Wednesday, July 22, 2020
The Little Merrow
An Irish Retelling of The Little Mermaid
Connall was sitting on the beach with Alroy playing his fife when Alroy took off running. When he followed Alroy he came across a woman in a thin, tattered white dress. “Sorry miss, we didn’t mean to bother you.” As Connall looked, the face seemed familiar. “Have we met before?” The woman shook her head. “You look familiar…” As he thought he figured it out. She was the woman that saved him! “You’re her!” He exclaimed, “the one that saved me, what’s your name?” The woman touched her throat. “You can’t speak?” She nodded. “Oh…you can’t be her then. Where are you from?” Carra, at a loss for what to do vaguely motioned out to see. “The sea? Were you on a ship?” Carra nodded. “You poor thing, come on, I’ll help you.” Connall brought her to the palace where she was bathed and clothed by the servants. Carra was only supposed to stay a night, until the rest of her shipmates were found, but Connall was quickly taken by the woman, as was the rest of the palace. She was helpful, curious, and filled with such joy despite not a sound coming from her mouth. She was also a magnificent dancer; no one had ever seen such a dancer. Connall found himself telling her all about his life, his dreams, and his worries. Through hand gestures and writing Carra was able to speak, and through this they were able to have many long conversations. It was on her fifth day there that a princess came to visit from another kingdom. The king and queen had planned the meeting months before, a prospective wife for Connall. In one of their talks by the ocean Connall told Carra that he did not want to marry the princess. He was in love with the woman who had saved him. She had the most beautiful voice he had ever heard. He would not marry anyone but her. Carra’s heart leaped for joy as well as broke in half when she heard this. How could she show Connall she was that woman? The king and queen were very disappointed at their son’s rejection of the princess and pressed him to get married. When he told them about the woman, they were very upset. His father proclaimed it to be a merrow and Connall should forget her. The queen very quietly mentioned Carra, if he liked spending time with her so much, perhaps he could marry her. That planted a seed of an idea in his head that grew every time he was around her. It was her fourteenth day there when he felt himself quite in love with her. He brought her to the beach to tell her. He was about to proclaim his love to her when he heard the voice, the beautiful singing voice from that day on the beach. Before Carra could stop him, he ran off towards it. Carra followed, afraid for what was to come. There on the beach was a beautiful woman, who looked quite like Carra with her red hair, singing. “It’s you!” Connall exclaimed. “It is, I have been searching for you.” “As I have you.” Carra stared in horror at what was transpiring. Something was very wrong. “Come my love, come to me and proclaim your love,” she held out her hand. Connall took a step towards her, but looked back at Carra. Carra had tears in her eyes and silently pleaded with Connall not to go. He looked back at the woman. “Leave her. Come to me, it is me whom you love.” Connall once again took a step before stopping. “I…” he started, his conflicting feelings warring inside of him. “You love me, not her.” The woman said, her voice taking a rough tone. “No.” Connall said forcefully, turning back to Carra. “Carra I…” Before he could finish, the woman had changed shape into a hideous serpent like creature. It lunged at Connall, Carra pointed and Connall turned just in time to dodge the poisonous fangs. Connall drew his sword and swung, cutting the serpent’s head clean off. As it fell it became the head of King Calbach. Carra gasped, and found her voice returned. “Connall,” she whispered. He turned at her voice. “You can speak.” “I was her, I was the woman.” Carra said. “It doesn’t matter my dear, I love you with or without a voice.” He proclaimed kissing her. With Connall and Carra’s wedding, peace was reached between the children of the water and children of the earth. No more did they have to fear each other. When they ascended to the throne after the king and queen passed, they were the most gracious rulers to have ever ruled. When Connall and Carra grew old, they walked into the ocean to never be seen again. It’s said that they are still alive today, and if you listen closely on a clear night you can hear the most beautiful voice singing, accompanied with the fife of her beloved.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Paranormal History of the White House
The Ghosts of the White House
With two hundred years since it was built, the White House has a very rich history. From housing past and present presidents, to drawing tourists in from all over, the White House is one of the symbols that defines the United States. The White House is one of the iconic buildings in America. With stately columns and a stark white façade, the White House is a sight to be seen. Housing 132 rooms over six floors, it’s no wonder those walls have produced some mysterious stories. With rumors of secret passages and secret bunkers, it’s no wonder that the White House has produced some paranormal stories. There is rumored to be not one ghost, but at least ten different ghosts roaming the halls of the famous house.
The majority of the rumored poltergists are members of presidential families. However, there is one ghost that was not connected to any president, but the land itself. David Burns was a Scotsman who owned part of the land that was bought to become Washington D.C., part of his plantation extended into the land that is now the White House. He passed away in his cottage that rested on the land and is now said to haunt the White House that he never really liked. Lillian Parks, a seamstress to the Presidents recorded a story of an instance when the phrase, “I’m Mr. Burns,” long and drawn out came from one of the rooms, with no speaker found.
The first residents of the White House, First Lady Abigail Adams, is said to still reside in the house. The East Room is said to be her favorite haunt. Moving into the house in 1800, John and Abigail Adams were the first family to live in the presidential house. The house wasn’t even finished when they moved in, and the house was very cold. When she was alive, Abigail Adams used the East Room to dry laundry as it was the warmest part of the house. Witnesses have claimed seeing her in her cap and shawl with arms out, carrying an invisible load of laundry.
Haunting the outside of the White House is another First Lady. Dolley Madison is said to protect the Rose Garden, her pride and joy. The story goes that when President Woodrow Wilson took office, his wife ordered the Rose Garden to be changed. When gardeners went to follow the order, they reportedly saw Dolley Madison’s ghost, and refused to work.
Another early member of the White House, President Andrew Jackson stayed in the house longer than his term. With several people reportedly hearing his swearing and his recognizable laugh. One of the most famous stories is that First Lady Mary Lincoln held a séance and said she heard him in the Rose Room, his old bedroom. He was swearing and stomping around the room in a terrible mood, in death as he was in life.
The youngest member of the ghostly members of the White House is a spirit referred to as the Thing. Given the nickname by Major Butt, from the Taft administration. The Thing was known for peering over shoulders. The ghost, seemingly a teenager, is unknown, but apparently frightened President Taft so badly that he forbad his staff to repeat anything about the mysterious spirit.
The most famous ghost of the White House is none other than President Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln’s stay in the White House was surrounded in the paranormal. First Lady Mary Lincoln was very involved in the supernatural after the death of their son. President Lincoln even recounted times where he saw his own death in a dream. He saw a double image of his face in his mirror. Even on the day he was killed he said “I have had a dream, the same dream that I have had three times before. I am in a boat, alone on an ocean. I have no oars, no rudder. I am in helpless. Adrift.” A dark foreshadowing of what was to come.
Many believe it was the shortness of his term that keeps him in the White House Several members of first families have reported seeing the former president. First Lady Grace Coolidge claimed to have seen him looking out a window. First Lady Bird Johnson said she felt him when she was watching a documentary about him. A visitor to the White House, Queen Wilhelmina heard a knock on her door and opened the door to find President Lincoln in his top hat waiting outside her door. The most famous story of President Lincoln’s ghost comes from Prime Minister Winston Churchill who emerged from the bathroom to see President Lincoln standing by the fireplace. After staring at each other, President Lincoln vanished. With so many different stories, it begs the question, who else could be lurking in the White House?
Sources:
Moonlight Diner
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
It was during the lunch rush when she entered the diner. A girl in a leather coat and a beanie went unnoticed among the hustle and bustle of the busy diner. She sat down at the bar, plopping her dufflebag at her feet. She brushed the dust off her coat, and ordered a coffee with milk and sugar. She took out a notebook and started furiously writing, hunching over the book as she did. The din of the restaurant had faded to a soft murmur as most of the people had left. The girl still sat writing, pausing every so often to take a bit of her sandwich or a sip of her coffee. In the kitchen, the waitresses discussed the young girl. The diner’s main clientele were regulars. A stranger was not unheard of but was something to be discussed.
“What is she writing so furiously?” Flo asked peeking out of the window at the girl.
“Looked to me like a letter,” Savannah replied, popping her gum. “When I was servin’ her, I saw a dear David at the top.
“David? Ten bucks she’s a runaway bride.” Flo said.
“She’s far too young!” Maggie remarked shaking her head.
“Back in Georgia,” Savannah spoke up, flicking her blonde ringlets over her shoulder. “We got married by eighteen.”
“Couldn’t find someone to put up with you?” Flo smirked to which Savannah gave a little huff.
“I had many beaus I’ll have you know,” she stated before leaving the kitchen.
“I’m still saying runaway bride,” Flo said to Maggie. Maggie once again shook her head.
“I bet you’re wrong.”
“You’re on,” Flo grinned and shook the older woman’s hand.
“What is she writing so furiously?” Flo asked peeking out of the window at the girl.
“Looked to me like a letter,” Savannah replied, popping her gum. “When I was servin’ her, I saw a dear David at the top.
“David? Ten bucks she’s a runaway bride.” Flo said.
“She’s far too young!” Maggie remarked shaking her head.
“Back in Georgia,” Savannah spoke up, flicking her blonde ringlets over her shoulder. “We got married by eighteen.”
“Couldn’t find someone to put up with you?” Flo smirked to which Savannah gave a little huff.
“I had many beaus I’ll have you know,” she stated before leaving the kitchen.
“I’m still saying runaway bride,” Flo said to Maggie. Maggie once again shook her head.
“I bet you’re wrong.”
“You’re on,” Flo grinned and shook the older woman’s hand.
“Howdy miss,” the sudden voice started the young woman so much she nearly ran a line through her paper. She turned to see a young, handsome blonde man with a plaid shirt, cowboy hat, and the bluest eyes she had ever seen. “Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s all right,” she replied.
“Writin’ quite furiously there.”
“Yep.”
“Name’s Joshua,” he stuck out his hand.
“Alex,” she said hesitantly shaking his hand.
“Might fine pleasure,” he smiled widely.
“Hey Joshua,” came a singsong voice. Alex and Joshua turned to see Savannah.
“Afternoon Miss Savannah, lookin’ pretty as always.”
“Such a flatterer,” Savannah giggled.
“Mama always said flattery put the world at your feet.”
“Smart woman, want the usual?”
“Yes’m thank ya darlin’.” Savannah flounced away and Joshua turned his piercing eyes onto Alex.
“Haven’t seen ya round here,” he said.
“Not from here,” Alex replied trying to go back to her writing.
“Where ya from?”
“Not from here.”
“Closed book ain’t ya?”
“Did you want something?” Alex snapped.
“Just wanted to chat, ya looked like ya needed to talk somethin’ out.”
“Well I don’t.”
“Alrighty then,” Joshua shrugged. Savannah brought him his food and Joshua started to eat.
Alex and Joshua sat next to each other in silence before Alex spoke.
“I ran away,” she found herself saying.
“From?”
“My boyfriend David.”
“Why?”
“Let’s just say he wasn’t right for me.” Joshua got quiet.
“Did he hurt ya?” Alex froze, and didn’t respond. Joshua’s face grew angry. “How badly?” He was quiet, which was more frightening. Alex silently moved her sleeves up to show several bruises and cuts on her arms. She paused and then moved her scarf to show her neck. There was a lot of bruising, it was so bad you could still almost see the hands wrapped around her throat. Joshua’s face turned red as he tried to control his anger. “Does he know ya left?”
“Yes, I’ve been gone for a few days now.”
“Do you think he’ll come after ya?”
“Yes,” Alex whispered, “and he will kill me.”
“I’ll protect ya,” Joshua said taking her hand. It was if a spell was broken and Alex pulled back.
“How did you get me to talk? I didn’t want to talk.”
“Maybe ya just felt comfortable, I make people feel at ease.”
“I haven’t felt at ease for a while.”
“Let me help ya,” Joshua said earnestly.
“Why?”
“I have a soft spot for damsels in distress.” Joshua once again reached for her hand, and this time Alex allowed it.
The two started to talk about love, life, and everything. They talked for a while until Alex realized the sun was starting to go down. She jumped up, causing Joshua to do the same.
“I have to go.”
“Wait, what?”
“I need to go, I’ve stayed here for too long, he’s going to find me,” Alex started to throw on her outer layers.
“I’ll drive ya wherever ya want to go,” Joshua replied.
“No, no, I won’t get you involved. You’re just going to get hurt.”
“I’m already involved, I won’t just abandon you now.”
“He’s going to kill you,” Alex whispered, her eyes pleading with him.
“I won’t let him,” Joshua squeezed her hand.
Before either one of them could realize what was happening, a tall man with dark hair ripped Alex away from Joshua. The man’s face was contorted with anger.
“What the hell are you doing Alexandra?”
“Get off me David,” Alex spat. “I’m not going to be bothered by you anymore.”
“Who is this?” David asked gesturing to Joshua.
“None of your concern, let me go!”
“Not likely, we’re going.”
“She’s not going anywhere with ya,” Joshua said stepping forward.
“She’s not your concern,” David scoffed.
“Actually, she is. I won’t let ya hurt her anymore.”
“You won’t let me?” David laughed, shoving Joshua with his free hand. “You couldn’t handle me cowboy.”
“Wanna bet?” Joshua swung, and his punch landed on David’s jaw. David dropped Alex’s arm and lunged at Joshua. A fist fight ensued as Alex dove for her dufflebag. She was rummaging in it when David managed to get his hands around Joshua’s neck. Alex panicked and looked harder. Joshua’s face was turning blue as he was unable to breathe. Alex found what she was looking for and ran at David. She raised her weapon, a wooden stake, high above her head.
“See you in hell, you bastard,” she said plunging the stake through his heart. David let out a screech and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
“It’s all right,” she replied.
“Writin’ quite furiously there.”
“Yep.”
“Name’s Joshua,” he stuck out his hand.
“Alex,” she said hesitantly shaking his hand.
“Might fine pleasure,” he smiled widely.
“Hey Joshua,” came a singsong voice. Alex and Joshua turned to see Savannah.
“Afternoon Miss Savannah, lookin’ pretty as always.”
“Such a flatterer,” Savannah giggled.
“Mama always said flattery put the world at your feet.”
“Smart woman, want the usual?”
“Yes’m thank ya darlin’.” Savannah flounced away and Joshua turned his piercing eyes onto Alex.
“Haven’t seen ya round here,” he said.
“Not from here,” Alex replied trying to go back to her writing.
“Where ya from?”
“Not from here.”
“Closed book ain’t ya?”
“Did you want something?” Alex snapped.
“Just wanted to chat, ya looked like ya needed to talk somethin’ out.”
“Well I don’t.”
“Alrighty then,” Joshua shrugged. Savannah brought him his food and Joshua started to eat.
Alex and Joshua sat next to each other in silence before Alex spoke.
“I ran away,” she found herself saying.
“From?”
“My boyfriend David.”
“Why?”
“Let’s just say he wasn’t right for me.” Joshua got quiet.
“Did he hurt ya?” Alex froze, and didn’t respond. Joshua’s face grew angry. “How badly?” He was quiet, which was more frightening. Alex silently moved her sleeves up to show several bruises and cuts on her arms. She paused and then moved her scarf to show her neck. There was a lot of bruising, it was so bad you could still almost see the hands wrapped around her throat. Joshua’s face turned red as he tried to control his anger. “Does he know ya left?”
“Yes, I’ve been gone for a few days now.”
“Do you think he’ll come after ya?”
“Yes,” Alex whispered, “and he will kill me.”
“I’ll protect ya,” Joshua said taking her hand. It was if a spell was broken and Alex pulled back.
“How did you get me to talk? I didn’t want to talk.”
“Maybe ya just felt comfortable, I make people feel at ease.”
“I haven’t felt at ease for a while.”
“Let me help ya,” Joshua said earnestly.
“Why?”
“I have a soft spot for damsels in distress.” Joshua once again reached for her hand, and this time Alex allowed it.
The two started to talk about love, life, and everything. They talked for a while until Alex realized the sun was starting to go down. She jumped up, causing Joshua to do the same.
“I have to go.”
“Wait, what?”
“I need to go, I’ve stayed here for too long, he’s going to find me,” Alex started to throw on her outer layers.
“I’ll drive ya wherever ya want to go,” Joshua replied.
“No, no, I won’t get you involved. You’re just going to get hurt.”
“I’m already involved, I won’t just abandon you now.”
“He’s going to kill you,” Alex whispered, her eyes pleading with him.
“I won’t let him,” Joshua squeezed her hand.
Before either one of them could realize what was happening, a tall man with dark hair ripped Alex away from Joshua. The man’s face was contorted with anger.
“What the hell are you doing Alexandra?”
“Get off me David,” Alex spat. “I’m not going to be bothered by you anymore.”
“Who is this?” David asked gesturing to Joshua.
“None of your concern, let me go!”
“Not likely, we’re going.”
“She’s not going anywhere with ya,” Joshua said stepping forward.
“She’s not your concern,” David scoffed.
“Actually, she is. I won’t let ya hurt her anymore.”
“You won’t let me?” David laughed, shoving Joshua with his free hand. “You couldn’t handle me cowboy.”
“Wanna bet?” Joshua swung, and his punch landed on David’s jaw. David dropped Alex’s arm and lunged at Joshua. A fist fight ensued as Alex dove for her dufflebag. She was rummaging in it when David managed to get his hands around Joshua’s neck. Alex panicked and looked harder. Joshua’s face was turning blue as he was unable to breathe. Alex found what she was looking for and ran at David. She raised her weapon, a wooden stake, high above her head.
“See you in hell, you bastard,” she said plunging the stake through his heart. David let out a screech and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Alex dropped to her knees to kneel at Joshua’s side.
“Are you ok? I’m so sorry. I didn’t…” Alex fumbled over her words at a loss for how to explain what just happened.
“Ya failed to mention he was a vampire,” Joshua said sitting up. Alex looked at him, her mouth agape.
“You know about them?”
“Everyone does,” Alex looked around the room, the few remaining customers looked unfazed by the encounter.
“I don’t…”
“Are ya ok?”
“Yes, he didn’t hurt me,” Alex gently turned Joshua’s face to examine his neck. “You’re hurt.”
“It ain’t that bad,” Joshua said softly. “It was worth it to keep ya safe.”
“Flatterer,” Alex said smiling before lightly kissing him. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
“Now I really should go,” Alex said standing. Joshua’s face fell, but he tried to cover it.
“Have more vampires chasing after you?”
“No,” Alex said smiling. “I need a drink, care to join me?” Joshua broke out into a grin and stood.
“I’d love to,” he grabbed Alex’s duffle bag and then the two walked out hand in hand.
In the kitchen, Maggie had a small smile.
“I love a good start to a romance.”
“It’s disgustin’” Savannah grumbled.
“I believe you owe me ten bucks,” Maggie said to Flo. Flo grumbled and handed over a ten-dollar bill.
“Stupid vampires, it’s always vampires.”
“No, last week it was werewolves. I’m still finding fur in the booths.” Maggie replied.
“Only in Aurora,” Flo laughed.
“Are you ok? I’m so sorry. I didn’t…” Alex fumbled over her words at a loss for how to explain what just happened.
“Ya failed to mention he was a vampire,” Joshua said sitting up. Alex looked at him, her mouth agape.
“You know about them?”
“Everyone does,” Alex looked around the room, the few remaining customers looked unfazed by the encounter.
“I don’t…”
“Are ya ok?”
“Yes, he didn’t hurt me,” Alex gently turned Joshua’s face to examine his neck. “You’re hurt.”
“It ain’t that bad,” Joshua said softly. “It was worth it to keep ya safe.”
“Flatterer,” Alex said smiling before lightly kissing him. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
“Now I really should go,” Alex said standing. Joshua’s face fell, but he tried to cover it.
“Have more vampires chasing after you?”
“No,” Alex said smiling. “I need a drink, care to join me?” Joshua broke out into a grin and stood.
“I’d love to,” he grabbed Alex’s duffle bag and then the two walked out hand in hand.
In the kitchen, Maggie had a small smile.
“I love a good start to a romance.”
“It’s disgustin’” Savannah grumbled.
“I believe you owe me ten bucks,” Maggie said to Flo. Flo grumbled and handed over a ten-dollar bill.
“Stupid vampires, it’s always vampires.”
“No, last week it was werewolves. I’m still finding fur in the booths.” Maggie replied.
“Only in Aurora,” Flo laughed.
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