The First Thanksgiving

Well, here we are again people. Thanksgiving and the cusp of the holiday gift-giving, shopping, binge eating season. It’s true what my parents always used to say, time goes by too quickly. Slow down and enjoy life.

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Here’s What They Don’t Tell You

I know it’s April Fools Day and some of you are either giving or getting pranked today, but this post is certainly not about that. This is a very serious post and one that is near and dear to my heart. I hope you’ll bear with me and know that I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer on this fabulous Monday. Such is not the case. Today is actually a day of celebration.

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Keeping It Creepy

I love to explore creepy places. Haunted houses are always cool, old dilapidated buildings at night, attics, basements, cemeteries in the fog, those kinds of places. I like to check out all the little nooks and crannies to see if there’s any hidden switches that open doorways to secret rooms. You know, the kinds of stuff you see on TV.

Photo courtesy Google Images

Here are some photos of some mysterious and supposedly haunted places I’ve had the privilege of exploring:

We’ll start with a local one. These pictures were taken on one of the nights I took the haunted tour over at the McRaven Tour Home here in Vicksburg

McRaven House Photo by P. Rickrode

McRaven House Photo by P. Rickrode

MsRaven House Photo by P. Rickrode

McRaven House Photo by P. Rickrode

McRaven House Photo by P. Rickrode

McRaven House Photo by P. Rickrode

McRaven House Photo by P. Rickrode

If you are interested in touring this fabulous house, and you should if you’re in Vicksburg, here is the link for more information https://www.mcraventourhome.com/

Next we’ll go to California, to a VERY small town called Ione in Amador County. One of the last places I visited before leaving California for Mississippi was Preston Castle. Here is a brief bit of information about Preston Castle:

In 1890, the California State Legislature purchased 230 acres from the Ione Coal & Iron Company for construction of the Preston School of Industry, a place where troubled boys could learn a trade instead of being incarcerated in juvenile prisons.

The complex was highly self-sufficient; the large acreage of the purchase allowed the boys to grow their own food, raise livestock and learn farming trades. Additionally, there was a print shop, bakery and cobbler shop where the young delinquents and otherwise homeless boys could learn skills for self-preservation in the real world.

The school officially opened on June 13, 1894, and the first wards moved in only two weeks later. The superintendent controlled life inside the Preston School of Industry, where discipline was extreme. Loss of privileges seemed minor in comparison to starvation, isolation, and public paddling and lashings, severe strategies that were common at Preston.

Here are some of the photos from my tour:

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Preston Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

For a brief time in 1954 country music legend Merle Haggard did time at Preston Castle for auto theft. For more information about Preston Castle click here: http://www.prestoncastle.com/

Next we’ll head up north to Victoria, British Columbia and take a peek at Craigdarroch Castle. The castle is a historic, Victorian-era Scottish Baronial mansion. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada due to its landmark status in Victoria

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by C. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

Craigdarroch Castle Photo by P. Rickrode

All of these places are reportedly quite haunted although I never experienced anything supernatural while I was there. Quite a few of my photographs from Craigdarroch Castle have what appear to be orbs in them, but it might just be dust motes in the air. This one in particular is of interest.

Me and Corey on the grand staircase at Craigdarroch Castle.

I don’t know what that big cloudy bubble thing is near my hand but it darn near touched me. And, there are at least 3 more smaller orbs in this photo. Do you see them?

Anyway, if you’d like more information about this creepy cool place, here’s where you need to start: https://thecastle.ca/

So there you have it my friends, my nod to keeping it creepy in February. What creepy places have you explored? Do you like visiting haunted houses?

Word of the day: Zloty

Fun fact about me: I guess I live in a haunted house, at least that’s what people tell me.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, January 2019. Photos by P. Rickrode and Google Images.

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Blonds Are Disappearing From TV Land

I’ve noticed lately a strange phenomenon when I watch TV. There are very few blondes in any of the shows I watch on a regular basis. This led to a more extensive investigation on my part. I started randomly watching shows I’ve never watched before just to see what the main characters look like. The phenomenon continued. Hardly any blondes.

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Easter Fools

So this year Easter falls on April Fools Day. You’ve probably all seen this meme

I’m not normally one to appreciate pranks. In fact, I usually hate them. But, this guy is brilliant.

I love his made up words. And the definitions were even better. And, the best part, he did it with a straight face.

Well folks, the story does not end there. No sirree. This guy’s video went viral and that lead to this:

I love Ellen and I love that she gave him a spelling test. So perfect.

Have you seen this video before? Do you think this guy is clever? I think he’s probably an amazing teacher. And, he’s cute to boot. Do you like pranks? Are you one to go all out for April Fools? Come on, fess up and share the details.

Word of the Day: Ethamivan

Fun fact about me: I don’t think I’ve ever played an April Fool’s joke on anyone.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, March 2018. Meme courtesy Google Images. Videos courtesy YouTube (ellentube)

 

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Ridiculous Reviews

As an author, I am anxiously awaiting the day I receive my first book review. I know this may not be a pleasant experience, but I’m anticipating it none-the-less. Book reviews are two-edged swords. Most authors want reviews, especially if they’re good. But, you must take the good with the bad and I know there will undoubtedly be a bad review or two.

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When Suspension of Disbelief Goes Too Far

Suspension of Disbelief. It’s a common enough term for writers of fiction. It’s a fine line to walk when writing certain kinds of fiction. But, the average person may not quite understand what that term is.

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My Olympics Experience

I enjoy watching the olympics. I can’t always watch during prime time, (my husband doesn’t like the olympics so watching during primetime is not an option for me), but that’s why I have a DVR. However, my viewing experience of the winter olympics in Korea has been disappointing thus far for a number of reasons.

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OMG – Just Watch It!

This video speaks for itself. Just watch it. I dare you not to laugh out loud.

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Do You Ever Wonder?

A week or so ago I was watching one of those crime shows on TV, you know the ones where they have an agent/detective go “undercover” and spy on someone? In this show, the gal was sitting on a park bench with ear buds, bopping along to some unheard tune when this jogger stops and plants himself on the bench next to her and starts up a conversation. Now, this gal didn’t want to converse, yet neither did she want to appear as though she were spying on someone. So, she provided the occasional nod or “um hm” while continuing to watch her target from the corner of her eye.

That scene got me to thinking – which can be a scary thing I’ll admit. I wondered if this had ever happened to me. I mean, I’ve been known to strike up a conversation with a totally random stranger if the mood hits me. Yet I wondered, have I ever intruded in a clandestine spying operation? Have I ever encountered a completely random person, who appeared to be sitting/standing idly, yet was really annoyed because I was distracting them from their bad guy’s activities with mindless chit chat?

Seriously, how many of those mornings at Starbucks or the gas station or the grocery store have I talked to an undercover law enforcement person doing their surveillance job?

That in turn got me to wondering other oddball things. Like, have I ever had in my possession counterfeit money? Have I ever spent counterfeit money passed on to me from some other source?

Have I ever happened upon a drug deal without even being aware it was happening in my presence?

Has a late night sting operation ever had to be aborted because I happened along for a snack at a convenience store? Gosh, I hope not. And yet . . . hmmmm?

How many people do I talk to every single day are hiding concealed weapons? Being from Mississippi I’m sure that number is quite high.

There are just so many things that could be happening right in front of my nose. I know that from now on everyone is going to look suspicious to me. How about you?

Have you ever been in the wrong place at the wrong – or maybe right – time? What sorts of clandestine things have you interrupted? Come on – please share. Have you ever wondered if you’ve thwarted a crime just by showing up some place? Surely this isn’t just me.

Word of the day: Ididem

Fun fact about me: I’m tap dancing again.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, October 2017. Photos courtesy Google Images.

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