It's Freaky Friday!  What's freaky?

This:  I have a tween and teenage daughter. They keep me posted on the "important" things going on in the world. Yesterday my 12 year old clued me into the mysterious saga of Marina Joyce.  Marina is a blogger from the UK.  Her video "Date Outfit Ideas", had her fans worried she was in some kind of trouble.  They said she was giving off signs of trouble, looked terrified at certain points of the video, and heard her whisper "help me" at some point.  They also noticed bruises on her arms and back in this video.  It was fun and freaky to follow this story for awhile yesterday, but friends and family of Marina's and Marina herself have stated she is perfectly fine.  Friends and family have also reported that she suffers from schizophrenia, causing her to sometimes see things that aren't there.  Either way, I enjoyed watching her "Date Outfit Ideas" video on you tube.  The girls in the video with her have very cool hair and the dresses are amazing.

This:  Actually, okay, never mind, I'm keeping politics off of this blog.  Fill in this particular freaky Friday with whatever you want.

This:  The Corpse Flower.  The Corpse Flower is in the process of blooming in a NYC botanical center.  It is a rare phenomenon as the corpse flower only blooms once every several years.  The unique thing about this flower is that is smells like rotting flesh, thus the name.  The reason?  To attract pollinators who feed on dead animals.  Oh, to be in NYC and be able to visit this amazing 8 foot tall flower in this process!  Freaky!

This:  This morning when I opened my blog, it was at exactly 4,000 pageviews.  Freaky!  I thought that was cool.  Thank you, readers, for helping my blog reach that mark!  Of course, it is now over that 4,000 mark already, but it was cool to sign on and see it at that nice even round number.  Kind of like when your car odometer turns over to 100,000.

This:  July 29, today, the day the world is supposed to end.....again.  So far, so good.  But there's about 12 more hours to go.  A lot of freaky things could happen in 12 hours!

This:  Muscatine Men in Black.  Earlier this summer, there were several reports of "men in black" along Highway 22 terrorizing motorists by either lurking along the side of the highway or sometimes even stepping out into traffic.  This phenomenon really became well known because of Facebook. My girls and I wanted to investigate this sometime, but the time hasn't been right yet this summer.  I haven't heard much about them since June.  Just a hoax?  Actual mysterious entities?  What do you think?  Freaky.

This:  One of my favorite Facebook pages, Calaveras Coffin Co., was asking for 6 word horror stories.  There were quite a few comments and some were even political, imagine that.  I pondered for awhile, read some other 6 word horror stories, and finally came up with this.  "Raised to be eaten, full grown".  What do you think?  Freaky?  If you have any 6 word horror stories, feel free to share them below.

Enjoy your freaky Friday, friends.  If the world doesn't end today, I'll blog again on Monday!

Witchy Wednesday

Happy mid-week to you.  I'm back into the swing of blogging for awhile, I hope.  I really do enjoy it and Witchy Wednesday gives me a great excuse to browse some incredible witchy fashion and cool places.

Are you a good goth or a bad goth?  Well, either way, you need to check out this site.  Good Goth  I didn't think I was ever going to get around to blogging as I was enjoying browsing the site so much.  I especially like that there is a "Back to Ghoul" section.  Is it really that time already?  So, here are a few faves from my browsing today.



I mentioned "Back to Ghoul".  You know you'll need a backpack.  This one is very "ghoul".

















You'll need to know all the answers, so check out this "All the Answers" ouija pendant.
















Make sure you're "dressed to kill" at school this year with some amazing black tops and jackets.













































Taking art class this year?  Check out this "Color Your Tarot" deck.  I'm not a big supporter of ouija boards, but I do love this "Day of the Dead" ouija.  I think I saw this in a store in Galena once and was so tempted to get it.











Enough with the "Back to Ghoul" for now, unless you are thinking ahead to prom.  Need a dress for the "Cedar Valley Silent Supper"?  Proms or formal dances?  Or are you planning a goth wedding?  Good Goth has plenty of formal attire.  Not all of it is black, some of them have a beautiful wine colored skirt or accent.  You really have to go check them out.  The strapless one is on sale today for about $62 in size large only.  My favorite is the one with the long sleeves and corset at the top.  By the way, these are sold as "sets".














































These boots are also on sale today.  Apparently a customer return, at around $42, I think they are a steal.  They would go perfect with any of the above outfits or maybe with something you already have.  I love that the heel is not too high as I really don't like wearing high heels.

There is so much more for sale on this site.  Things like accessories, tights, shoes (there's a great pair of harlequin high heels), statues, tarot cards, ouija boards, a crystal ball, tons of great goth clothes.  Oh, and mystery bags.  How fun if you like being surprised!

Have fun browsing this Witchy Wednesday, but be sure to get out wearing your best witchy outfit sometime today, too.  Enjoy what's left of summer before "back to ghoul" really hits!

Tarot Tuesday, 7-26-16

Today's card drawn is "The World".

"The World" is a card of completion.  It is signifying that you may be at the end of a journey, a project, or a goal.  Now that you are nearly finished, it is important to push ahead to the end.  Do not quit now. Once you have crossed that finish line, be sure to celebrate with some rest and relaxation, or with an energetic party.  Whichever feels right to you.

Financially, you might find that a blockage you have had is about to break, allowing money to flow in and out of your life more freely.  It is important to not go mad with spending at this point, but to save up for future times.  Be prepared if hard times should hit again.  For now, however, you should be able to rest easier about money and have a more relaxed attitude regarding your financial situation.

Spiritually, you will begin to see things much more clearly. You are on the verge of seeing where you fit in in this universe and what your role is in the world.  Remember you are not insignificant, but are a very important part of this system and how it all works together.  Pay attention to your intuition right now.  Answers will come to you when and where you least expect them.

"The World" also tells us that you may be traveling sometime in the near future.  Whether a short overnight trip or a six month journey abroad, there is the opportunity to meet important people.  Pay attention to alliances made during this time.  While you are closing one chapter or project in your life, after you celebrate, you will be ready to begin another.  The people you meet now will be very important for this next chapter in your life.  Trust your instincts.

I am pleased to announce that "Three Witches", my small divination group (my daughters and I) and a guest reader will be giving readings at the 2016 Pear Fair on September 17.  I will no be reading Tarot this day, but will be reading the Lenormand.  If you have not yet experience a Lenormand reading, this will be your chance to do so.  KD will be answering yes/no questions will her pendulum. KD's pendulum readings have an extremely high accuracy rate.  In fact, I have never known an answer to turn out wrong.  Our guest reader, Elaine Jai O'Tuathail, will be giving animal spirit guide readings.  We will both have our cards available for future more in-depth readings and I will have information about the Cedar Valley Silent Supper there. You can even purchase your reservation for the supper there if you'd like. There might also be a limited supply of  handmade jewelry and artwork for sale.  Mark your calendars.  In addition to what we are providing at the fair, the Pear Fair is an awesome experience with the coolest vendors around!

Have a terrific Tuesday!  I'm off to find some interesting fashion for Witchy Wednesday!

Monday Musings (featuring thoughts about the Bill RIley Talent Search)

Mondays take on a different meaning for this music teacher in the summer months.  Of course, I have kept busy this summer with Camp Musicmania and directing the music for "Singin' in the Rain" not to mention taking a couple of online classes, but I admit I am not up at the crack of dawn, tired and struggling to get back into the swing of the work week.

So, here it is, Monday, and I hope yours is going well so far.

Over the years, my daughters and I have been very involved with the Bill Riley Talent Search that goes on here in Iowa.  Last year, my youngest, KD, decided she wasn't really enjoying them anymore, so she bowed out before last year's State Fair and focused her attention on our community theatre scene, her music lessons and computer coding.  My older daughter, Angelle, decided to do a duet with her very talented alto friend, Sylvia, this summer.  They qualified with a 2nd place win at their 2nd show of the summer and I'm pleased to say they will be performing at the Iowa State Fair.  It's a fabulous act.  We haven't done as many shows as we usually do, just four this summer, but I think the girls have really enjoyed singing together.

Yesterday they performed at a show in Mason City.  It was outdoors and in the sun, so I was so happy to have my parasol from "Calaveras Coffin Co." with me.  I used it and Angelle and Sylvia used it.  It really helped to keep the very hot sun off.

So far it's turned out to be a very useful purchase.

I also ran into a few people from earlier years from my life at this fair in Mason City.  I ran into Carmen, an old friend from the days before I had the girls.  Her 8 year old daughter has been performing in Bill Riley shows this summer.  She was adorable and did a fabulous job.

Then when I went to the car to get my parasol, I heard someone say my name and turned around to see my old college roommate, Patty, who I don't think I've really seen since college. We are facebook friends, so keep up with each other, but wow, to run into her in person was awesome!

I love shows like this, where it isn't the competition that is the most important, but the people you meet and see and the adventures you have that make the day.  I also had a nice talk with the sound engineer whose parents had been married by Bill Riley Sr's dad.  He told me a very touching story about a photo of Bill Riley Sr. he had run across in his mom's possessions when she passed away.  He blew up the photo and gave it to Bill Riley Jr. at a show.  I guess it was quite the wonderful, emotional moment for Bill Riley Jr.

Angelle is going to be a senior this year.  I'm sure she will still perform for the Bill Riley shows again, hopefully until she's too old to do them anymore, but I know that my own Bill Riley days are nearing an end as she gets older and KD doesn't have interest in them anymore.  I will enjoy the years I have left with them to the fullest and do my best to stay focused on what's important, and my friends, that is NOT the competition.  I want to say I am thankful for the people I've met over the years (10 years of Bill Riley competitions now) and the great experiences I've had.  I've been able to see more of this beautiful state I live in and experience some great county fairs and events.  I don't think many other experiences come close to what this has been for us.  Thank you, Bill Riley, for continuing this great tradition started by your father.

Last Tuesday, my sister and her husband came up and we took a little road trip so they could make some of their "Iowa Treasures" videos.  We went to the "Field of Dreams" movie site and then on to Dubuque.  In Dubuque we went on the "Fenelon Place Elevator".  It is a cable car that takes you down a very steep bluff where there are the most adorable shops at the bottom.  Right away, the girls and I saw a sign for psychic readings.  For $10 you could get your palms read, so we tried to do it, but the psychic never answered her door.  So, after that, we found a great shop called the "I Am Center".  I could tell it was something we would be interested in from the sign.  We went in and enjoyed looking at the crystals and other magickal and new age items.  The owner was super nice and gave us a tour of the place.  It was absolutely huge and gorgeous!  They have a studio for tai chi and yoga, a room for foot detox, a room for reiki and massage, a room for reflexology treatments, and a room with two mind machines.  We are very intrigued by the mind machines.  They apparently sync with your brain waves and you wear headphones and goggles for a sensory experience to enhance whatever it is you're trying to enhance.  We looked at the "menu" and there were things like "music creativity", "reduce stress", "effective test taking", etc.  The hardest part would probably be choosing which experience to have.  We were so impressed by the "Cable Car Square District" in Dubuque, Iowa, that we are planning on taking a weekend trip there sometime.  Of course, we hope to get our palms read, but we also want to take advantage of some of the treatments at the "I Am Center" and I am dying to try the mind machine.  Angelle purchased a lovely tiger eye bracelet there, KD got a couple of cool crystals, and I got a tiny goldstone skull.  It's a great shop so if you're ever in Dubuque, I recommend you check it out and the other cool shops around there.  And be sure to ride the elevator. It's only $3 round trip.

Summer is for adventures and I've had many. We still have a month left of summer.  I prefer the glass half full perspective and refuse to say we ONLY have a month left.  So much can happen in a month, and I'm expecting many more adventures.  I hope you have an adventure or two this week.  Feel free to share them in the comments below.

Freaky Friday

Well, if you're reading this, you made it to the end of the week.  If you're not, well, then, never mind because you're not reading this anyway.

It's Friday!  What's freaky?

This:  Pokemon Go.  I admit it.  I'm a player and a fan.  Pros: I walk more with my girls who also like to play.  Cons:  It's a battery and a data drainer.  Darn.  We will just have to make sure we play in wi-fi areas.  Isn't it just a little bit freaky how quickly it took off and how many people you see out late at night playing?
This:  It's just 100 days until Halloween!! Enough said.







This:  I just found out that KD and I (and possibly a special guest reader) will be reading fortunes at the 2016 "Pear Fair" put on by one of our favorite businesses, "Mohair Pear".  Mark your calendars for September 17 starting at 11:00 a.m.  They have the most unique vendors and last year we all got henna tattoos.  This year you can also have your fortune told by "Three Witches" - US!!  We will have information there about the "Silent Supper" as well and will be selling reservations.  STOP BY!!  I'm so excited about this, it's freaky!!

This:  Having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave.  It's really hot out there. So hot, it's freaky.   With a heat index of 100-115, it's way too hot and I don't like it.  Give me 20 below any day!!

This:  "Stranger Things" on Netflix.  Featuring Winona Ryder as the mom, I've watched all 8 episodes and it's really freaky.  Also appropriate for younger tweens and teenagers, which is kind of unusual these days.  Check it out.  It's freaky.

So, that's what I find to be freaky today.  What about you?  What's freaky in your world?  Stay freaky this fine Friday and have an awesome weekend!

Witchy Wednesday

Happy Witchy Wednesday, everyone!!

Today I woke up with Halloween on my mind.  I know it's still summer and today we are in a heat index warning, but I'm staying cool by dreaming about my favorite time of year and the events it will bring.

The Cedar Valley Silent Supper (2nd annual) is in the planning stages.  Mark your calendar for October 30 at 6:30 p.m.  Also in the works is the possibility of a seance this October.  I'm excited to see our Halloween celebrations grow from year to year.  My goal is to bring a little bit of Salem to the Cedar Valley.

Today I found a great site called Vampire Freaks Store.  There's so much fun and witchy stuff on this site I can't even begin to show them all to you, but I will share a few favorites.  The prices are quite reasonable, too, so if you have Halloween on the brain today, go check out this cool stuff, especially the clearance and costume sections.


I always loved the angel wing tee-shirts, but this demon wing tee-shirt is even better.

I love dramatic dresses, so here are a few.  The night air dress with the flowing sleeves, the skeletons and roses flare skirt dress, the velvet hi-low dress (perfect for fall and winter) and my favorite, the Poe inspired dress.























Speaking of dramatic, how awesome is this bat-wing hooded tunic?  The design glows in the dark.  I just LOVE this shirt!














Don't forget about accessories!  Shoes and tights make the outfit!  The shoes here were both on clearance, so go check out the very reasonable prices.  And they have striped tights in various colors. I like them in green.





















Have you begun thinking about your Halloween costume?  Vampire Freaks Store has a whole section of great Halloween costumes.  Three of my favorites are the Morticia costume, the Dark Mad Hatter costume, and of course, the one I might just have to actually wear this year, the Salem Witch costume, complete with noose.


So, what do you think?  Are you dreaming of Halloween yet?  Or just dreaming of dressing witchy? Check out this site and pair one of the awesome dramatic dresses with one of the parasols from the Calaveras Coffin Co. I featured last week.  You'll be the most stylish witch in town.

Witchy Wednesday

I'm back!!  I haven't blogged in forever, it seems. When school got out for summer, I had a week of teaching at Camp Musicmania, directing the music for "Singin' in the Rain", plus online classes to take for recertification.  Blogging had to be put on the back burner, but I've missed it.

I am getting excited because my daughters and I have begun organizing the second annual Cedar Valley Silent Supper.  I'm even running a contest on Facebook to get more people to like our page. If you would like a chance to win your spot at the silent supper for free, like our page on Facebook and as soon as our page reaches 200 likes, I will draw a winner.  If it reaches 300 likes I will draw another. Be sure to follow the directions on the post that says "contest time". Here is the link to our page:  Cedar Valley Silent Supper

So for Witchy Wednesday today, I thought I would share with you another great page on Facebook. The Calaveras Coffin Co.  Here is the link to their page: Calaveras Coffin Co.

The Calaveras Coffin Co. has alot of great things for sale.  I just recently got my black and white damask bat parasol in the mail.  I love it!!  I can't wait to use it at the State Fair to block out the sun.




This is the one I have.  They also have this one in purple, one just black and white without the damask panels, and a brown and white one, too.


I believe this company got started by making coffin shaped shelves, boxes, etc.  I love the Halloween themed items she is now selling.  I will share some of their products that caught my attention.


Coffins:  This is a side view of one of their hand-made coffins.  Usually they are made into book shelves or boxes.
















Masks.  They have many beautiful filigree laser cut masks.  These are just two examples,  You really need to see them all.




























Lace and ponchos!!
So cool!  I love that bat poncho so much!












Accessories!!  Cute earrings, necklaces and hair ties.  There are sugar skull hair bows, bat hair bows, cute jackolantern hair bows.  Several designs to choose from!

So be witchy today, my friends.  Go to Facebook, like the Cedar Valley Silent Supper page and enter the contest.  Check out the Calaveras Coffin Co. page while you are there.  Have a wonderful witchy Wednesday!!