Living the Dream

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. This week, our word prompt is SKIN. The story is moving ahead quickly and I’m continuing with Listen to the Stones with a milder scene than the last two.

Jerome stood and paced. “There’s no easy way to say this. I knew you were arriving on the nineteenth, or at least I suspected you were. Someone in Ewen’s office related to Nathan told him, and he passed the information on to me.” He stopped and faced her. “I came to Lewis a couple of days earlier to arrange to store my furniture and visited the stones. MacIsaac was there. He mentioned you were expected on the twentieth. I wasn’t sure who was right, but I worried about you. There had been inquiries into ancestral claims against the land. I was afraid someone might try to force you to leave. You know I want access to the stones. I’ve been open about that—well, maybe not at first—but I meant you no harm. If someone scared you away, then they might not be willing to let me buy the land near the stones, preferring to sell them to the highest bidder, who might be more interested in the Lewisian gneiss than their historic value. The Isle of Lewis and Harris is grand and beautiful, but it can be harsh and dangerous to the unsuspecting. When I realized you were alone and childless … well, I wanted to protect you. That was before I even realized who you were, that you were the woman in my dreams.”

“You thought someone might try to do more than scare me—that they might try to what? Kill me? Make me disappear? I sincerely hope you’re wrong. Jerome, believe me when I say I didn’t ask for any of this. I suspected my arrival wouldn’t please everyone, but I never considered the date would be the issue. Tell me the rest.”

He nodded. “While the snake that walks upright could be the demon parasite I saw, the one somehow released in Bronagh’s cottage. A nuckelavee is the most feared of all the evil fey creatures who live in the sea. Like a selkie, it can leave the sea and walk on land, but it does so as a demon horse. Descriptions vary when it comes to size and gender, but essentially, it’s part horse, with the torso and head of a man on its back, and flipper-like protrusions on its leg. The creature embodies all of Mother Nature’s rage but none of her kinder qualities. Very few people have seen one up close and lived to tell the tale, so if Patrick Sykes did see one, he’s bloody fortunate to have escaped with his skin intact.”

“So you’ve never seen one, not even in your time at the stones?”

That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Welcome to the October blog post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Around here, Summer is reluctant to move on, although Autumn is doing her best to show her out the door.

If you’re Canadian like me, October brings two things to mind. The first is Thanksgiving, this year to be celebrated on October 14, the latest date it can possibly be since it’s officially celebrated on the second Monday of October. I start decorating with pumpkins, and colored leaves, with the odd friendly scarecrow, but nothing spooky. The family will get together for a special meal–this year it’ll be Chinese takeout so that I get to enjoy the day, too, instead of spending in cooking and cleaning like I have in the past.

After Thanksgiving, it’s time for Halloween. I’ll get one of my grandchildren to carve a pumpkin for me, and, on Halloween night, I’ll shell out just as I have for the last 53 years, ever since we’ve been married. We’ll sit outside under the heater lamp with a beer or two and admire the kids as they come to collect their treats. Most of the kids we see don’t live in our area, but we are a safe neighborhood, so parents bring them here. I don’t mind. It’s all about the kids. Most of them are accompanied by parents now, a big difference from when I was young or even when my own children were 8 and up, but this isn’t the world I grew up in, not that I want to go back to those times. I’ve grown far too fond of my independence and rights as a woman to ever voluntarily give them up.

October 2 question – Ghost stories fit right in during this month. What’s your favorite classic ghostly tale? Tell us about it and why it sends chills up your spine.

Despite the current trend to have the bejesus scared out of you, I do not like to be frightened, so my favorite ghost tales amuse me rather than scare me. Think Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Blackbeard’s Ghost. I write paranormal stories about past life experiences, some with a little more shock and awe than others, but most of my ghosts are benevolent. Now, unseelies, those nasty black fairies, are another story.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian readers and Happy Halloween to all who celebrate.

Read more answers here: https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

See you in November!

Welcome to October. The weather still has a hint of summer in it, but who knows how long that will last? This week, the authors of Tuesday Tales are writing to the prompt FLUSH. I’m continuing with Listen to the Stones. Enjoy.

“Prophesies, destinies, witches, magic? It makes no sense and yet, I know it’s the truth. How many people on this island believe in the supernatural and monsters like that? Have you ever heard of it? I mean did anyone mention something like that to you when you’ve been here?”

He shook his head. “No, but there are a lot of people on the island who remember the old tales, and at this time of year … The Scottish equivalent of the vampire is the Baobhan Sith.”

“Sith, like Cat Sith?” She glanced at Raven. “Are they dangerous? I mean do they have to be invited inside or can they just slip in unannounced?”

“I don’t know a lot about them, but if memory serves, they are the most sinister and darkest of the fairy folk, drawn by the smell of blood. The creatures can read minds and has the ability to shapeshift into anything his prey would find attractive.”

She flushed and looked down at Raven once more.

“Malcolm believed what he told me. Jerome, I’m scared. James warned me not to let talk of my so-called destiny get under my skin, but how can it not? Malcolm claims that the time has come for something to happen, although he doesn’t know exactly what it is, and that I’m supposed to save them all. If he believes that I’m some kind of messiah, why shouldn’t he believe the rest about vampire monsters crossing the veil? Save them all from what? Monsters I never even knew existed? At this point, I’m not convinced I can even save myself. I’m worried. If Bronagh had the answers, and she’s gone, where will I find them? What do you know about this prophecy and don’t say ‘nothing’ because you must’ve heard something.”

“Honestly, Marina, I don’t know anything more than you do, but I know someone who might.”

“Who?”

“Maeve. She and Bronagh were close as I told you. If anyone can tell you anything, it’ll be her. Why don’t we eat while it’s hot, and then we can talk to her together.”

She nodded. “I have the letter from Great-uncle Angus, too. I thought he was delusional as I said, but maybe there’s something in that to give us a clue.”

He smiled. Give us a clue. He might not have won her love, but he’d won her trust and that would do for now.

That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Sunday, September 22, 2024 marked the first day of autumn. Each fall, my husband and I like to go to Lake Placid, NY for some rest and to recharge our batteries before the weather turns. This summer was actually a decent one with lots of heat and sunshine, but we did have some incredible rainstorms. Of course they were but nothing like the floods and storma affecting other parts of the world or even my country, but summer is over and time races on.

Mirror Lake, the lake on which the village of Lake Placid is situated, has never been as still as it was on Thursday when it lived up to its name.

Lake Placid has always been beautiful no matter the time of the year, and while the colors may not have been as vibrant this years, three days in the clear, fresh mountain air restored my soul. We ate like royalty, basked in the sun, and although we did have one incredibly rainy morning, we got to see everything we enjoy. We drove up the Veteran’s Memorial Highway to the summit of Whiteface Mountain and just relaxed. Now, we’re back home, invigorated, and I’m ready to tackle my fall to-do list! There’s nothing like a quick respite to get you going again.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Looking for some autumn reading? Check this out https://www.amazon.com/FALLING-LOVE-Love-Will-Find-ebook/dp/B0DH8C8MST

Welcome to the third season of 2024. Fall officially began on Sunday, and while summer is still clinging to this part of the world, she’s already moved on elsewhere. This week, the writers from Tuesday Tales are writing from the word prompt ORANGE. For years, I believed that nothing rhymes with orange. It seems I was wrong. Two words do: sporange, which is apparently the technical word for a spore sac, and Blorenge, which is a mountain in Wales. Who knew? Interestingly enough, or perhaps not, it seems nothing rhymes with month. Who knew?

I’m continuing with Listen to the Stones, and apologize for being a few words over the 400. Enjoy!

“Lady Fraser, ‘tis late to be up and about. I dinna mean to frighten you, but it isn’t safe outside. There’s something evil lurking in the shadows. We can all sense it, but I doubt it’s the only reason Donald has us all out this night. I’m Malcolm MacDonald. I’ve got the watch around Fraser Hall. No one will approach you, so you can rest easy, but it’s best to do so indoors.”

And wasn’t I just told to come out here?

He walked over to the veranda but didn’t climb the steps.

His name sounded a familiar note with her.

“Mr. MacDonald. Are you related to Ewen or Duncan MacDonald? I met him in Edinburgh.”

“Aye. Ewen is my uncle and Duncan my brother. He’s always loved being the one to open the eyes of those who don’t know or understand our darker history. You made a grand impression on him.”

The man’s hair was cut short, and he was clean-shaven. He wore a tan jacket, but what startled her was the hunting rifle he carried.

“I wasn’t aware that the people watching Fraser Hall were armed. I was under the impression that there were no predators here.” But even as she said it, she recalled James’s words, all the predators on Lewis walk on two feet.

“As a rule, we don’t, but young Bennet found a lamb over near the stones this morning. The wee thing had a habit of wandering off, but he’ll not do so again. He was torn apart and partially eaten, all his blood drained from him. ‘Twas unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It could be that we’ve a demon or a shapeshifter from the other side roaming the land. There hasn’t been one in my lifetime, but I recall my father speaking of the unholy thing. ‘Tisn’t All Hallows Eve yet, but the veil is thin. Things have been unsettled since the laird’s death. Maeve mentioned to my wife that Cat Sith has arrived early, too. Donald has set armed men in the paddocks. Until the beast is apprehended, I suggest you stay indoors at night.”

Marina nodded and stood. “Mr. MacDonald, you don’t really believe that do you?”

“We share this world with good and evil. Tonight’s orange halfmoon presages that there’s a change coming. Sometimes, evil gets the upper hand. Your arrival is the answer to the prophecy. You’ll save us all. If I believe in you, why wouldn’t I believe in the rest?”

She swallowed. “I think I’ve had enough fresh air for tonight. Do be careful. If there is something out here … Come on, Raven. It’s time to get back inside.”

That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

I don’t know what it’s like in your little corner of the world, but we’re enjoying an unexpected return to daytime summer weather–plenty of sunshine and heat. Last week’s temps rose to the mid-eighties, and more of the same is predicted for the next two weeks. I know it won’t last, but this weather is so much kinder to my body, and as long as the humidity stays under control, I’m a happy camper.

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. Things are moving along quickly as Marina is forced to deal with unsettling news. Our word prompt is BUSY. I’m continuing with Listen to the Stones. Enjoy!

Hurrying to her suite, she shut the door and locked it, leaning heavily against it, jumping when Raven pushed her way into the room through the cat door. She bent down and picked up the kitten, her purring barely loud enough to be heard over Marina’s thumping heart.

Jerome knocked on the door, and she jumped, a squeak of fear coming from deep inside her.

“Marina, please let me in. There’s so much more you need to know. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

He wouldn’t leave if she didn’t answer him, but what could she say? He could be the man in her dreams, or he could be the terrifying dark shadow … could that be what had been stolen from Bronagh? Her busy mind invented scenarios faster than she could put words to them. But how could she have dreamed of something that hadn’t happened?

“Marina, please? Give me a chance to—”

She inhaled. “I need to be alone right now. I’m sure you understand this is unsettling for me. I’m tired and have the mother of all headaches. I’ll see you in the morning.”

For a second, she thought he wouldn’t answer, but then he did, his voice filled with resignation.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll leave you for now, but you need to know the rest. We’ll finish this tomorrow.”

She listened to his footsteps receding down the hallway. It was a good thing she’d put away the rest of the pot roast when she’d gotten his dessert. She couldn’t face him right now, not even if her life depended on it … and it well might. Still holding Raven, she dropped onto the sofa, reaching for her mother’s shawl folded on the arm. Raven jumped off her lap, and Marina used the opportunity to wrap the shawl around her, seeking comfort and possibly answers from it—not that it had ever happened before.

She shivered. Fear? Desire? Excitement? Possibly all three as she replayed what Jerome had told her about his vision, and the more she thought about it, the more impossible it sounded, and yet … everything within her told her he was telling the truth.

Suddenly, the walls of Fraser Hall suffocated her. She needed air. Going into her office, she was surprised to see Raven sitting in front of the patio doors as if she were waiting to be let outside.

Go. Follow Raven.

That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

The bathroom is complete! It took a while for the white counter on back order to arrive but it’s here, and I absolutely love the new look.

I meant to take a before picture of the downstairs bathroom prior to the renovations, but by the time I thought of doing so, construction was underway. Let me describe it for you instead.

For a size comparison, the room sits directly beneath my bathroom. It was painted two-tone, navy at the bottom and offwhite at the top, with a border depicting balls of all sorts dividing the two. When you entered the room, there was a large linen closet, next to a 30 inch, goldtone fiberglass shower stall. Beside that, we had a vanity, sponge-painted in ivory and blues (it was a thing back then) and then the toilet. The overriding theme was sports, and posters and memorabilia decorated the room. Get the picture? It was a boys’/man’s room.

After I had my theraputic tub put in, it was obvious that we needed to redo the downstairs bathroom as well. While I have no trouble showering in it, that wasn’t the case for my son and other guests who stayed over. We needed a proper-sized shower downstairs, so what were our options? Larry Fardy of Seaway Bathroom Renovators, the one responsible for my gorgeous upstairs bathroom, had the answer, and I absolutely love it.

He gutted the room, removed the closet, moved walls, drains, pipes, electrical wires, flooring, you name it and created an absolutely incredible downstairs bathroom for us. It still needs to be decorated with towels, rugs, and pictures, but I couldn’t be happier with the results, and they did it all in 5 days!

What do you think? Recognize the vanity that was temporarily housed in my upstairs bathroom? Even with the closet gone, we have as much, if not more, space. The mirror opens into a double-sided mirrored cabinet with lots of room of the shelves for medication, shaving cream, and anyhting else. Awesome job, Larry. I can’t thank you enough!

So, both bathrooms have been renovated. What’s next? Painting on the main floor and then, we’ll see.

Have a great weekend!

It’s hard to believe that summer is on its way out and fall is on the doorstep, but here we are. The kids are all back in school, the days are getting shorter, and there’s the colors of autumn beckoning us outside to enjoy. This week, the authors of Tuesday Tales are writing to the word prompt SCHOOL. I’m continuing with Listen to the Stones. Enjoy.

Marina stared at Jerome, schooling her features as best as she could to hide her shock. Slowly, she let her gaze roam over his face, searching for the signs that he was the unkempt, bearded man who’d terrified her at the airport. There was no mistaking his unusual eyes. Why had she not recognized them before?

But the deceiver’s truth seems believable because he trusts his own lies.

Could she trust him? A few hours ago, she’d been ready to hate him and yet … Hadn’t she had a vision earlier today at the Standing Stones of Calanais? How different was that from the one he’d described? And what about all the dreams she’d had? If it could happen to her, it could happen to others, but his admission that he’d been in London…

“What were you doing there looking like that?” she croaked.

“I was on my way home from New Zealand. My agent loved the ‘wild druid look’ and insisted I have publicity photos taken. She used a cut from our video chat and AI to generate a poster of—”

“I saw it at the airport in London when I was getting ready to leave for Edinburgh. The eyes … I thought the eyes were following me.” Her cheeks warmed. “But how did you know me. You recognized me. I know you did.”

“Because I did, I do.” He shrugged. “But I didn’t know you were Lady Fraser. I asked you if you believed in reincarnation because ever since my first visit to the stones, I’ve had the feeling that the stories are about me, as if I lived in that time, and what the stones provide is a way for me to access repressed memories. You’re part of those memories. William Shakespeare once wrote, ‘Life is too short to love you in one, I promise to look for you in the next life.’ I’ve seen you in my dreams. I’ve been searching for you for years—”

“No!”

It couldn’t be, and yet she sensed the truth in him. If Jerome was the man in her dreams and she had no reason to doubt him now, then who was James? Fear filled her. If what he was saying was true…

“Marina, it’s not a bad thing, but it does speak to a connection between us and the stones. We need to explore this—”

“No!” She raced out of the room.

That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Meet Georgia. At sixteen, she is the youngest of my three granddaughters, and she’s in her final year of high school. She wants to be an electrician, and I believe she’ll be a great one because she has the power to excel at anything she chooses.

Below is an unedited copy of a short introductory essay she wrote for her grade twelve English class. The assignment was to describe a traumatic episode in your life and how you dealt with it. Personally, I think she has the makings of a great writer, but I may be a touch biased.

I was about to turn 7 in the year 2014, I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep until my birthday. For the first 8 days I didn’t sleep, then suddenly I got some news that broke my heart. I was sitting at the dinner table one night eating, then something weird happened, my mom came back to the table with some ice cream, as a kid I loved ice cream one of my favourite things to have as dessert, so I was excited for it. After we ate the ice cream my mom told us something that we didn’t expect, my grandfather died. We knew he was struggling with cancer, but my dad told us there was nothing to worry about as they had put him in a clinical trial. When my mom told me this, I dropped my spoon and started to cry, as I looked around the table at my siblings, I was the only one crying, I was the only one that really had a connection with him, so I felt more emotions. Keep in mind when this happened it was Eleni’s 8th birthday, the date was November 9th, 2014, the exact date of Eleni’s birthday. There was no funeral for him in Canada, but because he was Greek he wanted to get buried where he was raised. On the tallest mountain in Greece Mount Olympus, he was raised in the highest village on the mountain, he had goats for neighbours. But my dad brought his body there to be buried, after that I didn’t see my dad, because when he came back from Greece he had a cold. 

The date was December 9th, 2014, the exact date, a month later. I was now 7 because my birthday had passed a couple of weeks before, I was in my class at Viscount and suddenly I was called down to the office because I was going home early. My mom showed up to my school with sunglasses on and said, “we are going to grandmas”, we all agreed and got into the car. When we arrived at my grandmothers, we saw that our church minister was there, Ruth was her name. We were told to sit on the couch and listen to what my mom had to say, she looked at us and started crying, because we were so close to our mom we started to cry to, not even knowing why. Then she told us, “I am so sorry, your dad died”, we looked up at her and started to cry. My younger brother was 5 at the time and the only thing he said was “can I go play with Legos now?”, he didn’t know what was happening. We cried for hours and hours until there were no more tears. We got home that night and went right to bed. The next day we were told we will not be going back to school until the last week of January. One of the worst days of my life was his funeral, it was a 3-day event, a wake, then his funeral, then burial, I will never forget the day I stood over my father and said goodbye for the last time.

A couple of years later my mom finally told my sister and I what the actual cause of his death was, and we were told right then and there he had a heart attack caused by a drug overdose, it was cocaine lased with fentanyl. 

Today I am a student athlete with a G2 drivers license about to graduate high school, no thanks to him, but thanks to my mom. This just proves you don’t need a father to be a great person, and that you don’t need 2 parents to have a steady life. You write your own story, even if you had a hard time to begin with. If you believe in something, whether it be to get a new job or to start over you can do it because there is nothing you can’t do.

What do you think? I am very proud of the way my daughter rose to the situation and raised her four young children. We all face obstacles in life, but we don’t all handle them the same way. Be the person you were meant to be. Don’t whine and cry, blame everyone on the hand life dealt you, but instead, pick yourself up, and aim for the stars. Be like Georgia. Be your own success story.