My Top 8 Books

 I have an addiction to buying books even though I have a pile of 20-30 books that still need to be read. BUT I have read a few and I decided to list the ones that stick out the most to me. The one's that hit me emotionally and even the ones I didn't particularly enjoy, but yet can't seem to not think about. 

Call of the Wild 

Jack London

The Merciless 

Danielle Vega (Rollins)

The First Gardener

Denise Hildreth

Hannibal Rising

Thomas Harris

The Haunted 

Danielle Vega (Rollins)

Everything's Eventual

Stephen King

Heart Lines

Gemma Troy

Beyond Death

DW Harvey

6 of my Favorite Authors

 I have always loved to read. I would read every book I had and eventually read the newspaper when I ran out of books to read. Of course I prefer some authors over others. I decided to make a list of my top 6 authors. Maybe you've heard of them and read some of their work or maybe you will find your next read.

Jack London

• Call of the Wild
• The Sea Wolf
• White Fang
• To Build a Fire

Edgar Allan Poe

• The Raven
• The Fall of the House of Usher
• The Murders in the Rue Morgue 
• The Tell-Tale Heart

Thomas Harris

• Silence of the Lambs
• Cari Mora
• Black Sunday
• Red Dragon

Rupi Kaur

• Home Body
• The Sun and Her Flowers
• Milk & Honey

William Shakespeare

• The Tempest
• Hamlet
• Mac Beth
• Romeo and Juliet

Danielle Rollins (Vega)

• The Merciless
• The Haunted
• Survive the Night
• Stolen Time

After a Long Day...

 With everything going on in the world it's important to take time out and focus on yourself. Your mind, body, and soul depend on it. 

Things to do after a long-hard day:

• Go for a walk
• Cuddle a pet
• Listen to Disney music (or your favorite artist)
• Watch your favorite movie or tv show 
• Paint something 
• Write 10 things your grateful for
• Do some yoga 
• Meditate
• Eat your favorite food 
• Wash your hair/shower/take a bath
• Put on some comfy PJ's
• Do a face mask
• Read a book 
• Dance 
• Drink some hot/warm tea
• Drink hot chocolate 
• Go to bed early 
• Play a video game 

REMEMBER YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT.

6 Urban Legends and One Of Them Might Be True

 Urban legends are always fun to tell in a darkened room with a flashlight or sitting by a campfire. I remember my brother, two cousins, and I doing just that. We would usually end up scaring ourselves. I decided to pick five of my favorite urban legends and research them and I found out that a small town near where I live actually has a combination of two of these urban legends. I'll tell that one as well.

Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary different origins; the first it is said that Mary is Queen Mary I. The second, a witch named Mary Worth. However, no matter how it started it is a well known urban legend. The original ritual was for a young woman to walk up a flight of stairs backwards holding a candle and a hand mirror. She was then supposed to be able to see the face of her future husband. If she were to see a skull or the face of the grim reaper, it was said she was to die before she could marry. 

The ritual I and many others know however, deprives from the Japanese legend of Hanako-san where a student is to go into the girls bathroom, usually the third floors, go into a stall, knock three times, and ask if the spirit was there. What we know is that you stand in front of the bathroom mirror with only candles lighting the room, spin around three times saying "Bloody Mary." No matter which version you try, it still gives chills.

Lady in White

No matter what version of this urban legend you hear, it is basically all the same. The Lady in White is a legend dating back to medieval times, if not earlier. The woman is said to be wearing a white dress and just roaming around where she has supposedly died. Each culture and place has it's own variation of this legend. 

Slender Man

For some reason Slender Man is my favorite urban legend, even if he did begin as a Creepypasta fictional character. He is said to stalk, kidnap, and kill children. As a matter of fact, this fictional character turned urban legend is the reason behind the Waukesha, Wisconsin stabbings. Two 12 year old girls tracked down a classmate and stabbed her multiple times, killing her. They said Slender Man had told them to or he would kill them and their families. 

Body Under the Bed (True)

What would you do if you were staying in a hotel and a body is under the bed? That has actually happened and is what began this urban legend. The urban legend began in 1991 when a couple started to smell something foul when staying in a hotel. The hotel room was searched thoroughly and wouldn't you know it, there was a body underneath the bed. A person was murdered and hidden underneath a hotel room bed! 1991 was not the only year this happened. The newest case was in 2010. The next time you stay at a hotel, make sure you check under the bed.

Disappearing Hitchhiker 

This urban legend has variations, but they're all the same premise. A hitchhiker flags down a vehicle and gets into the empty seat. But before they reach a certain point in the journey the hitchhiker disappears. Some accounts say they have actually dropped the person off at a destination only to look and the passenger has disappeared as soon as they get out of the car.

Quarter Mile Bridge

Sugar Grove, VA

This urban legend may not be known to many around, however, it is one that's close to home...literally. It combines the legends of Lady in White and the Disappearing Hitchhiker. It is said that when you are going from Sugar Grove towards Troutdale there is a woman wearing a wedding dress. She died on her wedding day in a car crash in the middle of winter and the roads were iced. The woman will get into your car whether you pull over to pick her up or not; as long as you have an empty spot for her. 

The quarter mile bridge is actually two bridges. The first one is where the woman will be and before you're able to make it to the second bridge, the woman will disappear. She supposedly died in between the two bridges and that's where her spirit remains.

Fun Questions From A Random Generator

I decided to try a random question generator and answer the questions. It will tell a little bit about me and I'll get to answer some fun questions. 

What's something you used to like but don't anymore?

Food wise- oatmeal pies and grits other than food, I'm sure there's movies and stuff that I don't really enjoy anymore, but I can't think of them.

What's something that you seem to never get tired of doing?

Watching YouTube videos of paranormal things and watching SVU, Madea movies, and NCIS. And of course I never get tired of watching The Lion King.

Do you have a dream job in mind? 

Counselor, therapist, something around those lines.

What single word would you use to describe this year?

Confusing

What's one thing you think you should be doing more often?

Yoga or meditation

What's your favorite room in your house?

My bedroom. It's just my safe zone. When I do meditate I do in there and I have a fan for when it gets too hot. Several blankets. I keep water near my bed and that's also where I read my books.

What memory have you been thinking about a lot lately?

Almost every memory I have with Pawpaw. Mostly when we went to Dixie Stampede, now Stampede, in Pigeon Forge, TN

Favorite flavor of ice cream and what toppings?

Superman ice cream flavor. However, if I can't have that I like plain vanilla with caramel or hot fudge.

What's the best part of rain?

When it's been hot and the rain cools it off. Or when the rain is just beginning or it's just stopped and you can watch the steam rise off the hot pavement in the summer.

What types of things do you doodle?

Hearts, butterflies, pentagrams (not inverted ones), learn the difference

Movie Marathon- Christmastime

With the weather dreary and COVID on the loose, why not cuddle inside with a nice blanket, some popcorn, and watching some Christmas movies? I personally do not watch a lot of Christmas themed films, however, I wanted to give you an idea for a movie marathon to get you in the Christmas spirit. Or at least give you something to do.😄 

*May contain spoilers*

The Santa Clause 

1994

After Santa falls off his roof, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen)  must make the decision to put on the suit. Once he does, his life is changed. Without a Santa Christmas will cease to exist, it's up to Scott to save it. With Christmas at risk does Calvin make the ultimate decision?

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

1989

Chevy Chase returns as the beloved character Clark Griswold. Clark wants to have the perfect family Christmas, however, leave to the Griswold's, everything goes awry. Be prepared for laughs. 

Elf

2003

After finding out he isn't a real elf, Buddy (Will Ferrell) travels to New York City to find his biological father (James Caan). However, things don't go as planned. As it is, Buddy's father doesn't have Christmas spirit and Buddy finds out there are a lot of those who don't have it. With Christmas at risk of losing it's magic, Buddy must find a way to save the holiday and connect with his father.

Noelle

2019

Anna Kendrick stars as Noelle, the daughter of Santa. After Santa passes away, Noelle must help her brother become the new Santa. However, it doesn't go as planned. Will Noelle's Christmas spirit be enough to turn her brother into Santa or is she destined for something else?

The Polar Express

2004

The Polar Express is captivating film about a magical train travelling to the North Pole. Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, the film follows the train and the children it picks up on the adventure of a lifetime to see Santa take off on Christmas Eve to deliver the gifts. 

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

2005

This film follows the four Pevensies as they travel to a country house during the bombing of London in World War 2. Lucy (Georgie Henley), the youngest of the four, finds a magical wardrobe taking her to the world of Narnia. There she learns the White Witch (Tilda Swinton) has taken over Narnia and made an everlasting winter. The four Pevensies must take their place in the prophecy and join forces with Aslan the lion, voiced by Liam Neeson. Together they must defeat the White Witch. Based on the novel(s) by C.S. Lewis