Sunday, December 30, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!



Wanted to see so I won't forget, but happy new year. Soon--in two days--it will be 2008. May all my fellow writers have a propsperous one in writing, to fellow actors, may you get the parts you auditioned for, to my fans may you have whatever you wish for, and for all, may your 2008 be the best yet.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Come Listen to My Interview 12/23 with Dead Air Paranormal Talk Radio



I'll be doing an radio interview Sunday, December 23rd with Dead Air Paranormal Talk Radio,at 8:30PM to 9-10PM Eastern. You can call in toask questions to me at 1-888.792.4836 (888-7-WBGU FM) Toll Free. Their show is 8Pm to 10PM Eastern every Sunday night. Listen in to any of the below webcast to them--must have DSL or Cableand Quicktime installed.

WBGU-FM 88.1WFAL-AM 1610 (Low Power, BGSU Campus Only) Time Warner Cable CH. 21 in BG, and 13 in PembervilleWeb Cast at the Following Web Locations:

http://www.wbgufm.com

http://qtss.bgsu.edu:8080/wbgufm/livefm.mov

http://www.wfalradio.com/listen.htm

http://www.myspace.com/wfaldeadair

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

New Horror Story in Anthology, Mining the Muse



I have a horror flash fiction piece, "Prey", in an anthology for sale now on Lulu.com. This is from one of my writer's groups, and is called Mining the Muse, the Collective Works of Chesterfield Writers Club Anthology 2007. You can find it at http://www.lulu.com/content/1490758. It is only $6.37, though that doesn't count shipping and handling. The donwload is free, but the print copy does cost.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Check Out My Blog Radio Interview Today!



I'll be doing an blog radio interview with Melissa Alvarez,

11:30Am to 12 Noon Eastern today, November 30th. Here is the show link: http://blogtalkradio.com/MelissaAlvarez . And if you like to call in and ask questions, the listener call in phone number is 347-215-8473.

Pamela K. Kinney

http://FantasticDreams.50megs.com

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Review of The Mist



I saw The Mist on Wednesday, November 21st, with my husband and our son. My son and I had both read the novella years ago—as Chris has the anthology of Stephen King's it’s in.
Surprisingly, my husband likes King's movies and yet, claims to not like much horror. He enjoyed this film, along with our son and me— until the end. I won't spoil it for you and tell you the end though.
It starts with an electrical storm one night and the next morning, David Drayton played by Thomas Jane, wakes up and finds a tree has busted through a window in the room he uses to paint potential movie posters. The tree has destroyed the newest painting he had just finished then night before and with no way to save it, he must go into town to pick up more supplies. Taking his young son with him, his wife remains behind to clean up some of the mess.
Collecting a neighbor, they head into town and the town's supermarket. The electricity is off in the store and people are filling up the place, crazily buying groceries and supplies. Suddenly, a man rushes into the place, shouting about things in the mist that took his friend. And when the others, including David, move over to the glass windows at the front of the supermarket and peer out, they see a mist encroaching on the area, covering buildings, the street, and moving vehicles and people. Screams and crashes come from inside the mist. The terror begins.
Not daring to go outside--not after seeing others disappear and later, monsters appear, the people begin to do what people do: become monsters themselves. You have the religious crazy who preaches that it is the end of days, and that those who are truly good, will survive from Hell’s dominions. You have three military men, and we discover that the mist may be the military's fault. As things spin out of control and with the terrible things getting inside the store sometimes and feasting on the humans, you get what Stephen King does best--making us all wonder what is the real horror—outside with the mist, or inside with humanity?

I give The Mist, 4 Dragons.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Christee Gabour Atwood's Latest Stop on Her Virtual Blog Tour





























Christee Gabour Atwood is currently touring with her book, Three Feet Under. It's a celebration of midlife … and elastic waistbands. And on this Monday I thought I'd introduce her to those who could use a laugh. Then pass the smile on to others as you see what this gifted comedic writer has to say in a recent interview.
About Three Feet Under – Journal of a Midlife Crisis:
A Celebration of Midlife … and Elastic Waistbands
Christee Gabour Atwood remembers the exact moment when her “midlife crisis” began. She was visiting the campus where she had attended college when she says, “A handsome young man opened a door for me. And then he called me ‘ma’am’.” With that one word, she knew midlife was upon her.
Many people recognize this scene or have ones similar to it that marked the beginning of their midlife crises. And that is what Atwood is celebrating in both her book, Three Feet Under: Journal of a Midlife Crisis, and in the program she will be offering at (location & date).
“Midlife is not an age. It’s an adventure,” states Atwood. “It’s a time to laugh with others at the things we have in common. Things like the ‘fat end of our closets’, where we hide our big-size clothes. Or things like changing our life goals every day. Or even things like realizing that we chose our car more for the color than for what’s under the hood. And that’s okay.”
These are the episodes that Christee shares with her audiences at readings from her book. And she finds that her audiences have just as many stories to share with her.
“I began to realize after a few of my programs that audience members have hilarious midlife moments to share too. So, instead of spending the entire time reading from the book, I started asking for their best midlife stories. And it has been received so well that now I am working on a sequel to Journal of a Midlife Crisis that will include stories from audience members.”
What are the most important lessons that Atwood says midlife is teaching her? First, she says that midlife is a wonderful time of life when people can begin to appreciate the use of elastic waistbands. She also says that this period of her life has helped her to learn new skills – including how to look “cool” while she tries to remember where she parked her car at the mall. Christee also notes that midlife is a time when people finally start to get comfortable “in their own skin”.
“We spend so much time worrying about our waistline, our hair, or what others think of us. I see midlife as a time to stop worrying about those sorts of things and concentrate on what we think of ourselves. After all, that’s the only opinion that truly matters.”
Christee Gabour Atwood’s background includes a variety of careers, including speaker, corporate trainer, humor columnist, association executive, radio and television personality, and even a period as a stand-up comic. But, she notes, writing has always been her passion. “I’ve always written and wanted to pursue it as my livelihood, but I was so hooked on those silly things like eating and paying rent that I never took the plunge to make it my career.”
So why is she taking that plunge now? She shrugs, “I’ve decided that eating is highly overrated.”
To view excerpts of the book or to order it online, Atwood suggests a visit to the website,
www.JournalofaMidlifeCrisis.com.



And now, some interview questions for Christee, and her answers:
1.) -Please tell us about your book.

It’s made of paper and real ink! Yes, trees were harmed in the making of this book, but I didn’t personally run over them with my car…

Oh wait. This went completely in the wrong direction. I’m on cold medicine. That’s my excuse today. The rest of the time… well, I’m just me…

Three Feet Under: Journal of a Midlife Crisis is all about being a member of the midlife club. It’s about those things we have in common but may not realize – like the fact that we give directions like, “It’s down by the old Sears Roebuck building.” Or the fact that we make that “tsk tsk” noise when people in the next car are playing their music so loud it vibrates their trunk … and it’s not a song that we like. Or the fact that we finally accepted that we weren’t going to fit back into the bathing suit from our senior trip, no matter how much weight we lost, lipo-suctioned, or surgically removed… And even if we did fit into it, we still wouldn’t look 18 again. Unless those were 18 very hard years…

This book is just plain good old making fun of ourselves. I think that actually works well for us, no matter what age or which crisis we’re in.

2.) -What can we expect from you in the future?
The sequel. Yes, I know that’s scary … The next book is “In Celebration of Elastic Waistbands”. It is dedicated to Thomas Hancock, the guy who invented elastic. Without him, I would be wearing my real size … and none too happy about it.

I’m also turning all this fun into a one-person stage play. One person – because I can’t remember lines and don’t want anyone else depending on me to give them a cue. And a stage play because comedy clubs are scary. Although I must admit that when those people drank enough, even I seemed funny.

3.) -How do we find out more about you and your book, plus any others?
I’ve got a website, Christee.biz, that tells you about the current books, my business and training books, and what areas you should stay away from or you’ll run into me.

I’ve also started a blog and it’s a new experience for me. It’s fun!
http://elasticwaistbands.blogspot.com/
It’s got various pics, posts, and a calendar for my blog visits. And that’s a great place to contact me.


4.) -How may readers contact you?
Oops – I got ahead of myself there, didn’t I? The blog, listed above is one place. They can also click Contact Me on Christee.biz. Or they can email me at
Christee@Christee.biz.

5.) - What motivated you to start writing this book?
I had a huge stack of humor columns that I had written over the years. It was threatening to take over my house. I looked at that and said, “Good grief. That’s big enough to be a book.” (I talk to myself a lot.) And from that the idea began.

The good thing was that I got spayed (aka hysterectomy) and went crazy having to stay home for weeks, so that was also a good impetus to put these columns into book form. And then I started adding chapters and it just took off as a major project.

As far as being a writer, I was raised in the profession of wordsmithing. My parents owned a weekly newspaper when I was growing up. Dad was the publisher. Mom was the editor. Mom also wrote stories and articles for magazines around the country. And it just seemed natural to become a writer when they gave me one of the leftover Royal typewriters from the newspaper office as a gift when I was six.

6.) -What kind of research do you do?
Research? I’ve heard about that. I’ve done research for some books and stories I’ve written, but having the attention span of a flea with a bad prostate, I get too distracted to come back from research and actually write.

Because of that, most of my research is life experience. Which is pretty easy to pull from when you’ve had more jobs than most people will have pairs of socks in a lifetime. Did I mention my career-A.D.D.?

7.) -Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
I really do work best with a set schedule. I get up at 2:30 most mornings, because then I can get work done before my brain wakes up and before the phone starts ringing.

When I’m really in the zone, I like to keep writing through mealtimes and those pesky little things like family gatherings or bathroom breaks. Wish I had a good pair of Depends. I just find that it takes so much time and energy to get back into a story once I’ve stepped away from it, that I would rather stick with it.

Does anyone else out there have that challenge?

It works well for me though. I wrote my first novel that made it past the slush pile in 14 days. It needed work, but I got the whole plot down and then was able to go back and polish it.

That’s why I like National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.org) every November. It allows me to write and turn off that darn internal editor who keeps trying to shove his face in the way and say, “I can’t believe you let that preposition dangle like that!” If I can keep him locked in the dirty clothes bin for a month, I can really get a lot done. Of course, he smells pretty bad when he gets out, but that’s the danger of working with a writer.



8.) -Where do your ideas come from?
Everywhere. As writers, I think it’s our duty to make fun of the world, so I use the newspaper a lot. I like to use it as therapy, so many ideas come from the workplaces I’m in or have been kicked out of. I like to find ideas in history. That’s a gentle way of saying I ‘recycle’ ideas. I love stories from the past and like to rewrite them to suit my desired ending. That’s just good fun.

And isn’t it fun to dream on those mornings when you’re actually awake but don’t want to get up because you’re waiting for someone else to make the coffee? It’s during that light sleep that I like to create stories where I’m the amazing heroine.

It’s also amazing that so many of those heroines have big noses and wear elastic waistbands and have a problem getting up from kneeling to look at the bottom library shelf.

9.) -Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?
Everyone I’ve ever read or ever known is a part of my writing. I know we write that “these characters are fictional” in the disclaimer, but has anyone ever written a character that didn’t have a slice of someone you know in them? If you did, you probably found it to be a very one dimensional character.

As far as my style of writing – my mother got me started right. She was a stickler for proper grammar and painstaking research. Once I discarded those high ideals, I found that I was also influenced by wonderful writers such as Erma Bombeck, Dave Barry, Sam Levenson, and Jerome K. Jerome. That was my humorous side. The dark side came from an early love of Poe. And the satire definitely was influenced by Dorothy Parker. She could give a compliment that could cut you down to size, couldn’t she? When you put all of those together you have a scary satiric writer whose main target is herself. Geez…

10.) -How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?
I never thought there was anything else to be. I always heard you had to have a day job, but that was just so you could gather material for your writing.

When I was an infant, I lived in the bottom drawer of the file cabinet next to my mom’s desk at the newspaper. The sound of a cast iron Royal typewriter clacking away lulled me to sleep like nothing else.

My first manuscript was The Lion Who Tamed the Man. Incredible book. The reviews (family members, the cat, the lady down the street who talked to her toaster) were overwhelmingly positive. The manuscript was mostly scribbles and chocolate smears due to the fact that I was four, but it was still a milestone for me, nonetheless.

When I was six, my parents gave me that Royal typewriter I mentioned earlier and I set up my office in the hot water heater at my house. I wrote stories, poems, novels, and memos to others to stay out of my office. From then, I was hooked. Writing is my love, my nemesis, and my therapy without the $75 an hour fee.

11.) -What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Well, I can certainly tell you it’s not the checks. Well, maybe once I see a real one it will be different. But no, writing is about getting lost, and then taking the long way home on paper.

I loved the moment I saw my book on a shelf in the library. To actually find where you land in the Dewey Decimal System!! Wow!! And in a bookstore. I just live in fear of the first time I see my book on the bargain table. Ack!! That will be a hard day…

But absolutely the most rewarding thing is when someone finds you to tell you that you have made a difference in his or her life. You made them feel better. You made them nod. You let them know they weren’t alone. You caused them to laugh. Can it get any better than that??? I don’t think so.

I have to say thank you to every person who has tracked me down through my publisher, through the website, at signings, or at events, to say they like my writing. That means more to me than any check I’ll ever get. It means I actually communicated with someone. I reached them. And for me, that’s what this whole silly mess of life is all about.

12.) -Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
I have the world’s largest collection of rejection letters. And I’m published. That’s the thing to keep in mind. It doesn’t matter how many rejections you have. All it takes is one acceptance to get published. What a great profession. Where else is one out of a thousand still a winner?

And then you’ll have a better story to tell when you’re on Letterman because you can talk about all those silly publishers who missed out on you. You can talk about how J.K. certainly did well with her numbers on those little Potter books and you hated to break her record, but…

And write for the most important audience of all. Yourself. That way, if no one else ever reads it, you’ve satisfied one reader. If you never write a word, we’ve all lost something. We want to know that others are thinking thoughts like us. That others enjoy stories like the ones in our dreams. You might be the one who has our perfect story, and if you don’t write it, we’ll never get that experience.


So write for us. It’s your legacy. It’s your passion, you know it. And it’s the one thing that will last long after that Styrofoam plate from the take-out place.

16.) Now for something fun:
Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate -- dark, please … oops, am I drooling on my keyboard again??
Favorite color?
Black, but I have to admit it’s mainly for the slimming effect. People always say I look like I’m ready for a funeral.


Favorite book?
Sorry -- I just can’t narrow it down to one. I read books by Bombeck, Barry, Sam Levenson, and other humorists like bibles. I love Jerome K. Jerome’s Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow. I was really impressed by A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle when I read it as a child and I reread it frequently because I always discover something new. I laughed out loud at the dialogue in John Welter’s Night of the Avenging Blowfish. I thrilled to the Harry Potter books and enjoy a lot of kids’ books. I savor John Irving. And the list goes on…


What makes you laugh out loud?
My husband. And yes, that’s fully clothed. He’s the funniest person I know and if he ever writes a book, it will take the world by storm.
To give you an example: One day I was in my office, cursing up a blue – possibly purple --- streak because my computer crashed and I had not saved recently. The cats were scared to come anywhere near. I thought I heard helicopters overhead giving warnings not to approach the house. And I look up to the doorway to see a piece of duct tape hanging down with a Hershey Bar on the end of it. That’s what I live with. How could I not laugh?


If you could go anywhere in the world where would that be? It would be my own back yard. I’d just like time to explore while staying close to my stuff in case I want to play with any of it.

I love amusement parks, beaches, and natural wonders. But there’s nothing like that feeling of being a horse headed for the stable that I have when I’m headed back to my dirty house, persnickety cats, and my best friends … my scary page and my funny husband.

That’s my favorite place to be.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Kitten Tumbling and the Mary Higgins Clark Dinner Last Night





















Yesterday was quite a day. The end of it was an author and book dinner given by Chesterfield County Library's Friends of the Library, with the queen of suspense, Mary Higgins Clark.
But the day started off on a bizarre note. Now there are urban legends out there to do with animals and things in your house, like microwaves and the dryer. Well, this is no urban legend. It actually happened.
I took some wet clothes out of the washing machine and added them to what was already in the dryer. No sign of anything unusual in the dryer. I closed the door and pushed to button to start it. Well, the machine started bouncing up and down hard, and acted like a ton of rocks were inside it. I opened the door, shuttin g it off. Nothing, but wet clothes. Closed it and started again. same thing as before. I quickly open the dry and this time my black kitten, Bast was laying there, looking daze.
I grabbed her and first, spanked her once, telling her what the hell was she doing in the dryer. Then I hugged her and cuddled her. Her tail was puffed out and her head wet. I put her down and she takes off.
I'm hoping she learned her lesson and next time won't sneak into the dryer tp sleep in there. Husband thinks not: she's too brave and rambunctious, and seems to get into trouble easily. We'll see. For now, the dryer door stays closed, and I check it now, just in case.

On the Mary Higgins Clark dinner, I was late as just came from signing a loan with husband. Dropped off my stub for the door prizes and I was led to my seat at a round table filled with other women. Was told to go get my glass of wine as that came with the dinner. I had my salad, then chatted met and chatted with some of the others. Jazz by some jazz band started and our dinner served. I had the turkey one. Then the music interlude ended and the food eaten up, there was a lull earlier than thought and a lady next to me who knew the one who would present Mrs. Clark told her a good time to start early.
Mary Higgins Clark was wonderful. She regaled us with tales of what led her up to writing and her stories were funny. Her daughter, author Carol Higgins Clark was there also. Afterwards, some of us lined up to buy the newsest books she has out while they drew the door prizes winners. No, I didn't win. Mrs. Clark's novel sold out quickly, but I went ahead and bought the children's book, Ghost Ship, and had her signed it. I went home after, just in time for my husband to go get our adult son from work.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

HAPPY HALLOWEEN-Plus Last Book Signing & Two Radio Interviews



Since it looks that I will be busy today, doing a contract for another Schiffer book and synopsis for an urban fantasy for an agent, and signing tomorrow, plus two radio show interviews in the morning, I wanted to wish everyone here a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


On the book signing, that'll be at Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary ST Richmond, VA 23219--12:30PM to 2:30PM--804-788-1594. As for the radio interviews and what website to listen from if not live in Richmond, Virginia area: on WRVA Halloween morning at 6:05AM for five minutes. So that one, later at 8AM on MIX 1037. This one can be heard live at http://www.wrva.com/pages/streaming.html .
The MIX 1037 at 8AM or sometime after. To listen online that link is http://mix1037.com/listen/ .


Pamela K. Kinney

Sunday, October 21, 2007

30 Days of Night Review, 20 Scariest Films, and My New Horror Story Out



It's that time of the year again. When all thoughts turn to ghostly tales and monsters hding in the shadows and was that a werewolf I heard howling at the moon last night? You suddenly get the urge to read a scary book or about the ghost stories in your region or watch some spooky films on DVD or at the local multiplex. Yes, we do all this the other eleven months of the year, but October just brings out the Halloween junkie in all of us.

Right now my ghost book, Haunted Richmond, Virginia is doing well. I just had a Halloween horror short story, "Give Me Something Good to Eat" come out in dark Cloud Ezine's October issue. You can download the pdf file at http://thedarkcloudpublishing.homestead.com/products.html and read it and the rst of the zine for free. And SciFi Channel started its 13 Days of Halloween this past Friday. My husband and I went to see the vampire film, 30 Days of Night. This blog will be a review of that film and my recommendation of the scariest films to rent or buy on DVD. Just don't forget the popcorn and the soda, maybe even the pizza.

30 days of Night takes the premise of the vampire can only come out at night and take it to a whole new level with setting it during the thirty days of darkness in the Alaskan winter. Most of the town of Barrow can not abide the Dark, so they leave on the last day. One woman, a fire marshall, who had been sent there to fix something isn't so lucky, thanks to an accident , and the plane takes off, leaving her there for the next thirty days. She can not avoid her husband, the sheriff, who she is estranged from, and joins him and those left in town.

When a stranger comes to town and things like satellite phones are found burned in a hole and husky dogs slaughtered things appear as if the man is a lunatic. But as he sit in the jail cell he was locked up in, taunting about 'they' who are coming, it starts to get eerie to those who hear this. Then one by one people in the town began to be grabbed by something that is quick and have their throats torn out. The 'they' are here, and they'rew hungry and wanting only to bring pain to those who had remained in Barrow.

I won't go on but only to say, go see it. A perfect film for viewing at Halloween. The vamps in this are not your brooding, romantic hero, but the way they should be, inhuman and bad-ass terror.

I give this film 4 1/2 dragons.

20 SCARIEST HORROR FILMS TO WATCH HALLWEEN

1. The Haunting (1963)-forget the remake, see the original. And read the book it's based on by Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House.

2. Alien--in space no one will hear you scream--a haunted house that is actuallyn a spaceship.

3. Halloween--Didn't see the Rob Zombie version--the original is still the best in my opinion.

4. Dracula--Bela Lugosi version from the '30s.

5. Dog Soldiers--soldiers battling werwwolves in the wilds of Scotland--nothing better.

6. American Werewolf in London--this is such a classic.

7. Cat People (both versions of this shapeshift horror film--the second is very erotic and adult, so no kiddies should view this).

8. Psycho--Norman Bates takes lving a mother to new heights.

9. Ring--Japanese have been coming out with some creepy stuff.

10. Carrie

11. The Shining (one with Jack Nicholson in it, not the television version).

12. Rosemary's Baby

13. John Carpenter's The Thing--so much like the short story, "Who Goes There?" it is based on.

14. Evil Dead--Sam Raini begins to prove to us that he can do horror.

15. The Omen (not the remake, but the orginal one).

16. The Night of the Living Dead--no, never saw it or its sequels. But I know it would scare me to death.

17. The Innocents

18. The Blob (worse one for me: Kontiki the Immortal Monster--I hate alien blob movies).

19. Jeepers Creepers--not a serial killer as one would think at first, but a monster.

20. Salem's Lot (1979)--a darkly, frightening vampire film.

There's more I like, but I said twenty. Remember? For more ideas, check out:

http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/gallery/top_50_scary_movies/

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,726267,00.html

http://www.thehotspotonline.com/blahblah/articles/scariest.htm

http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa111201a.htm

http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa112601a.htm

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/scary-movies-intro.html

And if want more than films, here is a link to Halloween games and more:

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/halloween.html

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Beware! Halloween is Approaching!





Halloween is debated over whether it's a holiday or not. For those who say they are pagan, it is. But for those the government deems as a holiday (Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc..) they say not. It doesn't matter, for I've loved Halloween as my favorite time of the year ever since I was a small child, with Christmas coming in second amd Thanksgiving, third. Let's discuss what Halloween is all About.

Halloween, or the Hallow E'en as they call it in Ireland , means All Hallows Eve, or the night before the 'All Hallows', also called 'All Hallowmas', or 'All Saints', or 'All Souls' Day, observed on November 1. In old English the word 'Hallow' meant 'sanctify'.
The American version of Halloween Day celebration owes its origin to the ancient (pre-Christian) Druidic fire festival called "Samhain", celebrated by the Celts in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Samhain is pronounced "sow-in", with "sow" rhyming with cow. In Ireland the festival was known as Samhein, or La Samon, the Feast of the Sun. In Scotland, the celebration was known as Hallowe'en. In Welsh it's Nos Galen-gaeof (that is, the Night of the Winter Calends. According to the Irish English dictionary published by the Irish Texts Society: "Samhain, All Hallowtide, the feast of the dead in Pagan and Christian times, signalizing the close of harvest and the initiation of the winter season, lasting till May, during which troops (esp. the Fiann) were quartered. Faeries were imagined as particularly active at this season. From it the half year is reckoned. also called Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess). The Scottish Gaelis Dictionary defines it as "Hallowtide. The Feast of All Soula. Sam + Fuin = end of summer." Contrary to the information published by many organizations, there is no archaeological or literary evidence to indicate that Samhain was a deity. The Celtic Gods of the dead were Gwynn ap Nudd for the British, and Arawn for the Welsh. The Irish did not have a "lord of death" as such. Thus most of the customs connected with the Day are remnants of the ancient religious beliefs and rituals, first of the Druids and then transcended amongst the Roman Christians who conquered them.Something funny is that American teens and pre-teens seem to have instinctively expanded their seasonal celebrations to add another night before Halloween, one on which they commit various acts of harmless (or unfortunately not) vandalism, including pranks on neighbors. If we assume that All Saints Day was moved to co-opt the central day of Samhain which was associated originally with the Gods and Goddesses of the Celts, and All Souls Day was supposed to co-opt the worship of the Ancestors, then the modern “Cabbage Night,” “Hell Night” (boy does that push the Fundamentalists’ buttons!), or simply “Mischief Night” (which used to be April 30th — the night before May Day — in Germany — there’s that Beltane/Samhain connection again) would correspond to a celebration of the often mischievous Nature Spirits. This then nicely covers the Indo-European pattern of the “Three Kindreds” of Deities, Ancestors, and Nature Spirits.

A part of Halloween in America is trick or treat, began fairly recently, as a blend of several ancient and modern influences-around 1939, as that is when the term was first documented. It all was done to stop all the vandalism and expensive destruction from neighborhood kids.This also hails back to people dressing up in medieval times, for if they went out on All Hallows Eve they wanted to be mistaken as spirits and demons by the real ones that they believed haunted that night. Children today come up to your doorbell, and ring it, or knock at your door, then yell out, "Trick or Treat!", where then you give them candy for their bags. it used to be if you didn't these children would then toilet paper your yard or house, or do other mischievious things like getting your cow on the roof of the barn, etc...

Here's a version of 'Trick or Treat' as said in Ireland long ago:

‘Anocht Oidhche Shamhna, a Mhongo Mango. Sop is na fuinneogaibh; dúntar na díirse. Eirigh id’ shuidhe, a bhean an tighe. Téirigh siar go banamhail, tar aniar go flaitheamhail. Tabhair leat ceapaire aráin agus ime ar dhath do leacain fhéin; a mbeidh léim ghirrfiadh dhe aoirde ann ages ciscéim choiligh dhe im air. Tabhair chugham peigín de bhainne righin, mín, milis a mbeidh leawhnach ’n-a chosa agus uachtar ’n-a mhullaigh; go mbeidh sé ag imtheacht ’n-a chnocaibh agus ag teacht Ôn-a shléibhtibh, agus badh ó leat go dtachtfadh sé mé, agus mo chreach fhada níor bhaoghal dom.’‘
(“Oh Mongo Mango, Hallow E’en tonight. Straw in the windows and close the doors. Rise up housewife, go inside womanly, return hospitably, bring with you a slice of bread and butter the colour of your own cheek, as high as a hare’s jump with a cock’s step of butter on it. Bring us a measure of thick fine sweet milk, with new milk below and cream above, coming in hills and going in mountains; you may think it would choke me, but, alas! I am in no danger.”)’

And what about the symbols of Halloween?

Ghosts have always made perfect sense, for Samhain was the festival where the Gates Between the Worlds were open wide and departed friends and family could cross over in either direction. As I mentioned earlier, people invited their ancestors to join them in celebration. The only ones who would cower in fear would be people who had wronged someone dead and who therefore feared retribution of some sort. The often repeated tale that the dead roamed the earth after dying until the next Samhain, when they could then pass over to the afterlife, makes no sense in either Celtic Paleopagan or Medieval Christian beliefs, so is probably fairly modern. It is possible that any “earth-bound” spirits needing assistance to pass over might have received it at this time, but this wouldn’t have been considered necessary for most of the dead.

Samhain was the time of year when the herds were culled. That means that farmers and herders killed the old, sick or weak animals, as well as others they didn’t think would make it through the winter with that year’s available food. Prior to the last few centuries in the West, most people lived with death as a common part of life, especially since most of them lived on farms. Samhain became imbued with symbolism of these annual deaths. So skeletons and skulls joined the ghosts as symbols of the holiday. Again, there’s nothing evil here, at least to the innocent in heart. Indeed, in Mexico, where the holiday is known as Los dias de los Muertos,or “Days of the Dead,” (combining All Saints Day with All Souls Day) skeleton and skull toys and even candies are made and enjoyed by the millions, many by and for devout Roman Catholics.Medieval Christians feared cats, for reasons as yet unclear, and especially feared black cats who could sneak “invisibly” around at night. It’s ironic that they feared cats so much that they killed tens of thousands of them, leaving their granaries open to rats and mice, no doubt causing much food to be wasted, and leaving Europe as a whole wide open to the Black Plague, which was carried by the fleas on those rats and mice. Unfortunately, the millions of human deaths caused by the Black Plague were later blamed on witches the Church invented, then murdered. Cats, as “evil” animals, then became associated with the “evil” witches.

Witches as figures of pure evil were invented by the medieval Church and inflated by the Catholic and Protestant Churches during the Reformation period. Paleopagan witches were people suspected by their neighbors of using magic or poison to harm others, though the term was sometimes used to insult or accuse the “cunning folk” (who were herbalists, diviners, and folk magicians) of committing malpractice. As the Church tried harder and harder to make people abandon their Paleopagan customs for the new Christian ones, Samhain became a prime target. The Church began to say that demons were abroad with the dead, and that the fairy folk were all monsters who would kill the unwary. When Diabolic Witchcraft was invented, the “Evil Devil-Worshipping Witch” simply became the newest monster to add to the others. The green skin was a twentieth century touch the Wizard of Oz movie added to the “evil old hag” version of the Diabolic Witch.

Halloween became a holiday in modern times for which half the fun was being scared out of one’s wits. Modern fiction added new monsters to the American mix, including vampires (previously known mostly in Eastern Europe), werewolves, mummies (after modern Egyptology started), and various psychopathic killers and ghouls. These are not images anyone actually needs to perpetuate, but the teens certainly enjoy them.

Jack O’Lanterns became popular as house decorations in the USA after immigrant Irish people discovered how much easier pumpkins were to carve than turnips, potatoes, and beets, unleashing what has turned into quite an art form in the last decade or so. These lanterns the irish made though represented the souls of the departed loved ones. Placed in windows or set on porches, they not only welcomed the deceased, but protected those within from malevolent wraiths.

The legend of the Jack-O'-Lantern comes from Ireland from about the 18th century. With some variations the basis of the Jack-O'-Lantern is as follows:

There was a stingy drunkard of an Irishman named Jack; who tricked the Devil into climbing an apple tree. Then Jack quickly cut the sign of a cross into the trunk of the tree; thereby preventing the Devil from climbing down. Jack made the Devil swear that he wouldn't ever come after Jack's soul again or claim it in any way. However, this did not stop Jack from dying and when he did he was not allowed into Heaven, because of his life of drinking, being tightfisted and being deceitful. And because of the oath the Devil had taken Jack was not allowed into Hell either. "But where can I go?" asked Jack. "Back where you came from!" replied the Devil. The way back was windy and dark. The Devil, as a final gesture, threw a live coal at Jack straight from the fire of Hell. To light his way and to keep it from blowing out in the wind Jack put it in a turnip he was eating. Ever since Jack and his "lantern" has been traveling over the face of the earth looking for a place to rest.

So in couple weeks when you answer that doorbell, be careful, for you never know. It may be something more then a costumed child with a bag half-filled with goodies. Be sure your jack-o-lantern is lit to protect you against dark spirits. Is there a cross within reach, just in case? But then again, I may be tricking you. After all, it is Halloween.


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

My Interview With Richmond.Com About Haunted Richmond, Virginia Is Up Today!!!

My interview about Haunted Richmond, Virginia is up at Richmond.com, so being an Internet site anyone in the world can read it. Here is a bit of what the reporter said:

from Richmond.com:
I have a confession to make. I believe in ghost stories.I believe in haunted houses, evil possessions and ghosts that refuse to crossover. What can I say? I'm a part of the "Poltergeist," "Halloween" and "Pet Sematary" generation – ghost stories were just part of the package.But for Richmond writer Pamela Kinney, ghost stories are more than just a few scary tales from childhood -- they're her livelihood.In her latest book "Haunted Richmond" Kinney takes readers on a spine-chilling tour of a city that is full of history and, it turns out, hauntings.

Read the rest of the interview at


http://richmond.com/ae/output.aspx?Article_ID=4862905&Vertical_ID=127&tier=1&position=1

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

New Review for Haunted Richmond, Virginia



Nonfiction author, Deborah Painter wrote a review for Haunted Richmond, Virginia that is up at my book's page on the Schiffer website: Schiffer Books/Haunted Richmond .


Read some of what she has said:
Haunted Richmond is a good source of entertainment and chills. Kinney evokes the mood one needs to fully savor a collection of regional ghost stories. She gives you the feeling that you are sitting down on a comfortable sofa as she reads aloud these stories of encounters with haunted homes like rural Haw Branch, where a painting changed from black and white to color due to the team-up of two female spectres, the mysterious lady who haunts the Governor's Mansion in downtown Richmond, and strange but true accounts of the Pocahontas Parkway, where whooping Indians terrify drivers by leaping into the road ahead of their windshield wipers.

Read the rest of the review at the above link.

Friday, October 05, 2007

Excerpt from Haunted Richmond, Virginia-From Train Under the Hill Chapter



Enjoy this excerpt from my nonfiction ghost book, Haunted Richmond, Virginia. If you like reading real ghost stories then you'll enjoy this book. It has photos of some of the haunted places, the ghost stories and even some legends and myths in it too. Enjoy reading how Richmond's 'Vampire' came to be and the ghostly stories about the train buried under the hill in Church Hill, a section of Richmond.

Blurb from back of the book:
Richmond, Virginia is chock-full of ghosts and haunted places. This city names Edgar Allan Poe as its native son, and it is rich in ghostly lore, legends, and tales. Join this tour to:• Learn why Virginia's governor shares his mansion with ghosts;• Dine with ghosts at Ruth's Chris Steak House and Crab Louie's Seafood Tavern;• Discover that the Byrd Theatre has more than movies to offer customers;• Visit the prison in Powhatan (it might not be safe, even for those working there);• Call on the Lady in Red who roams the corridors at Wrexham Hall.These and other interesting and scary stories will transport you beyond, to a Richmond that most mortals never see!


An excerpt from the chapter of the Train Under the Hill--the first time the Richmond Vampire was mentiuoned plus the hauntings too:

Questions and legends abound about this even today. Are the two black laborers still buried in that tunnel? And were they wrong, and more than four people were killed in the disaster? Many survivors reported that several other laborers had just been taken in for that day's work. How many people were unaccounted for in reality? The place was filled with sand; the two entrances are sealed off and hidden behind a growth of trees and vines.
A legend that connected it to the `Vampire' of Hollywood Cemetery came about when the one man who had survived was taken later to a hospital. Having gotten mixed up in the vampire legend as being some kind of fiend that dug his way out if the tunnel, it was said that he ran all the way back to the mausoleum where he, the vampire, was buried, while being pursued by an angry mob.
For a long time, there were no ghost stories attached to the tragedy. But as Sandi of Haunts of Richmond said, "Yes, there is." A man on one of her tours told her
that he had worked at Richmond Cold Storage, the white building in front of the hill. He
worked the graveyard shift and would hear the sounds of pickaxes coming from the hill.
One young man, who went to Virginia Commonwealth University, along with some friends, approached the hill one night when they heard the sound of air brakes coming from inside it! They knew it wasn't from some modern train as they looked back at the tracks several blocks behind them and saw nothing. My husband said that it had to be the sound of steam, as it was a steam engine buried under that hill, and wouldn't have the air brakes of a modern train.
The third story attached to this tragedy has to do with the park at the top of Church Hill. People claim they can hear cries of help coming from inside the hill itself.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Last Stop for Haunted Richmond, Virginia's Blog Tour Is Up



Susan L. Wickham's review of Haunted Richmond, Virginia is up now at http://www.myspace.com/sl_wickham_artist . Just click on the blog link that says Haunted Richmond by Pamela K. Kinney to read it. This is the last stop of the virtual blog tour revisited for Haunted Richmond, Virginia.
Have consideration--Susan has never done one of these blog tours before.
Pamela K. Kinney
http://FantasticDreams.50megs.com
www.myspace.com/pamelakkinney

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Blog Tour Stop of Marina Kuperman and Turtle Feet, Surfer's Beat

































Today's author stopping on a blog tour is Marina Kuperman. She is the author of the Young Adult novel, TURTLE FEET, SURFER´S BEAT. It will be an e-Book and comes out November 15, 2007.

Blurb:
10% of all the proceeds go directly to saving the Leatherback Turtle and other marine animals.
The official publication date of ‘Turtle Feet, Surfer’s Beat’ is November 15, 2007. But you can buy the ebook and read it now!!! or if you pre-order today you will get a kick-ass gift with your book just in time for the holiday season for helping out a good cause.
So order now, and join our community with super-hot surfers, musicians, artists, actors, kooky scientists and others that are working hard to make a change!!!


You can find out more about Marina and the book at her website and blog:




http://www.turtlefeetsurfersbeat.com



http://backpackermom.typepad.com

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Virtual Blog Tour for Haunted Richmond, Virginia Revisited, Starting October 1st



It's almost Halloween and this is your official invitation to visit me on the three stops I am making starting October 1st, for Haunted Richmond, Virginia's revisted virtual blog tour. Here are the stops:


October 1, 2007-Nikki Laigh's Blog at
http://muzesmusings.blogspot.com/
October 2, 2007-Marina Kuperman's at http://backpackermom.typepad.com/
October 3, 2007-Artist and Writer Susan L. Wickham's at http://www.myspace.com/sl_wickham_artist . Just hit the link for her blog.


Pamela K. Kinney
http://FantasticDreams.50megs.com
www.myspace.com/PamelaKKinney
http://PamelaKKinney.blogspot.com

Friday, September 28, 2007

Check Out My Interview

Check out my interview by author Nikki Leigh. I have a virtual blog tour starting October 1st on her blog for Haunted Richmond, Virginia . http://inspiredauthor.com/v3/promotional-interview-pamela-kinney


Pamela K. Kinney
Website

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Guest at Fantasci in Hampton, Virginia This Sunday

I'll be at a science fiction/fantasy/horror convention at the Hampton Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia this Sunday, September 30th. I'll be doing two panels--one on e-Publishing and righ after that one, Promoting Your Book. Please come by and say hi, and check out the panels. I'll also have copies of Haunted Richmond, Virginia with me too. the convention is two days but I will be at a writers conference in Richmond the 28th and 29th so will miss the Saturday activities. For more information and directions, check out their website at http://www.fantasci-hrcc.com/ .

Monday, September 24, 2007

Being Interviewed on Local TV Talk Show 10/25

On October 25, 2007 I will be interviewed about Haunted Richmond on Virginia This Morning. The TV talk show on channel 6/WTVR is on 9AM to 10AM EST. You can find out ore about TV/6 at their website: WTVR/6 .

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Review for Haunted Richmond from Rambles.Net



The reviews for Haunted Richmond, Virginia are starting to come in. Just got an email about the one at Rambles.Net. Some of the review: The stories in Kinney's book range from tales of the famous people who have lived and visited in Richmond to stories of prisoners, soldiers and ordinary people caught up in tragic circumstances. Most ghosts, it seems, come back to places where they were wronged or even murdered. The Southern setting adds a dash of intrigue and romance to the notion of ghosties and ghoulies. You can take it all with a grain of salt or simply sit back and enjoy the well organized book that Kinney has put together, full of screams, dreams and things going bump and scrape in the night. I would advise a bit of both.Read the rest of the review at http://www.rambles.net/kinney_hrichmond07.html . I also got one from Midwest Book Reviews. And I know of another one coming, with a interview, through Apex Reviews. Just not up yet, but I got copy of the review.

Pamela K. Kinney

Pamela K Kinney's/Sapphire Phelan's Fantastic Dreams

Get Haunted Richmond at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, Walmart.com, and Amazon and Amazon UK. Also can be ordered through any indie bookseller.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Virtual Blog Tour Stop of Author Nikki Leigh and Her Book. Lady Lightkeeper





Today we have author Nikki Lieigh and her newest book, Lady Lightkeeper, stopping here on her virtual blog tour. And for the readers, she has a a cool giveaway:


Each person who buys a copy of Lady Lightkeeper, needs to email me a copy of their receipt. I just need a receipt that shows you bought a copy of Lady Lightkeeper and I'll enter you in the drawing for a copy of Widow's Walk. That seemed like a good giveaway since the story starts with Widow's Walk. However, if the winner already has a copy of Widow's Walk, I'll be happy to send a copy of Lilah and the Locket instead.

In addition, each person who posts a comment on any or all of the blog stops will be entered in a separate giveaway. Each comment will be entered in the drawing and at the end of the month, one person will win a copy of Lady Lightkeeper. Again, if the winner bought the book already, I'll send them another book as a prize. Any questions, let me know.
nikki-leigh@excite.com.

ABOUT NIKKI LEIGH

“I want to convey time, place and character to
my readers. I choose my settings carefully and want
people to understand what the setting and history
means for the story.
“The time I spent researching Cape Ann, led to
3 more books in the series. Part of the last book in
the Misty Cove Series will take place in Wilmington,
NC. The area and its history make it the perfect Place
to set that story.”
“My first mystery is set along the Outer Banks of
NC and at Cape Hatteras. There is extensive local
history and color built into the story. I did that to help
convey the time and place to readers.
“My love of the coast, lighthouses, history and
architecture let me have a lot of fun researching and
creating my stories. I’ve found that its helpful to write
several stories in the same area.
Nikki has a series of business books released under
the name Shri Henkel. Additional information can be
found at www.sandcconsulting.com/books_4_sale.htm
She also owns a small business consulting and
promotional business. Her twenty years of business
management and fifteen years of promotional
experience have been very helpful in her business books.
Nikki's latest project is the first book in a series of
ebooks to help author learn to promote their books better.
It delves into all facets of book promotion and shares tips
from a number of authors about things that worked for
them. She looks forward to sharing this information with you.
Nikki would invite all authors, writers and readers to
visit her and her friends at www.readersstation.com Nikki
can be reached at www.nikkileigh.com
“I want to convey time, place and character to
my readers. I choose my settings carefully and want
people to understand what the setting and history
means for the story.
“The time I spent researching Cape Ann, led to
3 more books in the series. Part of the last book in
the Misty Cove Series will take place in Wilmington,
NC. The area and its history make it the perfect Place
to set that story.”
“My first mystery is set along the Outer Banks of
NC and at Cape Hatteras. There is extensive local
history and color built into the story. I did that to help
convey the time and place to readers.
“My love of the coast, lighthouses, history and
architecture let me have a lot of fun researching and
creating my stories. I’ve found that its helpful to write
several stories in the same area.
Nikki has a series of business books released under
the name Shri Henkel. Additional information can be
found at
www.sandcconsulting.com/books_4_sale.htm
She also owns a small business consulting and
promotional business. Her twenty years of business
management and fifteen years of promotional
experience have been very helpful in her business books.
Nikki would invite all authors, writers and readers to
visit her and her friends at
www.readersstation.com
Nikki can be reached at www.nikkileigh.com

1.What inspired you to begin writing? How old were you when you actually wrote your first story or poem?

I’ve always been very creative. Originally it was short stories, plays for my friends and board games that were very elaborate. The first stories were in elementary school. I think it was second grade.

2. What genres do you write in? Do you like one over the other? What was your one favorite one that you wrote?

My first three are women’s fiction and focus on the woman’s struggles to make a happy life. I feel the stories show the character growing into a more independent and strong woman. Each has elements of suspense and a villain who is close to home. My Cape Hatteras story is a murder mystery and I’m planning for each of my future books to be mysteries which involve different kinds of crimes. Mysteries are my favorite, but I had to tell Kennalyn’s story first. Then I had to tell the stories of her ancestor, Lizbeth. They are unforgettable women. Each story has a special place in my heart. I’ve really enjoyed Lizbeth and her family, but I feel like we’ve spent over 20 years together (20 years of her life).

3. Tell us about your book, Lady Light Keeper. What inspired you to write this story? Is this a sequel to another book, or can it be a read alone book? Did you have to learn about lighthouses and working as lighthouse keepers in one for this? Give us a blurb from Lady Light Keeper.

The story of Lizbeth Sullivan Kinsey began in Widow’s Walk and the opening was inspired by a picture on my living room. I had a bunch of ideas and while I was in Florida for my brother’s wedding, I settled in my the hotel pool with a notebook, my story notes and a cold drink. I brainstormed my initial ideas with a friend and over time it has developed into at least 3 books and at least 1 short story --- so far. It is a sequel and the middle book in a trilogy – but each book can be read alone. Although, I suggest reading the entire series to learn all the tidbits of the story. I’ve been fascinated with lighthouses for a long time and have done a lot of research about lighthouses and the history of the lifesaving service. That research came in handy and I did more research to fill in the gaps. A clip from Chapter 1:


The ocean mist brushed across my face. Amber, orange and pink fingers of sunlight wrapped around the rails. My seat on the floor of the parapet was wet, but it didn’t matter. From my perch high atop the lighthouse, I scanned the horizon. There was no sight of the Misty Pride II. William should’ve been home weeks earlier.


He sailed with his men over six months ago. Where was he and why wasn’t he home? Our children needed him and so did I. Waves crashed against the sandy floor far below.


As the sun rose, my frustration grew. “William, where are you? I need you here with me.” The words escaped my lips. Turning from side to side, I made sure no one heard my words.


Holcomb would arrive to check the light soon. Each morning he extinguished the light and began his daily chores. I should know the responsibilities after all these months. My presence day after day must irritate him, but the lighthouse was the best vantage point in Misty Cove. I could view the coast from the lamp room. Normally, the sheer beauty along our section of the Massachusetts coastline would take my breath away, but not as long as William was missing.


I could watch from the widow’s walk at home. Shivers raced along my spine and the hairs stood up on the back of my neck. Even looking at that part of the house gave me chills. With William missing, I simply couldn’t think about that. The name seemed like an warning and I would not give up hope that William and his men were fine. I couldn’t give up.


Tears flowed from my eyes and ran down my mist covered face. My thoughts wandered to Marta and Aidan. Our children were our greatest job and they needed a father and a mother. I grew up without my mother because she died when I was young. But, my children needed both parents. I remembered Marta’s sad expression when William’s boat set out to sea. Before the Misty Pride II had cleared the dock she wanted to know when her daddy would be home because she already missed him.


In my heart, I knew he would be home. He’d been gone for over six months, but he would return to us. How many times had father’s fishing boat been late returning to shore? I couldn’t remember the exact number of times, but it was common for the men to arrive home later than expected. I leaned against the metal rails and gripped the wet surface with all my might. I wouldn’t lose again. I couldn’t lose again.

4. What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on Rebels and Rogues – the next Misty Cove book. I’m planning to work on the next Book Promo book and a sequel to Lilah and the Locket once Rebels and Rogues is complete.

5. What kind of book or subject would you like to write someday?

There was a local double homicide in the town where I used to live. A friend was killed and another friend found the bodies. I would love to write a true crime book about the murders. I even knew the 911 operator who took the emergency call. I am glad to say that the murderer was finally sentenced to life and it was a slightly obscure law that was finally used to convict him.

6. Name publishers you have published with, or will be publishing with. Give us their website links.

My novels and Book Promo are all with Write Words Inc – e-Books ont he Net . My business books are all with Atlantic Publishing – www.atlantic-pub.com (Released under the name – Shri Henke)

7. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Stick with your dream and work hard to stay positive. It’s a tough profession, but its worth all the work when you hold your books in your hand. Continue to work to hone your skills.

8. Now for something fun. Chocolate or vanilla? --- Chocolate

Favorite color. – Purple

All time favorite book. – Far too many to name – but it would be an intricate mystery and probably a Jeffrey Deaver book.

Favorite TV show – most any Law and Order and/or CSI.

Favorite Movie – Dr Zhivago and Gone with the Wind.

If you can go anywhere in the world, that you haven't been to, where would that be? I’m not entirely sure, but it would be a coastal area.

9. What's your author website URL? (this includes blogs and MySpace) Also links for where one can buy Lady Light Keeper. Author website: www.nikkileigh.com Business website: www.sandcconsulting.com Where readers and writers connect: www.readersstation.com Main Blog: muzesmusings.blogspot.com Inspired Authro Self promo: http://inspiredauthor.com/v3/node/12 MySpace: www.myspace.com/nikkileighauthor and www.myspace.com/outerbankslila Links to my promotional blog: http://muzesmusings.blogspot.com/2007/08/is-your-book-posted-on-my-promotional.html Book Order Information: http://www.nikkileigh.com/books_4_sale.htm


Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Presenting Our New Cat, Bast



Okay, take a look at our new kitty, Bast. She usually looks happier and has these big eyes, but getting her to sit in front of me for a good picture wasn't easy. She's black, except one white spot on belly. We got her for free from a lady with kittens in front of the Petsmart on Hull Street in Midlothian, Virginia this past Sunday.

Yeah, I broke down and we took her home. It had been hot and humid that day, and took her a bit to get out of the sickly mood, but by evening she was bouncing around, playing, and wouldn't let me out of her sight with meowing if I left the room she was in. She's also a definite lap cat. She hissed whenever saw our older cat, Ripley, who only hissed back once, and this from my husband's lap Monday morning as if to show, "Yeah, I can do that too." Earlier today though, she followed me into kitchen and inched up to Ripley, but didn't hiss.

Anyway, now we are the happy owners of two cats, not one.