In Memory Of A Hero ...

Sergeant Jacob F. Livesey 1980-2008:

A brave soldier, hilariously lovable little brother, caring and respectful son, and the best uncle—ever! Jake was (and still is) my youngest sibling. He died while serving in the military under suspicious circumstances. These circumstances were never fully divulged, but eventually there were arrests made. He died about five weeks before his fourth round of deployment. It took us over two weeks to finally have his body released for burial. His death was sudden, and inexplicable. It happened on base in Colorado, Fort Carson.

I hope in his peace he knows how much of a Hero he is to me, and that we miss him too much to express.

My favorite quote from Peter Pan is: "To die would be an awfully big adventure." Jacob has moved on to that next big adventure, and someday, perhaps, his family can join him.

This blog is to all the Hero's who have fallen, and to all those who are still fighting for our freedom, thank you doesn't express the gratitude I wish to convey, but you--the hero's--are in my heart and thoughts.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Myrtles Plantation Ghosts

Recently, I took a small excursion with my Mom to the world famous Myrtles Plantation. Myrtles’ claim to fame is "One of America’s Most Haunted Homes", and I was excited for the opportunity of perhaps being lucky enough to be honored with a glimpse of its ghostly denizens. 

               

Myrtles Plantation is located on US Hwy 61 just a little past St. Francisville, Louisiana. If you stop by the cute little town, be sure to have a cup-of-Joe at Birdman Coffee & Books, where art and birds fill the walls, and is the only place in town to get breakfast, other than the delicious breakfast you’re served if spending the night at the plantation. You might also want to pop into the Audubon State Historic Site.

Arriving around 4:30pm on a Sunday, I was disappointed we were not able to have dinner at the Carriage House Restaurant due to a wedding, and further disappointed we had to scramble to find somewhere to eat because we paid for the Mystery Tour at 6pm. We ended up going to a grocery store and buying the makings of baloney sandwiches, and sadly settled for beer with lime instead of my mint julep, which I planned on sipping while sitting on the massive porch in a wooden rocker.

The mystery tour was informative, but only one picture was allowed during the tour, and that picture was of the old mirror where many a supposed eerie face shows up. Or, as the tour guide claimed from the stairs she stood on and could be seen in the mirror, the tour guide is guaranteed to not show up in at least one of those mirror photos clicked hungrily by us tourists. Most of the camera’s were digital, and no one claimed the tour guide missing from their pics.

                After the tour, surprisingly most everyone cleared out, leaving me and my Mom to snap photos of the quickly retreating sun. The grounds of Myrtles are indeed peculiar feeling. Massive trees dot the plantation, and solemn statues peek from around bushes and gas-lamp poles. The courtyard is squared with laid bricks and metal patio furniture. A large fountain in the center of the courtyard spits water at the moon. Two raggety black cats and one tabby beg for handouts, and will be your friend for the rest of your stay if you oblige. A feature I found haunting was the gazebo on a small island surrounded by a moat. A long bridge takes you to the mini island, where an apparition of a woman is supposed to roam. We took our time exploring the landscape and snapping pictures we hoped would reveal the paranormal.

Inside, we headed to our room: The John W. Leake Room, where—if you are a Ghost Hunters fan—you’ll remember GH debunking the cigar smell. The room also sits over the old dining room, so listen for bumps in the night below! I have to add here that the room we stayed in was quite dirty, and for the price and world famous part—you would think the proprietors would keep it a little cleaner (the dust on the chairs was so thick they were turning into giant dust bunnies!). In bed, we set our clock to wake up at midnight in order to do a bit of ghost hunting ourselves. When it was time, we stepped out, but found that everyone who had booked a room decided to head out too! Needless to say, I didn’t find any ghosts … or, did I?

               

Breakfast was served in the quaint gift shop: coffee, juice, grits, ham, eggs, and a biscuit with pecan butter and jelly. It was a good time to meet the other ghost hunting enthusiasts and share our nightly stories. The married couple who stayed in the nursery and set out jelly beans didn’t seem to encounter anything except what sounded like a bass guitar. I promptly replied it must have been the ‘air guitar’ played by the ghosts—and my Mom added “They must have tired of the elevator music.”

                We decided to do one more round of snapshots, and then packed up for our next adventure at the ‘Afton Villa Gardens’, which is entirely a separate blog. Upon scanning my digital pics, nothing unusual seemed to show up, and again, I was feeling a smidge of disenchantment. However, on returning home, two unusual anomalies did in fact emerge.

                The first photo is at midnight in the trees at the front of the house, and shows some orbs. When I magnified the orbs, I noticed one had a face … now, I’m not into orbs, and personally I think they are almost always dust and bugs, but these were up high and kind of peculiarly bright, even in the dark. Maybe it’s only my brain trying to make some recognition sense, but, well, you can decide:

And here is the orb photo originally, but slightly lightened, as it was a very dark photo:

The next picture is the truly strange one. It was taken on our dusk stroll, and is of the gazebo and island. What I noticed was a strong whiteness on the island not far from the white of the gazebo, near the dark bushes. When I magnified it, I could clearly make out the image of a woman in a long dress and ruffled hat or bonnet. I circled it in black so it’s easier to see. I played around with the photo by saturation and darkening and stuff, and something is definitely there, but barely there. The photo I have posted is not messed with in any way except lightened a little to see the figure better (and of course the arrow and circle added so you know where to look):

And again, here is the full photo in its original without me brightening it for detail:

Perhaps the wispy occupants of the Myrtles Plantation were watching us all along …

               

               

               

               

Lichen Tea, And Other Tea Stuff!

Tea is probably humankind’s oldest beverage. Used in health remedies, compresses, scrying, energizing snacks, and even as money, there’s just nothing to beat a nice steaming cuppa on a winter’s day, summer’s day, or any time of day!

As a writer tea is staple: a mystical elixir divining one to a place where imagination is born … and, well, just plain waking up my darn arse in the morning, because let’s face it—I’m a freakin’ zombie without it!

            Traditionally when one thinks of tea one picture’s the fragrant cured leaves of the Camellia Sinensis evergreen plant, however, tea can be an infusion of any organic matter that one desires to drink. Which brings me to a few unusual, and yet deliciously nutritious teas, I would love to share. Let’s start with lichen tea (because I’m likin’ it!):

Many lichens are edible, and some are poisonous, so if you decide to try lichen tea, then I suggest buying a book on edible plants specific to the area you live in. As a rule stay away from yellow lichens—they are most definitely poisonous, and here are a few others that are toxic: Wolf lichen, and most ground lichens. Peoples of different cultures across the planet have been eating lichens forever, lichen is high in nutrients, but you must cook or boil them before ingesting.

            Oakmoss lichen (Evernia prunastri, pictured above) found on—you guessed it—oak trees, has a wonderful aroma and spicy, peppery taste, and when cooked has the flavor and consistency of a Japanese kelp salad. Oakmoss is popularly used as a base note in perfumes, if you have perfume allergies, then I advise you to stay away from this particular lichen.

Next is one of the most versatile plants in the world—Tillandsia usneoides! Most commonly called Spanish Moss (and it’s not a parasite—how dare you!); it hangs out in trees waving in balmy breezes. Science has proven a fact the natives have known for hundreds of years: it helps to slow the decline of skin cells—that’s right ladies—it’s anti-aging! To make a tea of Spanish Moss take a walk (if you live in swampy, tropical climes) and cull some from a tree, or off the ground, soak it in cool water (to get any bugs off), then heat it in water until the water turns a light tea color. SM has a delicate floral taste and smell, and too many health benefits to list, including using the tea with molasses added as a plant food! Yummy!

Here are some more uniquely delicious teas:

     California white sage (Salvia apiana) is hard to find, but you can buy a smudge stick and use it as a tea instead of a negative cleansing wand.

     Roasted black bean tea, there are many recipes for it online.

     Roasted rice tea (also called roasted rice coffee)—blacken the rice in a pan, then place in a coffee filter and brew it in your coffee pot!

     Oh yes, let’s not forget Kombucha Tea … It’s a freakin’ alien people! I’ve seen them with veins and I’ve seen them quiver—they are alive! And entirely dependent, apparently, on humans; there are no Kombucha found in the wild (don’t believe me? Do the research!). Personally, I do not drink KT, even though it is a tad tasty and supposedly good for you.

Some of the most expensive teas in the world range in price from $106 for twenty-five tea bags, to $23,000 for approximately 2/3^rd’s of an ounce, and are either very old, picked on some esoteric day under esoteric instructions, or dusted with gold!      

Every tea fanatic has their beloveds, and not all of my favorites are exotic: Black tea with rose petals always seems to brighten my mood, the good Earl Grey holds a special place in my heart, and the dragon’s pearls of Jasmine will slip down my throat with much grace … uh, truth be told I’m drinking it right now and a few minutes ago it wasn’t very graceful as I slurped it the wrong way and it spewed forth all over my darn computer! Gadzooks!

            But, where does one find the most exceptional of these teas? I’ll drop a few names of places I’ve visited and ordered from:

     Jin Patisserie: With such teas as Maître Fang, October Révélation, Mio Houjicha, and Toupet De Légumes (a tea flavored with tomato flower blossom, zucchini flowers, veggies, and red fruits!), your taste buds will explode! Furthermore, Jin Patisserie makes the best darn chocolates I’ve ever had—and I’ve been to many, many chocolatiers. http://www.jinpatisserie.com

Townshend’s Tea: Located in Oregon, I happily buy from them every month, prompt service, reasonably priced, and excellent quality. http://townshendstea.com

San Francisco has numerous old school tea shops. My advice is—if you love tea and you’re going on vacation somewhere you’ve never been before, take some time to browse online for tea shops, I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly enchanted by what you discover!

           

Cheers!

Author Nishi Serrano

Zoo Promenade

Ready for a break, well then, come with me on a relaxing stroll through the Zoo. Imagine yourself on a cool spring day, your parasol in one hand, and dapper gentleman in the other. Tea will be served in the conservatory of butterflies, and your companions will be tigers, lemurs, and giraffes. I see the smile on your face—the cuteness is enough to make you swoon!

Share your sardines, and this otter is your best friend!

Pretty Jane would love to walk with you under your parasol, but I don’t think she’d fit!

If you’re feeling blue …

Did someone say ostrich steaks—oops! Be prepared to run—fast!

Nap time …

And now for the rarest beast of all … um, wait a minute, is that …?!

Gnomes!!!!!!

Llama llana ding dong …

The real black swan!

Just another day hangin’ around!

Don’t sit on the pokey butt!

Monkey shines …

Blue balls, heh, heh, heh …

Lovin’ those Lemurs, they know how to put on a fabulous show!

El Chubbo …

El Diablo …

Chillin’ …

Escapee (No joke, this happy monkey was living in a tree behind the zoo! He was very hard to spot!)

And the best is saved for last …

Awww, thank you for joining me on a perfect day, don’t be sad—we’ll meet again, and maybe have tea amongst the stars, or with pirates sailing the ocean blue, perhaps even in a dream …

This blog is dedicated to my friend Malisha!

(And everyone who loves Animals!)

Interview With Vintage Fashionista Brigitte Daguerre!

What trendy  girl (or metro boy!) doesn’t love vintage clothing—it looks stylish, never goes out of fashion, and can be handed down without your little sister crying: “Aw, are you joking—wear this old thing?!”

            Out of the hundreds of vintage clothing sites, stores, antique shops, etc … I’ve had the privilege of meeting (and even shopping!) with a true master of finding those rare outdated but-oh-so-pretty pieces of classier times long lost, and her name is Brigitte Daguerre. On the outside she looks and talks like a petite doll with a southern sort of charm you don’t  often find in the jungles of L.A., however,  once you get to know her, she’s one tough, sexy, Harley riding mamma who doesn’t take s**t from anyone!

Me: first off, why don’t you introduce yourself to all the awesome blog readers out there, like, where did you grow up? What did you wear in high school? What other places have you traveled and lived?

Brigitte: Hi, I was born in Newport Beach just south of L.A., but moved to the Hollywood area when I was 13. During the late 80's I hated the clothes everyone was wearing—the big hair and even bigger shoulders—it was hideous!

             I was attracted to alternative music on KROQ and Rodney On The Rock, so I inevitably became a teenage punk rock brat during the late 80's.  The first band I ever saw were the Weirdo's at the Starwood in Hollywood. Later, I hung out at the Odyssey in Hollywood where I saw Rodney Bingenheimer a few times.

            My friends and I would go to thrift stores to find vintage clothing and make our own outfits out of them. We also cut and dyed each other’s hair. I had a blue mohawk at one point, it was my favorite. Then I dyed it dark brown like the Bow Wow Wow girl and put braids and ribbons in it. My favorite outfit was a white 50's tea length prom dress with black leather jacket and boots.

            Vintage was all there was in thrift shops back then. I had no idea, at the time, about how collectable and expensive some of that stuff I cut up and sewed together with safety pins would become! I’ve always seen something special about the vintage clothing that I found in thrift stores. The quality in the way it was made, the fabric; at the time I couldn't say exactly why, but I just loved it even if I couldn't or wouldn't wear it, especially anything from the art deco era. I used to hang the dresses on my wall. I'm still obsessed with the art, furniture, architecture and clothing from the 20's and 30's. 

I never went to high school.  I dropped out at the beginning of 7th grade. I lived in a group home when I was about 14 in Anaheim Ca. called ETC: Emancipation Training Center. I became legally emancipated, took the GED, and then later went on to college for photography and web design. While I loved the learning aspect of school, I did not like the social part. It was not cool to be a punk back then, so my friends and I were outsiders. By the time I was 20, I wasn't a punk on the outside anymore (always one on the inside!). I started modeling to pay for my school & cameras. I traveled a lot. I lived in San Francisco and New York for a few years. I love both of those cities, especially New York!  The food and culture is amazing.

Me: Tell us about your vintage clothing website ‘Posh Girl Vintage’, and a little about the rave reviews you’ve had:

Brigitte: My goal was to have a safe and honest store selling the cutest, well made vintage clothing I could find. Truly, it's one of the best vintage clothing collections online!  I believe that you get back in life what you put out, so it has been very successful. I've put 100% into Posh Girl. Over 90% of my customers return on a regular basis—so that says a lot! We've been written up in most of the major fashion magazines including Martha Stewart Weddings, and other bridal magazines too.  I hand pick everything on the site so you don't have to wade through a bunch of tacky polyester stuff to find the gems.  I also wanted to carry both designer and non-designer labels. The only thing that matters is well made and super cute vintage clothing!

 We go out traveling all over hand picking the cutest vintage clothing we can find, making sure it's cleaned and repaired, and offer it for sale on the website. We're online only. We   also go out shopping for customers if I don't have what they need in my collection—at no extra cost! We keep a shopping list for return customers who want a particular style of item or designer.

Me: Do you know if any famous people have bought from your e-store?

Brigitte: Oh yes, and on a regular basis! Kate Hudson bought quite a few rich hippie maxi dresses and flapper dresses.

Me: Who is your favorite vintage designer? 

Brigitte: For pure design and art Fortuny is my favorite, but to actually wear I love Ossie Clark and many other designers and unknown labels from that era. I love the late 60's and early 70's! That style looks best on me. I can't wear those cute 50's fit ‘n flare dresses, but Ceil Chapman is just so glamorous and my favorite 50's era designer! I love that classic Hollywood Marilyn Monroe style. He was Marilyn's favorite designer. When you hold a Ceil dress in your hands, you can feel the quality in the weight, the seams, and the extra special fabric. His work is amazing!

Me: What is your favorite vintage piece currently in your personal closet?

Brigitte: Geez, that's tough! I have so many, but I've been collecting vintage lingerie and show girl costumes for years. I used to wear them when I modeled. I was doing vintage fetish photos before it was trendy. Now everyone and their mother are doing vintage pinups! I stopped modeling about the time Dita arrived. We both modeled for Olivia DeBerardinis. I would use my vintage lingerie when I posed. I still have it and will keep it to shoot other girls for my photography. By the way, I have a tripod that came from Cass Carr's photo studio—he used it to shoot Betti Page! It's one of my most treasured possessions.

Me: Can you divulge what inspired you to start your own online vintage clothing store?

Brigitte: It's really one of those things that just strangely fell into place.

            Being a nerdy book worm, I'd been fascinated with the internet ever since it first appeared. I read a few books on website design back when it was hand written html code only, and I was shopping online one day for a coat ( I LOVE vintage coats!) and I saw a 60's cream cashmere coat I wanted but it had huge brown stains all down the front. It was priced at $250.00 sold dirty and wrinkled and it was NOT from a designer! I was so irritated by all the junk out there that I set out to build Posh Girl Vintage. At the time there were only about two or three vintage websites that were really nice, but I felt I could do even better. All that—along with the years of obsessively collecting vintage clothing—decided me to sell some of my stuff on eBay. It was very successful right away which surprised me. I learned html and built http://www.poshgirlvintage.com/ . 

            It was a really simple site at first, but effective. I didn't know what I was doing at all really when I built it, but I just kept learning from my mistakes (and I made a lot!), and I kept improving it as much as I could to make it my own. Html was just not enough as time went on so after a few years, I was able to hire a professional in the latest technology and it became what it is now. I've done all of the art and design side of the site but the coding is my amazing web girl! Then my grandmother, who was in the fashion industry most of her life, helped me buy the stock of a small abandoned department store through her connections. 90% of it was amazing stuff with tags still on it for kids and adults! So, it just evolved.

Me: Any vintage fashion advice you would like to impart to the readers?

Brigitte: Just buy what you love. Don't worry about what everyone else is wearing! Also, if you buy from thrift stores or a lot of online sellers, they don't clean the clothing, so make sure you clean your vintage before you let it in your house! It can have moths and stuff that will affect your other clothing—especially silks and wools. I have allergies so I'm very sensitive and refuse to let anything on my premises until it is cleaned. Even if it looks clean, it can have eggs. I know it's gross to think about, but as long as you clean it, it's very safe and healthy.

            We also hand spot clean and do minor repairs on our vintage clothing so the condition is as good as possible when we ship it out to you. Make sure you know what you are getting condition wise before it arrives so you are not unhappy when you open the box. I shop online still, for vintage to wear. I bought a 30's sweater a few weeks ago and it arrived with a red ketchup stain right on the front of the stomach area. I was so disappointed! I wanted to wear it out to an art opening the next weekend. So I know what it's like to be disappointed. I make sure that doesn't happen to any of my customers.

A million thanks Brigitte for sharing you’re insight and passion on my blog Wandering Hallows Night. Your knowledge of classic clothing is top quality, and sure to facilitate a place where one can purchase a little slice of vintage heaven!

Visit Posh Girl Vintage at: http://www.poshgirlvintage.com/ 

Here There Be Dragons … um, well, alligators actually!

One meets the most interesting of characters while travelling to the deeply hidden corners of the globe. The swamp is no exception, where indeed resides a curious peoples known as the ‘Cajun’. Excellent hunters, exceedingly fine fisher-folk, and tellers of choice fables, who will not allow a parched lip, nor empty belly to go un-tasted of their hospitality.

        Upon our arrival to the swamp one such Cajun shared this anecdote:

        Cajun: “Do you know the difference between an English Zoo and a Cajun Zoo?”

        Me: “I’ve no idea?”

        Cajun: “In an English Zoo you have the cages with the placards informing you of the animal’s habitat and genus—In a Cajun Zoo you have that too, plus an additional placard with a recipe!”

        Of course I’m translating for you due to the fact the Cajun language is quite difficult to understand, thankfully, we had our trusty guide to translate.

       

We began our trek by canoe, in search of those tall-tales inspiring explorers to such dangerous and profound exploitations as one reads in books. After an hour of rowing with sore muscles, and fighting the ever damning mosquito, we happened upon a strange sight beyond the cypress trees and Spanish moss—a curious abode in the swampy jungle. Proclaiming our need to investigate, our guide promptly warned us this would be impossible, as the house we gazed upon was indeed the house of a witch—in these parts called Vodou—and we must quickly leave the area, or be cursed!

With no desire to find pins in my abdomen, nor dead chickens among my belongings, we hastily paddled our retreat. 

        Above the black water a light misty wind blew, eerie beyond words, and peering through the mummified branches of the trees, one could not help but suspend belief in all things romantically supernatural. And so, when our guide informed us of a most uniquely unbelievable rumor, we absolutely had to see it for ourselves.  Apparently, humans (and abnormally large alligators) were not the only residents calling the swamp home. Indeed, the swamp was a veritable land of delectable’s for the creature know as the Vampire.  The Vampire’s dwelling was genuinely hidden, and well fortified.  Again, we are warned not to meddle, and to step foot on a vampire’s property was to invite yourself for dinner—and not as a guest. 

What a grand adventure we were having! I was saddened we found no proof of pirates trawling the eldritch morass, though we had spotted a bizarre boat decaying far from the shore—who knew what secret story it held, and what became of its crew, unfortunately, I was not able to nab a picture as we were struggling to keep afloat through the dense foliage. Perhaps, next time.  Our night was capped with a delightful sunset, and paired with an enjoyable snack the Cajun’s call Cracklin’.

“But are not the dreams of poets and the tales of travelers notoriously false?” –HP Lovecraft 

Rae's Zombie and Skeleton Cameo's

Rae Enslin makes the most unique cameos I’ve ever seen! Besides her fun Cameos, Rae’s site includes an enchanting array of costumes and sculptures. If you love fantasy and horror, then stop by her website and be prepared to be delighted!

http://www.enslin.com/rae/cameos/cameo.html

You can contact her by email if you wish to purchase one of her exotic items.