Oct 24, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Last week it was cloudy. Windy. A bit rainy. And, yup. A carnival came to town. Did I go? Puh-leese. Do ducks eat hippopotamus? Of course not. I’m all for a good scare, but on my own terms. I certainly don’t need my own version of Something Wicked This Way Comes.
But all y’all know I love thriller suspense and ghost stories, yah? I’m not talking those icky, gory, demon-possessed movies, although I wouldn’t mind seeing Stephen King’s IT before it leaves theatres. [Note to self: buy movie ticket for friends. There’s safety in numbers.]
So for those moments I can’t find someone to go to the movies with, [translate: Ain’t no one wanting to sit next to me when I get scared. I go home still scared. They go home with bruised and decirculated limbs.] it’s safer for everyone when I hunker down in the soft chair and read a good book.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Two Books to Read
This time of year, my two go-to favorites are The Haunting of America by Jean Anderson, and Great Southern Mysteries by E. Randall Floyd.
I didn’t have a passion for the South (that I know of) until the last five or so years. It tickled into me as I began to write NOLA, and grew into my lifeblood as I attended the Blue Ridge conference and met so many wonderful Southern people I now consider family. But looking back, it’s evident I have always been a displaced Southerner. [Read: By The Pricking of My Thumb.] It’s spooky how something from my childhood could be reclaimed with such impetus; how something I was unaware of took root decades before I recognized its force in my life.
I’ve been reading The Haunting of America since I was in grade school. I used to check it out of the libraries regularly. Remember when you’d sign your name on the lined card and the librarian would date stamp it so you’d know when to return it? My librarian always joked I should just keep the book for as often as I checked it out. The card had my name, my name, my name, someone else–wait, what?! Someone else dared to borrow my book from the library? I was appalled. Worse, I was restless. There was no substitute. It was a long two weeks before I had my treasured book back in my hands. Some years ago I was thrilled–no pun intended–to find a used copy on Amazon. Needless to say, it was a short two days before I had my treasured book back in my hands.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Marie Laveau
The Haunting of America is a collection of 24 “true” ghost stories. It’s written for children, but adults will appreciate it as well. It’s where I first met the Gray Man and Marie Laveau. It affirmed what I already knew about Lincoln, and orbs. And it’s where I first visited the Winchester Mystery House. Each story is just a few pages long, making them easy to read, and just as easy to thrill.
Great Southern Mysteries is another collection of short ghost stories, but this is written for adults. The Riddle of the Mounds and In Search of Cofitachequi are just two of the unexplained happenings that fill the book. Lost islands, Flight 19, ghost lights.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Riddle of the Mounds
The Gray Man and Marie Laveau are here, too.
The beauty of short story collections is you can reread only the ones you know will raise the hair on all y’all’s cackles. Which, come to think of it, is every story.
What do you like to reread this time of year?
TWEET THIS: Two books to read this week. @MollyJoRealy #amreading #mystery #haunts
With a reading lamp and security blanket,
Happy haunts!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Oct 30, 2012 |
I just filled out my ballot. I’m an absentee voter. It helps, because I don’t have to face long lines and crowded rooms (neither of which agree with me unless it’s at Disneyland).
It will go in the mail tomorrow, to be delivered in a timely manner to the Registrar of Voters.
You’ve heard me say it a lot. In fact, if you’re around any of my family lately, you’ve heard us all say it. A lot.
VOTE.
America is at a crossroads right now. It’s not just differing opinions. Politics are getting uglier and more conniving. I’m not talking about just the ads. I’m talking about how the elected are taking care of themselves when they should be taking care of business.
It’s so important that you choose the best candidate to keep America strong, and to rebuild what’s been weakened.
I’m not here to tell you the simple answer. Because there isn’t one. The solution to my struggles is the same for you, because your struggles are different. My views on life may not be the same as yours.
The important thing is that you find your voice. Take a stand.
VOTE.
For the last few Presidential elections, there’s been a sense of apathy that we can no longer afford. Too many people are taking the easy way out, shrugging their shoulders and then complaining when things don’t get better.
I urge you, I plead with you, please:
VOTE.
There is nothing more important we can do for our country, our states, our governments, our economy, and our future.
Don’t just choose the pretty names or the candidates with the most signs. Learn what they stand for. Make sure you choose the one that will best represent your interests for long-term success.
Read. Research. And cast it.
VOTE.
No. Matter. What.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 23, 2012 |
The debates are over. In two weeks, America will chose a President. Will he be the same one we’ve had for four years, or someone new?
The polls are neck-and-neck on this one. Every day sees a slight change for this, a small hope for that.
Contests and conversations are everywhere. Jet-Blu is offering free flights if your candidate doesn’t win. 7-Eleven is running their “7-Election” coffee campaign. Front yards, wire poles, and every print ad in America right now seems to have an opinion.
There is no perfect candidate. There is no one person who will come in and miraculously fix what’s wrong. America is not perfect. But let’s also admit that not everything is wrong. Somethings will take a while to fix, somethings aren’t really broken.
There are a few thoughts that have bothered me in this political season.
- I’ve heard people say their vote won’t count, so they just won’t vote. Whether their candidate is the underdog, or not on the list at all, they’re opting to abstain from voting altogether.
- I’ve heard people say that since the choice is “the lesser of two evils”, they will vote for a Candidate “C”… someone who has their values and principles but no chance of winning.
- I’ve heard people complain about the extreme negativity this season. It must be true… I’ve seen complaints and finger-pointing all over Facebook. (When did it become unacceptable or “stupid” to have a different opinion?)
I care very deeply about being an American. I’m proud to be American. I love living in America.
Please. Don’t throw your vote away on a third candidate. Don’t sit and do nothing.
Between the two top choices, pick the one who best represents your beliefs and issues, and VOTE.
Oh, and the same goes for your local governments as well. A President has to start somewhere. The person you put in local office today could be your Executive Leader tomorrow.
So please. Choose wisely. And VOTE.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!!
