Abandoned Houses, Antiques And the Dust That Ghosts Are Made Of

Der Antiquitaetenlad By John Watkins Chapman

I confess!  I have a passionate obsession for the past.  Please don't misunderstand and think that I harbor regrets or desire to relive my childhood.  It's just that I love holding history in my hands and soaking in the ambiance of the mysteries of time itself.  Antique shops possess me, museums amaze me and abandoned old houses thrill me - I love being haunted!

 The Novikov Mansion by Zhen Yang

The art of urban exploration has been a family past time for as long as I can remember.  I grew up in an old mansion.  Currently, I live in my  Great Grandparent's three story house built in 1900.  My Mother loved exploring old houses, cemeteries and estate sales.  She would spend countless hours treasure hunting in barns, antique shops and old attics.  Her love of old things transferred onto me like a tattoo.

Fallen Beauty by Fibreciment on deviantart

Perhaps its because my ancestors were nobles who had to flee their beloved homes that made my family such gatherers.  Collecting, saving and adoring treasure is something I've always known.  Musty old books, full of stories none of my peers knew were my favorites to read.  Dining on Great Great Grandma's china was expected on holidays and special occasions.  Wearing costume baubles from my Great Grandma's jewelry box was my fashion trademark since college.  I played with toys from 50 years ago, slept in beds from 100 years ago and gazed up at paintings and photographs from 200 years ago for as long as I can remember.  Eccentric to others is normal to me.   

Photo from Victoriana.com

Something special lingers on things from the past, a residue of love and warmth that can't be felt with new things.  More artistry lies in the handcrafted goods of yesterday, almost as if things have a soul.  Energy trapped over time whispers stories and calls to those who will hear.  My clairaudience won't let me just pass by, I always have to stop and investigate those whispers.  It makes daily life more exciting and adventurous.  When ever I wear an old ring, use an old tea cup or cuddle an old toy, I am aware of the fact that I am holding someone's history, their precious treasure and that I, somehow, have become part of them.  That way, I'm never truly alone.  

In the dust, on the old mantle, are the ghosts of loved ones passed on.  On the mantle, in the candle's glow, they stay, never really gone.
 

The house I grew up in.

Daydream

Art by Cocodrillo on deviantart

Could the memory of  something past still manifest itself in the present mind?  Only the angels know for sure.

As I gaze out over a dismal, bleak, grey morning, the memory of a love I've never known comes to me in the wind.  At first, its only a notion, a little toy for my brain - but then the vision comes clearer and the illusion of an emotion long lost floods my soul like the tide rushing upon a sandy shore - taking with it the precious grains of my sanity and drifting them into the ebbing blue of  long ago but not.

Art by Spiralkitty on deviantart

A pretty thought of arms I longed to cling to, a warm enticement of a kiss lingered much too long and then ...

Almost as quickly and mysteriously as its arrival, it is gone - vanished with the blink of the sun's beaming ray upon my weary brow.  Gone ... but perhaps still a residue remains, sticky sweet like a drop of honey on this yearning mind of mine.  I loved you - but - if only in a daydream.

 Art by Colorkiller on deviantart  

Paper Cranes, New Friends & Wishes

Like many today, I've been reflecting on the past 12 months and readying myself for 2012. 

Hope_by_ruxique

For me, 2011 will always invoke a tear and a sigh.  The year began with personal loss, my beloved Grandmother passed away.  Nature's wrath forever changed the face of the Earth, bringing hardships and broken lives all over the world.  Fear & war received far too much attention than it deserves.  I joined the NOH8 campaign in an attempt to support friends who suffer, simply because they are different.  The failing American economy struck close to home with family & friends losing their jobs.  So many sacrifices had to be made this year.

By vanessa.kim  

“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?” ~ Kahlil Gibran 

 Inspiration and opportunities are born from tears. I have always believed that within our hands is the power to create any destiny we choose.  This year, I made up my mind to manifest change!  I have tried to harness sorrow's energy and keep my hands very busy!  My Sister and I planted the seeds to begin our own business, which has opened our minds and our future.  I educated myself and successfully improved my health in remarkable ways.  There is a lot of potential prosperity and divine purpose to be seized as I look into the near future.  I have never felt so determined!

 Art by http://achikun.deviantart.com/       

It always amazes me how fate plays such a magical part in our lives.  A chance meeting has brought something really special onto my path.  New friends have brought me exciting challenges and possibilities for adventure in the coming year.  When the opportunity arises to aid others in their quest and share our talents to create new and wonderful things, it is a gift.  I am so excited for the future!  Dear friends, you know who you are.  You are cherished.  Thank you!

They say the Mayan calendar's abrupt end in 2012 assures certain doom.  I don't believe such nonsense!  We are the caretakers of destiny and we decide our fate, not a calendar!  I am full of hope, love and wishes for tomorrow.  I face the unknown with strength of will and child-like faith.  2012, c'mon and bring it - I'm ready!  

Happy New Year!  


Here is how to fold your own paper crane:  http://www.pacificfriend.ca/html/how_to_fold_a_paper_crane.html

My Frozen Cup Of Happiness

Art by mv79 on deviantart,com 

The first real snow of the season finally came last night.

As the wind howled outside my window and tapped the glass, my thoughts went a million miles away to where my heart's dearest wishes dwell.

I've spent so much time in solitude.  The lessons of love have been so very sharp and I've shed more than the healthy dose of tears & pain in recent times.  They say the cosmos returns what you put into it.  There is a great force that draws what is meant to be together, but my force was broken and weak.  My contribution to the cosmos was too small and nothing positive came back to me.  I let the icy dragons of my fears and insecurities wrap themselves too tightly around me, smother me, hide me.  Locked in my forgotten

ice tower, like a snow queen, I would only gaze down at anyone who came to my gate then coldly turn away.

Looking out at the swirls of lacy Winter ribbons, I reflected on how far I've come this year.  My confidence cloaks me now like the whiteness covers the rooftops.  I've quested for inner peace with my dreams and desires.  I found a nirvana for my spirit to rest like the snow upon the sleeping sod.

Art by eXXeQt on deviantart.com

Pulling my robe tighter around me, a sudden sweet thought came to me.  I recalled a card from one of the many oracles and divination decks my Sister and I use in our craft.  The ace of cups, the single vessel full of emotion, the beginning of something wonderful, has always been in my grasp.  Alas, until now I've kept it frozen.  There seems to be only one more lesson to complete before I can sip the joy I yearn and wish for.  I must embrace patience.  Like the snow ices over the roses forcing them to sleep till Spring, so must I wait for my frozen cup of happiness to thaw before I may drink.

I know it will be worth the wait.

Art by Mavain on deviantart.com

    

Mr. Belatricks

He arrived this afternoon, our new family member, Mr. Belatricks ("Bela" for Lugosi & "tricks" because this little fella has more tricks than a magician).  Baby Bela (born 9/25/2011) settled easily enough into his deluxe three story habitat.  My Sister said he chose her (familiars usually do).  The kitties seem to be okay with him & Bela has no fear or worry of them.  Looking forward to getting to know this fuzzy little dude, although he stole my heart when he walked the entire perimeter of his domicile dozens of times, backwards & with somersaults!

"Love the animals: God has given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled" ~

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Romance of Roses and Raindrops

Art by http://girlunknown.deviantart.com/

.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Love is like the rain on a rose.

It kisses and caresses the flower so it may grow.

Regret not the droplets that eventually slip from the petals, for if they were to linger too long, the flower would drown and cease to thrive.

So let the kisses fall and take nourishment from them.

When it is time to say farewell, do not let sorrow take root.

In time, sunbeams will replace the raindrops, creating a new sensation to live for.

.~.~.~.

Art by http://taipeiss.deviantart.com/

 Written by Tracy Cathleen November 26th 2011

Snowflakes & Ferrets

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon online, doing little things I never seem to have time for.  I browsed deviantart.com looking for unknown artists & works to use for Tenebrous & Olana Sisters.  I put snowflakes on top of all my website pages.  I even did research for the next Creature Feature on Tenebrous, likely to post a bit after the holidays.  How could I have found so much spare time you ask?  I needed to stay out of the way, because my sister was busy, tearing apart her office, in order to make accommodations for a yet to be known addition to our home ... a ferret!


My sister, Amy (also known as the horror writer Lueya Harrison), has been wanting and planning for this kind of pet for awhile.  I don't know why, unless its embedded or coded somehow in our  noble genetics.  I'm not quite sure how Mr. Smokey Fluffy Snuffles, my sister's darling cat, is going to handle all this.  I'm prepared to soothe his fragile ego, if he chooses to be jealous.  Lord knows what the other feline residents in our home (totaling 6) will think!


If plans go smoothly, tomorrow, we will join the millions who have come to know & love ferrets.  Wish me & Smokey luck!