Of a Quote about being Goth or Gothic~~~~

Hello Darklings

I came across this quote and of course it also includes Morticia, and I realized that in all my experiences I had to be in tune with and  explore my dark side, even researching morbid subjects and understanding the evil convolutions of the human mind.

And having gone through horrendous tragedy, I know I've come out stronger.

I even celebrate my dark side, revel in it, but also to maintain some sort of balance I will also splash the light side into my soul as well, with a touch of kitties, puppies and butterflies. 

But by knowing and understanding the dark side we then are never fooled by statements that are made to sound truthful but are lies, we are never fooled or are foolish.  

THAT is what makes a person a true Elder Goth.

We don't have to wear black all the time or do our hair or makeup in bizarre styles, we don't have to do horrendous bizarre piercings to indicate we're Goth.  That is simply outer trappings to appear outrageous, we don't even have to be into what ever music style the Goth community is into.

We can truly be independent and not feel that we have to follow the Goth Crowd,  because It is what is in our minds, our hearts,  our lives and our souls that makes us Goth.   And we can let it out to play and privately laugh.

I'm just lucky that I have a lovely "playpen" for it.

So if you can My Darklings, take this quote, make it larger, frame it, put it where you can see it every day and know that this is true Gothicness.

Later Darklings

Of Rain glorious RAIN!!! ~~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

  I woke up early to a very rainy morning too.  but my head was foggy, and I had a slight headache, sinuses acting up.  Took forever to go away,  I didn’t want to get out of bed my head hurt so bad, but I forced myself, because I felt staying in bed would be worse, so took some Tynoldo (on an empty stomach, never do that again) and sought to get coffee, maybe I was having a caffeine withdrawal, I didn’t know, but I opened the door to the back porch deck and breathed in the wet air and began to feel better in my head although my stomach was begging for something warm, which I had with the coffee.

I listened to the rain and watched it as it came down, just listening to it, there was no other sound except the plink, plink of rain on things, a xylophone of sound, and how fast the tempo told me how fast and hard the rain came down.  I saw droplets on the thin branches of the plum tree  in my garden like crystal ornaments, and then the breeze moved the branches like a shaggy tree beast but no sounds until I heard a mournful robin issue a short song, perhaps trying to find its friends.  No freeway sound, no street sounds, no dogs barking, nothing, until a passenger jet flew overhead to land at one of the airports and then it was quiet again. 

Finally with the coffee and Tynoldo my headache and growling stomach quieted, and I breathed in the air again to wake up, took me long enough to do it.  As I watched the rain coming down I decided that today we would Not go to the grocery store nor would the dogs  get a walkie, much too wet, and the dogs do not like getting wet even with their rain coats on unless we insist they have their walk but it's very heavy rain so down go the doggie pads on the back porch for them.   I was glad I got the pot roast and milk yesterday between storm fronts, but either Monday or Tuesday we’ll get the rest.

Hmmm it may have to be Monday if the rain tapers off as we have a Doctor’s appointment on Tuesday in Concord for Doyle and I have one on Wednesday in Oakland to check my back --- Maybe Wednesday, we won’t be tired from a long drive during commute time.  Oh well, just have to see what the weather dictates, as long as it doesn’t rain on our medical appointment days.

Now the rain has stopped for a bit, so I've taken a check on my underground water cisterns that I use to water the garden during dry spells and they are full, not over flowing but nearly full one more good storm will do it, and I still have another to open up if more rain is promised.

I had a chance to talk to my brother this afternoon and he says that there are no leaks from the roof but he thinks a gutter or maybe all the gutters will have to be replaced, he was able to determine that a faulty gutter caused some leakage in the master bedroom, but once we're past the rains, he'll have the roof and gutter's replaced and the ceiling painted with a oil type based paint that will cover the stain.  No basement flooding and the garage does have a bit of a roof leak that will be attended too as well but at least livable for now.

I became restless last week and did a mid-week daytime road trip, it had been ages since I've gone to Half-Moon Bay so I traveled over and took note of the different nurseries and artist studios on Hywy 92, and discovered that Half-Moon Bay has sort of grown up a bit, feeling like a jaunt I turned south on Hywy 1 and decided to go to the little hamlet of Pescadero, there is a bakery there that makes the most wonderful sourdough French bread, and I felt the need for it. 

Although the sky was grey indicating the coming storm, I felt refreshed looking at the green grass and the mustard yellow of the fields,  the low coastal hills and fields on one side and the ocean on the other,  I stopped at several beaches just enjoying watching the waves rolling, frothing and crashing down.  The roar of the ocean was strangely soothing to me, almost hypnotic, it was only me and a immature gull as a companion, but mostly looking for possible handouts which I didn't have.

I was even joined by some red-winged black birds hopeful that I had something to toss to them, sorry darklings, not even a drop of crumbs.

And even my stomach began to growl and I remembered there was a deli in the bakery and possibly a small café open, and I continued on down until I saw the sign announcing Pescadero, est. 1858.

Going past  a few houses, a small farm with sheep and goats, a place that builds barns I came to Stagecoach Rd, that intersected the road, on one side a post office, a church a house or two, and on the left the one block long town, consisting of a bank, a bakery, a grocery, a tavern, houses, a craft store or two, an auto towing service and I knew there was a B & B beyond, but that was not my destination, the bakery was.

Choices of bread, honey, wine and tomato sauces greeted me and I needed to make my selections carefully, honey, tomato and marinara sauces and wine would keep but fresh bread never and making my purchases I happily stowed them into the trunk of my car, I walked over to the grocery store that I knew had a café in it and it was open so I had clam chowder and bread with tea for my lunch and found it filling.

I knew it was not the season for their small Farmer's Market nor for their crafts festival, but I walked the one and a half block length of the town just to enjoy it's quirkiness, and its peacefulness, and was surprised that there was a 2nd church at this other end of the road, I knew if I took Stagecoach Road it would take me to San Gregorio but I decided not to chance it alone, maybe sometime with Doyle.

Maybe stay at the B & B as well, I knew I had to bring my camera next time just to photograph this place before in time it too becomes part of Lost Americana, but I think with the efforts of the 600 plus folks in this community they will do their part to keep it just the way it is and preserve it as well.

I knew that with the frequent fog it would take on a sort of Dean Koontz, Steven King quality to it, but now it felt like a bit of forgotten England pre-world war 2.   It's moments like this that I wish I was a painter or a writer or a photographer, somehow being able to capture it how it felt part of now and part of "then".

But looking at my watch I knew I had to get back before the commute traffic made driving a frustrating task.  So drive back the way I came I found myself at the lower half of Hayward and taking back roads found myself home jiggery, jig picked up the 4 legged dynamic duo from my elderly neighbor and gave her a loaf of bread, honey and marinara sauce which she was happy to have as she was planning to make spaghetti for her visiting nephew that evening.

And I decided to do that as well since I had fresh ground round that I bought the day before.  Sis was grateful that I made dinner that evening as she had several difficult clients, Doyle said he was going to be late, so I held up starting it as Sis relaxed her toes and drank a glass of red wine, I decided to spoil her with Vampire Wine, I had picked up two bottles at the bakery Deli and since it was not going to be a problem cooking dinner we relaxed and then I started cooking while Sis made the salad.

I told her about my little road trip and she said she'd like to go with me next time, yes it is a far distance for bread but for clearing one's head, it's worth it.

And now I'm relaxing as laundry is being done but I hear in the distance siren and the blare of the horn of a fire engine, I hope it's not too serious for whom the siren screams.

Later Darklings

 

 

 

 

 

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

Yes Darklings,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Later

Of an Exhuasting Halloween weekend and~~~~

And Dear Darklings it is NOT over!!!

Taking a break while Doyle goes and gets hamburgers and dare I say it, french fries, from a favorit hamburger place the girls like, I'm not going to name names but it is NOT MacDonalds'.  Sorry Mac.

The weekend started last night with a Bang!   Well our Brother dropped off Coralline just as Marrisa's folks were droping her off and it was joyous girlish squeals of delight, the face Doyle made was precious, he said something to me to the effect of how young pre-teen and early teen girls squeals of delight could put down an Alien invasion or cause Zombie's heads to burst.   I had not thought of that.

Once the girls were settled the first adventure was to a Haunted House Fund Raiser done by a local school, and I have to say it was done very well, with games, pumpkins walks (both girls won a pumpkin), face painting, bingo prizes and of course the Haunted House.  The girls went through it 3 times, each time with either me, then Sis and then Doyle.  The fund raiser offered Pizza, cookies, coffee and soft drinks, donuts (thank you I needed that) to help quell any hunger pangs.  The girls got their faces painted, and they had their costumes, Marissa was dressed as Alice in Wonderland and Coralline was dressed as Queen of the Spiders with a Spider tiara.  

Then after we drove through various areas where we knew there would be wonderful displays for Halloween, there is one family that goes all out with their decorating and create new sets every year, one year it was a pirate ship wreak, another year a volacano with godzilla, a mad scientists lab, a western ghost town, a macabre circus,  this year its twisted Fairy tales, complete with a bug catcher that zapps unsuspecting little fairies.  Their ideas are phenomenal.

After all that driving around we headed towards our favorite ice cream parlour and we had ice cream.  I was worried that either one or the other would wake up with a nightmare or stomach ache but this morning they were as fit as a fiddle, and so it was a morning dash to the Spirit Store and then to another Haunted House done by the local Park and recreation department, and they did a marvelous job,  now we are home and Doyle has just returned with our "cheap dinner" and then we are going to a local church that is having its musical concert for Halloween called "Pipe Screams",  musical pieces played on their wonderful church organ, I told the girls if they went to the concert they could stay up late tonight.

Tomorrow we're then going out for breakfast and then onto a Harvest Festival with all kinds of goodies to offer.  Come Monday I'm going to sleep in I will need my rest.   But it has been very interesting so far.

My gardener came by just a short while ago to say he cannot mow the lawn with all the halloween decorations, I told him to not worry about that it will be down in two weeks, and to just do pruning.   He's very understanding and now Darklings I must go or my fries will get cold, I think I'm blowing my diet this weekend.

Later Darklings

Good Gardening Help can be hard to find.

Of a "Ghostly, Mystery" Vacation~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

I'm at a free wi-fi service here in Sacramento but Doyle and I will be leaving later today, and all I can say is that our vacaton was wonderful.

We stayed aboard the Delta King, a floating Riverboat hotel, and yes the nights did get chilly so warm sweaters are a must, and one night the fog rose up from the river, our room was very nice with a lovely river view, and I do have to admit depending on your pricing the rooms can be a bit on the small side but you ARE on a Riverboat and space is limited.

We enjoyed dining on the boat and had a special dining package with the mystery suspense theatre, I think it's called Suspects theater, and you don't know if you are dining with a victim, a suspect, or a detective.  And you have to help figure out the mystery, such Fun!

But that wasn't all, Doyle had made reservations for a tour on one of Sacramento's Ghost Walk Tours, and Underground Old Sacramento,  there was something about being able to walk on the old Riverboat, watch the river flow by at night, we had a full moon as well, it added to the ghostly atmosphere, add the river fog and all at once you are not in the 21st century but back in the 19th. 

The ghosts of those merchants, gamblers, bankers, miners, farmers, villians, women of means and women of the streets all floated along, calling to you to forget the present, go to the past where you could disappear, no one would know you, you could take on a different persona, make your own way or die trying.  Some people think it was romantic, but there was disease and pestilience, and for some people bathing was not very often, and a wrong word was reason for a shoot out.  And they floated out there, calling to one, some people say that they can hear the screams of people who died when two riverboats that were racing blew up, being burned to death by the hot steam or the fire or drowing.   Even the River is haunted and demands its sacrifice if you dig for its gold.

At one time in the 1860's Sacramento and much of the Central Valley was flooded like Noah's flood, the new govenor instead of taking a carriage to the capitol had to take a boat, the river had no channel and the riverboats could go everywhere,  now a days they call that type of flooding a Noahchian flood, rare but it does happen, now dams prevent that.

And late at night, when most of old Sacramento is in bed, if one stands on the deck of the Delta King and looks at the town, it seems like time has stood still, only the faint honking of a car horn breaks that spell, few places are like that, New Orleans, Old Town Sacramento, even historic gold rush town of Columbia give that feeling of time freezing for just a moment, San Francisco lost that ages ago with its high rises, but now and then peeping through the fog the city becomes like it was in the 1940's and 50's black and white, film noir.  Parts of London can still give that feeling, but its rare.

Now Doyle brings me my 2nd cup of coffee and we'll have to be going,  he needs to see someone at one of the Capitol offices, then back to the real world.

I've been in touch with my niece "Coralline" and 'Trisha she says she recieved your card and just loves it.  My sister says we need to go to the new Target store and buy candy and Belladonna misses me;  so more Halloween preperation to do.

Later Darklings

Of a Weekend of events, and thoughts~~~~

Hello Darklings,

Well Sis and I had a wonderful day on Friday! Of course we had our mani-pedi’s at this Salon that she knows in the City. I went with “Devil’s Lure” by Revlon, I’m not sure if it’s made anymore as it was a limited edition, but sometimes it turns up on E-Bay.

Anyway I chose it as the color is much richer, Sis decided to go with “Ginger” by Essie as it goes well with a lot of her clothes and she doesn’t want to off-put her clients by going with a strange color. But it was so nice to be pampered.

For lunch we decided upon salads as we didn’t want to be heavy and sleepy, and then to shopping, Nordstrom was our choice, but we did go into Tiffany’s, if nothing else just to drool.

I love how the staff treats its clientele even if you are window shopping. Sis saw a bracelet she fell in love with, she knew it would be perfect for her daughter. It was simple in Sterling silver and she wanted a heavy flat sterling sliver disk that was sort of thick with rounded edges to hang from it and to be engraved with her daughters’ initials in a flowing script, it was for her daughter’s birthday in November and since she would be up there to visit her at that time she wanted something very special. Her daughter had remarked how she’d like to have something like that but had been putting it off for a while; this would be very nice and classic.

At Nordstrom’s I found a lovely silk blouse in a deep camouflage green but not a boring green, with long sleeves and a shawl type collar, what dressed it up nicely were these gold buttons, and it came with three extra’s. And we had to check out the Channel counter, I was almost out of Channel #5 and purchased a bottle, trust me Darklings, I made my last bottle last for nearly 2 years. Sis found a pair of black Coach shoes that were extremely comfortable, considering that she doesn’t buy many shoes and always has her shoe repair man keep her old pairs going, buying a new pair for her is a treat and an investment.

We took a side trip to another store, I think it was Macy’s, sometimes these stores seem to run together, but we went down to the fine wares clearance area and here Sis indulged again, she found these glass starfish in 4 graduated shades of blue designed to hold things like mints, nuts, or other little goodies, and they were on sale.

Of course I had to ask her why and she said for her Tropical room, that I call her Tiki Lounge or 1950’s Hawaii, her idea of paradise. Frankly I think she was affected many years ago when she saw the singing parrots in the Tiki Room at Disneyland and of course her honeymoon many years ago to Hawaii. She told me many times “The Marriage may have failed but we’re still good friends and the honeymoon was wonderful.” Some day she’ll go back to visit, she’s been thinking of the Alanie Resort, I asked her “do you want to relax or hear the joyous sounds of children?” She replied “The place that will pamper me the most.” And something like that Darklings you should save up for, remember you’re worth it.

I found a nice little treat in the clearance section, a jar that says blood bath salts, complete with a small skull on the lid and a bat on the front of it, at the bottom it says take a relaxing bath in blood red. There were no salts in the large jar but it would be perfect to hold either Epsom salts or my own preferred bath salts. Sis teased me and said it would go perfectly with the “Bates Motel” bath towels that were given to me as a Christmas present last year. I’m putting them out in the guest bathroom for Halloween; I think I’ll put the jar there too.

But all too soon we had to leave, it was going to take forever to get home over the bridge given that it was the last Friday of the Month, and the bicyclists would be out doing their boring monthly “Critical Mass” protest, yes Darklings booooorrrrring, (someday I’ll blog about it), fortunately we didn’t encounter them, I guess we left early enough.

Still it was slow, and we decided upon Chinese take out when we got home, Doyle called and said he had a surprise and was obliging to pick up the food; I sent off several e-mails and went to pick up Belladonna. I bought her a little present, a new sweater with skulls on it as well as a brand new carry all bag, as the old one was wearing out, and it looks very stylish, at first glance one would think it was a large Michael Kors Tote bag, and then you see the mesh for the dog. Belladonna fitted perfectly into both items.

The surprise that Doyle brought home was a conglomeration of Beers, Angry Orchard’s Hard Apple Cider in a special box of 12 bottles consisting of 3 of each Crisp, Traditional Dry, Apple Ginger and Cinnfil Apple---all hard ciders. Doyle also had Pumpkin Ale by two different Breweries, and a special box packed of various Harvest Ales by Blue Moon Brewery.

Then there was Speakeasy Beer from San Francisco’s Speakeasy Brewery, this included the Tallulah pale Ale, Big Daddy, a bottle of Prohibition Porter, (I understand they are not making it anymore), and several others with that 1920’s mobster theme.

I asked him how he got these beers and he replied “A gift from a very happy and very grateful client, and he wasn’t the only one, other staffers who worked with Doyle also got beer as well all as a bonus.

I am not a coinsurer of Beer but Doyle said “we are ready for October fest”. Late September is when the micro breweries come out with their seasonal and specialized beers and ales and Doyle likes to stock up for the Fall and Winter season, I know he’ll be buying more.

So into the spare refrigerator they went in to be properly chilled and ready for that special occasion, although during October and November Doyle will occasionally indulge in the Pumpkin ales when he is relaxing on a Saturday or Sunday late afternoon, but never more than one bottle, too many spoils the enjoyment he says.

We decided to relax Friday evening and watch an old favorite “Perry Mason and the Case of the Fatal Fashion” both Sis and I remarked how we loved Barbara Hale as Della Street, so professional and confident.

In checking the mail after dinner I discovered we’d receive an invitation to an Artist showing for Saturday night, one of my art friends’ friend was doing a presentation of the ghoulish and ghastly works of art in oils and sculpture designed to be “thought pieces”. Sis of course moaned, and Doyle rolled his eyes and I said, “Well it would be interesting to see what depravity goes on in people’s minds.”

And with that remark Sis and Doyle agreed to go, provided said Sis, we all go to see “Rear Window” playing at a nearby historic movie theatre---Hitchcock in October? Perfect Timing!!!

Saturday we were up early, doing the usually grocery shopping and planed to eat dinner early, if we were still hungry when we came home I had things in the freezer that could be heated up. Not being sure when we’d get home and how perky we’d be, I decided to record Svengoolies’ presentation of that 1959 classic “The Leech Woman”, I have to say that it is a story with two morals in it, one that as men grow older their gray hairs seem to give them honor and distinction but for women as they grow older they are cast aside and pitied, the second morality tale is vanity thy name is woman, but I’ve also said you may have woman’s vanity but it is caused by man’s blindness.

Sad to say even if women are more liberated, we still have those same old idea’s running around, and women have to fight even harder.

The art show was by a friend of an artist acquaintance of mine and Sis’s and although the sculptures and paintings were very well done with a lot of thought to the subject matter they were morbid, and unsettling, dealing with the theme of horrific homicides not by shooting but by sick minds, up close and personal, emphasizing the psychopath and how they are being allowed to be free to terrorize us, we are always afraid of the terror without, but forget the terror within.

I don’t think I would have a single one of those art objects in my home, neither would Sis but some people were buying them, as investments I think, although I felt they would be better suited to a chamber of horrors in a wax museum, the gallery had to be very cool as some of the works were done in wax.

Doyle confessed that he preferred the anatomical art exhibits in which dead people were shown with their skin removed and showing the inside of how our bodies worked, those were done with injected plastic for preservation and I remember thinking how informative that exhibit was, but this was something totally different, going into the minds of psychopaths. Sis got the artists’ card she said she like to interview her (yes her) for a paper, perhaps combine it with the interview that she did with our previous ‘ghostly’ painters whose exhibit we’d seen some time ago.

And we were surprised by the artist, a short, rotund, cheerful lady, draped in purple, with a lot of silver bracelets on one wrist that jangled as she moved her hands, her hair was close cropped with natural ringlets, I looked at Sis and remarked “You’d think she’d be baking cookies for her small grandchildren” and Sis replied, “Hansel and Gretel’s old witch may have looked like her and she was going to eat them up.” I could only agree.

We did run into our ghostly couple, she just as pale as ever and he looking like he could disappear into a dark corner, her gallery show in New York went very well, almost all the paintings sold and she is embarking on a new series. “Tombstones” she said, “I’ll have it so they project out of the canvas, some will be physical installations as we are looking for old gates, and things, some will be small studies and some almost like sculptures but with a painting they will emerge from, in some ways I’m being inspired by the Night Gallery stories”. After they drifted away, I asked my Sis if she remembered how they supported themselves between showings, knowing that it does cost money to survive, she couldn’t remember, but said I might have mentioned it in my blog, now I’m going to have to look back to see.

Doyle insisted we go to an ice cream parlor that stays open late that he knows of and indulge in Ice cream, saying “I want to see something that makes me think I’m a kid of 10 again” And considering the huge banana split he ordered and devoured I’d say he got his ‘kid fix’. Sis went with just plain strawberry ice cream and I with rainbow sherbet, we too felt we had to get a strange taste out of mouths.

Sunday dawned cold and a bit overcast which eventually gave way to sunlight, we’d made plans to go to the cemetery to put flowers on our late eldest brother’s grave, something we do every year. This was one of those times when we’d be able to do it together at the same time, given how her work previously would have her traveling.

We decided to go in Doyle’s car and as we were driving to the cemetery like a vision out of the past a parade of 3 vintage cars crossed our path, 2 were from the mid to late 1930’s and the last one was from the late 1940’s, seeing those car’s I screamed “Daddy I WANT!!” Yes Darklings even tho I have my own vintage car, just seeing them was exciting, since we had to go in the same direction we were able to catch up before they turned off in another direction. On the back rear window of each car was a logo in gold lettering “Bay Bombs”, it seems they are a local vintage car club that does fund raising events with their vintage cars, including offering their cars as transportation for weddings and special occasions. What fun!

But on to the cemetery, we’d pack a picnic lunch since our brother’s grave is near a nice shade tree, and although the cemetery does an excellent job of maintenance we pulled a few weeds (good thing we brought gloves) and made sure to have cans to hold the flowers so’d they would last a few days. We ate, talked reminisce of old times, and found ourselves missing him even after these many years, Doyle had brought his Sirius radio and was using the portable to play music, we were rotating from 50’s to 40’s and back.

Suddenly Sis stood up, she looked at our brother’s tombstone and said “If there really is an afterlife, I’d like you to give us a sign! All these years, and it still hurts, I should be able to deal with it, I’m trained to but it still hurts. Do we exist after we die! Show us!”

I was shocked by my sister’s outburst, I knew our brother’s murder had affected her, it affected me too and our younger brother, but I hadn’t realize she was still is so much pain, even with her telling me I had to still work it out, she did too.

I looked at her, then stood up, she continued to look at the headstone and then after a moment we heard Ray Charles singing “Hallelujah, I love her so”. Why that song? Years ago our brother and us performed a pantomime dance to that song at a armature talent show at the Elks Lodge, we did it for fun, we were kids.

Sis looked at me and I started doing the dance moves to the song as best as I remembered it, and Sis joined in. At the end of the song we were laughing and sat down on the picnic blanket. I looked at her and asked “Did you get your answer?” She smiled with tears in her eyes and nodded, maybe it was just a coincidence but at that moment? Right after she asked her question? I was not going to question it and let it lay. Doyle looked at us with his mouth agape, shook his head and said nothing but smiled.

Then on the spur of the moment, Sis took a napkin and wiped some dust off of the smooth surface of the tombstone, put on her red lipstick and kissed it. I did the same. O.K. Darklings we were being silly, but can you imagine someone else coming along and seeing those two lipstick kisses on that headstone and what they will think? I’d like to think they’d be a bit puzzled or something.

For the rest of the day we just relaxed out in the garden, Belladonna had gone with us for the picnic and was glad to be in her familiar territory. And we each had a bottle of one of the harvest beers to relax with.

Later Darklings

Of coffee, a little dog and squirrels~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I'm waiting for my sister, she has to phone some clients to confirm their appointments for next week, so I have a few minutes before we go shopping.

Last night we went through the pantry to check what we need and those things we need to get for emergency supplies.   I'm good about those things, but Sis is very through,  she is also getting things for her own house for Brian, her tennant/house guest----but I guess it would be better to refer to him as her tennant.

Poor Brian has been putting in 12 and 14 hour days of late, so much to be done before the Labor Day weekend, I'm not totally sure what it is but it seems that where he's now at they are going to be shifting things over right after Labor Day and will need that week to tweak things.  He is earning his money.

This morning again I was up early, enjoying my coffee, there is something about fresh brewed coffee that has a waking up feeling to it, just the smell is enough at times to give a lift to one's mind and senses, and on chilly mornings like this one with that tang of Fall in the air it seems even extra special.

I think I could not survive without at least one cup of morning coffee, of course periodically I have to go to my dentist to gently whiten my teeth as coffee does stain, but not overly white, white-white teeth is sort of off putting to me, very unnatural.

No I don't think I could survive without coffee, tea, chocolate and a good bottle of wine----of course we also have to have the staples of life as well.  But those are the speical flavors and scents to keep us going.

This morning as I was sitting out on the back porch enjoying the garden and the nip in the air, Belladonna was with me, I put her light sweater on as it was chilly and had her out-door bed next to me, when I saw it.

A very, very fat squirrel come into the garden, grubbing around for food,  I knew that it loved to induge in the walnuts on my neighbors tree, for more than once I've found the reminants of shells here and there, and I could see that this squirrel had indeed fatten up for the winter, as he (or she) carefully picked and hunted its way across my garden,  I think that is why I love it so (the Garden), I get so much animal life here, the various birds, the squirrels and occasional possum (fortunatly not often), humming birds, bees, butterflies, and the scent of the flowers, I love to choose those that have a wonderful strong scent that travels on the air to attact pollenators.

In the mornings hearing the birds calling out, marking territory,  the other day I was surprised to hear the call of a Hawk, and what sounded like the reply by a much younger hawk, I looked up and spotted the pair high up in the sky.  How rare to hear something like that in the residental part of the city or in the city at all, but how wonderful as well.

But there was that squirrel, and I saw Belladonna slowly stand up, trembling not with fear but with excitement, here was her intruder that frequently teased and scolded her totally unaware of the Mighty Belladonna's presence.  Then quickly she flew down the stairs without making a growl towards her nemisis, the squirrel was completely unaware of the 4 legged danger swiftly approaching until the last second.   I thought that the little creature had met its doom, it scampered as fast as it could with Belladonna close on its tail, I knew that Belladonna would catch it, but at the last moment it made a desperate leap to a tree just out of Belladonna's reach and scampered up the branch.

I watched as Belladonna stood under the tree not with trembling frustration but with satisfaction, the squirrel in the tree was trembling, not even scolding the little dog, it knew in its over confidence that today would have been its last, if not for fate.  But Belladonna a tiny dog with the fierceness of a Rottwiller knew she had won the day and taught that sassy squirrel a lesson.   She did one self-satisfied bark and came trotting back to me in all her smug glory as if she were saying "That'll learn him, come around here like he owns the place, not while I"m on duty, no sir!"  

And for that I simply had to give her a bit of my buttered toast as a reward for a job well-done.

Later Darklings

Of Some changes but nothing new~~~~

Well Darklings,

The BART strike is still going on, people very frustrated, the infrostructure of temporary transportation pushed to its Maximum.

Things got a little hung up yesterday at the Golden Gate Bridge toll booth, a trucker from Canada attempted to go through the wrong lane and got.....STUCK!!!  

There is a wider taller lane for trucks but the driver was unfamilar with it and broke the front axel of his rig, it took a heavy duty tow truck to remove the entire rig,  there was back up but they managed to clear it.

But on the strike the Governor sent his top labor mediators along with a strongly worded letter to both parties and they are back at the table negotiating.   However the public is not pleased with the Unions to do this to the working public and also damaging the economy by 73 million dollars per day.

However several aquaintances that I know that use to use BART are taking the bus to the Oakland Ferry and discovered that it's really a relaxing way to get to and from work, except for the long lines to get on board and heaven help you if you miss your boat.   But they told me that except for really bad weather they will continue using the Ferry after the strike is over.

Today Doyle remarked to me that all the Ferry systems should use larger ferries like the old car ferries, not these hydrofoil jobs, it would carry much more people, I asked if they would have to modify the docks for them, he thought no considering the way they dock on the East Bay side perhaps on the S.F. side maybe but not East Bay.     Well maybe in the future.

Update on our dancing 51/50 (crazy person)  they police came by this morning at "oh please let me have my first cup of coffee"  and wanted more information on him, I couldn't tell them much but gave them information on his parents and the neighbor next to them who told me about him.   It seems he maybe kept longer than the 72 hour period.   Although one officer did ask me "Do they have horses around here?"  and we both smiled at each other knowing the joke.

The heat is beginning to retreat a bit, the coastal areas are at the mid-60's, where my house is its down to the Mid-to upper 70's although the house interior is still very stuffy and warm,  I've had to keep the front and back doors open (but front screen door locked) for air circulation, although the back door opens to the screened shady back porch which Belladonna it taking full advantage of.   I have a comfy bed for her as well as her water and dry food bowl out there.   She is recovering from the heat.

However the temps inland over on the other side of the hills is anywhere from upper 80's to just over 100, a huge difference of between 20 to 40 degrees just 30 miles inland from the coast.  The weather people consider this an unusual heat wave condition.  At the start of the heat wave my sister and I and now Doyle have been checking in on our elderly neighbor who baby sits Belladonna and she is doing very well,  her family lives out of town but they set up a cool spot for her for conditions like this with widnow air conditioning on the North side of her house,  it has a day bed, reclinder and small t.v. as well as a telephone extension, so when the heat wave started, she retreated there for the duration,  now I understand why Belladonna trotted so quickly to that room when I've left her to be watched by our neighbor a time or two during the heat wave.

I talked to my Boss yesterday evening before I left to come home and he suggested that next week I come in at 12 noon and work till 8 p.m. and he could bring me home, that way I'd be available to handle the confrence calls that would be coming in the afternoons next week,  it sounds reasonable, although he did agree that I was to only work half days, so after 4 I could rest in the staff lounge since there was a couch there that I could lie down on.  It sounds workable considering the unusual situation we're having.

Sis had to go early into San Rafel this morning to meet a client and decided to return via the Golden Gate Bridge it would be a reverse communte, she said it was strange and weird  because there was FOG totally shouding the towers, a misting fog, and hearing on the radio the weather predicting 100 degrees inland, and yet Fog coating the Golden Gate bridge.  And now she's heading back out again, she says she'll be so glad to have her house finished and then her clients can come to her, no more traveling around.

Brian is still camping is Sis's living room but the work on the kitchen and downstairs full bath is almost done, and he's received two call backs for 2nd interviews, they both sound promising.  For his sake I hope something comes from them.

My sleep routine is totally upside down, I managed to get some sleep last night but woke early again, however I did enjoy the cool morning overcast in the back yard with my cup of coffee, listening to lazy jays calling to one another, and seeing the birds taking morning baths in the bird baths that I have out, they dirted the water so much that I had to put in fresh several times.

But the bees and butterflies have not stirred one bit, although an amateur bee keeper in the neighborhood told me his hives are fine but it's been very hot for them, so they are seeking water, and he's been doing things to help them stay cool.

Also this morning another neighbor who has plum, apricot and cherry trees in her back yard has brought over laundry baskets of them, she is sharing her overwhelming bounty with everyone.   My Sis said "yay, apricot cobbler, apricots for canning and plum jam and cherry pies so they are now in the pantry which is cool and I anticipate a hot kitchen by this weekend.   Thank goodness we have canning jars, just need to buy new lids.   Sis still takes pleasure in old fashion things, so do I so I think I'll be helping her this weekend.   And come September there will be apples for apple pie, cobbler, apple sauce, I envision our pantry being very full.

4th of July is tomorrow but I think we'll stay home and just relax,  I have chicken marinating in the refrigerator and Baby Ray's bar-b-que sauce at the ready,  Doyle will do the honors to be King of the Grill and I have Belladonna's medication to keep her calm during the echoing sounds of the fireworks both tonight and tomorrow,  Doyle and Sis will watch her.

Nothing bizarre, strange or picular happening for now that would entertain an old Goth girl like me,  but I will be glad to get back into something that resembles our form of bizarre normalecy.   But it's just too hot.

Later Darklings   

Of more on the Heat! Blasted Heat!~~~~~

Well Darklings,

It's a good thing Sis and I did not go to the County Fair yesterday, the temp hit 106 and I believe Death Valley had a record 137 degrees farinhight (did I spell that right?)

Yes Underground for Tea I hope it cools down soon as well,  I have one fan just on Belladonna and from time to time have taken a wet face cloth to her tummy and head,  ice cubes in her water.   She barely touches her food its so hot, not that I blame her.

The weather people say for our area it will go up again on Tuesday and then start cooling down by Thursday.   The house is so hot,  and I remembered when Doyle are Marissa's brother were up in the attic a few month's ago they informed me it was not insulated.   That is going to be the next house project, but I'm going to wait until Fall,  right now I can't get a man in nor would I want to subject any human being to such insufferable miserableness.

One good thing, Doyle is flying in tonight he said he'd call when he's landed and gathered his luggage so we can pick him up, a good thing it was a striaght flight no transfers or anything like that.  And he's been warned about the BART situation.  But fortunately he'll have the next few days off.

I could only do laundry, wash and line dry the clothes, its so warm they dry in an hour or less.   All Sis and I have been doing is just the necessary things and then just relaxing reading, keeping cool, listening to classical music.  

But with the heat I've been getting up early just before Dawn breaking to take in the coolness and water the planets and do the same in the evening, Sis helps out as well.

My cleaning lady has been ill with the heat and I told her to not worry to just get well.   Not that there is much to do, even I can run the vacume on the rugs that need it.    And most of the time when it's too hot to be indoors we sit outside on the back porch in the shade and catch the random cool breeze. 

Poor Brian is exhausted with the heat as well, he had several interviews this last week and hopefully one of them will prove fruitfull.  He said that each employer said that in the event of a strike and if he got hired they would be very accomidating about the communt if their employees were stuck in traffic.

None of us wanted to cook so we ordered Chinese, Brian has just returned with our order and we are all going to eat on the back porch, I have some "Ceasar's" Dog food for Belladonna that I've been keeping cold in the frige, I hope she'll eat it, if not then I'll toss it.  I don't want her to get ill.

And if the strike happens tomorrow, well I won't have to go in until 5 p.m. and work till midnight, we're all on short hours because of this, but full pay and I'm being picked up with two others in our car pool.  This reverse communite better work, because tomorrow will be hell.

Here's hoping for the best and praying for tempetures to go down to the mid-70's.

Later Darklings

Of further updates on the BART strike~~~~

Well Darklings,

The possible picture is not going to be pretty,  not only will BART strike, and AC Transit in sympathy, but the City of Oakland employees are going to be striking at the same time!!!

I am convinced that the heat has driven people mad.

All three agencies striking at the same time starting on the same day, no one talking to the other, no one steppping in to demand a 60 day cooling down period, no one mediating.

The BART employees union showed up for a meeting with BART leaders but BART leaders were not there, claiming they were talking to the Union via mediators, but the Union is saying no one talked to them.

My question is who is lying?   BART employees are saying the had their wages cut by 27 %  but they are paid on an average of $85,000 a year.  And that is with a 27% reduction?    The Union want BART to pay for full medical and full retirement without the employees paying into it at all.  

I always said if you do a good job your pay would be comiserate to your performance, but I've had to pay into my retirement and into my medical a portion of my wages.  I see no reason that the BART employees should be so privledge.  

I'm not going to even get into AC Transit, theirs is just a sympathy strike although S.F. Muni is stepping up to the plate and putting on more buses and such for the City of San Francisco.

And I'm not even sure what is the City of Oakland employees situation, espeically when almost everyone I know have not had a raise in 4 to 5 years and are just dealing with it because of the economy, which inspite of all the so called good predictions is still horrible, with still too many people out of work.

Oh Darklings, I better calm down, I'm getting too overheated about this.

On a different front, the temperature is going to get warmer with triple digits predicted in the inland areas.

I was up at 5:30 this morning enjoying the dawn breaking, and watering the plants, they will get watered again much later this evening.  And I even went to the grocery store and did shopping for the week, although I feel that it will be cool salads and precooked meats such as grilled chicken, which I'm keeping in the refrigerator and will heat up for dinner later tonight in the microwave.

I've made a huge batch of lemonaid, of which I have bottles of it in the freezer, as well as filtered water with a hint of fresh squeezed lemon in it also refrigerated and frozen.   All the windows are open and fans are going because I do not have air conditioning in the house.

And for now Belladonna is at a neighbors house being babysat and Sis is ready so we will hit the Farmers Market today for lots of fresh fruit, and then rest in the afternoon.   I think we'll eat dinner in the garden this evening,  Brian was kind enough the other day to put up this portable dinning tent that has misquito neting in the flat patio, so it will perfect to dine in.

Now must go.

Later Darklings

Of a Spa Weekend just starting~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

Well Sis and I are here at, of all places, the Claremont Resort, close enough and far enough from the cares of the world and local events.

We checked in yesterday afternoon, and once settled we had our first massage.  Then tea and a late dinner.

Today so far we've had breakfast and Sis has a series of spa treatments and beauty works lined up for the day.  We are not checking out until Monday morning, Sis's prescription for mental health.

She had made a serious request of me, I am to not read a newspaper or magazine, other than fashion magazines, no media news, nothing except relaxing music. 

Why you ask?   Well she felt that since I was pretty much confined to home, I was not reaching out mentally for mental stimulation to give my mind a balanced outlook.  We spent the rest of Friday evening, discussing this.   She thought I was going too far into the "dark", and needed to bring a little light into my mind.

Of course once I go back to work that will be of tremendous help for me mentally.  But she's right, I did feel that my mind was becoming constrained.  So I'm following her prescription, but I have to admit my fingers are itching to read a newspaper.

Another thing that we touched on briefly was the loss of our older brother, something that we both felt needed to be aired, but we'll reserve it for another time.

I had one person ask me (to paraphrase) "how can you afford to do this?"  Well I have to admit, from young our parents taught us to be frugal and to invest, have one's money make money but to not take risks, plan for the long haul, from the time you get your first job set aside money for retirement and investment.  And look to scholarships and grants if need be, to finance your college education.   All of us, my younger brother included, found professions that we enjoy and that pays well.  We live well within our means and remain in many ways frugal, I go so far as to clip coupons when shopping, if there is a product I like I will use those coupons. And I save,  I look for tax deductions, and other things to have my money and in someways my property, make money.   I learned to sew, have my shoes and purses repaired at the shoe repair shop, make things do, fix things and make them go for as long as possible.   Separate the "wants" from the "needs".   Avoid being a "throw-away" society and to not buy cheap.

I may have covered this in another posting, when I have time I'll look for it, if not then I will publish this at greater length.

Sis is here and it's time for our series of sybaritic delights, and I have not forgotten about going to the Artists reception I'll write about it soon.

Have a Happy Mother's Day, My Darklings

Of More Updates and a tragic Limo fire~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

Just as I suspected the suspect in the Boston Bombing, the teenage friend of the 2nd bomber, who was accused by the FBI of lying has been released on Bond and other strict restrictions.  Many people are angry about that and feel that he should remain in jail with his friends, his lawyer says they will prove him innocent, but frankly I don't think so.  And if he is found guilty on this Federal charge he could be incarcerated for as much as 8 years.

I talked to Doyle on the phone about this, he's still out of town on assignment, and he is a bit "blood thirsty" saying that maybe other "young fools" should learn from this.  I'm remaining neutral although I do lean towards the "as you sow, so shall ye reap" belief.

The wild fires are calming down with the cooler weather and I hope it will help.  The tragic explosion in West (name of the town)  Texas (state) was caused by Ammonia Nitrate, killing 14 people and injuring 200.

I remember for a period of time my parents raising about a dozen chickens, with them scraping and pecking and my parents growing vegetables and a few fruit trees and those plants did wonderfully by the natural way of growing.  This type of fertilizer is dangerous, and I think new regulations will be put into place.

This weekend a Limousine carrying 9 ladies who were celebrating a upcoming ceremony for one of them, somehow caught on fire, killing 5 of the 9 ladies, 4 managed to get out as well as the driver, one of the ladies killed was the bride to be.  Limo fires are very rare, so this one is going to be investigated and I think Limo's may have to be re-designed because of this.

I did promise I would get away from tragedy, but it seems to be all around me right now.  So my sister and I are going to plan a little get-away this weekend, to where I don't know, she is going to surprise me.

Sis's progress on purchasing the house is moving much faster than anticipated, it seems the Bank is happy to quickly unload this house, and it seems to be moving in her favor.  She is excited about it and so am I.

She has not owned a house since her divorce some years ago, but her ex-husband and his friend said they can recommend some people to help her out on repairs if we are stumped, she does know she'll need a painter and a roofer, so she is getting a lot of recommendations.  She is so happy about this.

I'll have to close for now, but I do want to say that we did go to that artist reception last Saturday evening, of the young lady who dresses only in white and gold.  I think I'll save those thoughts for another time.

Later Darklings

Of Wind Storms and Damage~~~~

Hello My Darklings,

We have been such a terrible wind storm for the last few days, blowing down trees and blowing sand across the "Great Highway" that it closed it (this is the roadway that runs along the beach in San Francisco).

Poor Ella my morning caregiver called early, a large tree fell and did damage to the hood of her car and a branch smashed the driver's window, she couldn't come in today, but I asked her if she was O.K. and her house and was her car drive able.  She said she was fine but it will be several days before the city can completely remove her tree and she has to have the window replaced.   I told her to take what time is needed, since I'm improving I'll be fine.

And indeed I am getting more independent, the Doctor thinks another month and I should be able to get around, and I know he's right.  Even Louise my afternoon caregiver says I'm improving a lot that she knows she won't be needed for much longer.  Which I find sad as I've grown fond of her and Ella, I will miss their company.  But by the end of May I'll be back to pretty much my old routine, with some adjustments.

But this wind storm is terrible, and we are still having it today although not as bad.   Some damage was done here at the house, we had not realized that the driveway can be a wind tunnel, some of the tree roses were uprooted by the wind, my gardener will do what he can to save them,  I love their wine dark colors.  When Doyle saw the roses had been knocked over he got some plastic buckets and put the roses into the buckets with water and vitamin B compound to prevent shock until my gardener can come and take care of it.

And an old tree in the farthest back part of the lot also fell over, we knew it was dying and we had plans to remove it, but the wind took care of that and it just fell over.  At least nothing else was damaged, just a big mess.  At least we can wait a bit on that, we'll just have it cut up, and then let the wood dry and we can burn it in the winter in the fireplace.   One way to get free firewood.

We also heard on the news last night that a fire started down in Ventura and the winds are pushing it into a difficult landscape to suppress the fire, two homes lost so far and more are in danger,  I have friends that live down in Ventura I tried calling them this morning but no answer, I hope they are safe.

Poor Belladonna with all the wind, she just snuggles closer to me and shivers, I don't blame her, it can be frightening.

Last night my sister and I were talking about family and she thinks I should post about what we lived through that helped shaped our Gothic outlook on life.  I will but I think I'll do it using the word program and then post here, it will give me time to be sure that my thoughts are focused correctly on what I want to say.

Sometimes talking about things that have happened in one's family can help give perspective as to the shaping in one's life.  One can see the right and wrong turns but one can never see the end.

Must go my Therapist is here.

Later Darklings

Of Meeting Challenges and having fun~~~~

Hello My Darklings!

I am so proud of myself.  I was able to go up and down the stairs in my home two times this morning!!

And no back twinge either.  Of course I had to take it slowly, my leg muscles are still building up, but I am very proud of myself.

Some sort of step aerobics have been added to my therapy and I've been doing them with these portable steps.  But Darklings I just had to do it!  I had to try.

Doyle senses that I'm getting a bit of cabin fever again so he is planning on taking me to Rasputin's to buy DVD's   I have my list of what we have and my wish list so I'm ready, I'm hoping to find some good Film Noir DVD's, and some classic horror films, but first he's going to take me to lunch. 

I also pleaded with him if we could go to Macy's and Nordstrum's out at the Stoneridge Mall.  I'd prefer to go to the one in San Francisco but until I can walk a distance and use BART and street cars that is out for now.

And he's given in.  Although he's afraid I might over due it so to please him we are taking the wheelchair.

I feel like a school girl getting a treat!  It reminds me of when Mother and I and my sister would go with her to the City on a special shopping expedition.  It was so wonderful and exciting!

And now for a puzzlement....for some reason my blog appears to be popular not only in the U.S. but also in Russia and Germany and ....  this is odd....Kazakhstan? 

Well Hello Russia and Germany, I hope you are enjoying my life ramblings as an Elder/Elderly Goth.

But now I must go, Doyle is ready, the wheelchair is packed, my list is in my purse.   I do plan on posting some things later, of late I've had a question put to me....what is my religious background?  Isn't that interesting.

Later Darklings

Of Film Noir continuing~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I have been having so much fun at the S.F. Film Noir Festival.

It is such a delight to meet with other like minded people, Peggy Cummings such a lovely lady, and I enjoyed seeing "Night of the Demon" (aka "Curse of the Demon")  it is one of my favorite supernatural noir films.   I recommend Darklings to get the double set from Amazon and view the longer version, the American edition edited out some key scenes, that is why the longer British version is better.  

But seeing it on the big screen make it so much more menacing.

There is more to come this week and I am looking forward to it.  Since I have two tickets both my sister and Doyle can rotate depending upon their schedules.   And I am so glad that my sister was able to post on the board for you Darklings.  She recorded the "Black Cat" for me, one of the most Gothic noir films of the 1930's I've ever seen.  I have my own copy but I wanted to see what "Svengoolie" had to say about it.

Because of my schedule for the rest of the week I may not be able to post until the weekend, but until then my Darklings, have fun, enjoy this lovely chilly weather that reminds one of the grave.  Oh my!  Does that sound Morbid???

Ahhh and once again my co-work has brought me coffee with a hint of nutmeg this time,  I still need to find out what is his motives.   I do know this, he too loves Film Noir, we ran into each other at the Festival and he has a "passport" to all the films as well.  So we shall see.

A side note:   Belladonna is doing well, Coralline has developed a serious chest cold, but her parents and doctor are watching it and she is slowly getting better.   Miranda is a bit frustrated because Coralline is sick but they've been in touch via phone, her brother Ted is doing a paper on the structure of Victorian houses including balloon construction.  My sister and Doyle are doing well.

And I've had some questions about the cat that sleeps under my front porch, well he's a bit of a Cat About Town, he appears to be well fed and cared for, and I do give him food and water as well, but I have to take it in at night to avoid the raccoons.  There are other people that also feed him, but who he belongs to I haven't a clue, but I'll continue to watch him---he doesn't come near the Koi pond we've set up an electric wire fence to keep predators out,  but I am planning on having a similar pond inside the large green house once I get it re-furbished and fixed up and I will move the Koi in there for their protection and then put mosquito fish in the outside pond, I can get them for free from the Water Company.

Now back to work.

Later Darklings

Of Christmas insanity and Observations~~~~

Hello Darklings,

Well I think I had to have been a little insane to even toy with the idea of going shopping just the weekend before Christmas, but Coralline wanted to see everything again.

Inside the stores it wasn't so bad even people were doing their best to be polite but trying to find parking was pure insanity,  mostly male drivers---which is interesting when you think about it---all that tertoseron of "Gotta find a parking space".  

There was one point were one driver nearly t-boned my Honda (I'd never drive my vintage car in insanity like this), and he said we were not looking---so I got out of my car, told Coralline to remain seated in it and I sat on the  hood of my car, folded my arms and just looked at him, he kept ranting and ranting at me calling me names, his wife was pulling on his arm, finally when he looked exhausted I said to him "Now that you are done yelling at me for what was your fault I'd advise you to SLOW DOWN!!!!   Take a Deep breath and realize that parking is going to be a Bi%*#, and drive defensively, you would have hit us and a court of law would have found you at fault and YOU would have to pay for damages.   Be thankful that you reacted as quickly as you did or you would have injured my niece!!! and if that happened you would have a very sorry and in-jail Christmas celebration---REMEMBER THAT!!!"

I heard his wife saying to him "She's right you fool,  I told you to slow down!"  He looked at her, sputtering trying to defend himself and his wife said "The Lady is right you could have hurt her daughter!!"  (well niece really but I did like the complement).

Then I got into my car, drove just a few stalls down and found a perfect parking spot.   Coralline and I took a couple of deep breaths and I looked at her, evilly smiled and said "Now lets watch the Zombies play!" 

I loved how she laughed at that idea.  And in spite of the crowds we did have fun, Coralline fell in love with a soft red scarf that could double as a light weight shawl at Nordstrom's so I bought it for her as an early present,  and we found matching black berets that had on one side decorations made of angular black beads in the shape of flowers,  so I bought that for each of us and we asked the sales clerk to cut the tags and just give us the receipt so we could wear them right away.

We looked at jewelry, cosmetics, shoes and purses, clothing in her size and in mine but we felt everything there was picked over.  I had taught her to be selective in shopping, then she confessed that she wanted to find something special for her mother and dad.  So over lunch we talked about what her folks liked to do and what they wished they could do.  Her Dad loves sports---and he had his favorite teams.  That was easy, but she wanted something not sports for her Mother, and we found it, a pair of pink fresh water pearl earrings, just dressy enough but not over dressy, and we added a small bottle of Giorgio cologne for special times.

I did ask about her brothers and she said they have never given her any presents for Christmas or her birthday, so she wasn't going to "spoil" them.  She wanted to get something for me, my sister and Doyle and I said that was not necessary, just by being helpful around the house was special enough.

Every so often we'd take a short break just to people watch and I was pleasantly surprised at how she gaged people by their actions and what was going through their minds.   There is one coffee shop that although indoors is designed to give an al fresco appearance, so we stopped there for coffee for me and milk for her and a bit of pastry for the both of us and took our time people watching.  Going by how she judged people by their actions and the accuracy of her in sight I asked her what did she want in the way of a career and she said she'd like to go into psychology, what makes people do what they do.

I asked her why and she said that she wants to see if there was a way of developing environments to make people calmer, to relax tension and create a creative, positive environment to increase co-operation and stimulate positive creativity and ideas, both in the work place, in science and medicine.  She said that people are always frighten going to doctors or dentists what could be done so it's not so scary.

She told me that Miranda wants to be a writer and keeps a journal about what she sees around her and observes people, and she loves mysteries and she and Miranda talk about what motivates people and with that she wanted to find a good mystery book for Miranda.  Going to a book store we found a book that talks about how to write mysteries and he had several chapters about motives, observing people and researching and learning from local and world events.  And we found a mystery novel that was one of several Miranda said she'd like to read. 

With that our purchases were complete, and we were going to go home but decided to wait a little longer because a tremendous deluge came down, the rain was so heavy that it looked like people were going to drown.  We waited a bit back at the book store and Coralline became excited and asked if I would buy her a deck of Tarot cards she saw,  the designs were beautiful based on a Russian motif, I was enchanted by the cards, but I had to "mock scold" Coralline that I was spoiling her by buying early Christmas presents but as 10 year old will do, it was "please, please, please".   So I gave in.

The evening was quiet, Doyle sprung for dinner by ordering Chinese, much to both I and my sister's relief, she had a very hard and tiring day with her clients and all she wanted to do was relax and be numb.  Coralline was having fun playing with Belladonna in a game of tug of war with Belladonna's new toy and talking to all three of us about the people she saw at the mall,  Doyle asked her questions about how she came about her observations, and I saw him raise his eyes at her answers finally he said that maybe psychology might be the career for her to follow as she got older.

After a while as we all relaxed after dinner, read and listened to music I saw Coralline and Belladonna had fallen asleep in the big overstuffed chair,  we let them sleep and know that they feel safe as Christmas draws near.

Later Darklings