Ritual Rigmarole on a Samhain Sunday

Call me committed, or call me crazy, but I managed to carry out my first official, bona fide Samhain ritual. I was really looking forward it, because, one, I like marking the seasons and staying in tune with nature, and, two, because I could explore something that was previously off limits for religious reasons. (Good news--no demon possessed my soul. Or is that a bad thing?)

All week long, I jotted down notes on the order of the ritual, what I would use, what I would say--and then it all kind of fell apart. I'm sure there's a lesson in there, right?

First, plans to have the ritual on Halloween night were interrupted. A friend and her husband called about going out for a drink but then that fell through. Then my partner started dinner, and before you know it, it was simply too dark. I know, I know--too dark on Halloween? Isn't that the point? Well, the part of my yard that I planned to use isn't well lit, and I envisioned the possibility of candle usage gone tragically wrong. I so don't want to appear in "Dumb Pagan News!"

So here's what didn't go "right." It's kinda mundane, but I figure I might as well be honest if I'm committed to this path.

Again, I couldn't hold the ritual on Halloween night, so that was disappointing. Then Saturday breezed by with obligations until finally, I woke early Sunday morning and prepared everything. Sure hope the spirits are still paying attention! At least it was looking to be a beautiful day.

And I would be doing this alone. My partner wasn't interested this time and was still in bed asleep. Again, disappointed, but it was probably for the best since he really isn't on the same path as I am.

I headed outside, and prepared the cleanse the area, but the damn sage wouldn't stay lit. I tried using little twigs and dried leaves, but nope, twasn't to be. Ok, well, I guess intention is really all that matters. After all, I tried, so surely the spirits would understand.

I had read that some folks bring a gift or glass of wine to use. But rather than open an entire bottle, I opted instead for apple juice. Hey, it's seasonal! A minor thing, but obviously, I was getting all wrapped up doing things "right." But I think my altar did turn out nice (pictured).

As I was acknowledging the directions and elements, I realized I was rushing through everything, not really focusing on what I was saying or doing. I had also planned to blow my conch horn at this point, as a final call to the spirits--but I decided not to freak out the neighbors on an early Sunday morning.

When I finally settled down for the silent meditation, things smoothed out. But I kept wondering what I expected to get out this ritual, and it occurred to me that I didn't have the answer. I think it would've meant more to have others participate with me. Maybe next time. Also, I see now that I got lost in the trappings of the ritual rather than its purpose and intent.

So, lesson learned. And if nothing else, this phrase I borrowed for part of the ritual stands out:

"In dark silence do new beginnings whisper."

Yes, I know I had bright sunshine, but you get the idea!

Ritual Rigmarole on a Samhain Sunday

Call me committed, or call me crazy, but I managed to carry out my first official, bona fide Samhain ritual. I was really looking forward it, because, one, I like marking the seasons and staying in tune with nature, and, two, because I could explore something that was previously off limits for religious reasons. (Good news--no demon possessed my soul. Or is that a bad thing?)

All week long, I jotted down notes on the order of the ritual, what I would use, what I would say--and then it all kind of fell apart. I'm sure there's a lesson in there, right?

First, plans to have the ritual on Halloween night were interrupted. A friend and her husband called about going out for a drink but then that fell through. Then my partner started dinner, and before you know it, it was simply too dark. I know, I know--too dark on Halloween? Isn't that the point? Well, the part of my yard that I planned to use isn't well lit, and I envisioned the possibility of candle usage gone tragically wrong. I so don't want to appear in "Dumb Pagan News!"

So here's what didn't go "right." It's kinda mundane, but I figure I might as well be honest if I'm committed to this path.

Again, I couldn't hold the ritual on Halloween night, so that was disappointing. Then Saturday breezed by with obligations until finally, I woke early Sunday morning and prepared everything. Sure hope the spirits are still paying attention! At least it was looking to be a beautiful day.

And I would be doing this alone. My partner wasn't interested this time and was still in bed asleep. Again, disappointed, but it was probably for the best since he really isn't on the same path as I am.

I headed outside, and prepared the cleanse the area, but the damn sage wouldn't stay lit. I tried using little twigs and dried leaves, but nope, twasn't to be. Ok, well, I guess intention is really all that matters. After all, I tried, so surely the spirits would understand.

I had read that some folks bring a gift or glass of wine to use. But rather than open an entire bottle, I opted instead for apple juice. Hey, it's seasonal! A minor thing, but obviously, I was getting all wrapped up doing things "right." But I think my altar did turn out nice (pictured).

As I was acknowledging the directions and elements, I realized I was rushing through everything, not really focusing on what I was saying or doing. I had also planned to blow my conch horn at this point, as a final call to the spirits--but I decided not to freak out the neighbors on an early Sunday morning.

When I finally settled down for the silent meditation, things smoothed out. But I kept wondering what I expected to get out this ritual, and it occurred to me that I didn't have the answer. I think it would've meant more to have others participate with me. Maybe next time. Also, I see now that I got lost in the trappings of the ritual rather than its purpose and intent.

So, lesson learned. And if nothing else, this phrase I borrowed for part of the ritual stands out:

"In dark silence do new beginnings whisper."

Yes, I know I had bright sunshine, but you get the idea!

Joe Dirt Does '80s Aerobics!

Yep, this is my Halloween costume for the office.

Several of us dressed up as an '80s aerobics team. We're talking the giant boom box, leg warmers, headbands--the works! And I was workin' the mullet (which I kinda, sorta did for real back in the '80s, but it was the cool "Bono/U2" mullet!), a la Joe Dirt.

Hey, it won our team free pizza!

Joe Dirt Does '80s Aerobics!

Yep, this is my Halloween costume for the office.

Several of us dressed up as an '80s aerobics team. We're talking the giant boom box, leg warmers, headbands--the works! And I was workin' the mullet (which I kinda, sorta did for real back in the '80s, but it was the cool "Bono/U2" mullet!), a la Joe Dirt.

Hey, it won our team free pizza!

Pumpkin of Hope

Saw this wonderful jack o'lantern over at Nathan Exposed (a great blog) and just had to share. Wonderful job of carving, Nathan!

Pumpkin of Hope

Saw this wonderful jack o'lantern over at Nathan Exposed (a great blog) and just had to share. Wonderful job of carving, Nathan!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I know--scary, right?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I know--scary, right?

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Final Week: Haunted Houses

If you're like me, you absolutely love haunted houses. As soon as the signs go up around town, I start planning my Halloween calendar. I'll admit, I don't go as much now that I'm older. Instead, I drive by and gaze wistfully out the window at the signs promising to scare the bejesus out of you.

I'm also usually disappointed. You wait in line, expecting ghastly ghouls and working up a good scream only to walk through completely bored and unsurprised. They jump out, grab and swing at you but you totally see it coming. The costumers and make-up are bad, the music or sound are all wrong. Who are these amateurs!?

Not the actual haunted house but closely resembles it!

The Best Haunted House Ever!
That got me to thinking about what I consider the best haunted house ever. I was a senior in high school, and the haunted house was right up the street from my house at the local science center. Yeah, sounds weird but this is actually where it gets good. The science center was actually a former mental asylum! I'm talking seriously old school, where they apparently put people in what looked like cages and never let them out, way before the entire mental health system was reformed. I think the building was originally constructed in the 1920s. The science center only took up a few buildings, so they used one of the empty ones for the haunted house.


Whoever orchestrated this thing had it right. They knew the perfect timing--not too slow to where you remember this is all fake but fast enough to keep you unprepared for what's next. Costumes were great, sound, special effects and lights spot on. It didn't hurt that they had a whole insane-zombies-are-out-to-kill-you backstory. They even took you through part of the old asylum where there were real, true metal cages, and there were plenty of "crazies" waiting to break out and chase you down. Hell, even the tram ride was scary! It took you from the parking lot through the darkened woods way to the back of the property. Again, perfect timing and placement for whatever happened to jump out from the darkness. Coolest of all, this wasn't some big-time operation but just the local science center having some fun.

Or maybe it was just being 17. But I've always compared every other haunted house to this one. Some have been pretty good but not one has ever been better.

Got a favorite you'd like to share?

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Final Week: Haunted Houses

If you're like me, you absolutely love haunted houses. As soon as the signs go up around town, I start planning my Halloween calendar. I'll admit, I don't go as much now that I'm older. Instead, I drive by and gaze wistfully out the window at the signs promising to scare the bejesus out of you.

I'm also usually disappointed. You wait in line, expecting ghastly ghouls and working up a good scream only to walk through completely bored and unsurprised. They jump out, grab and swing at you but you totally see it coming. The costumers and make-up are bad, the music or sound are all wrong. Who are these amateurs!?

Not the actual haunted house but closely resembles it!

The Best Haunted House Ever!
That got me to thinking about what I consider the best haunted house ever. I was a senior in high school, and the haunted house was right up the street from my house at the local science center. Yeah, sounds weird but this is actually where it gets good. The science center was actually a former mental asylum! I'm talking seriously old school, where they apparently put people in what looked like cages and never let them out, way before the entire mental health system was reformed. I think the building was originally constructed in the 1920s. The science center only took up a few buildings, so they used one of the empty ones for the haunted house.


Whoever orchestrated this thing had it right. They knew the perfect timing--not too slow to where you remember this is all fake but fast enough to keep you unprepared for what's next. Costumes were great, sound, special effects and lights spot on. It didn't hurt that they had a whole insane-zombies-are-out-to-kill-you backstory. They even took you through part of the old asylum where there were real, true metal cages, and there were plenty of "crazies" waiting to break out and chase you down. Hell, even the tram ride was scary! It took you from the parking lot through the darkened woods way to the back of the property. Again, perfect timing and placement for whatever happened to jump out from the darkness. Coolest of all, this wasn't some big-time operation but just the local science center having some fun.

Or maybe it was just being 17. But I've always compared every other haunted house to this one. Some have been pretty good but not one has ever been better.

Got a favorite you'd like to share?

Let's Ride, Witches!

Just read about the Halloween Witch Ride in, where else?, Salem, Massachusetts. Found it posted over at The Wild Hunt. It's a biker charity ride, but Halloween costumes are encouraged. Looks like fun--and another excuse to ride your motorcycle.

Only one concern--how well can they see out of those masks? Keep the shiny side up and rubber side down!

Let's Ride, Witches!

Just read about the Halloween Witch Ride in, where else?, Salem, Massachusetts. Found it posted over at The Wild Hunt. It's a biker charity ride, but Halloween costumes are encouraged. Looks like fun--and another excuse to ride your motorcycle.

Only one concern--how well can they see out of those masks? Keep the shiny side up and rubber side down!

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Week 3: Do You Believe in Spirits or Ghosts?

My wrists and hands are all limbered up and ready to type! And were there sun spots or something yesterday? I had the darndest time getting online and checking my favorite sites.

Is the spirit world real?
So are you a believer in ghosts, spirits or any other unseen (or rarely seen) entities? Many cultures, including some Celtic groups, believed this time of year was a prime time to spot them. They believed that the veil between our world and the spirit world became very thin, so you could cross back and forth easily. Sort of like our border with Mexico! So does that make the spirits illegal immigrants or us mortals?

I digress. Myself, if I had to give an answer, I'd say I don't know. I'm not copping out--I simply don't know. I lean toward "no," but then I've had some experiences I can't explain. And others I know have had experiences. But if I claim there is no God, then how can I claim that spirits, fairies or other beings exist? Like I said, I don't know!

Many neo-pagans believe or accept the possibility of all kinds of unseen things. I'm still skeptical. I think it's fun and part of being human to wonder, but I do not want to base any kind of religious practice or belief system on what can't be seen. That's just me--I already have that T-shirt!

Angels Among Us?
Are these entities real or imaginary? Do we just convince ourselves they're real because we want them to be? Most Christians believe in angels, a devil and demons. I know I once did!

Back one night in college, my roommate and I were sitting across from one another having a great religious discussion. The lights were on in the room, which was located 3 floors up in the dormitory. The blinds on the window were shut. Suddenly in the middle of this deep discussion, we both "saw" a bright light appear near the window, the speed between us across the room and then flash in the mirrors before disappearing completely. We both turned and asked simultaneously: "What was that?" Then this incredible sense of joy washed over us! I can still recall that unexplainable sensation today. Being good Christians, we just thought it must be some messenger of God, an angel sent to visit us during our wonderfully spiritual discussion. I don't know what the angel was supposed to tell us, but well, what else was it? No car lights could reach 3 floors up. There were no search lights in the area. But we both saw something!

Meeting My First Witch (was she a good witch or a bad witch?)
That same year, my roommate began hanging with some weirdo friends--at least, they were weirdos to this sheltered Christian who took everything literally! His new girlfriend was a witch! She was involved in Wicca, which I had never heard of up until this point. He showed me some books on Wicca that she had given to him, and being the concerned fellow Christian, I told him to get rid of them. Those books would draw evil spirits and plunge us into spiritual warfare! (Oh, the irony, if he could only see me today.)

His girlfriend had a guy-friend she always dragged along with her, and looking back, he might have been "her gay." But I was too sheltered to figure anything out back then. Both of them were into Wicca--and I really can't say how serious they were about it, but they did talk about it all the time. And it freaked me out! I prayed all the time for Jesus to protect me and to turn their hearts to the Lord! I was polite, however (I am a good Southern boy, after all).

We would have interesting spiritual discussion, us four, but then one day my roommate's girlfriend said something that sent chills up my spine! I don't remember the context now, but she said she was going to light a candle for me. Dear Jesus, I just knew that meant she was going to cast some evil spell on me to turn me away from the Lord and toward acts of evil! Instead of asking what she intended, I freaked out! Later, I preached to my roommate that, no matter what evil power she might unleash, Jesus was stronger! I was terrified, ya'll.

Well, nothing happened that I can attribute to her "lighting a candle." Can any visiting Wiccans explain what she might have meant? Regardless of whether it was malicious or not, it just shows the power that belief in spirits can have. Even though I had never seen anything or experienced anything, I was caught up in all the stories I had heard. If nothing else, a spirit of fear had me in its grip--and that was of my own creation, not hers.

At the same time, the girl's male friend gave us the scariest jack o' lantern that I have ever seen! He had carved it himself, and the two of them stopped by the dorm to drop of this "present"--all dressed up in black capes and wild outfits around Halloween (this was way before goth was cool). I just knew there was some hex on that pumpkin! His carving was superb--but the evil grin and the frightening countenance on that thing scared the bejesus outta me! So after they were gone, I made my longsuffering roommate smash it on the ground--you know, to break its hellish power!

Well, that romance with Wicca faded for my roommate and his witch friends faded away. I regret my actions and superstitions now that I look back. If I'm honest, they were both interesting, fun people, but I was too wrapped up in my own ignorance and fear to recognize that.

So, what about you? A believer, skeptic or something in between?

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Week 3: Do You Believe in Spirits or Ghosts?

My wrists and hands are all limbered up and ready to type! And were there sun spots or something yesterday? I had the darndest time getting online and checking my favorite sites.

Is the spirit world real?
So are you a believer in ghosts, spirits or any other unseen (or rarely seen) entities? Many cultures, including some Celtic groups, believed this time of year was a prime time to spot them. They believed that the veil between our world and the spirit world became very thin, so you could cross back and forth easily. Sort of like our border with Mexico! So does that make the spirits illegal immigrants or us mortals?

I digress. Myself, if I had to give an answer, I'd say I don't know. I'm not copping out--I simply don't know. I lean toward "no," but then I've had some experiences I can't explain. And others I know have had experiences. But if I claim there is no God, then how can I claim that spirits, fairies or other beings exist? Like I said, I don't know!

Many neo-pagans believe or accept the possibility of all kinds of unseen things. I'm still skeptical. I think it's fun and part of being human to wonder, but I do not want to base any kind of religious practice or belief system on what can't be seen. That's just me--I already have that T-shirt!

Angels Among Us?
Are these entities real or imaginary? Do we just convince ourselves they're real because we want them to be? Most Christians believe in angels, a devil and demons. I know I once did!

Back one night in college, my roommate and I were sitting across from one another having a great religious discussion. The lights were on in the room, which was located 3 floors up in the dormitory. The blinds on the window were shut. Suddenly in the middle of this deep discussion, we both "saw" a bright light appear near the window, the speed between us across the room and then flash in the mirrors before disappearing completely. We both turned and asked simultaneously: "What was that?" Then this incredible sense of joy washed over us! I can still recall that unexplainable sensation today. Being good Christians, we just thought it must be some messenger of God, an angel sent to visit us during our wonderfully spiritual discussion. I don't know what the angel was supposed to tell us, but well, what else was it? No car lights could reach 3 floors up. There were no search lights in the area. But we both saw something!

Meeting My First Witch (was she a good witch or a bad witch?)
That same year, my roommate began hanging with some weirdo friends--at least, they were weirdos to this sheltered Christian who took everything literally! His new girlfriend was a witch! She was involved in Wicca, which I had never heard of up until this point. He showed me some books on Wicca that she had given to him, and being the concerned fellow Christian, I told him to get rid of them. Those books would draw evil spirits and plunge us into spiritual warfare! (Oh, the irony, if he could only see me today.)

His girlfriend had a guy-friend she always dragged along with her, and looking back, he might have been "her gay." But I was too sheltered to figure anything out back then. Both of them were into Wicca--and I really can't say how serious they were about it, but they did talk about it all the time. And it freaked me out! I prayed all the time for Jesus to protect me and to turn their hearts to the Lord! I was polite, however (I am a good Southern boy, after all).

We would have interesting spiritual discussion, us four, but then one day my roommate's girlfriend said something that sent chills up my spine! I don't remember the context now, but she said she was going to light a candle for me. Dear Jesus, I just knew that meant she was going to cast some evil spell on me to turn me away from the Lord and toward acts of evil! Instead of asking what she intended, I freaked out! Later, I preached to my roommate that, no matter what evil power she might unleash, Jesus was stronger! I was terrified, ya'll.

Well, nothing happened that I can attribute to her "lighting a candle." Can any visiting Wiccans explain what she might have meant? Regardless of whether it was malicious or not, it just shows the power that belief in spirits can have. Even though I had never seen anything or experienced anything, I was caught up in all the stories I had heard. If nothing else, a spirit of fear had me in its grip--and that was of my own creation, not hers.

At the same time, the girl's male friend gave us the scariest jack o' lantern that I have ever seen! He had carved it himself, and the two of them stopped by the dorm to drop of this "present"--all dressed up in black capes and wild outfits around Halloween (this was way before goth was cool). I just knew there was some hex on that pumpkin! His carving was superb--but the evil grin and the frightening countenance on that thing scared the bejesus outta me! So after they were gone, I made my longsuffering roommate smash it on the ground--you know, to break its hellish power!

Well, that romance with Wicca faded for my roommate and his witch friends faded away. I regret my actions and superstitions now that I look back. If I'm honest, they were both interesting, fun people, but I was too wrapped up in my own ignorance and fear to recognize that.

So, what about you? A believer, skeptic or something in between?

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Week 2: Haunted Houses and Woods of Terror!

Now for a real-life haunting--or at least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. As a kid, I lived out in the country, and all my friends talked about this road way up in the woods. People described all kinds of weird goings-on there. Stories of murder, mayhem and mischief. As soon as I could drive, well, of course I had to check it out!

Which I did on several occasions, mostly with my one friend Kenneth (he was the bravest). Thought I would share a few of the stories about the locale as well as what happened to me personally.

First, you couldn't have picked a better location for a haunted tale. This road was truly off the beaten path--it wasn't even paved and wound around and around through the hills. Most of the land was just woods except for a lone abandoned tobacco barn here or there. We hardly ever saw any other people or cars. All the scary stuff happened just on the unpaved part. Plus there were acres of corn fields (an easy place for deranged killers to hide!). But the focus was this empty (or was it?!) 2-story white house.

The legend goes that the family who owned the farm land experienced a great tragedy. Variations abound, but essentially, a matriarch of the family went nuts and killed a few of her brood in the house. She then fled to the woods out of remorse, and the family abandoned the house. But it was said that the old lady still lived in the wood and would kill anyone who ventured too close to her or the house. Some stories say another unrelated person was found hanged in one of the old barns, and on some nights, you might see a light in an upstairs window of the house and the figure of an old woman by the window! There were also stories of suicides and, naturally, Satanic rituals.

There was also a little creek that ran by the house and a rickety 1-lane bridge. If you stopped your car on the bridge (and why would you do such a thing?), the legend said it wouldn't start again and the old woman would crawl out from under the bridge and attack! So of course, we tried this on several occasions--and survived! The car even restarted!

However, I did notice one odd thing. As we drove down the hill and the house came into view, if the radio was on, it would go dead! Then just as you passed the house and crossed the little bridge, the radio would come back on! Being 16 and wired for sound, this just drove us wild.

Kenneth and I made it our goal to sneak into the house. We wanted to see what was inside--you know, dead bodies, zombies, vampires--whatever. So we would try to find a place to hide my car. Once, we parked the car way up the road and walked toward the house. Now we usually never saw any cars. You might see dust kicked up that hung (mysteriously!) in the air but never any cars. So here comes a pick-up with a man and a woman. They stopped and asked what we were up to, and we were afraid they might the owners. But we were on a public road, so no law against that. We just weakly replied we were out for a walk--and then they sped off like we were demons! Never did figure out what that was about.

Another time we tried to hide the car behind a barn but it got stuck in the mud. We just knew we were monster toast! The car was in plain view and stuck! Soon this tiny car drives by and stops, and 2 very large men and one tiny woman tumble out (imagine one of those little clown cars). They were the definition of redneck--and we just knew they must be part of the cursed family out to claim another victim! Instead, they asked us what happened and proceeded to literally pick up my car and set it down so we could drive away. That was enough for one day!

We even tried to get into the house at night (stupid!). Once we came by and the front doors, usually boarded up tight, were wide open (we didn't go in). Another time, there were several cars parked near the house (next!). Yet another night, we discovered a couple of those star-thingys that martial arts guys use--stuck into the boards on the front door (ummm, time to go!). Determined, we kept coming back like the aspiring vandals we were. One night, we finally did find a window that we decided would be the easiest way to enter, but that attempt was thwarted by approaching headlights. We hit the dirt and flattened ourselves out just like you might imagine. A close call.

One calm Sunday afternoon, we finally did it! We climbed inside the window with our hearts in our throats. As you might expect, however, no mummies or beasties--just trash, old furniture and an old house that might have been nice once upon a time. We rummaged around and found our way upstairs. We inspected all the rooms, and then I came to one last door at the end of the hall. Without even thinking, I flung it open only to discover that it opened onto the small upstairs balcony. Which would have been fine if 2 people hadn't been walking just down below on the dirt road. Surprised and fearing we would be caught trespassing, I slammed the door shut (not so smart!). Kenneth and I hid in the house until we were sure the strangers were gone. We had to laugh, however, that we probably scared those 2 to death and did our own little part to help keep the legends alive.

With that goal reached and high school graduation approaching, we lost interest. There was college and life to attend to. But I kept hearing about the legends. Several years later, I was telling a friend about all this, so we decided to take a drive. Everything looks pretty much as it did over 20 years ago, except the house had been torn down and the spot cleared. I did a little investigating and read that the family had grown tired of all the vandalism (oops) and wanted to put a stop to it. But the articles I found still indicated that the legends about this little dirt road still held sway in the local imagination. Long live the fright!

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Week 2: Haunted Houses and Woods of Terror!

Now for a real-life haunting--or at least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. As a kid, I lived out in the country, and all my friends talked about this road way up in the woods. People described all kinds of weird goings-on there. Stories of murder, mayhem and mischief. As soon as I could drive, well, of course I had to check it out!

Which I did on several occasions, mostly with my one friend Kenneth (he was the bravest). Thought I would share a few of the stories about the locale as well as what happened to me personally.

First, you couldn't have picked a better location for a haunted tale. This road was truly off the beaten path--it wasn't even paved and wound around and around through the hills. Most of the land was just woods except for a lone abandoned tobacco barn here or there. We hardly ever saw any other people or cars. All the scary stuff happened just on the unpaved part. Plus there were acres of corn fields (an easy place for deranged killers to hide!). But the focus was this empty (or was it?!) 2-story white house.

The legend goes that the family who owned the farm land experienced a great tragedy. Variations abound, but essentially, a matriarch of the family went nuts and killed a few of her brood in the house. She then fled to the woods out of remorse, and the family abandoned the house. But it was said that the old lady still lived in the wood and would kill anyone who ventured too close to her or the house. Some stories say another unrelated person was found hanged in one of the old barns, and on some nights, you might see a light in an upstairs window of the house and the figure of an old woman by the window! There were also stories of suicides and, naturally, Satanic rituals.

There was also a little creek that ran by the house and a rickety 1-lane bridge. If you stopped your car on the bridge (and why would you do such a thing?), the legend said it wouldn't start again and the old woman would crawl out from under the bridge and attack! So of course, we tried this on several occasions--and survived! The car even restarted!

However, I did notice one odd thing. As we drove down the hill and the house came into view, if the radio was on, it would go dead! Then just as you passed the house and crossed the little bridge, the radio would come back on! Being 16 and wired for sound, this just drove us wild.

Kenneth and I made it our goal to sneak into the house. We wanted to see what was inside--you know, dead bodies, zombies, vampires--whatever. So we would try to find a place to hide my car. Once, we parked the car way up the road and walked toward the house. Now we usually never saw any cars. You might see dust kicked up that hung (mysteriously!) in the air but never any cars. So here comes a pick-up with a man and a woman. They stopped and asked what we were up to, and we were afraid they might the owners. But we were on a public road, so no law against that. We just weakly replied we were out for a walk--and then they sped off like we were demons! Never did figure out what that was about.

Another time we tried to hide the car behind a barn but it got stuck in the mud. We just knew we were monster toast! The car was in plain view and stuck! Soon this tiny car drives by and stops, and 2 very large men and one tiny woman tumble out (imagine one of those little clown cars). They were the definition of redneck--and we just knew they must be part of the cursed family out to claim another victim! Instead, they asked us what happened and proceeded to literally pick up my car and set it down so we could drive away. That was enough for one day!

We even tried to get into the house at night (stupid!). Once we came by and the front doors, usually boarded up tight, were wide open (we didn't go in). Another time, there were several cars parked near the house (next!). Yet another night, we discovered a couple of those star-thingys that martial arts guys use--stuck into the boards on the front door (ummm, time to go!). Determined, we kept coming back like the aspiring vandals we were. One night, we finally did find a window that we decided would be the easiest way to enter, but that attempt was thwarted by approaching headlights. We hit the dirt and flattened ourselves out just like you might imagine. A close call.

One calm Sunday afternoon, we finally did it! We climbed inside the window with our hearts in our throats. As you might expect, however, no mummies or beasties--just trash, old furniture and an old house that might have been nice once upon a time. We rummaged around and found our way upstairs. We inspected all the rooms, and then I came to one last door at the end of the hall. Without even thinking, I flung it open only to discover that it opened onto the small upstairs balcony. Which would have been fine if 2 people hadn't been walking just down below on the dirt road. Surprised and fearing we would be caught trespassing, I slammed the door shut (not so smart!). Kenneth and I hid in the house until we were sure the strangers were gone. We had to laugh, however, that we probably scared those 2 to death and did our own little part to help keep the legends alive.

With that goal reached and high school graduation approaching, we lost interest. There was college and life to attend to. But I kept hearing about the legends. Several years later, I was telling a friend about all this, so we decided to take a drive. Everything looks pretty much as it did over 20 years ago, except the house had been torn down and the spot cleared. I did a little investigating and read that the family had grown tired of all the vandalism (oops) and wanted to put a stop to it. But the articles I found still indicated that the legends about this little dirt road still held sway in the local imagination. Long live the fright!

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Week 1 (The Blood Banshee!)

In honor of one of my favorite times of the year--Halloween--I'm planning to post at least one scary, spooky, spine-tingling item per week. I love the mystery around Halloween (Samhain in Gaelic), and for some reason I just love getting the hell scared out of me!

The Blood Banshee Lives!
Your first dose of fright is about a recording that I had as a kid (sorry, couldn't quite figure out how to post the MP3, and there might be copyright issues as well). I ordered the record (yes, I'm THAT old) out of a comic book from this very ad shown below. Scary, right? Oh, it's so awful that it's good. Something about a blood banshee stumbling around through someone's house, moving quite slowly and not sounding all that terrifying but still managing to suck the life out of a few unlucky souls.

It's all very deliciously low-budget: creaky doors, shuffling feet, banging pots and shattering glass, children in peril, bad dialogue and delightful sucking sounds once the banshee overcomes its victims. Actually, it sounds more like a cat lapping milk or someone just smacking their lips. The camp factor was extreme on this, but I loved it. I would play it for my friends and we would laugh and mock the recording. I played it so much, I can practically recite the dialogue (such as it is) from heart.

There were also other sounds on the record, of a howling werewolf, someone being tortured with a whip, lots of random screams and someone mumbling like a mad man. If you'd like a listen, follow this link and you should be able to download the files. You may have to scroll down a bit first.

Halloween always brings out the mischief in me. I want to go out and be bad. What about you? I'd love to hear any blood-curdling stories you have!

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Week 1 (The Blood Banshee!)

In honor of one of my favorite times of the year--Halloween--I'm planning to post at least one scary, spooky, spine-tingling item per week. I love the mystery around Halloween (Samhain in Gaelic), and for some reason I just love getting the hell scared out of me!

The Blood Banshee Lives!
Your first dose of fright is about a recording that I had as a kid (sorry, couldn't quite figure out how to post the MP3, and there might be copyright issues as well). I ordered the record (yes, I'm THAT old) out of a comic book from this very ad shown below. Scary, right? Oh, it's so awful that it's good. Something about a blood banshee stumbling around through someone's house, moving quite slowly and not sounding all that terrifying but still managing to suck the life out of a few unlucky souls.

It's all very deliciously low-budget: creaky doors, shuffling feet, banging pots and shattering glass, children in peril, bad dialogue and delightful sucking sounds once the banshee overcomes its victims. Actually, it sounds more like a cat lapping milk or someone just smacking their lips. The camp factor was extreme on this, but I loved it. I would play it for my friends and we would laugh and mock the recording. I played it so much, I can practically recite the dialogue (such as it is) from heart.

There were also other sounds on the record, of a howling werewolf, someone being tortured with a whip, lots of random screams and someone mumbling like a mad man. If you'd like a listen, follow this link and you should be able to download the files. You may have to scroll down a bit first.

Halloween always brings out the mischief in me. I want to go out and be bad. What about you? I'd love to hear any blood-curdling stories you have!