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Saturday, October 31, 2015

Interview with a Voodoo Queen

Interview with a Voodoo Queen
Many have wondered over the years, who Marie Laveau really was. Was she the voodoo queen of all times? Was she the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner? Did she actually live for over a century looking eternally youthful?
So many mysteries surround her life and her death. Is Marie still reaching the masses from beyond the grave? Sit back and enjoy while I interview the voodoo queen herself.
Candi Fox: Thank you for taking the time to sit down with me and answer some questions, Marie. I am honored by your presence here today and I look forward to getting to know your better.
Marie Laveau: Thank you child. You and I we have much to discuss. Know this, you are called by me. You are marked by me and we will be working together for years to come. Once I call someone they are mine. 



She looked at me those mesmerizing eyes, a smile played across her beautiful face. I was called. This was new to me yet it felt like I had always known.
Fox: I have to say, I’m blown away by those words. As intrigued as I am. Id’ like to ask you a few questions for our audience.  Who was your father?
Laveau: (A smile lights up her face. Her voice was smooth as honey on a warm summer’s day.) My father’s name was Charles Leveaux. He was a plantation owner of some means. My mother was his mistress. It was common in those days for wealthy men to have mistresses of color. My mother was of French, African, and Indian decent. My grandmother was the daughter of a French trapper and a Cree medicine woman.  Magick has been in my family for generations, and it will continue to be in my family for generations to come.

Fox: Did you live for more than a century?
Laveau: Now that can be a tricky question child. In many ways I am still alive. If I give you an answer it could ruin some of the mystery surrounding me. I will tell you this.  I didn’t perform any magick rituals to stay young, or beautiful. It’s a gift that runs in my family. My physical body lived as long as it was required to do so. Now I am free of that shell and I live still.

Fox: What is one piece of advice you would give a voodoo practitioner today?
Laveau: First I want to say this magick is old, and ancient. It calls to some, but not to all. This is not a way to shake some bones, and charge folk and say it is done. Do not mess with the spirits, for they will mess with you, and they always win. Never think you are above them. 
Close your eyes child, breathe in the air around you. I want you to feel my energy. Feel the energy that exists on a primal nature. Do you feel the pulse, the heartbeat of the earth? This is what it means to be voudon. We hold the world’s heart beat in our hands.
Now it’s time for me to go. We will chat soon.

Before my eyes she fades into nothingness.


Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Loki's Revenge

This story is about the God, Loki, rather than the comic persona Loki.

                “Sabine, you cannot go through with this plan. It’s crazy. NO, it’s beyond crazy.”
                Sabine eyed her friend Jessica. She often though that Sabine’s ideas were crazy. Nothing much had changed in their twenty years of friendship. Jessica was beautiful, in a librarian sort of way. In all of these years Sabine had never gotten her to cut loose and really enjoy life. Maybe, one day.
                “Jessica, the idea is crazy. I agree, but I’m still going to do it.”
                “Why!? Do you need revenge that badly?”
                “Maybe, I do. This is about more than just revenge.  This is a chance to bring Loki into the physical world.”
                “See! That’s crazy. Why would you want to bring him here? He’s not exactly known for being a nice guy.”
                Sabine shook her head. She had gone over this with Jessica at least a dozen times. Letting out a heavy sigh, she tried to think of another way of approaching the explanation to try and get her friend to understand.
                “Jessica, do you trust me?”
                “Of course. Why do you ask?”
                “I don’t think I can ever explain this in a way you will truly understand. I just need you to trust me.”
                Jessica looked at her friend thoughtfully. They had been through so many things together. It wasn’t like Sabine was asking her to participate in the plan. Maybe she should just back off. Perhaps, Sabine would change her mind if Jessica just gave her a little space.
                “Alright, Sabine. I’ll let it go, for now.”
                Jessica’s for now sounded ominous enough. Sabine was glad for a reprieve even if it was a short one.
                The plan had started several months ago when she decided to take on a consort. It had been a long time since she had taken a consort. Roark had been killed in a plane crash over ten years ago, and Sabine just didn’t have the heart to take on another. She had lovers aplenty, but a consort was special.
                A consort shared not only her bed, but her power. Sabina had been a high priestess for decades her primary Goddess was Morgaine, though for the last decade she had also worked with Loki. She’d taken a lot of heat for that from her coven and temple members, but she stayed steadfast and they learned to trust her anew.
                Nearly a year ago she met a young man who she connected with on so many levels. The sexual chemistry between the two of them had been combustible. Lucas was 25 to her 57 years of age. Not that she looked 57, no the spirits had been kind to her and had gifted her with youth. She didn’t plan on living forever, at least not in this body, but she still had lots of work to do for her Goddess. Sabina looked like she was in her early twenties.
                Her long raven tresses fell past her waist framing her heart shaped face. Her green eyes nearly glowed with brightness. Her skin was a flawless porcelain. Her face was completely wrinkle free and dewy soft. She was tall for a woman, nearly six feet in height and curvy. Her figure was Marilyn Monroe perfect with just a little more sand in her hourglass and generous bosom.
                At first, things with Lucas had been amazing. The sex was out of this world, he was kind, loving and generous. He was also pagan and they each benefited from the other’s energy. Being her consort had given him a lot of power, both in her coven and magically speaking.  They were both polyamorous and had other lovers.
                About six months into the relationship Lucas had started dating a new woman. He had wanted her to be a part of Sabina’s coven and a part of their relationship. The first few weeks things were fine, then Sabina caught the little skank in lies. She confronted her about it.  Jessica had denied everything and ran straight to Lucas. He hadn’t been pleased with Sabine.
                Sabine had stood her ground. She didn’t accept people in her life that played games and she warned Lucas that Jessica would be out on her ass if it happened again. It didn’t take long for Jessica to try and play more head games. Sabine had banned her from the temple, the coven and her home.
                The relationship with Lucas had gone downhill from there.  In the end, Sabine had ended the relationship. She was broken hearted but knew it was the right thing for her and for the coven. In the following weeks Sabine found out that Lucas and Jessica had been together for a couple of years. She also found that they had planned on using Sabine for power, and money.  She was furious with them and was going to cast several nasty spells to make their lives miserable, then Loki stepped up with a better plan.
                During their time together Loki had tried to convince Lucas to let him “jump” into his body so he could make love to Sabine. Lucas said he would but never got around to actually going through with it.  Now she and Loki were planning quite the surprise for Lucas and Jessica.
                The spell to get him there for a date was easy enough. Their chemistry had never waned, even during the end of the relationship. Halloween would be in a few days and Sabine would have to spend that time creating the magical dagger she would be using.
                The days flew and Halloween night arrived. Sabine had taken special care in getting ready for the evening.  She chose a black velvet corset with silk ribbons, matching panties, garter and silk stockings. The kind with the black line running up them.  Her raven tresses hung loose, down her shoulders and back. They were brushed to a fine sheen and gleamed like raven’s feathers in the moonlight.
                As a finishing touch she used blood red lip stain. It wouldn’t come off until she took it off. A little Hollywood secret she had learned from a friend. The perfume she chose was made especially for her from a French perfumery. Armand was not only one of the premiere perfumers in the world, he was also and on again, off again lover.
                The scent was intoxicating in and of itself. Sabine cast a spell on it to make sure it would ensnare Luca’s full attention.  The doorbell rang a little after 11 p.m. He was early, he must be eager. Good. This was a very good sign. Sabine smiled before she opened the door, she knew that Jessica would not, could not interrupt them. No, she would never interrupt anyone again.
                “Hey, babe.” She purred as she opened the door and let Lucas in.
                She could hear him growl as he took her in from head to toe.  She smiled at him coyly, and leaned in to kiss him. He was 6’6” so even in heels he was taller. It was one of the things that had first drew her too him.  
He cupped her face in his hands, bringing his lips to hers before claiming her mouth in a passionate kiss. Heat shot through her immediately, both from touching him and from knowing what was to come.  His hands roamed down her body and cupped her ass, squeezing it as he deepened the kiss. Their tongues dancing, darting, and tasting each other. She could feel his hard length pressed up against her.  
Damn, she thought, they were going to have to do a lot of foreplay to stall for time. Of course, she could just get him hard again and again. It was a gift she had. Growling more loudly, he picked her up and carried her to her upstairs bedroom.
He laid her on the bed and crawled on top of her sliding his hands down to her panties. She thought she heard him mumble sorry as she ripped them off her body. She was wet and ready for him. His fingers finding their way inside her. He immediately found her g-spot and curled his fingers to hit it while he kissed down her neck and the top of her breasts.
He brought her to orgasm at least a dozen times before he pulled off his own clothes.  Once he was he was inside her, she demanded to be on top. She slowed the pace down a bit, teasing him. She needed to wait until just the right moment.
Sabine’s heart quickened as she felt him near orgasm. Quickly looking down she saw his eyes were closed and knew this was the right moment. The perfect moment. She pulled the hidden dagger out of the back of her corset and plunged it into his heart.  His eyes opened in surprise and pain.
“Never, mess with a witch.” She said, smiling at him as the light faded from his eyes.
She used magic to keep him rock hard as he drew his last breath she released the magic in the dagger and felt Loki enter his body. As the light faded from one life, a new one took its place at the very same moment. She watched as Luca’s long blonde hair turned as jet black as hers. His eyes faded and became Loki’s.
A large smile crossing Loki’s face. “I’ve waited so long to be this deep inside you.”
A few thrusts later and the God came inside the priestess.
Sabine imagined that far below them in the dungeon, chained to the wall, Jessica must have whimpered when she saw Sabine plunge the knife into Luca’s heart. She wouldn’t have to grieve for long. Sabine had plans for her to be as dead as Lucas was.



19th- Shakir http://www.shakirrashaan.com/
31st- All/Any  

Demon Lover

   
                                                  The Demon Lover



  A few years ago I was asked by a friend of mine whose relative was having some scary and harmful paranormal things happening in her home and since she knew I did home cleansing and blessings she asked if she could give her my phone number and would I help her.  I agreed and waited for her to contact me.

     Several weeks had went by and I had forgotten about the request.  Then one day she called.  As I listened to her story, I was somewhat skeptical on the phenomenon she was describing to me over the phone.  She claimed that her and her son were being physically attacked almost on a nightly basis and had bruises and scratches to prove it.  She couldn't go upstairs into the bedroom she shared with her husband because the abuse was worse.  So she avoided that room and was sleeping on the couch.  Her son also couldn't sleep in his room for the same reason and was sleeping in the living room on a recliner.  Still they both would wake up with bruising, scratches, night clothes removed, and a foul stench in the air would wake them.  They both reported being pushed down the stairs, feelings of being watched and unwelcome in their own home.  They both were on the verge of moving out.  The husband however, felt none of this and didn't believe their reports of being harmed by some sort of energy they could not see.


     We set up a day and time for me and my colleague Gary Avery to come and check out the place.  Getting there was extremely interesting.  Gary set the GPS with their address and off we went.  We knew we had a couple hours of driving a head of us but wasn't planning on the GPS changing half way through to a road with the same name but in Colorado.  No one touched the GPS and we cannot explain how it did that.  Now Gary isn't your typical male, he did stop at a carryout and inquire on how to get where we wanted to go since now the GPS wouldn't accept any address.  Total malfunction.  With directions in hand, off we went and finally arrived at our destination.  This should have been our first clue that something or someone didn't want us to find this house.

As we pulled up on the home we both were struck on the architecture of the home.  It looked like a miniature Addams family home with spires, overgrown yard, and painted in a dark gray with black trim didn't make you feel warm and fuzzy either.  It's setting was in a small lake community and you could see people on the lake swimming, boating, skying, and the other homes were modern vacation like homes very kept up and beautiful.  We remarked on the start contrast between this residence and all the others around it.  Yeah, we were a little creep-ed out, but still had no clue what we would find awaiting us inside.

     As the woman greeted us at the door and introductions done we were invited in.  The inside of the home was neat as a pin as we walked through what was once a porch but now part of the home as a laundry room I thought can't judge a book by its cover.  Then we entered the kitchen.  Though it had every modern convenience we were drawn to the ceiling.  Hanging tightly against the ceiling were fishing rods and other fishing equipment and the walls had some of the fish the husband had caught over the years displayed.  Then walking into the living room we noticed a beautiful yellow couch with flowers as the design.  Very feminine and nice.   Hanging from this ceiling were huge pieces of tree limbs with an assortment of bee and wasp hives, more stuffed animals and birds filled the entire room.  The next room was the same.  The entire house was  extremely masculine except for her yellow couch, the kitchen appliances, and the laundry room.  They had been married over 12 years at this time.  She explained that she could only have the couch and coffee table as her way of decorating the house and making it feel like her own.  That was the only place she felt safe in that entire home.

The woman and I sat down at the kitchen table and I was writing down some of the paranormal activity that she has experienced at home in more detail.  Gary decided to wander about seeing if he could get any EVPs while we talked.  She explained that ever since she moved in here things started happening to her and she was at her whit's end and ready to walk out.  She was obviously scared.  She showed me the scratches and bruises she had gotten just the night before.  Now her husband and son did not wish to participate in this so they had left the house before our arrival. I thought that odd especially for the son who was also being attacked to leave before a cleansing.   She explained that she was not the first wife who lived there.  He had been married 3 times before and each woman had complained of getting abused by an unseen force and they all left because he would do nothing about it and they were too scared to keep living there.  Now we have the 4th wife feeling the same way, the only difference she has lasted longer than the others.  If true, obviously there was something there that did not want to share the husband with a wife and the husband didn't seem to mind losing relationships because of paranormal activity.  At this point, my husband called and told me our husky puppy was getting sick but I couldn't leave and come home right then but looking back I think it was another trick to get us to leave.

Just then Gary comes into the kitchen, white as a ghost and obviously shaken but held his composure to excuse himself and go outside to get more equipment.  I noticed something was very wrong with him but the woman didn't seem to notice anything.  A few minutes passed by and I excused myself and went outside to check on Gary and see what was wrong.  He was standing by the truck hands shaking smoking a cigarette, still fairly shaken up.  He finally said that he saw a little girl who seems to hang out in the spare bedroom and she was sweet and friendly and as he explored further and entered the master bedroom he encountered some kind of animal like creature who lunged at him and he backed out of the room and shut the door.  He waited a moment and attempted to enter the room again, thinking that he really didn't see what he thought he saw and again this thing charged at him.  At this point, he decided he needed to get away, get composed, and get ready for a battle to get this thing out.

     As I listened to Gary, the skeptic in me wasn't quite convinced that this was possible let alone happening inside this house.  As I then did the walk through sensing what was there in the home, I picked up the little girl, but also an older man who I think built this house back in the 1800's but he wasn't exactly nice either.  He felt this home was his and he didn't like females either.  That is why the little girl hides in an upstairs room and only comes out when he is gone.  The little girl drowned and somehow got trapped in this home.  I visited the room where the little girl is and the son's bedroom.  His bedroom had a menacing presence like it wanted you out of there.  Next stop was the master bedroom.  With some trepidation I slowly opened the door and was met with such a foul stench I thought I would vomit.  I closed the door and went downstairs to gather my Holy Water, sea salt, and sage to begin cleansing this home.

     We started by leaving a door open to allow the spirits to leave and we started the cleansing at the far side of the house and worked our way to the open door.  When I walked to the master bedroom I felt like someone was choking me, I could hardly breathe, felt faint, and broke out in a cold sweat.  The fact I was being physically attacked in this way ticked me off and I was more determined to rid this house of whatever that thing was.  I opened the master bedroom door and begin with the Holy Water and when I came to the husband's side of the bed I saw this creature about the size of a badger personality and all.  It charged at me, I dowsed it with the Holy Water, it slowed but still came at me.  I then threw the sea salt liberally and it disappeared.  My physical symptoms returned to normal and I finished cleansing and then sealed all doors, windows, attic, and basement.  I did another walk through and felt nothing at all.  Even the man and little girl was gone now.  The house had a different feel even though still odd in décor, it seemed finally at piece.

     We stayed a few more minutes chatting with the woman and putting our gear away and within a short time we were back on our way home.  We talked about the cleansing and what we both saw and was curious if it could have been a Succubus since it didn't like the wives but the husband and even the son to some extent since he didn't want to participate in getting rid of this even though he too was scared.  When I arrived home my new husky puppy was extremely ill we took her to the vet but we ended up having to put her to sleep.  She had Parvo.  I always felt that was the price I paid for battling with that entity.

     We thought we were finished with that house and were successful in the cleaning and blessing and all was well in the home.  Then the phone rang.  It was the woman.  She told me that although her spouse was not there when we were he had been watching us the whole time from a deer blind on the far side of their property through his rifle scope.  I sat there stunned at this revelation.  He could have shot us at any time while we were there and vulnerable.  That really rattled me more than wrestling with that entity did.  Humans can be more dangerous than spirits.  As soon as we had left, he came home yelling at his wife that she had allowed us to remove what he had come to enjoy having sexual favors with for well over 20 some years and as far as he was concerned he was going to call it back in and warned her never to have anyone come for a cleansing again or he would shoot them to protect and keep this entity in the home.  The activity went from bad to horrible over night.  She now was being tormented during the day and has decided that the marriage isn't worth how she has to live and was making plans to move out like the past 3 wives had done.  I sincerely hope she did move and now is safe and no longer at the mercy of her husband's “pet” lover.   


Click here for yesterday's blog by Teresa Hardister

Tomorrow's Blog by Candi Fox

31st- All/Any  










Monday, October 19, 2015

Friday, October 16, 2015

The Raven's Reply


The Raven’s reply
It was a dreary moonless night when the Goddess bid me take a message to his door.
I pondered once, but nothing more. Twas a missive of the Goddess.

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—    While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door. Only this and nothing more.”

I rapped harder on the chamber door. No reply I received, what could this man be thinking. Never keep a messenger of the Goddess waiting.

“Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December; And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow     From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore— For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—Nameless here for evermore.”

I flew around to his window peeking in the pane looking at the dying embers of his ill kept fire place. He looked to be in mourning on this cold December eve. His face sunken in darkness his eyes disappeared into the shadows of his gaunt and hollow cheeks.

“ And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;     So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating     “’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—  This it is and nothing more.”

Stop your loathing, stop your entreating, and answer this chamber door. Tis cold and my wings are covering with frost as you shake and quiver from the fear that you endeavor to invent upon your soul.

“Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, “Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;     But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,     And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—Darkness there and nothing more.”

You could have responded when I was there. Now I am at your shutters. You were not napping, when I was rapping. I see you pondering, and creeping through your house, gently weeping. Why does your heart break on this dreary winter night? What set these facts in action?

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;  But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,  And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore?” This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”— Merely this and nothing more.”

Lenore is no more you poor maddened soul. I’ve come to tell you and nothing more. Now just come over to the window and let in this poor cold fellow.

“Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.     “Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;       Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—’Tis the wind and nothing more!”

Tis not the wind, and my patience is wearing thin. This long night I have been rapping while your mind is in repose. No wind, my mortal friend. Just open up this portal and let me deliver this short repose.

“Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore; Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;  But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—Perched, and sat, and nothing more.”

Finally you let me in. Now you can wait while I warm my feathers. I will leave you ponder what message I have. Just perch here on your bust of Pallas above the chamber door. I will perch now and nothing more.

“Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, “Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore! “Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

Nevermore shall you wonder about your glorious Lenore. For the Goddess, she has sent me answer your query. That is all and nothing more. Stop your quivering and shaking.

 “Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly, Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;  For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,             With such name as “Nevermore.”

I let out a sigh, not an easy task for one with no lips. My name is not Nevermore. I’m here to answer your query so may ponder nevermore over the fate of the lovely Lenore.

“But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.   Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered— Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”

Ahh, you cannot understand me. You have lost your speech. Allow me to assist you this once and nothing more. The spell was simple, the air fluttered then sparked and died like the embers, casting ghostly shadows on the floor.

“Then the bird said “Nevermore.”

You look at me with some doubt reflected in your eye.

“Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken, “Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store. Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”

Your fate is twisted your mind a flutter with doubt, and dread, and nothing more. Should you have a care to listen, I will deliver my missive from the Goddess.
“But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling, Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;     Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking     Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”

Looking into his haunted eyes, I was tempted to play upon his woes. I refrained and drew a breath ready to tell of the lost Lenore.

“This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core; This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er, But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er     She shall press, ah, nevermore!”

At this gent I stood staring, pondering my quest. Would he cease long enough for me to deliver my Mistress’ query or would I linger forever on this bust and nothing more?

“Then, me thought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.  "Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!" Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore." Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

Was I doomed to say this word, some spell upon me stood. I unwillingly uttered, “Nevermore”. Tis not my name and this is not some foul game. Who or what had bewitched me as I sought to do nere but the Goddess’ bidding.

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! Prophet still, if bird or devil! Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore: Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!" 

Nay, I dare not say it. Make it stop I implore

“Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

Goddess what is this foul thing that has been cast upon me. Stop this madness, I implore!

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil—prophet still, if bird or devil! By that Heaven that bends above us, by that God we both adore, Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore: Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore!"

Fluttering from the bust to the sill, I tried to ponder what foul thing was amiss. I was here to deliver a message about the radiant Lenore. The maiden now in the bosom of my glorious Goddess. Yet from my beak only, comes.

  Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."          
  
Back on the bust I flew, renewing my faith in the Goddess. The time would come.

  "Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting: "Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!               Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken! Leave my loneliness unbroken! quit the bust above my door!  Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!" 

Shaking my head I looked into his face once more. I realized now that madness had taken him and the Goddess had stilled my speech sparing his heart from further breaking.

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,              And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor: And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor.     Shall be lifted—nevermore!

I shall leave you to your madness your never ending sadness. Great poet who pines for the lovely Lenore. Know this day it won’t be long and you will be with her evermore.

Out I flew into the night my wings frosting on the way to the Goddess’ sturdy oaken door. I rapt thrice before it opened and was drawn into the parlor. She was sitting by the fire her face aglow with understanding.

Landing on her outstretched arm she warmed my ebon feathers by the warm embers of the hearth. Stroking them with her long slender fingers, I heard her say, “Good job Jet.”
Be on the look out for The 13 Days of Halloween. A fun tour filled with writers, ghost hunters, physics and witches. 

Monday, December 1, 2014

Man feeds over 100 homeless with Olive Garden

Matt Tribe used Olive Garden's endless pass in a unique way. He made over 100 trips in a seven week period and used the food to feed the homeless and hungry.


You can read more about Matt on his page Random Acts of Pasta. 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

The Raven's Reply

The Raven’s reply
It was a dreary moonless night when the Goddess bid me take a message to his door.
I pondered once, but nothing more. Twas a missive of the Goddess.

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—    While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door. Only this and nothing more.”

I rapped harder on the chamber door. No reply I received, what could this man be thinking. Never keep a messenger of the Goddess waiting.

“Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December; And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow     From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore— For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—Nameless here for evermore.”

I flew around to his window peeking in the pane looking at the dying embers of his ill kept fire place. He looked to be in mourning on this cold December eve. His face sunken in darkness his eyes disappeared into the shadows of his gaunt and hollow cheeks.

“ And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;     So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating     “’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—  This it is and nothing more.”

Stop your loathing, stop your entreating, and answer this chamber door. Tis cold and my wings are covering with frost as you shake and quiver from the fear that you endeavor to invent upon your soul.

“Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, “Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;     But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,     And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—Darkness there and nothing more.”

You could have responded when I was there. Now I am at your shutters. You were not napping, when I was rapping. I see you pondering, and creeping through your house, gently weeping. Why does your heart break on this dreary winter night? What set these facts in action?

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;  But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,  And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore?” This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”— Merely this and nothing more.”

Lenore is no more you poor maddened soul. I’ve come to tell you and nothing more. Now just come over to the window and let in this poor cold fellow.

“Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.     “Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;       Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—’Tis the wind and nothing more!”

Tis not the wind, and my patience is wearing thin. This long night I have been rapping while your mind is in repose. No wind, my mortal friend. Just open up this portal and let me deliver this short repose.

“Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore; Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;  But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—Perched, and sat, and nothing more.”

Finally you let me in. Now you can wait while I warm my feathers. I will leave you ponder what message I have. Just perch here on your bust of Pallas above the chamber door. I will perch now and nothing more.

“Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, “Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore! “Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

Nevermore shall you wonder about your glorious Lenore. For the Goddess, she has sent me answer your query. That is all and nothing more. Stop your quivering and shaking.

 “Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly, Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;  For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,             With such name as “Nevermore.”

I let out a sigh, not an easy task for one with no lips. My name is not Nevermore. I’m here to answer your query so may ponder nevermore over the fate of the lovely Lenore.

“But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.   Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered— Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”

Ahh, you cannot understand me. You have lost your speech. Allow me to assist you this once and nothing more. The spell was simple, the air fluttered then sparked and died like the embers, casting ghostly shadows on the floor.

“Then the bird said “Nevermore.”

You look at me with some doubt reflected in your eye.

“Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken, “Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store. Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”

Your fate is twisted your mind a flutter with doubt, and dread, and nothing more. Should you have a care to listen, I will deliver my missive from the Goddess.
“But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling, Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;     Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking     Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”

Looking into his haunted eyes, I was tempted to play upon his woes. I refrained and drew a breath ready to tell of the lost Lenore.

“This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core; This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er, But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er     She shall press, ah, nevermore!”

At this gent I stood staring, pondering my quest. Would he cease long enough for me to deliver my Mistress’ query or would I linger forever on this bust and nothing more?

“Then, me thought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.  "Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!" Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore." Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

Was I doomed to say this word, some spell upon me stood. I unwillingly uttered, “Nevermore”. Tis not my name and this is not some foul game. Who or what had bewitched me as I sought to do nere but the Goddess’ bidding.

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! Prophet still, if bird or devil! Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore: Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!" 

Nay, I dare not say it. Make it stop I implore

“Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

Goddess what is this foul thing that has been cast upon me. Stop this madness, I implore!

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil—prophet still, if bird or devil! By that Heaven that bends above us, by that God we both adore, Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore: Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore!"

Fluttering from the bust to the sill, I tried to ponder what foul thing was amiss. I was here to deliver a message about the radiant Lenore. The maiden now in the bosom of my glorious Goddess. Yet from my beak only, comes.

  Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."          
  
Back on the bust I flew, renewing my faith in the Goddess. The time would come.

  "Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting: "Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!               Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken! Leave my loneliness unbroken! quit the bust above my door!  Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!" 

Shaking my head I looked into his face once more. I realized now that madness had taken him and the Goddess had stilled my speech sparing his heart from further breaking.

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,              And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor: And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor.     Shall be lifted—nevermore!

I shall leave you to your madness your never ending sadness. Great poet who pines for the lovely Lenore. Know this day it won’t be long and you will be with her evermore.

Out I flew into the night my wings frosting on the way to the Goddess’ sturdy oaken door. I rapt thrice before it opened and was drawn into the parlor. She was sitting by the fire her face aglow with understanding.

Landing on her outstretched arm she warmed my ebon feathers by the warm embers of the hearth. Stroking them with her long slender fingers, I heard her say, “Good job Jet.”


Please check out all of the other blogs.
Oct. 23 Julie Morgan www.juliemorganbooks.com
Oct. 24 Susan Hanniford Crowley BLOG ADDY TO BE ANNOUNCED
Oct. 25 Audie Rose www.audierose.com
Oct. 26 Louisa Bacio http://louisabacio.blogspot.com
Oct. 27 Monica Corwin www.monicacorwin.com
Oct. 28 April Riley thepassionatemystic.blogspot.com
Oct. 31 JoLynne Valerie www.ParaGoddess.com

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Halloween Grinch move from the 1

Often wonder how the 1% spend their Halloween? This woman spends it bitching about an extra $20 in candy she might have to hand out to the "poor" kids.

Dear Prudence puts her in her place. Thank you.