Practical Magic

~ Last night, I rewatched Practical Magic.  It's been some years since I've watched this movie so I forgot what it was about.  I love the actresses in this film, particularly Sandra Bullock who plays Sally.  I love the whole witchy vibe here and the scenes are so magical and gorgeous such as the room with all of the herbs, the Victorian home they live in, the potion making, the herbal shampoo store in town, etc...  So, can you tell that I'm ready for Fall and Halloween to arrive?

This is actually the paperback book 25th Anniversary Edition but I thought it just looked so cool.

"Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add pepper to your mashed potatoes. Plant roses and lavender, for luck. Fall in love whenever you can."

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig

~ This book had been on my to read list for the longest time and yet, I forgot about it until I stumbled across it on Amazon.  This is also one of the heftiest books that I've read in a long time.  I usually try to stay away from long books, just prefer shorter reads but I figured that I would give this one a chance.  I'm so glad that I did.  It's an amazing read and goes much quicker than I imagined because it was full of mystery, intrigue, and can't look away type of horror.  

If you like any type of story with poisoned or evil apples and orchards, then you will love this book.  Imagine a dark red almost black apple skin that goes by the name harrowsblack or ruby slipper. Also, it was interesting to learn about apples, particularly vintage or ancient apples that were grown hundreds of years ago and are still around today.  Not the same trees (obviously) but the same apples that you can find at farmer's markets and small growers.

Journal: Vintage Blackberries

~ So excited that someone purchased a copy of my vintage blackberry writing journal on Amazon.  It's only been up there since January 2023 with zero sales but better late than never I guess.  I've always loved journals, stationary, and ephemera and thought this would be a fun project to undertake.  I'm just happy to have sold a copy, how wonderful!

Amazon Link Here

P.S. You have to try the blackberry lemonade from KFC, it's really good.

Betwixt by Evie Gaughan

~ I found this ghostly short story, Betwixt by Evie Gaughan on Amazon while I was searching for free Kindle Reads.  It's a heartwarming tale, not scary just mysterious and tragic.

Description: An atmospheric short story by bestselling author, Evie Gaughan. Catherine returns to Hollowbrook Cottage on a cold November night, looking to escape her present life and lose herself in the past. However, her journey crosses the path of a mysterious stranger who will change her life forever.

Biopsy Results

~ Feeling grateful that my biopsy results came back negative.  There are no traces of cancer anywhere...(sigh of relief).  I have a new mammogram scheduled 6 months from now as well as a follow on appt with oncology.

Abandoned: A Ghost Story by Carol McMahon

~ If you're looking for a short ghost tale, you may enjoy Abandoned: A Ghost Story by Carol McMahon on Amazon Kindle.  At the moment, it's also being offered for free, so don't miss out on this great deal. I love the way this author writes, very descriptive and keeps the tension going from the first page. I enjoyed all the details she provided about the abandoned house, an old Victorian manor and how it looked inside and also the main character's fears and inner thoughts. I thought the ending was abrupt though and something that I've seen many times before. But overall, a very good read that will keep you guessing until the end.

Description:  Lisa has nowhere to go. 

She’s been kicked out of her apartment in Queens by her alcoholic boyfriend and has no other friends in the city. A co-worker tells her about a house on Staten Island where she can live in rent-free, but Lisa comes to realize the price that comes with living in an abandoned house. 

Abandoned: A Ghost Story is a novelette of 14,500 words.

Small Earthquake

~ Nothing like a small earthquake to remind you that nature is in control.  The time was 7:47 pm, just sitting in bed watching tv and then the room starts to tremble and shake.