Enchanting Abandoned Witch House Of A Famous Artist - What Happened Here?

Since this video is long, I watched it at a higher rate of speed. Old, abandoned structures fascinate me and I felt my time well spent.

Blue Meanie Blues

While driving my husband last Thursday I saw a dashboard warning light on our beloved 2017 Chevrolet Volt, nicknamed the Blue Meanie, but said nothing until an alarm sounded. We went on with our lunch plans hoping it was a glitch. Alas, our OnStar service’s remote diagnostic showed the electric hybrid’s battery recharging module faulty.

I really embraced the Yellow Submarine esthetic...

At home the air started to smell like a hot oven. Suspicious, I backed Blue Meanie out of the garage and discovered heat emanating through the left front fender next to the charging port. Lifting the hood, I could only hope the hot spots cooled down.

That mysterious tank circled in red held hot fluid...

Eventually I felt comfortable pulling into the garage

without risking fire. While the hybrid vehicle can run

on gasoline alone we didn’t want to take chances and

called a tow truck the next day. Our OnStar

subscription also covers roadside assistance four times

a year, which is awesome, and scheduling was easy

via a smart phone app.

The friendly driver did a good job securing ‘her’ on his

flatbed and an email notified us when the dealership

repair shop took custody Friday afternoon for our

Monday morning appointment. Blessedly, my husband

gambled on paying for an extended warranty when we

got the car in 2019, so everything should be covered.

This whole experience with current technology, while

convenient, makes me wonder if I should seek out a

make and model from my youth. Perhaps my high

school auto shop class would keep it on the road in case

of catastrophe.

As it is, I might as well have signed up for “The Care

and Feeding of Your Wooly Mammoth”.

Isn’t it rather pathetic I consulted the car’s manual

before I could lift the hood? Doesn’t the engine

compartment look like one of Elon Musk’s science

fair projects?

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A Movie Review – & – Mixed Signals

Having heard stellar reviews regarding “Godzilla Minus One”, this childhood fan planned attending solo; my husband hates reading subtitles. Our friend Scars, not really a movie fan, surprised me by offering to attend.

I found headlining actor Ryûnosuke Kamiki
enthralling in more ways than one... Heh...

The film featured some of my favorite elements. A simple tale enhanced by historical reality, interesting character development, and lack of obvious computer generated imagery provided me great entertainment.

Unable to hang out afterward and talk, I’m unsure if Scars would agree as wholeheartedly. He needed to go home and treat increasing leg pain from his lifelong battle with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. That would certainly distract me from entertainment, not to mention the fact he’s facing another joint replacement surgery.

Before we parted he did, however, urge I attend a local self/public defense training course with a nationally renowned instructor he’d like me to meet. Flattered, I explained the prohibitive cost. He replied that this would be his gift for many past birthdays and Christmas’s we missed.

I decided leaving my comfort zone and the course itself would benefit me and, after talking to my husband, offered an agreement. In lieu of monetary compensation I would occasionally assist him and his father following surgery. Then last night Scars sent a text message that the simulated confrontations could be stressful. And his niece might attend, he added.

Would such an exemption make you offended or glad? Should I press for this new adventure?

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Concessions

Well, I’ve conceded to technical blogging issues and started signing off as “- Darla”. Fighting the comment failure rate has proven a ridiculous time waster. I’ve even begun this practice on my own blog.

At least most bloggers know I often use tildes. So far, bots and/or scammers do not.

~fingers crossed I didn’t give out ideas~

Then I wondered about the definition of concession stands. Here is the derivation: from the tiniest community sites to giant stadiums, owners grant vendors permission rights. In other words, these larger institutions concede.

Isn’t modern technology both a boon and burden? Have you ever or would you like to start up a small business?



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Envious, Curious, Freaky, & Ultimately Cozy

A few days ago I popped out for some fresh vegetables and fruit. When my path is clear I like glancing around at houses. Deck systems and porches overlooking water features spark my envy. Ah, well.

Cutie mandarins; one of my tasty purchases...

What makes me curious is how seldom I see outdoor spaces being used. The single solitary person standing outside last Sunday was taking a cigarette break. I embrace every opportunity even during inclement weather.

Changing things up, here is my review of the body swapping film “Freaky”. The premise is old, of course. 1976’s and 2003’s “Freaky Friday” plus the very different eighties flick “Dream a Little Dream” come immediately to mind.

This 2020 film’s unique antics involve a serial killer and teen-aged girl. I’ve been curious to watch and took the chance after my husband fell asleep. I chose well. Its rather unusual R rating provided horrific elements; the single note humor would have bored him.

My praise centers on Vince Vaughn portraying a ditzy high school student. He was brilliant. The young actress did a fine job; her would-be killer offered little material. If you’re a huge comedy horror fan (geek) like me I recommend this and that you watch until the end.

Meanwhile, my Sunday drive through dreary conditions and windy drizzle made me oddly happy. I watched folks bustle about knowing my sole obligation was getting home unscathed. My cozy abode awaited.

Do you have access to a sheltered outdoor area? Is that something you do or would appreciate?

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A Blast from the Past and Hopeful Future

When my cat Luna was alive, she spent Saturday mornings on my lap while I watched “Mystery Science Theater 3000”. The talented comedians riff on movies, making terrible films fun.

Now the group hopes to film season fourteen (!) and movie rights are expensive. Hence, they are raising funds through their Mega Turkey Day Marathon Telethon which you can learn about here.

I’d write more but want to get this posted in case you dear readers or anyone you know might be interested. Tomorrow at nine o’clock am (United States Eastern Standard Time) I plan to watch “Bride of the Monster” which should be awesome.

Did you know that musical parody is exempt from copyright law? Shouldn’t old movies be treated the same?

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A Minor Misunderstanding

A decade or two ago (!) I met a fellow at our local grocery store that still works there. He’s a bit quirky (as am I) and we bonded over shared adoration of several rock ‘n roll bands. Funny enough, my husband privately referenced him as ‘Rock Boy’ until we learned his name.

Cars are another shared interest and several weeks ago he pointed out his new ride. I went over to look and he paused wrangling shopping carts to unlock the doors. So I opened the passenger door for a look. He reacted with shock, wondering why I did it. Well, presenting a vehicle’s interior is customary at car shows.

While teasing me about it the other day he said, “Would I lie about owning the car?”

“No,” I replied, “which is why I thought you wanted me to see the interior.”

Have you ever attended car shows? In this situation would you presume the person wanted you to see inside?

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Resisting Temptation

Like my mother did, I adore tiny things. I’ll go so far as to say I geek out over them. And while these ‘fairytale’ pumpkins are not small I really, really wanted some. Three would have been ideal surrounded by miniatures. ~sigh~ My resistance felt like a win and the garden center folks didn’t seem to mind me taking pictures.

If these were fake, I would own at least a few,
though not for $20 (USD) each...

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One Silly Quandary & My Delicious Dessert

The other evening I felt like baking a pie. We have lots of cream cheese and several cans of pumpkin, so I looked up a recipe combining the two. My husband did not complain.

My biggest chore was grinding down cinnamon from sticks. Soaking some of the bark chips in water, then adding other pre-ground spices (ginger, nutmeg, etc.) in my mortar and pestle provided excellent results. I don’t know why cheesecake is a pie, like apple or cherry, but called cake.

Are you fascinated by terminology? And if you bake or cook, do you prefer whole herbs/spices or ground?

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Ah, Sweet Success

My Oregonian idol, cat rescuer Strayer, inquired what song played with the short OCD cat compilation, my previous post. I replied that I regretted not knowing. However, reverse engineering the quandary occurred to me.

Unlike with stolen technology, I merely typed in some lyrics for my answer. The video is fun, too. So thank you, my far distant friend, for asking.

Do you enjoy music videos? Is owning a music library (in my case, compact disks) more important to you than streaming?

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The Rabbit Hole

Having visited Andrew’s blog yesterday I had to check out the Melbourne Royal Show. The events and displays remind me of US county fairs.

Unfortunately, I became obsessed looking at what are called show bags. I have no idea what a Karate Roller is, but now I want the Ghost Drops bag. Heh…

Ghosts and Haunted Houses; yeah!

I had to make myself stop scrolling through the endless options. If only I could order these online, I might also go for the Air Force One bag.

Toy Airplanes!
(I am a child at heart)

When will someone invent a teleportation booth so I could attend the show? Then again, have you ever seen any cinematic version of “The Fly” and learned it’s dangerous to play God?


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Mellow Yellow – & – A Question: Why?

A few houses across the street from us is apparently owned by the folks who run Statik Autobody here in Franklin, Ohio. It took me a while to decipher the fancy script spelling out the name. lol The business is downtown but they occasionally have vehicles at the house. This latest caught my eye. Some might consider it gawdy but the color reminds me of sunrise over the Atlantic ocean. As if I don’t miss The Outer Banks everyday as it is. ~sigh~ Anyway, I grabbed a photograph while out walking.

I really like this golden glow...

Sorry about the window glare but
this angle shows it better.

I also stopped to capture an image of my crocuses. Sad to say, they’re too short to really show past my retaining bricks but I enjoy them. 

I should have tried a more
interesting angle...

Then I was visiting Ellen’s blog at 15andmeowing and found myself reading about her 2015 visit to New York City. Since the city’s decline, I couldn’t help thinking of a quote. In ‘The Stand’ teleplay, Nadine said to Larry, “The Big Apple is baked.” How sadly prophetic. ~sigh~ But again, I’d rather go to Nags Head, North Carolina.

All that said, I stumbled across a listing on IMDB (Internet Movie Database) that “The Stand” was remade in 2020 as another mini-series. It left me shaking my head. I’m sorry, but actor Gary Sinise is Stu Redman. And I adored Alexander Skarsgård in the television series “True Blood”. Yet I cannot imagine anyone else but Jamey Sheridan as Randall Flagg. I could go on and on.

Needless to say, I’ll pass on watching this newer release. Seeing 2019’s “Pet Semetary” left a tiny psychic scar. Spoiler alert: they changed which of the Creed children perished and it did NOT work for me.

Are you a film buff? Does Hollywood need the reboot instead of movies and TV programs? -

Following a Theme... (WARNING: Fake but Graphic Gore Ahead)

During a recent meal out my drink came chilled by a very cool looking solid ice sphere. It made me wonder if someone made skull shaped ice trays.

And they do! My husband found several silicon models and purchased the one rated highest on Amazon, which only cost a few dollars. My fun experimenting with ever creepier additives has been priceless.

~grin~

If you don’t want to risk getting grossed out you should skip the photo at bottom. Hint: adding a dollop of tart cherry jam proved to be my best idea yet.

Have you ever seen a novelty ice cube? If you were to buy such an ice tray, what shape would you choose?

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Do you see a tiny second skull?

Here is a bonus fact for those horror fans who hung in there:

Adding cooked rice fragments grossed me out. Tinted green with a dot of wasabi, those ‘maggots’ looked way too real as the ice melted. And the feel of them... Ugh!

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