, where all things dark and despairing fly and reek havoc upon body and soul, and then bonfires must be lit to dispel the darkness and bring back the light.



If one is Jewish then this is the season of lights when the great temple was defiled but regained by the Hebrew people who cleansed the temple but found that they only had enough holy oil for the lamp for one night, but used it anyway and much to their surprised the lamp burned for 8 nights instead of one, a sign of a Great and Holy presence.



If one is Christian then this is the time of year when all is dark and a displaced family must try and find shelter for the woman is about to give birth and all they could find was a stable because there was no room in the inn (there’s a certain amount of symbolism here my Darklings), but in that lowly stable a great light came into the world to give hope. That old Christmas Carol “Silent Night” in the last verse says it very purely “…Love’s Pure Light…”



There are other religious beliefs that also either around this time of year or near to it, celebrate a season of lights for the same reason.



But Doyle takes it one step further and I won’t argue with him on this because in many ways I felt the same----Doyle says “for all you atheists—you can stay in the dark”.



For as an Elder/Elderly Goth that is part of the beauty of Darkness, the light that shines within, as the old saying goes “it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”, as an Elder/Elderly Goth we look into the darkness with eyes to see in the dark, blazing to find the beauty and the truth, and yes, even if we cloak it with fantasy, we never leave the reality of life.



We know that Santa Claus is a legend, but we will not dispel a small child’s belief in that ‘spirit’ of unselfish giving, we are not sure about when Jesus was born but we will not dispel the simplicity and sense of hope in the Christmas Story.



Just recently a New York City police officer saw a homeless man who had no shoes, the homeless man may be mentally incapacitated but the police officer saw he had blisters on his feet, in stead of rousting him to move on, he went and with his own money bought all weather boots, and thermal socks, when he went into the store to buy the boots and told the sales staff what he was going to do, they gave him the employees discount, and he went back to the man put the socks and boots on the man’s feet, did he expect anything?



No, he did what he felt was right, he could not pass this man by, and like the good Samaritan, did it because it was right, he saw the darkness and put beauty into it.

His simple act of kindness was captured by a tourist and it went viral, this officer is an example of what anyone working and living in a dark Gothic environment can do. This is the true spirit of the Christmas Season and for all year round. The officer says he keeps that receipt for those boots with him as a reminder, “what good you can do, do it now, for you may not have that same chance again”.



And that is also what being an Elder/Elderly Goth is all about during this time of year, seeing into the darkness a shining a light.



When I and my sister were little there was an elderly lady by the name of Renee, Mrs. Renee, and she told marvelous stories, legends, folk tales, fairy tales and ghost stories of all kinds and she’d give various characters voices, and acted it out.



When Mother and Dad wanted a little alone time or had to go somewhere Mrs. Renee would baby sit us girls, while Grandma would take care of our brother because he was just a baby. Especially at Christmas time it would be wonderful to be at Mrs. Renee’s home, which we called the Mansion, her house seems to be always filled with a warm gold color at winter time I really don’t know how she did it, and it always smelled of spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and other wonderful exotic scents.



She would baby sit for various families and we loved going to her house, but the stories, oh the stories. She would have a fire going in the fire place, and light candles in glass containers, some in gold and some in ruby, the electric light would be turned off and she’d tell us these wonderful stories.



But wintertime she’d tell us of Hern the Hunter and the wild hunt and how the unjust would be punished if found at midnight on Christmas Eve if they were found by Hern, although later I’ve found other variations of the legend.



But she’d also would tell us the Christmas Story starting with the words “Once upon a time in David’s Royal City….”



I’ve found that if the rains come with wild winds during the Christmas season I’d be reminded of Hern and on Christmas Eve I’d hear Mrs. Renee’s voice saying softly “Once upon a time in David’s Royal City…”



And once again I am a child of 8 or 9 enjoying the fantasy and magic of Christmas with it’s legends and ghosts, and being Catholic doing the ritual of the Advent wreath, I have for Coralline an Advent Calendar, her parents are Catholic (sort of) they do go to church unless there is a game their boys have to be at, but my Sister and I want Coralline to experience the fun, joy and mystical ritual wonder of the season. From “Stir Up Sunday” which is the Sunday of the Advent season to Epiphany or Three Kings Day.



I and my sister always remember how Mother would have Dad bring down the Christmas decorations and go through everything to plan on the Christmas dinner.



Among the Christmas decorations my sister found the frame for the Advent wreath, and managed to buy the candles to go with it, so with some decorations from a Hobby shop she re-decorated it and we will light it saying “Stir Up, oh Lord, Thy Might, we beg thee and come, that by Thy protection we be rescued from the threatening dangers and saved by Thy deliverance.”



There is something about the ritual of the Advent wreath that stirs within an Elder/Elderly Goth’s soul, to give strength for the year of the trials to come and to continue to live the life we want to live.



Now back to current reality~~~~



Doyle surprised Coralline and I Friday afternoon by calling to say he would pick us up at my work, no taking public transportation in this rain he says. And where does he take us?



To a Christmas Tree Lot---and not just any Christmas Tree Lot----one that is run by one of the nearby churches as a fund raiser for their child care programs for single mother’s who have to work. And it was a good thing it was still day light in spite of the rain, Doyle insisted we buy two real trees, one for the Family Parlor and one for the Formal Parlor, I wasn’t going to argue.



But there was something, the smell of the trees, the careful assessment of which one’s would fit the spots in the home, determining the size of their trunk ends to fit into the water holders, then the purchase and bundling and tying down on the top of the van (Doyle came prepared).



But we could not leave just yet.



Coralline spotted a small, tiny Christmas tree, a very small, tiny Christmas tree.



She asked me what happens to cut trees after Christmas, I told her that we plan on having the Boy Scout’s do a pick up and then the trees are made into mulch to help other plants grow. That way the trees are never wasted, but are re-cycled.



She wanted the tiny Christmas Tree. She thought it would look nice in the entrance hall when people came into the house. I thought about how it would be mounted and where it would be placed and remembered an old small battered table in the basement which could be covered with a nice cloth and also remembered these things called “frogs” to hold woody type flowers and plants in an arrangement so it could be kept watered.



We bought the tiny tree.



So Friday evening was spent setting up the trees, with Doyle outside cutting the bottoms so the trees could get fresh water, and us vacuuming and sweeping the needles and moving things around.



Saturday we went to buy new lights for the trees and strung them up, later we went to the Tree Lighting ceremony at a local community, enjoying the entertainment and listening to the words officials had to say, watching the skaters on the portable ice rink, and getting a bit to eat at one of the local eateries, and just enjoying ourselves in general.



Today is being spent putting up the decorations, and staying warm, Belladonna has decided to camp on one of the overstuffed chairs and stay out of the way.



It’s already wonderful seeing all the old-fashioned decorations going up, I was glad that I managed to get more decorations, Coralline and my sister and I are having fun and I’m glad I managed to get the bulk of this typed the night before and save to a flash drive to post this morning.



Seeing the red, greens and gold’s shimmering in the lights brings a smile to my face and tons of memories of Family Christmases gone by, Coralline is building up her own special memories. She hugged my sister, Doyle and I last night for making this so special.



Later Darklings