Shivers of Delight

  It's kind of quiet this week in spooky town. It might just be the perfect time to start lurking around the stores to see if they've brought out the Halloween decorations. Wednesday the 30th Traditions of Death and Burial  (U.K. Facebook Event), 1:30pm EDT Pop Up Ghost Stories with New England Curiosities  on Facebook, 7pm EDT EHAG Halloween Art Sale , 9pm EDT Thursday the 1st Print is Dead shop update Friday the 2nd World UFO Day Fred Gwynne Death Anniversary (1993) (Actor who portrayed Herman Munster)

You can't help but think of pretty little potted plants when you think of summer. Spooky people always have the most interesting gardens with poisonous plants and black flowers, so it's not unreasonable to have a Venus Flytrap reminiscent of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors . I'm thinking of getting one and tucking it in with the rest of my potted flowers. Three Headed Venus Flytrap from Warped Holiday Baby Audrey II from Pabloona Designs Audrey II Coffee Can Sculpture from Fancy Fruits Audrey II Figurine from Curiosities by Thomas Miniature Venus Flytraps from Fairy Homes and Garden Mushnik's Flower Shop Key Ring from Hungry Designs Little Shop of Horrors Signed Print from Chet Art Maybe I'll even get a real Venus Flytrap and name it Audrey III. And, if you haven't seen the movie, pick it up this week. It's fun.

Make sure you grab a copy of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson before Sunday because that is the date that the events take place in the story and you'll want to find a spooky nook to read it in. Did you know about the Romanian Fairy Festival? I didn't- read about it at the link. Try to pick at least one event on the list to learn something new. #EveryDayIsHalloween. Wednesday the 23rd Crimson Pins Shop Update 3PM EDT St. John's Eve , Midsummer Celebration (2013) Richard Matheson Death Anniversary (Author & Screenwriter) Thursday the 24th Sâzianā  Romanian Fairy Festival Friday the 25th (1937) Colin Clive  Death Anniversary (Actor in 1931 Frankenstein film) (1976) The Omen U.S. movie release Saturday the 26th (1946) The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is published  Sunday the 27th (1966) First episode of Dark Shadows airs on ABC The fictional events of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson take place Monday the 28th (1975) Rod Serling Death Anniversary (Screenwriter) Wednesday...

Conjoined-twins art fascinates me- sorry, can't help it. Conjoined twins are not ugly or disturbing to me, just an example of how the rules of nature can be unexpected, complex, mysterious, and often beautiful. I hope you'll agree that all these art pieces are whimspookal. Conjoined Bat Doll from CreepyStuff Conjoined Twins from Lina Mart Dolls Conjoined Wednesday Addams Portrait by Akvarela Conjoined Skeletons Leather Art from Creature Of God Mütter Bat Enamel Pin from Riven Barrow Glass The oddest among us are often the most interesting.

There are so many reasons to celebrate ghosts this week. Did you know that one dark and stormy night Lord Bryon proposed to his friends that they have a ghost story writing contest? Follow the link to read what happened. Honor Walter de la Mare by reading one of his ghost stories and next Wednesday celebrate the Summer Solstice and St. John's Eve where tradition says that witches and ghosts walk about and bonfires are lit to ward them off. Plus you can shop at markets and shop updates offering curiosities and Halloween art- maybe you'll find a little ghost to mark the week. Wednesday the 16th (1816) Ghost Story Writing Contest proposed by Lord Byron (1999) Screaming Lord Sutch Death Anniversary (Musician and Activist) Friday the 18th Moon Serpent Bone Curiosities Market in Poughkeepsie, NY (in-person market) EsmeMade Shop Update of Halloween art 9:30PM EDT Saturday the 19th Spooktacular Summerween Weekend Market (on-line event) through the 20th Brett Manning Etsy shop upd...

I hope you've been following my weekly spooky agenda that I post every Wednesday. I've been collecting spooky days for a few years now and have finally been sharing them out more regularly.  About a day after I posted last Wednesday, I suddenly realized I forgotten to list Marie Laveau's death anniversary! Unbelievable. Laveau's birthday may be hard to document, but her death date is more widely known. Her New York Times obituary says she lived to be 98 years old and died on June 15th, 1881 (they make you do some finger counting). Wikipedia says she was 79 years old, but agrees with June 15th. You should read both articles, because she was a fascinating woman. To make up for my transgression, Macabre Mix Monday is dedicated to the Queen of Voodoo.   Marie Laveau Box Purse filled with magical items is from BAYOUmajick Marie Laveau Cross Stitch Pattern from The Elfin Forest Marie Laveau Painting by Kyle Stanley Art Marie Laveau Print from Caitlin McCarthy Art Laveau Vin...

This week light some candles for people who nurtured our spooky side, listen to some horror-themed pop music, shop for pottery, watch a movie and attend a paranormal investigation! Maybe we can have it all year long. Wednesday the 9th Adam West (Batman) Death Anniversary (2017) Thursday the 10th Bridget Bishop is the first person hanged for witchcraft in the Salem Witch Trials (1692) Friday the 11th Forbidden Forest Art shop update of spooky ceramics, 6PM EDT Saturday the 12th Virtual Paranormal Investigation of Sir Johnson Manor House in Ontario, Free, 7PM EDT Release of Rosemary's Baby (1968) Tuesday the 15th Lois Duncan Death Anniversary (2016) Pioneering author in the genre of young-adult fiction, horror Wednesday the 16th Screaming Lord Sutch Death Anniversary (1999) musician with horror-themed singles and founder of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party Don't tell me that Halloween doesn't last all year. If you would like to plan a little further out, you can ...

Today, June 7th is the death anniversary of actor Christopher Lee who was well know for his portrayals of  Count Dracula, Lord Summerisle in the original Wicker Man movie, Saruman in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and many other sinister characters. In his honor, Macabre Mix Monday features Dracula inspired items. I love this vinyl Dracula purse! Check out the shop for other spooky books available. Dracula Clutch Purse from Tina Tarnoff Everyone should own a poster from the Broadway show Dracula that was designed by Edward Gorey- he won a Tony award for the set design. Edward Gorey Dracula Poster from What Cheer Providence Large Bat Necklace from Dark Sparkle Designs I think this Nosferatu lampshade should sit on a bedside table- maybe a copy of Dracula sitting with it. Nosferatu Lampshade from Spooky Shades Dracula Papercut from Tina Tarnoff I just love the ceramic pieces from Ginny Waters Ceramics. Emergency Garlic Jar from Ginny Waters Ceramics Head to the shop to see what is i...

  This week I have lots of people you should learn more about; perhaps pick up a book about them or in the case of Ray Bradbury- written by him.  Saturday the 5th Lizzie Borden's trial  (1893) for the murder of her father and stepmother begins (fascinating read) Ray Bradbury Death Anniversary (2012)  Sunday the 6th Mary Johnson of Wethersfield, CT is hanged for witchcraft in Hartford, CT (1650) Monday the 7th Christopher Lee Death Anniversary (2015), actor known for his portrayal of Dracula among other evil villains Wednesday the 9th Adam West Death Anniversary (2017), actor know for portraying Batman in the tv series