Haunted Hotels

Do you enjoy traveling? TRAVELZOO is one of your best bets for saving money on hotels, flights and resorts. (It's easy to sign up, by the way...just go to the website and leave your e-mail address. Free, of course - and no obligation to buy anything.) Every week, they host what they call the 'Top 20' deals. One of today's is a lulu:

Discounts on haunted hotels nationwide!

The Omni Parker House's founder, Henry Parker, likes to stop in guests' rooms and inquire about their stay.  He's been dead since 1884... but why should that matter?  [Boston, MA]

The Hotel Coronado's beaches are haunted by Kate Morgan, who committed suicide there after her husband abandoned there. Kate still enjoys strolling the beach, "the black silhouette of her long skirt leaving no trace in the sand." (She's probably shocked by the hotel's current offer: nearly 50% off!)  [San Diego, CA]

The Driskill Hotel's founder, Colonel Driskill, was so proud of the place he built that he continues to hang out there, leaving cigar ashes and burning lights in his wake. A few suicidal brides liven up the festivities, as well.  [Austin, TX]

The Sheraton Read House was a hospital for Union troops during the Civil War...and is still guarded by soldiers who don't seem to know that they've been mustered out for more than 150 years.  [Chattanooga, TN]

Go here for more information on these and other haunted hotels, including room rates -- and specials! Brrrr....


(Frank confession: I've been in at least three of Colorado's 'haunted' hotels, including the Stanley in Estes Park; the Palace in Salida; and the Peck House in Empire. Never saw, heard or felt a thing, other than some uneasiness. Darn.)

Sandy, What Are You Doing Now?

Boy, Hurricane Sandy's been busy.

After beating her way up the coast, she gave New York City a licking, including a thorough flooding of Battery Park. (I forget that NYC is really quite low. A good tidal wave would take it out - fast.)

More than one person is stuck -- like my appraiser friend, in a Philly hotel room. So far, so she has no choice but to wait it out:
     We are hunkered down in the Sheraton Suites hotel, half a mile from the Philadelphia airport, with Cheetos, a jar of peanut butter, some applesauce, peanuts, and two cans of tuna. The airport is closed, will be tomorrow too and our tickets have been changed five times. The latest redo was delivered via email from Delta this morning. But all four of us, fresh out of a dental conference this weekend in Philly, are warm, dry and kind of excited. We have suitcases of party clothes–men tuxedo’s and ladies outfits appropriate for the White House, or more correctly the Inn at the Union League. But practical hurricane gear? Not so much.

     I barely made it out of Atlanta Sunday evening -- our flight was stuffed full, and flights around us were being cancelled like crazy. It was a relief to know I was heading west, not east.

Prayers and thoughts are with you, friends on the East Coast.

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: What Happened?

I'm home from Georgia. (Had a great time - more about this in a bit.) The Brick and Daughters are home from hunting, a little muddier and smellier - no animals in tow, but they also enjoyed themselves.
     Charley, Abby and presumably the chickens are happy we're home. (Who can tell with chickens, quite frankly. If they were human, that little crazy glint in their eyes tells me they'd all be planning a revolt and blowing something up. Or Running Amuck. They do that so well.)

But all is not right with the world.

How could the Tigers lose the World Series so quickly?!? They were better than that in the regular season. As a former Michigander, I still have a soft spot in my heart for the Tiggers -- I remember that around eighth grade, we actually had tvs in the classrooms during that World Series. (The Tigers won that one.) People take it very seriously. And they have some remarkable players. What happened?
    On the other hand, Colorado's Rockies have really done a crappy job themselves this season, especially if you don't include Dexter Fowler in the mix. (Gee, Rocks, isn't it time to trade Dexter off? You usually do that with your talent.) So I can't point any fingers.

While I'm washing stinky clothes (no changing or showers all week for the Mighty Hunters), you might enjoy these forays into Internet Land:

Is it true...do 47% of American households really not pay taxes? It's all in the semantics, according to Tight Fisted Miser. (And I think he's right.) 

Rhoda, from Southern Hospitality, is finally moved in! I've loved watching her literally re-build a bargain house. It took 26 weeks, the help of her parents (especially her dad), and umpteen photos. If you want to see the house blossom, step by step, take some time to read her posts on the subject. Gives you ideas, if you know what I mean.

Sheet music placemats? Yes...and they're lovely. Check the link for how-tos. (Thanks, All Things Beautiful.) 

Products from Lucky's of London -- some of the funniest useful items I've ever seen, including this handy bath plug:

And a key holder:

(I'm not showing the cat pencil sharpener. You'll see why. Check the link for some great stuff.)

Have a great week. Don't forget to check in on our free giveaway for Nurture Your Creative Spirit -- hardly anyone's entered, and it's a brand-new title. (Inspirational, too.) Deadline is Halloween night, midnight MST.

Georgia Warmth

It's been snowing like crazy in Colorado...but who cares! I'm here where the warm breezes blow, and red rosebushes nod against the window.
    Fall colors, too. It's so pretty here.

Well, I do actually care about those poor shivering Mighty Hunters, the Brick and our girlies. So far, Daughter #2 got off a shot - but missed. Meanwhile, one friend got a buck -- the other accidentally shot a spike bull elk, trying for a cow. He is an honest guy, and after field dressing the meat, called the ranger's station to turn himself in. They didn't even have the courtesy to come out to investigate (it was snowing hard, and an honest mistake), but demanded he show up at the office with the meat. When he did, all the meat was confiscated, and he promptly got a heavy fine. So much for rewarding honesty.

I got a chance to visit Melisa at the Sweet Home Quilt Co. in Conyers, GA. What a charming old house, and the shop is stuffed to the gills with patterns, samples and some of the nicest 19th century reproduction fabrics I've seen in a while...not to mention some very cool holiday-themed and brights fabrics. Melisa's store is a Featured 2012 Shop in the Quilt Sampler magazine, and it deserves the honor. (She writes a great blog, too.) Take a look!

Tomorrow is the Georgia Quilt Council's semi-annual meeting...some appraising and "Quilts with Secrets." I'll spend the night at friend (and fellow appraiser) Holly Anderson's before heading home Sunday.

P.S. The friend who is watching the dogs and the chickies tells me that they're laying more eggs! They also said that the chickens' first response to the snow (which they had never seen in quantity) was to try and jump up on sticks, the water trough -- anything to kick off that cold stuff. I guess this high-kicking was very funny...

Marching (Well, Flying) to Georgia

I heard from the Mighty Hunters...Daughter #2 got a shot off at a buck yesterday, but missed. They only saw two doe today.
     A big storm is moving into the mountains: two days of much colder, snowier temperatures. I'm guessing that the animals are hunkered down already, waiting for the worst of it to be over. Fortunately, the MH are staying in a heated camper with a cookstove. Plenty of already-cooked chili, as well as chicken and dumplings. A ton of other food, as well. They'll have time to play cards and tell stories. They'll be ok.

It is amazing, how few interruptions I had yesterday. Put on the first Jimmy Stewart cowboy movie ("Naked Spur") and started sewing. The fabrics were singing together, and all the seams were fitting smoothly. Had a cup of tea, and remembered all over again how much fun it is to sew when things are going well. Put on another Jimmy movie: this time, my favorite, "The Far Country." Cut some more patches - they fit beautifully. Whoo hoo!
     Before I knew it, I'd watched 5 Jimmy Stewart Westerns, from "Night Passage" to "The Rare Breed." The top was done - wow. And the clock chimed -- 5 a.m. 

Still more packing for Georgia to be done. I'm headed for the Georgia Quilt Council's annual convention. Two days of classes for the Chamblee Star (Oct. 25) and Misty Mountain quilt guilds (Oct. 26) (both days on memory quilts), then the state convention on Oct. 27: a morning of appraising and a talk on Quilts with Secrets, with an emphasis on flowers, fans and handkerchiefs. Curious? Come see! Go to this link to find out more. There are still a few open spots in the classes -- not many, but a few.

I can tell you one thing: it'll be snowing in Colorado later this week. But not where I'm headed!

Monday Stuff: A-Hunting We Will Go

Ok, not me. I've got a date in Georgia with a bunch of quilters! (More on that soon.) The Mighty Hunters left at 5:30 a.m. this morning, after dealing with stocking up (propane, groceries and bullets), trailer problems (couldn't get the lights to work), and Jeep issues (non-working tail light). I watched piles of clothes go into the camper, knowing that if the Brick follows tradition, he'll wear the same outfit. All week long. 
     Both Daughter #1 and Daughter #2 are going with this time, to do some hunting and look after Dad. No doubt, they'll also get a lot of teasing from our friend Tommy, who's been there for a few days, and already bagged a 4-point buck. (He likes to order them around: "Woman, make me a sandwich!") 
    I'm just glad they can spend some time together. 

    There's a new giveaway coming, a book full of vivid color, by Vikki Pignatelli. I'll post it tonight! Meanwhile, noticed on the Internet this past week:

Acorns: an interesting (and free) nutrition source. The Best 50 Years even tells you how to prepare them. A Forties book on feeding chickens with scraps is a big advocate for acorns. Not to mention that the heroines of Into the Forest (one of my favorite apocalypse-frugal living books) end up living on them.

Another great gift idea: homemade bath bombs. I love these fizzy guys and a long soak with the book just mentioned.

They figured out the origins of the huge eyeball found on Pompano Beach, FL -- it originally belonged to a swordfish. The thing was softball-sized!

Haunted attractions that may really BE haunted. 

41 reasons why Len Penzo isn't going to loan you money. These may come in handy when you're hit up for a loan sometime.

A one square meter-sized house, thanks to designer Van Bo. ( When you're ready to sleep, you just tip it over. Honest.)

 Pieces from a rare set of Russian porcelain are coming to auction. (Actually, two sets.) When their aristocratic owner fled during the Revolution, soldiers moved in -- and used the pieces for target practice. Now they're incredibly valuable. (Stupid, stupid, stupid.)

Everything and everyone comes into your life for a reason -- so says Trent at the Simple Dollar. I think he's right.

Trying out a new waterbed. (Ahem) By the way, the sign says NOT to lay on the "Waterfall" model. But who reads signs -- German or American, for that matter:

Going Hunting...and HUGE News

A correction. I'm not headed out the door in stylish blaze orange. Daughter #2 and the Brick are busy getting out every other possession we own (at least the camping-related ones) and stuffing them all in the trailer. A container of chicken and dumplings is waiting in the refrigerator, and chili is cooking in the crockpot for another meal. They'll make do on sandwiches, hot dogs and canned stuff for the rest. And instant oatmeal - tons of it.

Plus... eggs!!!!! Yes, one of our chickens finally produced a tiny brown egg this morning. Hooray! We scrambled it up for breakfast - a firm golden thing next to the pale yellow eggs from King Soopers. I'm hoping the chickie in question is inspiring her fellow hens to go forth and multiply.

I've got my own packing to do, for next week's trip to the Georgia State Guild. (Plus two other day-long classes, both on memory quilts.) Should be fun!

Two Crazies for the Batik Butik need to be finished up, for their booth at Houston's International Quilt Festival this month. Now, if the hunters would go on their merry way, so I can get some work done...