June. The beginning of summer. Also as you can tell from both Fern Brady’s blog as well as my blog, we have been attending Max Regan’s June Writing Intensives. There are two of them that we can attend via zoom. In the good old days before the pandemic and rising gas prices, we could travel to Boulder, Colorado. Oh well. Now I have my writing desk. Doesn’t it look neat and tidy? I had to clean it up to take this picture. The papers are usually much more scattered and the computer is used for both writing and research. The other day I needed a name for a character who is 85 years old. I came up with some of my own ideas, but then I literally Googled something like names for old guys. I had quite the list to choose from before I settled on the name Vincent.
Is your summer as exciting as mine? It’s too hot to go outside. So, I stay inside and try to exercise with video and virtual classes. One time I decided to take a break and watch some television. This is the look I got from my cat, Hannah. She considers herself to be both my supervisor and co-author. . Considering this side eye I am getting, I decided to get up off the couch turn off the television and get back to work. Of course Hannah does take long naps in the afternoon. She is 17 years old and needs her rest. That’s when I sneak out to go to the store for more provisions and a little bit of sunshine. But only a little bit of sunshine because like so much of the nation, temperatures are just way too HOT!
However during one of my brief journeys outside my home, I ran across this pumpkin in a stairwell of all places. I was delighted to see it. Halloween is coming! So, is the spirit of Halloween following me? I hope so and would not be in the least surprised. Just in case I feel like I am having a heat stroke or something, I can remember that my favorite holiday is only a few months away. I did not take this pumpkin, but left him right where I found him. I already have quite a lot of decorations just waiting for the chance to jump into place around my home. Also, I hope Mr. Pumpkin inspires others to remember that there will be an end to summer and fall will be here before we know it!
Now I must get back to writing. The second intensive begins this evening and I have much to do.
Until next time.….….
In the middle of all of the sad, depressing and aggravating news that is floating around the internet and air waves, I have one piece of really good news. In August of 2021 I ordered a Witch’s Hand Candle Holder that was sure to arrive in time for Halloween. Pandemic was still going strong and I needed a good Witch’s Hand to cheer me up. I ordered it through Amazon. There were many stories about supply chains and shortages. Who knew all that would disrupt my Halloween happiness? It never arrived. Amazon closed the order. I was bereft and forlorn.
In addition to this wonderful arrival today, I also went for a brief tour of downtown Houston. It was interesting in some parts and sad in other parts. I walked past all of the restaurants I used to enjoy when grabbing a quick meal before the Ballet or a play at the Alley. I’m still live streaming many performances so dinner is now dependent on my kitchen and my cooking skills. Ugh.
I also spent some time walking around the Market Square section of downtown Houston. It is a very historic section,. Many of the original buildings still stand, but have been repurposed several times. Many of these buildings are known to be haunted and I love to research those stories. Since I am working on a story that involves Market Square and ghosts, I am particularly interested in which buildings are still original and which ones floated away during the big flood in 1935. The Majestic used to be a popular movie theater back in the day. Now it is event space up for rent. It might have been called The Ritz once upon a time.
There are several spots where you can see a blending of the old and new buildings. I hope some of the older buildings stay even if they get renovated and change owners several times. It’s the older buildings that are the most haunted. If all of the old buildings get torn down, where will the ghosts have to go? Maybe they’ll come and visit me for Halloween.
This past week has been busy and hectic. To add to my hectic nervousness, I must admit I have had some definite mixed messages. Take this first picture for instance. I saw this seemingly contradictory display on one of my neighborhood walks the other day. Are we saying Yes to peace and No to dogs? Is the dog objecting to being told No to what he wanted to do on that particular lawn? Is life more peaceful if one is constipated? Or are we saying No to peace? Maybe No to peaceful skeletons? I usually take walks to relax and feel healthy. After seeing this sight I am just a bit confused. If this makes any sense to you, please share your wisdom with me.
Then I went for another walk, but chose a different neighborhood hoping to avoid any additional confusion. The good news is I wasn’t confused. No, I wasn’t confused at all. However, I was upset. My panties were suddenly tied up in knots. I was discombobulated, disconcerted, frustrated and upset to say the least. This second picture was taken on October 8th. Please let me repeat that, because it is important enough to bear repeating. I took the second picture on October 8th. Apparently someone doesn’t know how to look at a calendar and realize that Christmas comes long after Halloween. Now, I am not a complete scrooge (maybe). I have heard that there are shipping and supply problems this year. Gifts may not arrive in our local stores in time. Rush out now to make sure your Holiday Gift List is complete. All forms of media are strongly suggesting that folks begin their Holiday shopping early, but does that mean the decorations have to come with this?
I was sitting around with some of my friends discussing the state of things. In particular we talked about how we were enjoying our second Halloween in the middle of a global pandemic. Since I now work from home and so many of my friends are skeletons, I am happy to report that we are faring very well during these difficult and quick-changing times.
While walking around the streets of Houston, I notice that I am not the only one focusing on skeletons this year. As a matter of fact, in my neighborhood alone we have quite a gathering of the skeletal critters. I am assuming that they are all being very protective and guarding the neighborhood against and gremlins that would engage in some routine Halloween mischief. I am guessing that while most humans are in bed asleep at night, these friends are gathering together for local neighborhood watch meetings. Also, I am guessing they gossip about the mortals that live in the houses and apartments around here.
Be still my beating heart, it has finally happened. The Spirit Halloween Store has opened. Halloween is coming. Really. My decorating has begun. Of course some of you might say I never stop decorating for Halloween. That is true of course, but I do try to be subtle about it from December to August. Actually, I haven’t shopped at the Spirit Halloween Store yet this year. I was there the morning of their opening day. Unfortunately, they didn’t open until that afternoon. Bummer. I left crushed and devastated, but determined to go back.
I also noticed that there are pumpkins for sale at local stores. Another sure sign that both Halloween and Fall are right around the corner. This picture was taken at a local grocery store. Yep, that’s a palm tree in the middle of the pumpkin patch. That’s how we roll with Halloween here in Houston. And I still have my first annual visit to the Spirit Halloween Store to look forward to!
Once I had my first sighting, I had to try other venues. Bath and Body Works told me they had some Halloween products come in, but were all sold out. Did they know when the next shipment would arrive? No. Just call back. Apparently there is a Halloween Hand that is very popular this year. I am more interested in the skull soap holder and the skeleton that will hold a candle. I’ll go back for them later. I also drove past the location where I have visited the Spirit Halloween store for the past several years. Oops. There is quite a bit of construction going on in the area. Since this work has been going on for several months, I am beginning to think the location for the seasonal store might be different this year. According to their website, they’re coming. I just don’t know when.
Do you think I might have bought a few items while I was at Michael’s this morning? Well, yes I did. Do you think I only purchased these four small items? I plead the fifth. However, I needed these things for story research. I am currently working on several Halloween themed short stories and one long story that involve witches, ghosts, grim reapers and such. I need these things for my creativity. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
