Saturday, October 25, 2008

Spooked Out

Long ago, on weekday afternoons, I tuned in to a TV soap opera that my parents didn't very much approve of. Called Dark Shadows, it featured the vampire Barnabas Collins. Werewolves, ghosts, witches, warlocks, zombies and other various monsters made their way into the plot. It was dark. It was strange and eerie. And I was taken in. The show's run came to an end in 1971 and it was no longer the same thrill to come home from high school and find the TV screen filled with these fangs ready to open on yet another victim. So, when Anne delivered this book to my hands, I was taken in again by a strange plot of vampires and werewolves in a much updated format. Perhaps you have heard of the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer? The fourth book was recently published and I have read them all now. (Soon, a movie will be released as well.) I realize that this topic of werewolves and vampires is an odd genre for me to "ingest" ...it is SO not me. Usually, I prefer books with plots featuring people working through poignant relationships, biographies, non-fiction "how-to" topics, books with foreign settings and - of course - children's books. But, these books are really well written and quite original. One thing about them, however, has changed how I feel when I am out walking in the woods and happen upon this sight: (Click on the picture to make it larger if you can't see what is in the center.) Now when I see something like this is the woods, I can almost see Edward and members of his family bounding quickly forward to meet its prey. This picure was taken yesterday at the Old School Forest Preserve nearby. We were the only ones out walking late in the afternoon and we saw so many white-tailed deer we lost count! Spooky what the imagination and a book plot can do!

4 comments:

____ said...

I love scary stories, especially smart `horror` movies. I love Halloween, we do not have such a thing in Hungary! I love when I go to a store it is all decorated with spooky stuff! I wish my family members and friends could see it, it is really so much fun even just to look around.
So far every year we organized a Halloween party at our house with friends but this year we have to put it on hold because of baby William.
Next year though, I cannot wait to dress up (Andrew and I already decided what/who we are going to be)....
Are you planning on dressing up this year???
Cannot wait pics if you do so!

simplicity said...

I've heard of the Twilight series but haven't read any of them. Maybe I'll have to try reading one of them now especially as I expect to have some more down time when I'm nursing the newest babe. (If that qualifies as down time!)

Spirit Bear said...

I've had the same experience at Ryerson - out walking in the woods and suddently face to face with a deer! why is it so spooky? I don't know, but I always have the same reaction you did. Now I REALLY want to read that series. Good for you for walking in the woods - what a treasure.

Linnea said...

I can't imagine Grandma and Grandpa Nelson ever letting you watch such "trash" as I believe Grandma would call it! :) But, nothing like a good spooky story every now and then. Oh, alas, as usual, I don't have a costume, and am expected to dress up for school....