hallowe'en

Another spooky poem.
This one from John Kendrick Bangs.

The ghosts of all things past parade,
Emerging from the mist and shade
That hid them from our gaze,
And, full of song and ringing mirth,
In one glad moment of rebirth,
And again they walk the ways of earth
As in the ancient days.

The beacon light shines on the hill,
The will-o'-wisps the forests fill
With flashes filched from noon;
And witches on their broomsticks spry
Speed here and yonder in the sky,
And lift their strident voices high
Unto the Hunter's Moon.

The air resounds with tuneful notes
From myriads of straining throats,
All hailing Folly Queen;
So join the swelling choral throng,
Forget your sorrow and your wrong,
In one glad hour of joyous song
To honor Hallowe'en!

the hag

Happy Halloween

A poem by Robert Herrick to get you in the mood. Check back for one more tomorrow!

The Hag is astride,
This night for to ride;
The Devill and shee together:
Through thick, and through thin,
Now out, and then in,
Though ne'r so foule be the weather.

A Thorn or a Burr
She takes for a Spurre:
With a lash of a Bramble she rides now,
Through Brakes and through Bryars,
O're Ditches, and Mires,
She followes the Spirit that guides now.

No Beast, for his food,
Dares now range the wood;
But husht in his laire he lies lurking:
While mischiefs, by these,
On Land and on Seas,
At noone of Night are working,

The storme will arise,
And trouble the skies;
This night, and more for the wonder,
The ghost from the Tomb
Affrighted shall come,
Cal'd out by the clap of the Thunder.

Second Annual Fall Day is today!

velo orange

[Image is from Velo-Orange.com]

They just don't make them like they used to. I am talking about things in general, of course, but this also specifically applies to bikes and bike parts. Well, Velo-Orange certainly makes them like they used to. After the Quoddy's from South Willard sold out, I chose to spend my money on the amazing and awesome Porteur Rack at VO plus some other odds and ends to improve my bike. I had to show some restraint; I could have easily spent $1,000 or more. But I will certainly be spending more in the future as I choose new wheels, Honjo fenders, temple bell, etc..
I am warning you, don't visit their site unless you have money to spend. But be sure to check out the VO blog as well, for tips on how to wrap/shellac your handlebars, which lighting system is best and general bike tricks.

Take a Peek...

Take a peek into the inner realm of Ingmar Bergman...

quoddy for south willard

Man, if any of you mother-cussers buy these shoes before me . . . I will sock you in the face.

However, feel free to browse the rest of the South Willard site.

UPDATE: Shoes sold out. I owe you a knuckle sandwich.

Footloose Ain't Fancy Free in California...

Where is Kevin Bacon when you need him?

the poppyseed cakes

The Poppy Seed Cakes by Margery Clark & Maud Petersham.
Illustrations by Miska Petersham.
This is an example that supports the "don't judge a book by its cover" principle; the plain black cover of this book reveals little of the beautiful artwork inside. The colors are bitterly nostalgic. Those hues exist only in my past. Believe it or not, I almost passed it over when I first found it at the thrift store. But it turned out to be yet another leather-bound diary of escapism. A simple accounting of a child's day with her grandmother. There are highs and lows and simple moments in between. But instead of the book report I might normally write, I want to reflect a little.
Certainly this book is worth purchasing for the art alone. However, my own penchant for escapism, especially into childhood memories, is troubling to me lately. From what do I escape? My job is a major downer. Life has thrown me a few curve balls lately and I have taken a few in the ribs. But I am far from unique in that regard. Do I escape towards my youth? As CLK will tell you, we certainly did have a great childhood. It isn't the unhealthiest thing in the world to value your youth. My grandmother was a teacher so there were always great old books lying around to look at. The Poppy Seed Cakes would certainly have fit in with her collection. Perhaps, it is simple nostalgia. But let me be a bit more direct for a change. I worry that I am creating talismans. I worry that I use these objects for my own brand of voodoo to ward off the everyday difficulties, leaving me ill prepared to deal with those difficulties when they inevitably hit me. Boss yells at you? Go buy another talisman. Night didn't go well? Go find another talisman. Somebody dies? Well sir, that photo is a talisman and so is that pocketknife. This exaggerates the situation of course, I just wonder aloud what importance I have placed on these objects discarded by others.
I have grown a lot this year. For one, I have finally come to terms with the fact that disagreeing with my deceased grandfather does not disrespect him; a fact that may be obvious to most of you but eluded me for a long time. So, I look to take another step forward. Add this to my growing list of personal(ity) goals.

"We've got to have energy." - Duncan Garp
"I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with." - Elwood P Dowd
"When a fastball comes at you real high and real tight, you can either take it in the ribs or take a seat. It doesn't matter, and that bat in your hands ain't gonna help you none. Better to take what the pitcher gives you than to try to hit an impossible home run." - me

the ghost of goshen

An anonymous Halloween poem.

Through Goshen Hollow, where hemlocks grow,
Where rushing rills, with flash and flow,
Are over the rough rocks falling;
Where fox, where bear, and catamount hide,
In holes and dens In the mountain side,
A Circuit-preacher once used to ride,
And his name was Rufus Rawling.

He was set in his ways and what was strange,
If you argued with him he would not change,
One could get nothing through him.
Solemn and slow In style was he,
Slender and slim as a tamarack tree,
And always ready to disagree
With every one that knew him.

One night he saddled his sorrel mare,
And started over to Ripton, where
He had promised to do some preaching.
Away he cantered over the hill,
Past the schoolhouse at Capen's mill;
The moon was down and the place was still,
Save the sound of a night-hawk screeching.

At last he came to a deep ravine,
He felt a kind of queer, and mean
Sensation stealing o'er him.
Old Sorrel began to travel slow,
Then gave a snort and refused to go;
The parson chucked, and he holloa'd "whoa,"
And wondered what was before him.

Then suddenly he seemed to hear
A gurgling groan so very near,
It scattered his senses nearly.
"Go 'ome, go'ome," It loudly cried,
"Go 'ome," re-echoed the mountain side,
"Go 'ome," away In the distance died-
He wished he was home sincerely.

And then before his startled sight,
A light flashed out upon the night
That seemed to "beat all creation."
Then through the bushes a figure stole,
With eyes of fire and lips of coal,
That froze his blood and shook his soul
With horror and consternation.

He lost his sermon, he dropped his book,
His hair stood up, and his saddle shook
Like a sawmill under motion
.No cry he uttered, no word he said,
But, suddenly turning Sorrel's head,
Away and out of the woods he fled
As fast as he could for Goshen.

The ghost he saw and the rattling bones
Were a pumpkin, a gourd, and some gravel stones,
That gave him all that glory;
But ne'er again up that mountain side,
In the light would Rufus Rawling ride,
And many a time I've laughed till I cried
To hear him tell the story.

Fright Fest is this weekend so I have been busy preparing. I already mentioned how difficult it is to select flicks for the Fest since I feel people are very particular about the type of horror movies they like. Well, I still haven't finalized the list of movies for this Saturday except for this one, The Mist. Apparently, it was in theaters in 2007 but I have no recollection of it whatsoever. I watched it last year, not at Halloween, and I liked it and think it will appeal to both the gore lovers and the scaredy cats who are attending this year. It is in black and white (you can watch in color on DVD but it is way better in b&w) and feels like an old time classic sort of horror movie. Plus, Thomas Jane is in it so I know Sara will be entertained. I still have to decide on more movies (something a bit more fun and scary to even things out) and the next three days I will be confined to the kitchen, baking and cooking so you might not hear from me until after the festivities. Hope you have a great fall weekend! I know I will!

Expecto Patronum

I have never been to Miami. It has never been on my list of places to go. But come spring 2010, Miami is where I will be. More specifically, this is where you will find me. I will be in the front of the line wearing my new robes, Gryffindor scarf, with wand and Butterbeer in hand. Do you think I'm joking?

Mr. West

I love this man. Another one of my imaginary friends. He comes over for tea and cookies and lends me one of his many books. He has a few to spare.

at the dentist

I have had to go to the dentist twice in the past month. Oh, what torture.
And then today while perusing the blog Sweet-Juniper, I discovered this hilarious post about a book from the 70s documenting a child's first visit to the dentist entitled Michael at the Dentist.

Here is just one sample panel from the book.

"What's that in your hand?" Michael screams.

In his left hand, Dr. Schwaid holds the dental drill.

"That's a good question," Dr. Schwaid replies. "Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work we go. . ." sings Dr. Schwaid.

Macaroni! That scares the hell out of me.

But you have to check out the Sweet Juniper post to see the rest of the book with some creative editing to the original text in the name of comedy. It's very humorous.
[Keep an eye out for Indiana Jones references]

Mmmmm...

Tomorrow we are going to see Where the Wild Things Are! I can't wait. In preparation, I am going to be baking these cookies today to enjoy in the theater. Don't they look yummy? And easy? I thought they would be perfect because it is supposed to be hot today and not exactly prime Fall baking weather but these don't require long cooking time. Also, the Mr. and I are suckers for anything chocolate and peanut butter.

Next, week my serious baking begins in preparation for Fright Fest. I will try and take a picture, if I don't eat it all first.

Fantastic

Looks like I am not the only one that is excited for the "Fantastic Mr. Fox". AOK cannot get enough of the trailer. She says "Fox" over and over again until we show it to her and once it ends she says "again" over and over and over again until we give in. She lets out a big ol' howl every time Fox eats his breakfast and again when he and the badger are "cussing" each other. Me too.

the Wild must win in the end

In honor of my good friend and co-conspirator CLK, who happens to adore Where the Wild Things Are, here is a poem by Robert W. Service entitled The Heart of the Sourdough.

There where the mighty mountains
Bare their fangs unto the moon;
There where the sullen sun-dogs glare
In the snow-bright, bitter noon,
And the glacier-glutted streams sweep down
At the clarion call of June.

There where the livid tundras keep
Their tryst with the tranquil snows;
There where the silences are spawned,
And the light of hell-fire flows
Into the bowl of the midnight sky,
Violet, amber and rose.

There where the rapids churn and roar,
And the ice-floes bellowing run;
Where the tortured, twisted rivers of blood
Rush to the setting sun —
I've packed my kit and I'm going, boys,
Ere another day is done.

* * * * *

I knew it would call, or soon or late,
As it calls the whirring wings;
It's the olden lure, it's the golden lure,
It's the lure of the timeless things;
And to-night, oh, God of the trails untrod,
How it whines in my heart-strings!

I'm sick to death of your well-groomed gods,
Your make believe and your show;
I long for a whiff of bacon and beans,
A snug shakedown in the snow;
A trail to break, and a life at stake,
And another bout with the foe.

With the raw-ribbed Wild that abhors all life,
The Wild that would crush and rend,
I have clinched and closed with the naked North,
I have learned to defy and defend;
Shoulder to shoulder we have fought it out —
Yet the Wild must win in the end.

I have flouted the Wild; I have followed its lure,
Fearless, familiar, alone;
By all that the battle means and makes
I claim that land for mine own;
Yet the Wild must win, and a day will come
When I shall be overthrown.

Then when as wolf-dogs fight we've fought,
The lean wolf-land and I;
Fought and bled till the snows are red
Under the reeling sky;
Even as lean wolf-dog goes down
Will I go down and die.

Hat tip to LJS for turning me on to this poem.

Impossibly Possible

It seems to good to be true but apparently it's gonna happen. They are bringing the Polaroid back!

Smart Girls...

Amy Poehler and I have been imaginary best friends for awhile now. And Tina of course. Our friendship has only grown now that we have our weekly get togethers on Thursday nights. But I don't have to wait for Thursday to see my pally, pal, pal, Amy. No, I can see her here whenever I want. And I want - a lot. Seriously, I am OBSESSED with these shows and seriously can she be more awesome?

elwood p dowd

Just a couple of quotes from Elwood P. Dowd.

"I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with." - EPD

Man, wouldn't you love to say this is true about yourself? I certainly can't, as my friends would attest. But I do know people who can say this. It amazes me and I find lately that I envy them. I want that sort of pleasant optimism.

"Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me." - EPD

Have you ever heard the saying (and I am quoting loosely here) "Personal wisdom is deciding what you want and what you need and then finding the balance between the two"? I often think about this saying in my life, but lately I wonder if I have done a good job at all of finding the balance.
I try to set loose goals to help me be where I want to be in five, ten, twenty years. I have met people who are cool at age 40. I know people who are very uncool at age 30. Each of these people have found their own happiness. I have thought for a few years that I wanted to still be cool when I am 40. I thought I wanted to know the coolest music, books, films, art, restaurants and cities. But if you go back about six years, there was something else on my wish list for my future self. I met a girl back then who told me that her fiance's stated goal in life was to be known as a nice guy. I remember thinking it was such a grand aspiration and that I wanted to assimilate it as one of my own goals. For a while it was, but it faded. Being "nice" and doing "nice" things was code for boring. I put way too much precedence on the "cool".
And so here I am, at a crossroads of sorts. I want to be smart, cool and funny and I want to intellectualize the cool stuff. I recently came to realize that I need the "pleasant" stuff in my life as well. If only I was wise enough to find the balance.
One rabbit's foot in front of the other, I guess.

Yes, please...

Maybe it's because I need a nap today but having one of these looks like a little bit of heaven to me.

Einstein

Einstein on Science and Religion.

groovie goolies

More Halloween goodies. You may remember the Groovie Goolies from your youth. Well the songs hold up really well. They are a lot of fun.

No one to blame but yourself

There is no excuse for being bored. At least that is what I have heard. Of course, whoever said that probably didn't have to sit and read the Runaway Bunny for 2,000th time in a row. Anyway, if you are looking for cheap, non-boring thrills, here are some suggestions.

Woodland Wonderland

Ever dream of packing it in and moving to the country and living the life of a Hobbit? Instructions on how to do so here.

Frightfulness

We are currently preparing for our annual Fright Fest celebration (frightening flicks, frightening food, frightful friends and family= fright fest fun) by trying to select this year's featured films. This is not an easy task. It is difficult to match horror movies to the guests, some want all out blood and guts, some want to jump from their seat and pee their pants, and others prefer lighthearted fare preferably suited to those aged 5 and below (even if they are aged well above). I enjoy a good horror movie, though in my opinion, they are few and far between. The more modern horror movies don't do it for me. They are just kinda ugly all around. More often than not, when picking the Fright Fest movies I really just want to re-watch my favorites but I can't invite people over every year to watch the same movies again and again. Or so I have been told. Anyway, these films will not be viewed at this year's Fright Fest but if I had my way they would be on view every year.

GHOSTBUSTERS

SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE

ROSEMARY'S BABY

THE EXORCIST

SUSPIRIA

SISTERS

CARRIE

THE FURY

BLACK CHRISTMAS

I realize that these movies are not terribly "frightening" in that they do not have a ton of blood and guts (for the most part) and don't make me want to pee my pants (again, for the most part). But they are my favorites and each very creepy in their own way. Yes, there are other good scary movies, Night of the Living Dead and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, are definitely frightening. So frightening that I do pee my pants and end up hiding in the other room, so they don't make the list. It is my list after all.

So, if you have any suggestions for good frightening fare, something I left off the list, let me know. I am always looking to add to my list!

And no, Contamination, is not on my list. And never will be on my list.

Abandoned City

These pictures of the abandoned city of San Zhi are pretty interesting. There are a lot of different stories floating around on the internet as to why the city was abandoned to begin with and why nothing has become of it but I like the haunted version here.

ghosts

It's Friday! So that means it's Halloween poetry time.

Here is Ghosts by Fannie Stearns Davis.

I am almost afraid of the wind out there.
The dead leaves skip on the porches bare,
The windows clatter and whine.
I sit here in the quiet house. low-lit.
With the clock that ticks and the books that stand.
Wise and silent, on every hand.

I am almost afraid; though I know the night
Lets no ghosts walk in the warm lamplight.
Yet ghosts there are; and they blow, they blow,
Out in the wind and the scattering snow.-
When I open the windows and go to bed,
Will the ghosts come In and stand at my head?

Last night I dreamed they came back again.
I heard them talking; I saw them plain.
They hugged me and held me and loved me; spoke
Of happy doings and friendly folk.
They seemed to have journeyed a week away,
but now they were ready and glad to stay.

But, oh, if they came on the wind to-night
Could I bear their faces, their garments white
Blown in the dark around my lonely bed?
Oh, could I forgive them for being dead?
I am almost afraid of the wind. My shame!
That I would not be glad if my dear ones came!

mountain laurel

Illustrated by Elizabeth Dauber. 1960.

"Don't judge a book by it's cover," my mom once told me. Only, I didn't listen. I purchased this book in 2001 at a vintage store in Fullerton solely because I liked the cover. I like the simple line drawings characteristic of the 50s and 60s. Of course, the two things that pop out most to me are her brightly colored shirt and green eyes. (Lo Pan would have loved her.) Look a little closer though. She obviously is an attractive drawing, but if you ask me, I can't tell you why. Her nose seems too long, her lips too large. But there she is, pondering her choices in life. What to wear? What to eat? Who to love? Burgeoning love interests or old flames revisited? Ain't it tough though?

Dave was tall and strong and easy-moving beside her. They walked in silence for a while. Laurie was thinking long thoughts . . . now that she decided to tell Dave about her feelings, hating to hurt him, almost knowing how it would feel. Later, in the moonlight she could see the puzzlement in his face. When he spoke again his face had hardened into lines of disillusionment. "I'd never tie you to a three-year promise, Laurie, if you didn't want it."

Can't you see how it all went down? He must have sensed what was happening. Nervous and anxious to stall, she would have kissed him. What a long and awkward kiss it must have seemed for her. She breaks free, now hugging him. "We have to talk," she began, but what she said next was neither comforting nor altogether clear. Ah, the frailty of the human condition never ceases to surprise me. Decisions never get easier. Life never becomes clearer. This paperback book is Young Adult Fiction by the way, as if you couldn't tell. I have never read it, nor am I all that interested in reading it really.

Now, this paperback reminds me of an experiment that I have always wondered about. Paperback Swap. Once you sign up, post some books that you don't want anymore. Then, you choose a book and it gets mailed to you. When people select your book, you mail it out. You pay postage on outgoing books. There is an approval system that presumably saves you from having to send out ten books at $2.23 a pop before you even get one in return. It would certainly be cool if you loved the book and wanted to keep it. Otherwise, isn't the library cheaper in the long run? Anybody ever tried it?

top ten

Top Ten Songs for the week (in no particular order):

Little Eyes - Yo La Tengo
I Went to the Hospital - Cass McCombs
Give What You Take - Mojave 3 (I know, weird right?)
I'll Keep It With Mine - Nico
My Way Out of Here - The Only Ones
The Saddest Story Ever Told - Magnetic Fields
Grounded - Pavement
Starting All Over Again - Mel & Tim
Do You Have to Ask - Swinging Machine
Liezah - The Coral

Obviously, there is a lot of pop in there. I only post this list because it struck me as odd that I even thought to listen to a few of those blasts from the past. Also, I hope there isn't any lesson to be learned from the theme and/or tone of these songs. Depressing.

monster names

Ok, get in the spirit of Halloween! Go to I-mockery.com to create names and words using the vintage monster sticker cards from 1974.
It's fun for you and for me.

Hat tip to jmh for the link.

So long Lucy...

Everywhere I turn, or rather read, evolution is in the news.

First, the always thought provoking Richard Dawkins here and here. And then this big news. Isn't it fascinating?

Noir Me

I started re-reading, The Big Sleep, by Raymond Chandler a bit ago. I was just in a detective novel kinda mood and I remembered liking the book but nothing else. Then, the new HBO show, Bored to Death, starring Jason Schwartzman started up and lo and behold, it is about a struggling writer moonlighting as a private detective after being inspired by reading Raymond Chandler. I love it when that happens - you become aware of something and then suddenly you notice it everywhere. Do you know what I am talking about?

Asterios Mysterios

Recently read and recently loved. Graphic novel written and illustrated by David Mazzuchelli. One of those books that I read too fast and I was sorry to see it go. I looked forward to re-visiting it again sometime.

NY Times Book Review here.

rime of the ancient mariner

Here is a very long sailor-themed spooky poem to help get you into the Halloween spirit. Check back every Friday until Halloween for more spooky poems!

Bonus: I actually heard Vin Scully quote this poem during a ballgame once. When referring to the poor-fielding third baseman of the Giants, Scully said "He stoppeth one of three." Brilliant.

October 1st

The Bird and I woke up and started putting up the Halloween decorations. It is the 1st of October, after all. What are you waiting for?

get your gear

If you are going to get into the spirit of Halloween you had better order your gear now. So head on over to zazzle.com where you will find an assortment of vintage halloween t-shirts. They are too cool! I bought one for everybody including the bird.

Just don't get this shirt in pink. That belongs to Rosalie!
Hat tip to alw for turning me on to this site.