In our preparations for the Chinese New Year, we arranged to have a Feng Shui consultant visit the basement. On the plus side, her consultation turned out to be free. On the minus side, she left in a hurry almost the minute she arrived. Before she left, she cried out that it was the most horrible place she’d ever seen. So we must be doing something right. We’re looking forward to lots of good luck in the New Year.
As a bonus, here’s a link to Some Chinese Ghosts by Lafcadio Hearn, published in 1887, on the Gutenburg Project website.
Another page which has a collection of Chinese Folk tales.
Lastly, a strange collection of photos of China from Life magazine.
I was reading one of my favorite sister blogs today and noticed that they were doing something that I *thought* was called the Weekly Creeps. It turns out I was just being crazy (instead of my usual stark raving mad) and it isn’t. Instead it is a cute little book club. But I did the assignment anyway. Into every meme a little darkness should fall.
1) How do you feel about classic literature? Are you intimidated by it? Love it?
Here’s the way I see it. Most things get old and then they die. But some things you can’t kill. They fester with unnatural vigor. You kill them and they come back seeking revenge from the grave. They tear at you with their hands and whisper things no sane living being is meant to hear! Wait. What was I talking about? Oh yes. Time washes away the chaff. If a book is that old and it’s still in print, then there’s a reason. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Lafcadio Hearn’s unsettling Japanese ghost stories to name a few. In addition there are lesser-known greats like Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Abrose Bierce, or Algernon Blackwood. I adore the classics! My favorite Shakespeare is, of course, Hamlet. Mostly because it’s really a ghost story but also because it’s so tragic.
2) A challenge, should you choose to accept it: Read at least one chapter of a classic novel, preferably by an author you’re not familiar with.
I will try to do that this week. The rats and I are feverishly scrabbling around to prepare for a Feng Shui specialist who will be visiting our basement to give us some much needed decorating advice. We can’t wait! Ah HA HA HA HA!
3) Let’s say you’re vacationing with your dear cousin Myrtle, and she forgot to bring a book… she only reads classic literature… What contemporary book/s with classic appeal would you pull off the shelf for her?
After I am done putting her on the rack and applying coals to her feet for being so criminally thoughtless, I will advise Myrtle to read The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, which, with its slow pacing and attention to the landscape, hearkens back to its roots. Also, I don’t think you can go wrong with anything written by Susanna Clarke. She is dreadfully delightful. I love her writing.
4) As you explore the other Weekly Geeks posts: Did any inspire you to want to read a book you’ve never read before—or reread one to give it another chance? Tell us all about it, including a link to the post or posts that sparked your interest.
I’ll try to keep an eyeball on it.
Dime Mystery 1938 11
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New Edgar Allen Poe Commemorative Stamps
My Aunt Matilda wanted to work at the post office until she found out that the postal officers don’t actually lick the stamps and envelopes. She was crushed. Ever since she was a little ghoul it was her dream job because she loved the flavor of the adhesive and getting paper cuts on her tongue. Now she asks all of us to lick her envelopes for her and sighs sadly. “Licking these would just remind me of how hard life can be.”
Speaking of stamps, I just found out that the US Postal Service has come out with commemorative Edgar Allen Poe stamps to celebrate his 200th birthday. They are delightfully horrible! I have already bought one and I plan to frame it and hang it in a prominent place in my basement.
Deadly and Weird Orchid
While hacking my way through the dark jungle at my local Trader Joe’s I found this delightful orchid, who I adopted and have named Samantha after the famous witch. I hope she turns out to be especially diabolical or deadly, like the Death Orchid of Borneo, which shoots poison quills, or the Irish Witch-Fire Orchid which grows only in the most remote peat bogs and whose ghostly lights lead lost travelers to untimely deaths in the night. My blood thrills with the possibilities!
Stay tuned here to find out.
Samantha the Orchid
The madmen at William Morrow Publishers have released a book to commemorate Edgar Allen Poe’s 200th birthday. Edited by Michael Connelly, it includes sixteen of his most chilling tales as well as essays and commentary from literary luminaries Lawrence Block, Sue Grafton, Tess Gerritsen, Nelson DeMille, Sara Paretsky, Tess Gerritsen, Stephen King, and others.
In addition, the city of Baltimore has events planned to celebrate the occasion.
If only I’ll be in such great shape when I turn 200. And if the Mummy King is right, maybe I will! Ah HA HA HA HA ha!
Happy 200th Birthday
View this book at Amazon
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