What do you do in your leisure time? Do you have a hobby? How about an activity you enjoy?
Answer today’s RANDOM SURVEY and feel free to leave your own answer in the comments.
Do me a favor and PLEASE answer the survey. Your answer and name won’t be sent to a secret data base or be sold to vile people who call you randomly saying they’re from the IRS.
So let us know if you like to bake, or hike, or do something else interesting.
How about making the shooting range a leisure time habit?
Remember to answer the survey, leave a comment, and go have fun.
December is FINALLY here! Time for glorious trees, holiday cheer, jingle bells, stories of old, Santa Clause, AND VAMPIRES!
So you know what that means…
Winter is here with enough bite to freeze the slow beating heart of almost any Vampire.
My mom used to say to us “Don’t stop your heart or your blood will freeze.”
It is one of those things we have to think about, sometimes. I don’t recall ever telling my own children that, or any other “new” Vampires.
Funny how one thinks of those sayings.
The first bat of the night is a wish. The next is a kiss.
Bad blood is only in the soul.
Dance from dusk to dawn then sleep as if there is no sun.
As a mother (in the 1850’s and 60’s) with a rather large brood of young Vampires (four boys and one girl) my mom took advantage of the holidays in a big way. It was her time to celebrate and bring out the cheer. She was glad to get rid of the musty old gloom of the old days and embrace the Modern Vampire movement.
At the same time a young artist named Thomas Nast created the iconic image of the American Santa Clause. Old Saint Nick was pretty awesome, but Santa was one of our own.
Jolly Old Vampire
Yes, Santa Clause is a Vampire – that is a fact:
He knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you are awake.
He only comes out at night.
Nobody ever sees him.
He has been around for centuries.
He can see in the dark.
Red is his favorite color.
He is jolly (hey, Vampires are jolly).
He likes kids.
He is an icon of popular culture.
He knows who has been good and who has been bad.
Despite his size he can get in and out of any building.
He can make animals that normally live on the ground fly.
Dogs and cats like him (all animals like Vampires because we understand them.)
He makes people happy (don’t argue this point. Check my previous posts.)
He rocks the red suit!
An interesting fact that all teens should know (and their parents): Thomas Nast was only nineteen when he started to create illustrations for Harper’s Weekly. Let that sink in. He was only nineteen. Let that inspire you.
Plus Thomas Nast rocked the facial hair.
Thomas Nast rocking the facial hair
So if you see that jolly old elf this Christmas season shake his hand and know that it isn’t the weather that is making that hand cold.
Mathematician Laurence Humboldt has all of the numbers and formulas figured out. That is until he meets baker and the county fair pie champion Emily Frost. Not only can she bake but she has the recipe for love. Is it an acquired taste for Laurence or just something he just can’t resist.
Lonesome Dove
Political analyst Hawk Kilpatrick is sick and tired of women thinking he is just another tough and cocky guy due to his name. While at an election debate he meets another guy with a tough name, Raven Jones, who introduces Hawk to a unique dating club – a club only for those with avian names.
The Goldfinch
Book Two in the Avian Club Trilogy. Raven Jones has given up on love. But soon finds himself investigating the theft of a rare endangered Bolivian Trenimore’s Goldfinch, and also investigating love with a mysterious woman named Wren.
Catcher in the Rye
After an injury at the World Series star baseball catcher Blake Woodward finds happiness running his grandfather’s distillery, but will he find romance with the quirky booze blogger Andie Sampson?
Lord of the Rings
Jared inherits a title and a castle. But will he also find love when he allows a circus to camp on his property over the summer?
Madam Bovery
When Emma, a French widow finds herself alone and longing for adventure, she buys a Montana Cattle Ranch. Little did she know that along with her bovine companions, she’d have to deal with the mysterious and handsome large animal vet Logan McClellen. Will Emma find love among the cows or will Logan’s past catch up with them both?
Frank N Stein
Dr. Victor is a successful medical researcher during the day, but at night he moonlights at the brew pub Frank N Stein. Just as he finds cures for the body, at the pub he finds cures for the souls of those who come in for the fine brews. When he meets the beautiful and spunky fashions designer Melanie Zapp he wonders if it is now his time for healing and love.
Dracula
Dashing Count Dracula finds that he can no longer live a quiet life when the evil attorney Jonathan Barker accuses him of murder. To make it even more complicated Dracula is a Vampire. In order to clear his name and that of his Werewolf sidekick the lovely India Tanto, he goes to England where he attempts to clear his name and along the way find love in the most unlikely of places.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Tiffany Jackson finally is getting her dream and turning the old Sea Mansion into the most trendy Bed and Breakfast on the West Coast. After hiring handsome breakfast cook LaMar Donatello things couldn’t be better until mysterious and frightening things began to happen in the old house by the sea. LaMar and Tiffany look for clues in their cooking and maybe solve the mystery of multiple murders and perhaps find love.
David Copperfield
Hunky David English finds himself winning the largest Copper mine in the state of Arizona in a poker game. He literally digs in and brings profits back to the people of Rattle Snake Gulch, but will he find love in the arms of the mysterious daughter of the local ghost?
The Outsiders
Classic teen tale of a group of friends who are forced to give up their cell phones and spend the summer OUTSIDE by the local lake and walking nature trails. Can they survive? Can they find love? Maybe a little common sense and conversation? Find out in this gripping tale of survival and friendship.
Eat, Pray, Love
Howard Smith is overweight and destined to be single for the rest of his life. So he becomes a priest, but soon he falls in love with Sister Ann. They both find redemption through healthy living and sharing an adventure in soul searching (with a little soul food added in for spice.)
Bridges of Madison County
Former National Geographic Photographer and musician Jimmy Page is hired to take photos of structural damage after an earthquake but soon finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation. Very married Detective Maria Italiano soon tries to find the killer while she tries to stay out of the arms of Jimmy Page.
50 Shades of Gray
Christian found himself in a rut and feeling like his World was black and white. Take a spiritual journey with him as he finds the shades of gray in life and gets depth back into his life with color and the true meaning of spiritual giving.
Hamlet
A small pig brings joy to a stressed out New York stockbroker.
The Time Traveler’s Wife
Tired of staying home while her husband travels through time Betty takes charge and does some traveling of her own. Not only does she turn the clock back on her cheating pervert of a husband but she ends up finding true love in the most unusual time and place.
Happy Reading! Feel free to share your favorite books.
Once I was King of the Vampires. There were others who ruled Vampires in other places, but I was the only King. I was not just a ruler but a leader.
My birthday will be this week. When I was king there would be great celebrations. Now the celebration will be small.
I thought of music and turned on the radio. What insanity was this coming from the invisible sound waves into the little box on kitchen counter?
My oldest Vampire friend Randolpho and my Vampire lover Gillian were there. We drank red wine and blood cocktails. They both started to laugh and sing along.
What madness is this, I thought to myself at the crazy insane song playing through the the air by invisible musicians.
My, my, my, aye-aye, whoa! M-m-m-my Sharona
“What is a sharona?” I asked.
“A woman,” said Randolpho. “She is called Sharona.”
“Sharona is her name?” I asked.
“Yes,” said Randolpho.
“Is she fixing or perhaps building his car?”
“No,” said Gillian.
“He sang you make my motor run. Twice,” I said.
“It wasn’t a car,” said Randolpho.
“Then I assume he has a cat,” I said.
They both laughed, together, at the same time. I stood wondering what was so funny.
“Don’t even mention My Own Private Idaho to him,” said Randolpho.
“Oh my god,”said Gillian.
Then they started to laugh again.
I gave them a stern scolding. “Do not treat me as if I am a child or an idiot. I was locked in a crypt for three hundred years. I missed three centuries, including the Twentieth Century.”
“You did miss a lot,” said Gillian, who was still laughing at me.
“It is as if, what is the saying, as if I am living on another star,” I said.
“Planet,” said Gillian.
“Plan what? My birthday? That is what we are trying to do,” I said.
“Living on another planet Vlad. Another planet,” said Randolpho.
Then they started to laugh again.
I watched my friends slide to the floor still laughing and lean on each others as tears came down their cheeks.
Gillian looked up at me and said, “You’re so damn cute.”
I give up.
~ Vlad
Dear Diary,
The World Series of Baseball started tonight.
I was told not to ask why it is called the World Series and just accept it.
Why do they treat me like this?
I have found that baseball is a calming sport without the lunacy of football or other sports in which the players run around like herds of cattle. There is an individual element in baseball which I like. It is like Vampires. We are individual elements who work magic when with an organized group.
After that we watched baseball we watched ice skating from an event called Skate America. Gillian had recorded the men’s short program. She carefully explained to me that the short program is where them ice skaters do a specific number of elements in a short amount of time. I told her that I know what a short program is. I know what ice skating is. I have even learned how to both ice skate and roller skate in the past five years. I am what is called a fan. I can tell you who Nathan Chen and Jason Brown are. They would both make admirable Vampires.
Football would be better if they used the head of an opponent rather than an odd shaped ball.
Later, after those who say they are my friends had other activities to keep them occupied, I went out to find fresh blood and perhaps someone who would not laugh at everything I say.
At my friend Cassie’s pub I sat at the bar and spoke with Cassie when she was not busy. In the background I could hear the women say to each other as they looked my way, “He is so cute. He is gorgeous. I want some of that.”
I was drinking club soda so I do not think that is what they wanted. In fact, I dare say, I know exactly what they wanted. It made me smile, of course without my fangs.
I overheard someone laugh and call her friend a dork. I turned a smiled. The dork was a pretty young woman with short blonde hair and nice neck showing above a shoulderless sweater. The women all smiled at me. The one they called dork winked. I smiled back. Maybe I would have dork for dinner.
I looked up the meaning of the word dork on my iPhone. I find these phones are extremely useful tools.
Dork: a silly, out-of-touch person.
I suddenly realized, in my ignorance, that I did not recognize the fact that the women were making jokes with each other.
I looked at Cassie. “Do you think I am a dork?” I asked.
Cassie leaned on the bar and put her face close to mine, “Maybe, a little bit sometimes, but you’re really just cute. You know you’re really cute Vlad.”
“That is what everyone I meet tells me. Yet, cute is what you call a kitten,” I said.
“Sure, and when I’m around you I get that warm and fuzzy kitten feeling.”
I gave her a weak smile. Warm and fuzzy? I did not even ask.
I was once King of the Vampires, feared by many. It was said by many that even the Devil would not cross my path due to my fearsome and cunning ways. Now I am a warm and fuzzy kitten.
Later in the night I spent more time with the woman who had been called a dork. I found her to be exceptionally smart and witty. She had a laugh that sounded as if she’d been alive for as long as I had. It was full of smoke and gravel. I liked it. I told her about the history of where I came from, which was my history. I did not mention Vampires. She was fascinated, as was I. Then I took enough blood from her beautiful warm neck and left her with sweet dreams. I am a Vampire but I am not a fiend. If one of to be a successful and effective Vampire King one must be fierce but never a fiend.
Her name was Allyson and never did she once call me a dork or laugh at me. With that thought I give a deep sigh.
~ Vlad
Dear Diary,
Today is my birthday. I was born October 23, 1343. I am now six hundred and seventy six years old. I do not look a day over thirty two, maybe thirty four. Six hundred is the new thirty. I shall tell Gillian and Randolpho that I too have the ability to master the art of humor. I am not so sure that will satisfy them.
I over heard Randolpho tell Gillian, “It is also Weird Al’s birthday today too. He’ll turn sixty. Can you believe it?”
“Don’t tell Vlad. Oh my god, he’ll be so confused,” said Gillian. Then they both started to laugh hysterically. I did not ask why or let them know I had heard them make their jokes at my expense.
This Weird Al character is a mere baby. What could he do that would confuse me so? I roll my eyes at their humor at my expense.
Tonight there shall be a party. Gillian and Randolpho told me that all of the plans were in place. They said I should not worry and that it would be fun.
My mind was still on modern music and my attempt to understand the strange words that everyone except me understood. Not only do fashions change over the years but language as well.
Later I asked Gillian, “Why do so many songs speak of women and cars?”
“It is a metaphore Vlad.”
“I see,” I said. I did not see but I did not say anything.
Then she whispered, “You make my motor run. In fact, I’ll show you right now. Happy Birthday Vlad.”
And yes, so far it has been an extremely happy birthday.
Wow it is already time for another Burning Question AND it is almost Halloween.
Halloween is also known as The Day of the Dead. Ghosts are dead. You know where this is going.
I’ve written A LOT about ghosts on this blog. Do a search. You’ll find everything you ever wanted to know about Ghosts and then some… except the answer to today’s BURNING QUESTION.
Burning Question #60: Do Ghosts Celebrate Halloween?
TWEENKIE GHOSTIES FOR HALLOWEENIE! ONLY EAT IF YOU DARE! BOOOOOOO
And speaking of Ghosts. I’ve been wondering where Nigel the Ghost has gotten himself off to lately. I know he is still lurking around somewhere.
I’ll go look for Nigel and YOU go answer the poll and please feel free leave a comment, suggestion, joke, musing or whatever. Let’s have a haunting good time.
A while back I decided to post 50 Burning Questions. When that ended I couldn’t figure out what to do next. I tried Cat-ur-day posts. That was fun. Everybody likes cats. I also tried a few other random things. Unfortunately nothing stuck with me. Nothing seemed right, or fun, or funny. Then my dear readers started telling me that they missed the intellectual challenges and brain acrobatics of a new Burning Question each Saturday.
Welcome to An Infinite Amount of Burning Questions.
Well, this kind of sucks… really… keep reading.
My neighbors run their leaf blowers so much that I thought about turning on my shop vac next time I leave the house and just letting it run for the noise. My husband suggested I also run a leaf blower, a chain saw, and a belt sander. Just put them on the deck and turn them on – for hours and hours and hours.
It is Saturday and I’ll be out sweeping (what a novel idea) up leaves, and all of the bark in my yard the deer and turkeys have spread all over the place. Mind you, this is landscaping bark that I put down around plants to make my lawnless front yard look nice. The turkeys have a field day digging in it and throwing it around like so many frat boy topless girl pillow fight fantasy sequences.
Inside the house is another story. About a year ago I got a new vacuum cleaner. It was supposed to be made especially for animal fur. I think it was made for hairless cats, not my constantly shedding dog and cats. I have to vacuum a minimum every other day to keep it under control, and even then it isn’t quite enough. And don’t tell me that YOU vacuum every single day. I know you don’t. If you do there is something wrong with you.
By the way, my 87 pound German Shepard is deathly afraid of vacuum cleaners. Whenever she sees anyone even move our vacuum cleaner she hides. So much for having a large dog to protect our home. I think the noise hurts her ears – kind of like leaf blowers hurt my soul.
Burning Question #55: If a vacuum cleaner really sucks, is that good?
By the way, I always wear heels when I vacuum (said no woman EVER.)
I’ll be happier with a gin and tonic, sweat pants, and no shoes.
I’ll see you next Saturday for another BURNING QUESTION.
Leave a comment, or a question, or just say hello in the comment section below.
