Happy Halloween… and the Days of Saints and Souls
Happy Halloween! Also known as the first day in a three-day celebration that celebrates the light from the dark, and the living and the dead.
A Halloween Short Story: The Pit and the Pendulum
It’s time for another Halloween Short Story, and this one, written by Edgar Allan Poe, stars one of my favorite unreliable narrators of all time: the unnamed victim in The Pit and the Pendulum.
The Witch’s Broom
Recently, my great niece asked me why witches fly on brooms. Since I didn’t know the answer, I did my usual thing that included a deep dive into the folklore behind the witch’s broom. And this is what I found: Not much.
The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Tonight is the annual tradition of watching Hocus Pocus with family and friends, and this time I’m starting dinner off with a pureed cauliflower soup I hope everyone will love.
A Cailleach for Halloween
Happy Halloween! And here’s a tale about Celtic witches that’s sure to help you get in the scary, candy-eating mood.
A Haunted History & A Halloween Tea
If you ever find yourself in Leesburg, VA, head south on Route 15. A few miles down the old Algonquin and Iroquois route, turn left into Oatlands House and Gardens. Oatlands, founded…
A Time for Martinmas
Once upon a time, the world used a different calendar called the Julian calendar During this time, Samhain aka Halloween occurred on November 11 instead of October 31. November 11 is still known as Martinmas.
Happy Halloween & A Tell-Tale Heart!
Happy Halloween! To celebrate, I thought I’d write about Edgar Allan Poe who published his most famous short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart”, in 1843. This story
The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Hard Cider Brats
It’s the Friday night before Halloween, that means it’s time for my annual Hocus Pocus movie (the original!) watch party!
History of Werewolves
Legends about werewolves have been around since ancient times, and the stories cross all continents and cultures. While doing research for a super-secret writing project, I learned all sorts of strange and interesting facts about werewolves that could explain our fascination with these stories
An Irish Halloween
As we get closer to October 31st, more and more stories are popping up about the history of this holiday. As an avid Irish folklore researcher, I’ve learned a lot about the stories of pagan Ireland.
The Highwayman: A Romantic Halloween Poem
This time of year I tend to read thematically darker poems and stories, and The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes is one of my favorites!