I’m undecided on The Beatles thing. It feels too much of a one-upmanship docudrama attempt. Maybe later… maybe not.

Just finished season three of Stranger Things with the kids. I asked some questions, then we watched some season four trailers. It seeeems okay?!? IDK. But I do give them top marks for the creative change and new location. I just don’t like that those relationships were torn apart by the move to California. I hope it works. TBD.

Just watched an autopsy show called, iCrocodile. Love that stuff. Buggars have a second, transparent eyelid that allows them to see under water. They can see in colour, underwater, and can fully open their pupils at night, giving them night vision as well. Add in their keen sense of smell, something like four hundred movement sensory capsules along their snout, and a four THOUSAND pound bite force, well, damn. Reminds me of my MIL.

Once wrote a story about a badly behaving husband who almost got taken by a croc or gator on a Floridian golf course. For the life of me, I can’t recall the name of that story. I think it had five parts. Oh well.

Floridian Swing. That was the dirty beastie.

Nothing new out there in TV land is really exciting me. Not motivated to watch anything. I enjoy Yellowstone but it’s become too much like a Mexican soap opera with unbelievable drama to match. Too much stuff is happening that would and could not happen without accountability, which on this show, there is next to none. I guess they’ve crossed that line for me. Season three’s finale jumped the shark. I’m not sure when or what specifically it was, that whole ending just happened. I don’t see JellyStone recovering for me, unless Yogi and BooBoo become regular cast members.

Quote by verbal

Fairly chill T Day. Frankly, I’ve done turkey dinner so many times it’s easy and nearly foolproof (despite my own foolish nature) by now. Small group at the table, so a slimmed down menu. Here’s a first: Talia makes a homemade cranberry sauce I actually like.

Verbs & Talia’s new Thanksgiving tradition. Cranberry Sauce is code for poultry cosplay.

Quote by verbal

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

My favorite holiday: good food and togetherness and traditions, without all the presents and drama of Christmas. Making stuffing today, brining the turko tonight. Hope the coyote doesn't get to it when I set it outside. I'm gonna station the cats to guard it. They don't do enough work around here.

Writing a newsletter today, so no novel progress again til Friday.

Coffee and a cookie in the shape of gratitude.

I saw a guy beat the hell out of a coyote that tried to take one of his dogs from his urban, residential front yard. The coyote grabbed the dog just before the guy reached his dog. He pounced on both canids, startling the coyote. It released the dog and the guy repeatedly punched the coyote in the head. The video then ended. I’m assuming they ate coyote burgers that night. The video reminded me of the Aussie dude that got into a fist fight with a kangaroo after the roo grabbed and held the guy’s dog.

The other night, two coyotes stalked us while we walked our dogs. All safely got home. I’ve often wondered how I’d react if a coyote tried to take one of ours. We would first pick up our digs if the coyotes got too close. We’d then get to the nearest home and ring their doorbell, hoping they’d let us in, especially if the coyotes still followed us. That’s the safety plan. However, I get the feeling if the dogs were being carried by others, and the coyote still approached and/or stalked and definitely if it/they attacked, things would be handled differently.

I’d go for it’s tail and swing that predatory bastard like an Olympic hammer thrower before I either released it into the air or slammed it head first into a fence post, tree trunk, or concrete sidewalk. Yah, it’s not a vision or thought I enjoy, but it visits me every time I walk the dogs. Purposeful preservation, I suppose.

Something strong to tend to this delusional white dad saviour complex, please. Hazelnut coffee with a Metamucil chaser, perhaps? 😜

It’s been thirty years. I can’t believe it. Today is the thirtieth anniversary of Freddie Mercury’s passing. I truly miss that man and THAT voice.

Ring your bicycle bells if you’ve got ‘em.

Quote by verbal

Ooh, almost forgot. This one's a self portrait. Note the goatee.

Two surprising things: THAT verdict and the proximity that electrical outlet is to your shower. Yikes. While standing in your shower, you can reach the outlet. Unless the picture’s perspective is off, that is a huge building code violation. And back to the news… That verdict. Wow. How?

Cheese and crackers, please. Any kind will do. Some ice water too.

Quote by verbal

Quote by Ping

Quote by verbal

Quote by Ping

Sixty, six-toed cats.

Solve the meaning or identify the significance of that reference and Verbs will send you a signed copy of his 1985 Verbs’ Beefcake Calendar, with him sporting big ass ‘80’s hair and bombastic ’80’s flair.

Ping, all I can say is, there's the right way, the wrong way, and the Hemming way.

One of the world’s wackiest, that is for certain. You pounced on that like Mike Tyson on ears. Guess you don’t want to part with one of your NYC modelling reminders.

If I can dig up my long-haired NYC head shot from back in the day, I promise to post it for 24 hours. You will, I promise, be highly entertained.

200 words to go for the day. Feets don't fail me now.

I knew it. No one who’s lived in NYC and has been arrested three times has not ever had long hair. Since you have a David Gilmour vibe (not the sex toy but just the appearance of being a dildo), 😜 see what I did there, I suspect we’ll see a Pompei concert look, unless you had the shaggy Peter Frampton/Robert Plant mop, or, dare I say, the Art Garfunkel Jew-fro, but my money is on straight, silky-smooth, ankle-length Crystal Gayle locks. You’ll be in drag too.

“… gunna make my brown eyes blue… “

I’ll have what Rump’s having. Geez, I hope he can get back on a regular basis. The change has not be easy for him.

Quote by verbal

Quote by Ping

Sixty, six-toed cats.

Solve the meaning or identify the significance of that reference and Verbs will send you a signed copy of his 1985 Verbs’ Beefcake Calendar, with him sporting big ass ‘80’s hair and bombastic ’80’s flair.

Ping, all I can say is, there's the right way, the wrong way, and the Hemming way.

One of the world’s wackiest, that is for certain. You pounced on that like Mike Tyson on ears. Guess you don’t want to part with one of your NYC modelling reminders.

Sixty, six-toed cats.

Solve the meaning or identify the significance of that reference and Verbs will send you a signed copy of his 1985 Verbs’ Beefcake Calendar, with him sporting big ass ‘80’s hair and bombastic ’80’s flair.

Quote by redwriter

Ping, Given your spooky success I'm sure you could work wonders with a story about cannibals, (long pig) is their main meal.

And just to ahow what a smart a-- I am, it is Bahrain, but surely Canada haven't qualified--oh, boy, we Brits have a great chance.

This footie qualifying thing is beyond me. I don’t know how it works but the announcers from last night’s match were seemingly counting unhatched chickens or pollo (Spanish for chicken?). Next to the Masters in April, the World Cup is my favourite global sporting event. I love the colours, especially now with high definition TV. My favourite team is Cameroon because I like yelling, “Ka-mar-ooooooooooooon!”

Now that I think about it, I’ve written two stories on the above said topic. One is a short funny, the other is dark, sordid, gender-fluid (no innuendo pun intended) soul-searching (and digesting) tale, with contemporary slant and a murderous twist. It even involves Limoncello. Yummy. 🤣

Short bread. Long pork. What’s the difference?

If you don’t know, don’t ever request or eat long pork. I wrote a story about it but never published it. Maybe I should. I will if we have a competition theme pertaining to it. 😉

Sadly, winter is here to stay. This is the first winter in my life that I’m cursing it. I guess I’ve hit that age. Sigh.

So much rain in British Columbia. Sections of major highways, including the Coca Cola highway, as I call it, have been washed away. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen in Canada. Climate changes dictate they do now. Hot and firey in the spring and summer, wet and floody in the fall and winter. Sigh again.

Last night, Team Canada and Mother Nature beat Team Mexico at their own game - devious game day tactics. Canada bested Mexico on and off the pitch yesterday, 2-1 in snowy, -10 C weather, or as we Canuckleheads call it, shorts & T-shirt weather. Mexico then, at the end of the World Cup pre-qualifier match, cleared the sidelines and tried to start a bench-clearing brawl a la hockey. I suppose when in Rome (or hockeyland)…

Canada should be going to Barain/Ba Rain/Brain (come on spell check, help a guy out!) in 2022 for the World Cup.

Have a groovy day everyone!

FINALLY. My kids asked if we can watch Stranger Things. Before, my son found the show ‘too stressful’. He still does. My daughter had zero interest. That’s now changed. Watched the first two episodes last night. Still pretty darn good. Will try to finish the first three seasons before season four gets released in 2022.

Quote by verbal

Quote by Ping

Oh, forgot to mention, just watched Roadrunner on Prime. A documentary about Anthony Bourdain. A highly recommend.

It didn’t reveal much that I didn’t already know. But it was good to see and hear him again. There are questions. How much did Asia A. and their, posthumously according to her, open relationship, push AB over the edge. I believe he was heartbroken when media widely revealed her coziness with another. Tony was a committed romantic in the truest sense. He was always a darkened soul, but he was happy with her until he joined her battle and took the #MeToo movement bit in his mouth. Feinstein is undeniably a wretched beast. But giving someone that much buy-in and then witnessing with the rest of the world her fling, open relationship or not, must have hurt really, really bad. No toxins in his system. He hurt. He hung. He died. I remember it like yesterday. Damn I miss him, just like I miss Freddie Mercury and Robin Williams.

Ooh, ooh, I may watch this tonight! $3! I knew very little about him until this year. I knew of the suicide, and the vague outlines of his persona, but had seen none of the tv shows or read his book. Then I started watching Parts Unknown and was just blown away, particularly after he hits his stride mid season 2 and you realize his true subject is not travel, or food, but the people he meets. And himself, but I don’t mind a little ego in the mix.

I told my youngest daughter I was binging it, and she started laughing loudly and told me I was turning into my Dad (I guess he loved this show, but I didn’t know that). So, another reason to recommend it.

Looking forward to Roadrunner. That, and Ping exclaiming “Oh my God, World War Z is SUCH an atrocious movie!”

I do hope you enjoy this. Tony was as complicated and colourful as he was verbally graceful and poetic.

I swear, if you’ve pushed me off World War Z for the wrong reason, I will egg your house.

BTW, are you familiar with Four Corners? The point where four states meet? I’m tempted. Possibly next year. My panniers hold lots of eggs.

The show is worth the $3. However, you might want to binge more of No Reservations and Parts Unknown before you watch it. You’ll get to better understand him, his ways, and the incredible loss his friends now feel. Several episodes, he brings them along. I love Eric. They were besties. My heart breaks whenever I see him now because I know he’s in pain. Tony also took one of his buddies to Japan. That was a great episode.

Remember - monkey bars. After school. Bring your soft city-boy pampered fists. Ya lilly-livered Martian movie-loving retiree. 😁

Just woke from an after lunch couch nap. Decadent stuff. No school today. Boy is playing Fortnite. Girl is painting cats. Neighbours will be upset. I say, fair game! Keep your darn cats indoors or at the very least, out of our private property yard. If you don’t care that your free-roaming cat will eventually be a coyote appetizer or a road carpet, then you won’t mind some paintball colourant. 🤭 Ah, the girl is actually painting. Ever since we got the dogs, no longer do cats visit our garden and plant beds. Hmm. That’s all I got. Oh, it’s snowing. Remember when people referred to snow as God’s dandruff? Gross.

Quote by verbal

Quote by Ping

Quote by verbal

World War Z is AWFUL. Good book though.

We saw Last Night in Soho and really liked it. Not perfect, but really great performances and set decoration and music. Worth seeing.

We saw Belfast too. Not as memorable, but very good. Best picture Oscar bait.

Really?!? WWZ is awful? 😩 Awful like most The Rock blockbuster albeit entertaining movies or awful like Killer Tomatoes and most things Marvel?

Grumble. Grumble. I really wanted to watch it. I guess I’ll go back to my first pick, Stillwater. Damon can’t be worse than that stupid zoo movie or that even stupider Mars mish-mash… could it/he?

Awful as in I saw it at the DRIVE IN and I still didn't like it. Drive in movies are a mighty low bar: as long as there's dancing popcorn boxes and hot dogs I'm happy. It's mindless, and the book is so good (Mel Brook's son wrote it).

The Martian is stupid!? The Martian!? Thems fighin words.

I think we agree The Rock is pretty silly.

I remember thinking what a stupid movie The Martian was. Poo potatoes et al. IDK. Didn’t see it at a drive in so the bar was set to a mediocre height and it still didn’t clear it.

As I type this, I’m trying to remember the movie. The explosion and the end are the only two other things I recall. Like my memory and writing skills, that flick was mediocre at best. Had they called it, The Mediocre Martian Movie that simpletons might like, I’d have not held it to such a low-lofty standard. But since I can’t remember anything worthwhile about it, I accept your challenge and shall meet you at the monkeys bars after school to throw some hands. 😁

Oh, forgot to mention, just watched Roadrunner on Prime. A documentary about Anthony Bourdain. A highly recommend.

It didn’t reveal much that I didn’t already know. But it was good to see and hear him again. There are questions. How much did Asia A. and their, posthumously according to her, open relationship, push AB over the edge. I believe he was heartbroken when media widely revealed her coziness with another. Tony was a committed romantic in the truest sense. He was always a darkened soul, but he was happy with her until he joined her battle and took the #MeToo movement bit in his mouth. Feinstein is undeniably a wretched beast. But giving someone that much buy-in and then witnessing with the rest of the world her fling, open relationship or not, must have hurt really, really bad. No toxins in his system. He hurt. He hung. He died. I remember it like yesterday. Damn I miss him, just like I miss Freddie Mercury and Robin Williams.

Quote by verbal

World War Z is AWFUL. Good book though.

We saw Last Night in Soho and really liked it. Not perfect, but really great performances and set decoration and music. Worth seeing.

We saw Belfast too. Not as memorable, but very good. Best picture Oscar bait.

Really?!? WWZ is awful? 😩 Awful like most The Rock blockbuster albeit entertaining movies or awful like Killer Tomatoes and most things Marvel?

Grumble. Grumble. I really wanted to watch it. I guess I’ll go back to my first pick, Stillwater. Damon can’t be worse than that stupid zoo movie or that even stupider Mars mish-mash… could it/he?

Currently watching One Night With Adele. Great venue. Griffith Observatory in LA. Dusk to Dark. Gorgeous views of the city.

Succession and Yellowstone later tonight. Good Sunday TV.

Getting ready to watch World War Z. Oh, that Brad Pitt. If he was a preacher, I’d attend mass at his church. 🤣🤣🤣

Quote by WriterGirl

Poppin in while my eyes are working. Ping!! Big congrats! I told you years ago when I first read your stories, your mind reminded me of Quentin Tarantino - brilliant but a little scary

Sweet Violet! What I wouldn't give to roam around in your imagination for a bit! Congratulations to you!

And when Mr Thespian called to tell me the news, I squealed so loudly I burst his eardrums. Hee Hee A heartfelt thank you to Molly, judges, readers, and this site for providing this simple girl from KY a safe place to express myself.

I loved all the entries! Y'all scared the pee out of me! The talent here is incredible!

Ah shucks. Thanks. I do like QT and I’m a fan, but he’s a few leaps and bounds above my pay grade. But I’ll take the compliment nonetheless. Hugs. 😊

Chillin’ with the kids watching Killing Eve. Winter is coming. Might get snow today. I’ve always joked about how I fear my young daughter. Sleep with one eye open, I does. No surprise she loves the show.

Well, woke this morning with the Folgers jingle in my head. “The best part of waking up, is with Folgers in your cup.” Molly’s news is a close second. Congrats to all and thanks to the rest.

BTW, I left a big bottle of extra strength Irish cream at the bar for your coffees. Enjoy!

Have a groovy weekend everyone!

Well, how did that happen?

Like I said before, there is something about this genre that brings out a special creativity in people. I guess we all have our spooky passions.

Thanks to Molly, the judges, and all the others behind the scenes. And thanks to all that entered and read our stories.

Comps are fun!!!

Quote by CuriousAnnie

I should mention my entry, Tales From the Crypt: Downunder Edition

Okay, fine. Verbs, ya big chicken. Annie, you have a dirty mind. I’ve seen it 😇

Fine. Double fine. I’ll bring it up.

The double entendre of this thread’s title is hilarious! If Vanessa was here, she’d be on top of this, like a something on a subthing. 😳

Point Break.

I was channel surfing (unintended pun) while watching something else (I can’t recall what) and landed on a show discussing cult movies. It talked about this one. Never saw it before. Didn’t know anything about it other that Keanu had cheesy lines, the blood looked fake, it was filled with clichés, and it had my favourite movie uncle actor, Gary Busey (remember him in Silver Bullet? Love the chemistry between him and young Corey Haim of Lost Boys fame).

Anyway, as early-Keanu-Reeves-movie-feeling it had, it was far better than expected. Patrick Swayze was excellent. Watching him full of life made me sad. I was never a hardcore fan, but I adored him in this flick. Maybe Matthew Alright, alright, alright, could have played this role, but Patrick was charismatic and mesmerizing. I liked his long, surfer hair and the darkness he brought to the role. It was as dark as he was f’n creepy in Donnie Darko.

I judge movies by what they leave me with. The more I think about them, the more I want to think about them. And that I like. This movie moved me in a weird, unexpected way. It was cheesy, for certain. But there are a few underlying messages that have got me pondering on this thing. It garnered a whole new respect for Patrick. I am even more saddened by his passing, and especially saddened for his fans.

Suspend your beliefs and absorb. But there is lots of reality in this one. James Cameron? Really? Katheryn Bigalow? No way. Yup. This was one of theirs. I was shocked. When I watch it again someday, I’ll watch with a more analytical eye. But for now…

One more.

Here’s another…

I’m trying to post a northern lights pic. Hope it works… IT WORKED!

Quote by redwriter

Hi Everyone, Just back from a first drive since my cataract op last week. Driving okay, at least I can see ALL of the road now. But, by hell, the wind's turned chill today. Could I beg a good hot chocolate, please?

Sigh. I want to make a Cadillac joke, but I shouldn't. My most recent visit to my ophthalmologist identified an early clouding on one of my eyes. I'd miss driving if I couldn't. It sounds like your surgery was a success. Unless, of course, you posted this from a police station. "Honest Officer, that two hundred year old oak tree jumped right out in front of me. Is my unicycle okay?"

Finally finished all the comp stories. If it can be thought, it sure as Halloween can happened. That's why the horror movie genre is so popular.

Furnace is getting fixed as I type this. Looks like the flame sensor was just a wee bit too dirty. CPU needs to read a specific number. If it can't, no heat for you!

So... last night. Or more accurately, this morning at 2:30. Woke up. Checked my e-mail. Got an aurora borealis notice. RED ALERT! I woke the boy and we took a short drive to the country, to get away from the city lights.

In all my years, I've never seen such an enthusiastic display for that northern hemisphere dancing radiation. My son was in awe. He's not seen the northern lights as vibrant as they were. So much green and purple rippling across the star-studded sky. Took some amazing pictures with my iPhone. The greens and purples were brilliant. Even thought we got a glimpse of some red too. That's rare. Usually, only see that at higher latitudes. We could have stayed there all night, but he needed more sleep before school. I once wrote a story about a zoo, igloos, polar bears, and northern lights. Good times.

No coffee for me, please. As soon as the furnace tech leaves, I'm going back to bed. Been up since 2:30. I've almost put in a full day and its not even 10:00 am.

Killing Eve, again, from the beginning, but this time, with my daughter.

Quote by verbal

Haven't started writing yet - had a video therapy session today. My therapist actually compared me to Pigpen, the filthy Peanuts character. I plan on suing her.

I believe she compared you to PingPen. Still filthy. Go ahead and sue. Clog the court system with a frivolous lawsuit ya big weenie snowflake. Stick ‘n stones, man. 😉

I’ve got four more stories to read. I think new mom Annie’s is next. It’s interest how creative people can be, especially in a genre like horror.

Furnace is acting up. GMC. Got mechanic coming.

Going up to 8 C this aft. Best I go for a rumble in the concrete jungle with a motorcycle. Not many riding days left.

So, when does the World Series begin? I try to catch a few playoff games each fall. Should be soon, yes?

Same with the Summer Olympics. Tokyo should do well, even without fans. I should see when those start too. Don’t want to miss the good stuff like T ‘n F and football. Canada should do well on the pitch. The women have a solid team.

When’s the Presidential election? That’s sometime in November, isn’t it? I hope Trump goes. Egad. He’s exhausting. If Joe Biden gets nominated, I dearly hope if he wins, he doesn’t fall asleep at any public functions. Because if he does, you just know that ‘Sleepy Joe’ nickname will stick.

Anywho… it’s about that time. Second time today too. Same damn thing happens at exactly the same time twice each day. What a system.

Quote by CuriousAnnie

Evening all, warm here, the first hint of humidity in the air; I think we can safely say it is summer.

I imagine you will find this odd, but today was Melbourne Cup day. Yes a horse race and that meant no work was done after lunch in Australia, and most had their annual flutter on the ponies. Even more remarkably, in the state of Victoria (where Melbourne is) it was a public holiday.

Himself decided to celebrate his first Halloween by sleeping through the night for the first time. It was a tease of course, he so didn't bother to do it again the next night. I am beginning to understand what it means by: 'the days are long and the weeks short.'

You are very fortunate. I miss my babies. Pure innocence. Babies can do no wrong. Cherish every moment. Even the tougher ones. Document stuff too - on a calendar. Good for future reference. First dates. Graduation toasts. Wedding speeches. Stuff to use to manipulate and potentially embarrass. Leverage. Appropriate but blush-inducing baby and toddler bubble bath pictures are the best! 🤣

There’s a place in Columbia that celebrates donkey’s (as seen on VICE), like New Zealand and Scotland celebrate sheep, and the southern US states celebrate family. Is Melbourne Cup Day kinda sorta the same thing? 🤭 Is there a lot of inappropriate horse play in the streets, or is that activity left to the stables?

Foreign cultures and their rituals are fascinating.