#Haunted Iowa

[quasarkisses]

does everyone here know about the iowa state fair butter cow

[spectrewavesllp]

Victorian View Paranormal Kinect Figures caught in the Attic with Spectrewaves Paranormal Laynee & Don We were setting up equipment in the Attic of the Victorian View in Washington Iowa. We began a Spirit Box session when we captured unseen figures on our SLS Kinect Camera during a Paranormal Investigation at The Victorian View Venue in Washington Iowa USA View Paranormal Kinect Figures Caught in Attic of Victorian View in Washington Iowa USA Link below: 

https://youtu.be/9BVfShlKljg #Spectrewaves #spectrewavesllp #SpectrewavesParanormal #Victorianview #Victorianviewmansion #Washington #Iowa #Victorianhauntings #hauntedIowa #TheVictorianView #WashingtonIowa #paranormalinvestion # investigating #Hauntedattic #HauntedWashington #Kinect #SLS #mappingcamera #victorianviewmansion #hauntedbridalshop #paranormalinvestigation #VictorianViewparanormalinvestigation #Paranormalevidence #KinnectFigure #xbox #Paranormal #ghost #spirits #hauntediowawashington #Paranormalinvestigators #afterlife #ghosthunt #hauntedmansion #hauntings #melmeter #spectrewavesllpparanormal #ghoststop #ghosthunters #ghostinvestigation #spirit #spiritevidence #paranormalfigure #Tempest #paranormalinvestigator #hauntedlocations #hauntedlocation #Haunted #hauntedplaces #unusual #hauntedlocation #ghosthuntevidence #Laynee #Don #paranormalactivity #paranormalproof #paranormalequipment #Victoriam #victorianviewvenue #TheVictorianView #hauntings #ghostadventure #paranormalJourney #hauntedjourney #VictorianViewGardens #devices #paranormaldevices #kinectfigure

[geeknik]

31 Days of Halloween: Day 28, The Villisca Axe Murder House

Welcome to Day 28 of our eerie expedition. Today, we traverse into the heartland of Iowa to the small town of Villisca, home to a quaint, yet sinister dwelling known as the Villisca Axe Murder House. Prepare to delve into the chilling lore that shrouds this ominous abode.

Historical Background

On the eerie night of June 9, 1912, the quaint town of Villisca, Iowa, became the scene of a ghastly crime. Within the walls of a modest three-bedroom farmhouse at 508 East 2nd Street, eight souls were brutally murdered, their lives snuffed out by the unforgiving blade of an axe . The victims included six members of the Moore family and two young guests, their lives tragically ended, leaving a scar on the tranquil community.

Haunting Tales

• The Unseen Murderer: The sinister specter of the unseen murderer is believed to haunt the halls, the chilling echoes of that fateful night reverberating through the eerie silence.

• Ghastly Apparitions: Visitors and paranormal investigators frequently report witnessing ghostly apparitions and experiencing unexplained phenomena, a testament to the restless spirits believed to inhabit the dwelling.

• The Cries of the Innocent: The ghostly cries of the children are said to permeate the chilling night air, a haunting reminder of the innocence lost within these ominous walls.

Exploring The Murder House

The Villisca Axe Murder House now stands as a grim attraction for those enthralled by the paranormal. The house opens its creaking doors to brave souls keen on exploring the sinister past that clings to the ancient timbers. Guided tours and overnight stays offer a chilling glimpse into the eerie occurrences that frequently transpire, inviting visitors to confront the haunting reality of the dark history that pervades this forsaken abode.

Conclusion

As we conclude Day 28, the Villisca Axe Murder House stands as a haunting testament to the grim reality of human malevolence. The sinister lore that envelops this dwelling beckons the brave to delve into the eerie unknown, to confront the haunting echoes of a bygone era of terror. Venture into the heart of darkness that resides within the Villisca Axe Murder House - if you dare.

[thedarkestgreys]

[popculturelib]

Haunted States of America: Iowa

Ghosts of the Amana Colonies (1988) by Lori Erickson

The Amana Colonies are a group of villages in central Iowa settled by German Radical Pietists in the mid-1850s. They emphasized an isolated communal society and self-sufficiency, with minimal contact to broader Iowan culture until the Great Depression. At this point, financial and social changes forced the members to become more involved in the outside world. Today, the villages are on the National Register of Historic Places and have a strong tourist industry.

Ghosts of the Amana Colonies asks us to consider stories from the villages with chapter titles like "The Hope Chest," "The German Grandmother," "Tina and Marie," "The Kitchen Boss," and "The Ghost Corner," among others.

We don't have many other books about the Amana Colonies save for the book A Collection of Traditional Amana Recipes (1948 and 1976) by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Homestead Welfare Club, but you can find several other books about ghosts in Iowa:

Ghosts of Des Moines County, Iowa (1986) by Bruce Carlson

Ghosts of Polk County, Iowa (1988) by Tom Welch

Ghostly Tales of Northeast Iowa: Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, and Winneshiek Counties (1988) by Ruth D. Hein and Vicky L. Hinsenbrock

The Browne Popular Culture Library (BPCL), founded in 1969, is the most comprehensive archive of its kind in the United States.  Our focus and mission is to acquire and preserve research materials on American Popular Culture (post 1876) for curricular and research use. Visit our website at https://www.bgsu.edu/library/pcl.html.

[coochiequeens]

I wonder if there are other authors or subjects this bookstore doesn’t carry? Or is this just a desperate bid for last minute holiday shoppers?

These reviews give me hope

[curious-kat]

one time my friends thought it would be a great idea to watch Children of the Corn and then go to a haunted corn maze. Now, normally haunted corn mazes are not scary at all, more campy (corny even) but let me tell you that changes if you’ve just watched a horror movie about people being killed in a cornfield.

I feel bad for people who’ve never experienced a corn maze bc it’s not even fun but you just have to do it

[art-for-haunting]

[motionpicturevideo]

Now Streaming exclusively @primevideo

[leah-lover]

Misunderstanding. Nika muhl x reader.

Jealous Nika.

You weren't a starter in your team but the coach knew you were what the team needed. Iowa was down 15 points to UConn and you only had one quarter left to win or your dream of winning march madness would be gone.

You didn't have a good relationship with your coach. You two had your differences. You disagreed often which left you on the bench. But tonight UConn was the better team. They had all their best players on the floor . They were comfortable both offensively and defensively. So when the coach came to you to sub you on you knew exactly what your role was. You were on the floor to make them as uncomfortable as you could. You had to disrupt their flow and help your team.

You were successful in the task you were given. You made UConn uncomfortable which allowed Iowa to score enough points to win the game and advance to the final. Despite your huge and impactful effort that helped your team win the game, you still weren't in your coach’s good graces.

You were again benched on the final which your team won but it didn't feel like a victory to you because you were hardly on the floor. As a result in the postseason you decided to request another School. It didn't matter which one all you cared about was being in a team that valued you.

It took a week for you to get the first offer. You were surprised when you saw that it was UConn who asked to have you. You must have made an impression after your last performance.

UConn’s legacy was mesmerizing, so you agreed to their offer as soon as they made it.

By 2 months you were in your new dorm getting ready to meet your new team.

You were very nervous at the beginning. You didn't want anything to go wrong. Your old relationships with your teammates were so bad you would rather retire than go through that experience again. Luckily, your new team wasn't that bad. You quickly bonded with a lot of your teammates like KK Arnold, Izzi and ice. You felt comfortable in your new home at the start of pre pre-season. The more comfortable you got the more flirtatious you got. You would make jokes about it and your teammates would tease you about it too. The victim of your flirtatious attempt was Izzi. You didn't do it so that you two would end up together, you just found it fun to flirt with her. Your flirtatious attempts were going on all season.

One day after a huge win, the team decided to go out and celebrate in a bar near campus. It was you, Izzi, Paige, nika, and ice. After a few drinks you all decided to head to the dance floor where you danced with Izzi. After a while you looked next to you only to find only you two left on the dance floor. Needing a break you decide to go out for some air.

“ I guess it got all hot for you in there too.” you say to Nika when you meet her outside.

“ No, not all of us were dancing like nobody was there.” she replied with an annoyed tone.

“ What is that supposed to mean?”

“ Nothing, just forget it. I am gonna go back to campus.” she says and leaves. Leaving you puzzled.

You go back inside and brush it off.

The next training sessions were strange. A hostile tension was filling up the atmosphere and it was coming from Nika. flashbacks of your old team were haunting you by the time a month went by. You thought that your future in this team would be just like your past.

At team bonding night, where you decided to watch a movie together. A huge fight started between you and nika. It all started by a snarky comment she made about the main character of the movie.

“ I just don't understand why people don't understand vibes and the right places to do stuff.” she says. You felt that that comment was directed towards you so you replied.

“ well some people don't overthink stuff and just do as they feel.”

“ I don't believe that. I think everybody calculates everything and they only do what is best for them.” she responded.

“ guys i am gonna call it a night i am tired.” said izzi interrupting your bickering with nika.

“ Me too.” says nika and she leaves abruptly.

What nika said was stuck in your throat so you followed her to the hall.

“ what the fuck is wrong with you.” you yell behind her.

“ Excuse me.” she says stopping in her tracks.

“ You have been throwing knives at me all the time. if you have a problem with me just say it and stop dancing around.”

'I don't have a problem with you, I have a problem with the way you act.’

“ And what way is that?”

“ i dont like that you are all flIrty and mushy with izzi if you want her do that in the fucking bedroom away from me.”

“ What the hell are you talking about? Izzi and I are just friends. That whole thing is a plan to annoy paige. We are trying to make her jealous. Plus why do you care ?.”’

After staying quiet for a while she says. “ Is there anything between you two?.”

“ No, there isn't. She likes paige. Why do you care nika?”

She leans her head against the wall and whispers something inaudible.

“ i can't hear you nika.”

“ i like you. Okay . the thought of you and izzi makes me so fucking angry.”

“ You like me.” you repeat in disbelief.

“ ever since you joined i had my eyes on you. So when you started doing your stunt with Izzi, the thought of you being with her angered me.” she says with a defeated tone. “ I never meant to hurt you, I just didn't know how to handle not having you.”

You approach her, lift her head up with your hand and cup her cheeks.

“ You look adorable right now.” you say which makes her smile.

“ Can I kiss you?” she asks

“ You better.” you respond.

You then both kiss. You couldn't believe how soft her lips were and how your bodies moved in sync.

“ Can I take you back to my room. “ she asks with a pout on her face.

“ please do.”

[starblaster]

"What happens if the Iowa governor is married to a man?" you might ask, "Will the husband of the governor be free from an existence after death trapped inside a porcelain doll for all eternity?"

The answer is no.

In fact, Kevin Reynolds, the husband of our current (and very widely despised) governor, Kim Reynolds, had one of these freaky things crafted after his likeness.

Behold:

[image description] a Tweet from Governor Kim Reynolds (source) reads, "Pre-doll unveiling ceremony, First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds joined former First Lady Billie Ray - face of Iowa’s first lady doll - for coffee & cookies. Former First Ladies Christie Vilsack & Chris Branstad & their dolls joined too, along with Amb. Terry Branstad" and the Tweet features three pictures of former governor's wives and their dolls, as well as Kevin Reynolds holding his [end of image description]

[image descriptions] Above: an up-close photograph of the doll fashioned after Kevin Reynolds' likeness; a white man in a black and white tuxedo with light grey hair, and a dead-eyed, expressionless porcelain face. Below: a picture of the full display of dolls, with Kevin's added to the center-middle, the dolls around him all being women in historical gowns of their own respective eras or inspirations [end of image descriptions]

[image description] an Associated Press headline (source), and the re-posted article as featured on the Rapid City Journal's website (source), which reads, "Husband of Iowa’s 1st woman governor gets ‘first lady’ doll" written by Barbara Rodriguez and published on December 20th, 2017." [end of image description]

[image description] an Iowa Public Radio headline (source) reads, "Governor's Husband To Be Added To Iowa First Lady Doll Collection" [end image description]

[image descriptions] Left: a headline from NPR Morning Edition (source) reads, "Iowa First Spouse Doll Of Kevin Reynolds Is Truly A First: The statehouse in Des Moines has a display case of dolls of former first ladies. Kevin Reynolds is the first "first man." An event on Wednesday unveiled the first spouse doll." Right: another photo of the doll made in Kevin Reynolds' image, this time a photo of the entire thing head-to-toe; his left hand is posed like he's holding it at his midsection [end of image descriptions]

[image descriptions] Left: a headline from Patch (source) that reads, "Iowa's First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds Is A Doll, Literally: The Kevin Reynolds doll is the 45th in the newly dubbed First Spouses collection at the Iowa Capitol and the first male in the set," with a photo of Kevin Reynolds standing next to the display case of undeniably haunted porcelain governor-spouse dolls. Right: a headline from Radio Iowa that reads, "First Spouse Kevin Reynolds doll joins statehouse display: A male doll has joined the 43 female dolls in a statehouse display that until now has represented former Iowa first ladies," an article which includes another photograph of the doll itself [end of image descriptions]

Cursed Iowa fact: whenever a governor is sworn in, someone makes a porcelain doll of the governor’s spouse in the outfit he or she wore on Inauguration Day. That doll is then placed in a cabinet in the Iowa capital building.

[spectrewavesllp]

Paranormal Activity in Attic Unseen Paranormal Kinect Figure

Don & Laynee of Spectrewaves Paranormal were investigating the attic at the Victorian View in Washington Iowa USA

 Laynee & Don of Spectrewaves not only Captured an Unseen Paranormal Figure on the Kinect SLS mapping Camera the unseen figure stayed in Frame as Spectrewaves moved the camera around 360 degrees in the space

 Video link here for the Victorian View Kinect Figure that stays in the frame in Washington Iowa USA

https://youtu.be/ZCZaBKdXQkk

  #Paranormal #Kinect #ParanormalFigures #HauntedAttic #spiritbox #hauntedlocations #Spirits #VictorianView #hauntedbanquet #TheVictorianView #HauntedBridalstore #ParanormalVideo #hauntings #mappingcamera #LayneeLoy #Don #SpectrewavesParanormal #hauntedhall #haunted #Spectrewaves #Spectrewavesllpparanormal #Spectrewavesllp #ParanormalInvestigation #ghosthunters #ghosthunt #HauntedMansion #ParanormalEncouter #Washington #Iowa #USA #TheVictorianViewVenue #VictorianMansion #ghoststories #HauntedAdventures #ghostadventure #PrivateParanormalInvestigation #Encounters #Paranormalactivity #investigation #Paranormalequipment #Attic #Victorianghost #WashingtonIowaUSA #SpiritBoxSession #paranormalstudy #paranormalresearch #paranormalresearchers #Paranormalcaptured #unseen #Paranormalfigures #hauntedvenue #hauntediowa #ghosthuntiowa #GhosthuntWashington #HauntedJourney #SLSKinectCamera #SLS #Ghoststop #Paranormalevidence #Paranormalsightings #Paranormalinvestigators #paranormalinvestigator #haunts #afterlife #energy #Parapsychology #phenomena #apparitionalexperience #documentedParanormalEvidence #ParanormalVideos #ghostbusters #soul #ghosthuntersequipment #Paranormalunsight #melmeter #spiritbox #franksbox #tempest

[caitified]

PLEASE do a happy ending to get you back 🙁

thanksgiving ( get you back pt 2 )

caitlin clark x reader

warnings:none

two years had passed since caitlin walked away from your life, and both of you were still haunted by that night. caitlin had broken up with connor, realizing she couldn’t settle for anything less than what she’d felt with you. but no one had quite filled the space you left behind, not even close.

you’d tried to rebuild, even finding yourself in a relationship with your girlfriend maria. at first, she had been a welcome distraction—a new chapter. but after almost two years, things weren’t the same anymore.

it started as subtle tension, but it snowballed over months until every small disagreement erupted into a fight. finally, after one last argument that left you both exhausted, you and maria ended things. you found yourself packing up a few essentials and heading back to iowa, craving a reset.

you arrived home just before thanksgiving, the brisk iowa air reminding you of past winters, of long nights spent talking to caitlin under starlit skies. that first evening, seeking a little comfort, you visited your old coffee shop. but the moment you stepped inside, you froze—because there she was, standing at the counter.

caitlin turned, her eyes widening slightly as they met yours. for a moment, neither of you moved, a thousand memories passing between you unspoken. then she smiled, tentative, as if not entirely sure of her welcome.

“hey,” she said softly, her voice barely carrying over the gentle hum of the café.

you managed a nod, your own voice catching slightly as you responded, “hey.”

after a moment’s hesitation, you found yourselves at a small corner table, facing each other like old times. the conversation started awkwardly, each of you fumbling over small talk—updates on friends, family, and, inevitably, basketball. caitlin spoke of her games, of the pressure, of the relentless media attention.

as you listened, you couldn’t help but notice the tension in her shoulders, the way she seemed older somehow, weighed down by experiences that went beyond the court.

eventually, the small talk ebbed, and caitlin looked down, running her fingers along the edge of her coffee cup. “i thought about calling you,” she admitted, barely meeting your gaze. “more times than i can count.”

you glanced down, swallowing hard. “why didn’t you?”

she exhaled, a shaky breath escaping her. “because i knew i didn’t deserve to. i knew i’d already hurt you too much.”

a silence settled between you, thick with unsaid words. finally, you broke it, your voice quieter than before. “i was angry, caitlin. you let me go because you were scared. you let us go.”

caitlin nodded, her jaw tense as she fought back tears. “i know. and i hate that i did. i thought i was doing what was best for both of us. but losing you…it’s like i lost a part of myself. i’ve tried to date, tried to move on. but every time, it felt wrong. because it wasn’t you.”

hearing those words tugged at something deep inside you, but you fought to keep your emotions steady. “i’ve tried moving on too, you know. i thought i could let you go. i even thought i’d succeeded for a while.”

her eyes softened, a faint hope flickering there. “and did you?”

you sighed, shaking your head. “not really. there’s always been a part of me that wondered if i’d see you again, that wondered if you’d still feel the same.”

caitlin reached across the table, her hand brushing against yours, tentative and gentle. “if there’s any part of you that can forgive me, even a little…i want to make this right. i’ll tell the world about us. i’ll stand beside you, no hiding, no excuses. just us.”

you smiled, squeezing her hand.

“i’d like that,” you whispered, meaning it with every fiber of your being.

[topazadine]

Writing Notes: Seasons

I noticed a few leaves falling from my tree, which means only one thing: it's time.

Time for fall. My favorite, blessed, most beloved season. Pumpkin spice lattes! Candy apples! Cherry pie! Haunted houses! Chilly weather that makes me snuggle up into my hoodie! Candy!

And, of course, it means that I have to share some writing notes with you about seasons.

So today, we're going to share a few different perspectives on seasons. We'll talk about the "traditionally accepted" associations for seasons, but also share other options and how you can infuse them into your work.

Why Use Seasons at All?

You don't have to if you don't want to. Maybe you want to focus entirely on the plot. But, you might add some hints of it for these reasons.

Gives a sense of place. This allows you to show how this place is impacted by particular seasons. Winter in Kampala, Uganda, is going to be wildly different than in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Offers worldbuilding options. In a fantasy setting, seasons are an element of worldbuilding. (Just look at Game of Thrones.) There may be different dangers according to seasons, or unique holidays that can allow you to demonstrate how people interact with this world. Provides templates for description. You can get a lot of mileage out of showing a nice grassy field in spring or the leaves fluttering down during autumn. Don't go on for ages, but you can certainly add a few little flickers here and there. (just remember to put them in the right places for maximum momentum.) Deepens characterization. How characters feel about and interact with the seasons can tell us a lot about who they are. Someone who loves winter could love it because then they can ski, or because they want to cuddle up and be left alone. Someone who loves summer might like lounging around on the porch eating ice cream, or they might like it because it's time to go surfing! Suggests new challenges. If your character lives in Montana, winter is going to be horribly cruel. "The Hunter's Wife" by Anthony Doerr is all about how the seasons challenge the characters and help them grow. But in your story, it might be summer that's the worst. Or fall, or spring, or all of them but in different ways. Creates subtle symbolism. The season of your story can use certain symbolism depending on what kind of plot you have and what your overall theme is, as we'll discuss now.

So, now that we understand why seasons are important, let's look at each one and consider why it might be the best time for your story.

I will note that I am coming from the perspective as a person in the Midwestern United States. What I associate with the seasons, particularly the descriptions, may be utterly irrelevant to you depending on where you are from. If I made a wholly comprehensive list considering the entire world, we'd be here all day.

Keep that in mind and workshop some options for your setting and personal associations.

I'm not omniscient, so take what seems useful to you and leave the rest.

Spring

Ah, the flowers are blooming, the world is warming up, and we're finally crawling out of doors now that we're not buried in slush. Spring is generally associated with positive emotions, but there could be some dangers here, too.

To get some good symbolism, focus on spring's unique place between two fixed, more stable seasons, where we know what to expect: winter and summer.

There is a fragility and shifting balance in spring that can veer good or bad depending on what you're trying to show. Spring also has a sense of expectation, which can pay off (good summer) or fail (icky bad summer).

Associations

Positive

Warmth

Renewal

Hope

Rebirth

Childhood

Innocence

Potential

Change

New beginnings

Reunions

Optimism

Negative

Fluctuating emotions (spring can be quite unpredictable!)

New challenges on the horizon

Feeling exposed

"Nakedness"

Vulnerability

Growing pains

Feeling underappreciated, like a stepping stone to summer

Ferocity (like intense spring storms)

The fragility of life (not every baby animal will survive)

Descriptions

Positive

Wildflowers pushing through the soil

Baby animals

Trees blooming

New blades of grass

Budding leaves

Sunny skies

Life-affirming rain

Warming breezes

Slightly chilly nights

Weak sunrises

Days growing longer

Richly scented flowers

Negative

Sudden cold snaps

Dreary weather

Grey skies

Hard rain that traps one inside

Snow (a reminder of the past)

Flooding

Melting snow revealing last year's trash

Cold mornings

Shivering

Being too hot or too cold

Hard ground

Mud

Summer

Summer fun! Those lucky enough to live by a beach want to splash in the water or go kayaking above the cool waves. We can drink an ice cold soda as we head to outdoor festivals. Kissing as the summer frogs sing a chorus, or partying late into the night: how beautiful!

But summer can be awful, too. Too much beer at a festival and you throw up everywhere, or too much humidity and you die of heatstroke. There's a reason that gun violence goes up when it's hotter: people are pissy and itching for a fight.

There can be a great push-pull here as characters attempt to moderate themselves while also indulging their sense of adventure.

Associations

Positive

Adventure

Childhood

Freedom

Exploration

Warmth

Togetherness

Community spirit

Serendipitous meetings

Happiness

A sense of endlessness (longer daylight hours)

Puppy love

Negative

Long agonizing waits (again, longer daylight hours)

Exhaustion

Overwhelm

Oppression (sociological or environmental)

Excess

Sloth (if characters like to lounge)

Lack of control

Rage

Frustration

Disappointment

Descriptions

Positive

Droning insects

Fireflies (depending on area)

Warmth

Blue skies

Bright green leaves

Active wildlife

Butterflies

Cool drinks

Unexpected cool breezes

Fresh fruit

Whirring fan

Outdoor music

Sunshine

Beautiful sunsets

Negative

Loud, cramped festivals

High humidity

Extreme heat

Dehydration

Glaring sunlight with no shelter

Tornadoes/summer storms

Mosquitos

Broken fan

Sweating

Baking trash (ugh sorry)

Sore joints from the humidity

Spoiled/soggy food

Flat fizzy drinks

Autumn

Okay, I'll try not to be too biased here, so I'll point out that autumn can be both beautiful and terrible. On one hand, we've got the cooler weather, the gorgeous foliage, and the contentment of harvest time: a job well done, and a time to rest.

Many people feel like this is when they are closest to their past loved ones and can commune with those long gone, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. It's a good time for when someone is putting their demons to rest and moving on.

We can also feel cold, dread, and fear during autumn. The nights are getting longer, and there could be all sorts of scary things in the shadows. They, too, are gearing up for the freezing winter months - and they're hungry.

Associations

Positive

Maturity

Adulthood

Rest

Slowing down

Introspection

Thinning of the veil (Halloween)

Spirituality

Retrospection

Harvest and bounty

Change

Reflection

Negative

Fear

Dread

Decay

Lost opportunities

Dwindling time

Anxiety

Limitations

Closer to the end

Feeling one's age

The unknown

Breaking down

Past coming back to haunt one

Descriptions

Positive

Falling leaves

Brisk wind

Crackling campfires

Warm drinks

Busy animals

Frost sparkling on grass

Seeing your breath in the air

Freshly baked pie

Crisp apples

Decorative pumpkins

Cozy hoodies/cloaks

Mulled wine and spices

Harvested grain

Baked bread

Sudden warm days

Negative

Fog shrouded, isolated roads

Creeping cold

Howling animals

Dark nights

Rotting fruit

Bitter wind through cracks in the house

Cold rain

Spoiled grain

Meager harvest

Insufficient clothing

Dead creatures

Skeletons

Icy mist

Barren trees

Creaking houses

Winter

Winter gets the short end of the stick when it comes to symbolism. People focus on the horrible things (cold, loss, sadness) without considering the positives: family, togetherness, comfy mittens, warm hot chocolate and presents.

After all, humans have developed our very own symbolism just to cheer the time up; winter celebrations happen all around the world. You've got so many options here, both in terms of themes, activities, and descriptions. What you focus on will determine how your story feels.

Associations

Positive

Togetherness

Community

Family

Resilience

Perserverence

Joy and whimsy

Caring for others

Possibilities

Planning

Companionship (or solitude)

Optimism

Pushing one's limits

Quietude

Introspection

Better days ahead

Negative

Cold

Nature's fury

Helplessness

Poverty (in any form)

Feeling trapped

Unpleasant relatives

Death

Old age

Broken relationships

Barrenness

Struggle

Endings

Sorrow

Lack of empathy

Hatred

Descriptions

Positive

Roaring fires

Soft heavy blankets

Thick socks

Cozy mittens

Jams and jellies

Hot drinks

Presents

Winter decorations

Christmas cookies

Candles

Softly drifting snow

Clear night skies

Conversations in another room

Clinking glasses

Mulled cider

The contrast between chilly room and warm blanket

Dead quiet nights

Negative

Freezing cold

Driving snow

Stuck in big snow drifts

Tense muscles

Dry skin

Running nose

Barren cupboards

Tense conversations with distant relatives

Frozen hands

Harsh wind

Stuffy rooms

Cold floors

Animals scratching at the door

Lack of ventilation

Can't get warm

Shivering

So there are my thoughts on the seasons! Hopefully this sparked something for you.

Now, perhaps, you will consider reading my book (now cheaper than ever!)

9 Years Yearning is a whirlwind look at two men growing up and finding themselves - and each other, wink wink. It features Uileac, an orphan determined to protect his little sister and become the best soldier he can be. However, this is complicated by Orrinir, a blustery young man whose bravado hides a surprisingly sensitive heart. In just under 34k words, they experience the whole range of human emotions - and beat a few people up. Ooh la la.

If you do decide to read 9 Years Yearning, don't forget to leave a review!

It can even be a bad review if you want. Amazon uses ratings of all shapes and sizes to determine whether a book is worth getting shown to other potential readers.

Lack of reviews = Jeff Bezos breaks my door down with a baseball bat and drags me to the Hell Sphere.

So please, I have dogs that want their snackies. For $2 and a few nice words, YOU can help buy this small child her favorite treat (bully sticks).

[myhauntedsalem]

The unsolved mystery of the Van Meter Visitor – a winged creature!

A bizarre legend and unsolved mystery which has haunted a small Iowa town for more than 100 years is the subject of a new book called The Van Meter Visitor.

For several nights in 1903, the small town of Van Meter, Iowa was terrorized by a giant bat-like creature that emerged from an old abandoned mine.

The identity of this mysterious monster has never been discovered, but over 100 years later a new book is retelling the amazing tale and hoping to shed some light on what happened all those years ago.

The legend dates back to the fall of 1903, when several of Van Meter’s most well respected citizens reported a half human, half animal with enormous, smooth bat wings flying about.

The creature is described as moving at speeds the townsfolk had never witnessed before, plus it let off a powerful stench and shot a blinding light from its horned head.

Each time the townsfolk encountered the creature they fired their guns at it, but this appeared to have no impact on the creature.

On the first night it was first spotted flying across the building tops. The next evening it was spotted by both the town doctor and bank cashier Peter Dunn who took a plaster cast of its ‘great three-toed tracks.’

On the third night, a man spotted it perched atop a telephone pole. Another resident who saw it, described the monster as hopping like a kangaroo, while the local high school teacher likened it to a devil.

Scared and angered by what they had witnessed, the townsfolk followed the creature to an abandoned coal mine near an old brickyard where they heard a noise from the mine.

‘Presently the noise opened up again, as though Satan and a regiment of imps were coming forth for battle,’ reads an article in the Des Moines Daily News from Oct. 3, 1903.

[blackphanto]

Chucky predictions

SPOILER WARNING FOR CHUCKY S3E5!

I wanna make Chucky theories so bad, but I can't think of any! This show is so crazy that I can't even predict or speculate on what could happen next. There are some people teasing on twitter though and all they've been doing is making me even more hyped for how this season is going to end. So here are some of my predictions based on everything that's been teased so far.

Jake will enter the spirit realm:

I don't think he's necessarily going to die, but he's so fixated on ending Chucky for good to the point where he refused to run away from it all like Devon suggested. And we've heard the doctor, the only way you get to the spirit realm is by dying, but what if you didn't need to die? I believe that thanks to all the supernatural shit occurring there, the White House will become some sort of passage between the two realms. Jake will cross it to try and destroy Charles' soul, but if he will fail or succeed is still debatable...

Caroline helps Chucky get young again:

If Jake fails in permanently killing Chucky, Caroline will come to the rescue. We know she'll be back, but what role will she play in this mess? When she'll return, all hell already would've broken loose and she'll just make it worse. Her sudden entrance at the White House will cause quite the emotional reunion for Lexi and her. Yet, Caroline didn't come alone. Armed with the Voodoo for Dummies book, sure, but she brought another friend, who's none other than the Good Guy Doll creator played by John Waters. He came with a new doll, a new vessel for Charles and with Caroline's newfound knowledge of Voodooism, she'll get Damaballa's blessings and give Chucky a new body, a new chance to not disappoint the almighty Iowa and if he plays his cards right, he might even become forever young.

Grant will survive:

I don't have any evidence to back this up, I just like him and think it's unfair that Lexy always has to say goodbye to someone she loves each season and I just don't want it to happen again. From a psychology standpoint it just desensitized her and would lead to her not getting attached to anyone else besides Jake & Devon next season, in fear of someone else always having to die because of her. And from a writing perspective it just gets repetitive, predictable and boring. So please Don Mancini don't kill him, also I love Jackson Kelly.

The past will haunt everyone:

Charles Lee Ray isn't the only ghost the Terror Trio will have to deal with in the newly supernatural possessed White House. We've seen the past of the Collins family haunt them time and time again, we've seen Henry talk about ghosts and fearing what they told him almost every single episode. Why would that stop at Joseph or Charles? Wouldn't it be horrible for our trio to be faced with the lives they lost thanks to a doll they couldn't stop? How would Jake react upon seeing his father again, disappointed at him for being gay. And Lexy, the poor girl, facing Junior, the boy she watched die, trying to save her... Not making at least one ghost of the past come back would be a wasted opportunity.

Tiffany will survive, but Jennifer's body might not:

Tiffany's possible death has been brought up in every interview Jennifer Tilly made following the comeback of Chucky season 3. At this point it even became a ‘will they, won't they’ situation. Does Mancini really have the guts to kill off a cult favorite character and actress he loves so much? Or will we just say goodbye to seeing Tilly on screen and welcome only her voice? I mean the trailer kinda made it clear for me that this isn't the end of Tiffany's story, but maybe that of Jennifer's body.