THERE IS A SHINNING LIGHT SOMETIMES!!!

My grand daughter, AJ, started back to school this year with an apprehensive feeling, dreading another dismal year of loneliness at school...;(

But also along with this apprehension was the strength to face those mean spirited peers with a strong will to win out in the end!

This is what I LOVE about my grand daughter the most! Her STRENGTH and WILL to forge ahead no matter what others think of her....:)

Do they judge her by her looks...?

She is tall, over-weight and extremely shy.....with a hidden disability...dyslexia.

Why the kids at her school have shunned her...I DON'T KNOW?

Her being dyslexic meant that she had to be in a "special education" class for some subjects [not any more though she's near being a honor student now].

But was this the problem for getting to know her?

If so, that's their LOSS!


But, like I said...

There is a shinning light to this post!

My dyslexic grand daughter just pulled off something that even I have never accomplished in life!


SHE IS HAVING ONE OF HER POEMS PUBLISHED IN A BOOK!


I AM SOOOOOOOOOOO PROUD OF HER!!!!!


I whine about having poor eyesight when this girl looks through mixed up signals daily in her brain all the time and comes up with an accomplishment like that!

AMAZING as far as I am concerned!

For this girl...writing poetry/stories and drawing is all that she has to express herself with and I am SOOOOOO happy that she has been given this talent to help off set some of the hurts that has to live with.

Only some may not like what they see and read of her work as it is very dark right now but I KNOW that this too will change as her life lightens. Right now the stuff she does has a shock factor to it and I like the challenge she puts out to others because of it. If you knew her life you'd know why too!

I have to acknowledge the helping hand that this girl found at her school. Her shining light...their Librarian...Bobbi Hebron!

AJ spent most of her spare time helping and hanging out there due to the personal exile at school and this woman took her under her wing. Through her encouragement she gave AJ the courage to submit something for publishing and take the chance to be rejected. [This is something I have a fear of and loath competitions because of it]. She has done sooooo much for this girl that words can never be found to express how thankful I am that this kind of person does exist!

She also helped put the museum back together and has gotten us our Paranormal Room

Sadly, she will be moving away and this town is going to be short one great person!

Anyways....

AJ submitted one poem and one short story. The story didn't make it but the poem did! It was a contest open to anyone 14 and older. She received her letter, of acceptance the other day, of making the publishing level and now goes on to the prizes level. As far as I am concerned she already got the prize and the other would just be the icing on the cake!

Soon as Bobbi found out the good news she let everybody know and AJ's life at school changed that day!

She received LOTS of congratulations from many who never have given her the time of day and I hope things have started to change for her. She's in Grade 9 this year and hopefully a start of a new era for her but one has to wait and see...


I hate having to add a negative to such a happy tale but I have found that fame fades quickly and some people never grow up!

Only I KNOW that my wonderful grand daughter will always have the courage deep inside of her to persevere through whatever is thrown at her!


Maybe I should be thanking those mean kids for forcing her towards learning rather than having a good time!

naw..........


I'd rather see a happy child ALL of the time!


ANYWAYS....


CONGRATULATION AJ!


KEEPING ON SHOCKING THEM GIRL!


LOVE YA! KEEP ON BEING YOU!

:)

LOVE IS IN THE AIR....?

OR some kind of crap like that...

7 years ago I got rid of a very BIG pain in my life...the Ex [not completely cause of the kids] and thought my life was finished with the agony of all involved with love!

Nope!

You know those dating sites that lonely people join to find their "one true love"? I joined quite a few after my release to freedom and then later dropped all of them, due to poor selections and the fact that I'm JUST NOT LOOKING!

Seems cancellation of one site never happened because I have been receiving many hits on that canceled site of late?

Here's my latest wannabe friend...

61 yr old/Married/Straight/Available

86% my match/70% my friend/35% my enemy

Montana, USA

My self summary...

I'm an older, wiser (well, I'm told I am anyway), educated, and open-minded guy. Dominant in my chosen lifestyle and prefer it that way. Enjoy meeting people online or in real-time, getting to know them, chatting, and seeing where it all goes. Not a prude and sexually adventurous, accepting, and sometimes demanding. I'm secure in who I am and welcome all genders, sexual preferences, etc...as long as you're able to be open, honest, and truthful. I adhere to non-traditional relationships; i.e. Polyamory, non-monogamy, open-relationships, bdsm, and swinging lifestyles. I'm NOT your run-of-the-mill guy. While I may seem simple on the surface, I tend to be VERY complex. I can be demanding and easy-going at the same time...and NO that is NOT a conflict of interests. I uphold very specific values and expect the same of my partner(s) or friends. The best way to know me is to take the chance and give in to your curiosity by contacting me and asking questions. I guarantee you will get a honest and direct answer...no matter the nature of the question.

I am Cerebral, Abnormal, and Wicked

What I am doing with my life...

I'm working towards retirement (aren't we all?) and enjoying my friends in the BDSM lifestyle. I enjoy sexual sharing and openness when things "click" between myself and others, which isn't that often. I'm very happily married to my slave, slut, wife and soul-mate. I stay busy at my job as a Computer Support Technician. I also run my own computer upgrade/repair business on the side. Busy? Oh yeah!!! However, I make time for my friends, lovers, and getting to know people. When I find the time, which is rare, I like to spend it making friends online from around the world by using various video chat programs. I also like to write when I find the inspiration and time. In fact, if I keep adding to this profile, I'll wind up writing an auto-biography...and wouldn't THAT be boring?

I am really good at...

I should most likely have someone ELSE write this part, but I'll just mention some of what others have told me. English, computer hardware upgrades, reading, flogging, pressure points, writing, and other little things that escape my memory just now. Now to expand on each of these points. ENGLISH: I enjoy writing. I'm also VERY critical whenever I read something written by others...no matter that person's status as layman or professional. (I tend to edit books that I read and glaring errors stand out and bug the begeejus outta me.) COMPUTER HARDWARE: That pretty well says it all. I can be a VERY logical person, but I DO NOT enjoy writing software or dealing with it. I concentrate on the hardware aspects, drivers, operating systems, internet security, and networking computer systems. READING: I'm an avid reader...mostly of fiction but also of self-help and technical journals. You'll often find me reading a book to pass what few minutes I have free, just to relax. BDSM: Well, the flogging part is easy. I also tend to use paddles and other various instruments of "ass" destruction on CONSENSUAL adults. The mind is a wonderful playground and I seem to have ability to focus on some people, see inside them, and by implementing various methods, many of them seem to wander into a wonderful place of nirvana. Pressures points can be used for pain OR pleasure, and I've learned a trick or two in using them. They are especially effective during a mind-fuck or certain other bdsm scenes. WRITING: My missives tend NOT to be short and I constantly have to remind myself to shorten them. (Just look at this profile...lol.) I'm seldom totally satisfied with my work and can always think of better ways to say things or things I SHOULD have said. I tend to write in an educated (read academic or stuffy) manner for the most part, but CAN be humorous, lighthearted, and kinky at times. You never know what will drip from the tip of my pen.

First things that people notice about you...

My openness, friendliness,the duality of my personality/nature, and intensity. I suppose I should add to this part. The OKcupid and Briggs/Meyers tests list me as a bit of an INFP , but I can also be very out-going and gregarious. I have a quick wit and tend to use humor to defuse tense situations. There are also times where I may be quiet and introspective. People feel that I'm trusting in that I give everyone the initial respect and acceptance of who they SAY they are because that's how I prefer to be excepted. I'm also non-prejudiced and lack tolerance for those who are. People notice my preference to practice the "golden rule" of treating them as I would like to be treated.

Favorite books, movies, shows, music and food ...

Anything Star Trek (SciFI), James Patterson (most mysteries), John Norman, James Herbert, The Marketplace Series, CCR, Tom Petty, Older Rock n Roll, classical, instrumental, some of most genres of music, and books. Mexican, meat n potatoes, American cuisine. One thing that's my favorite American (southern) dish is good, ole navy beans and ham or pinto beans with bacon. Mix either of those with a side of GOOD cornbread and some fried taters and I'm in heaven. (Not great for the cholesterol, but sure tastes good.) I originate from the West Coast but my parents were from the South, so those foods are the ones I prefer most. Foodwise, I tolerate eating things that swim or fly, but you won't see me eating any fish or fowl that often. Music is wonderful and I almost always have some going in the background. I'm not much for the lyrics (but SOME do catch my attention) and mainly listen to the rhythm and beat...no matter the genre (and yeah that includes SOME rap.) Two songs that come to mind that kinda epitomizes me are Charlie Pride's old chestnut, "I'm Just Me", and Uncle Kraker's "Follow Me."

Six things I could never do without...

Books, movies, music, computers, my slave, friends, and a roof over my head. Of course I need the other necessities of life like air, water, food, and shelter. I also need solitude now and then, and open, honest, close friends. I need the sexual stimulation and closeness of good friends, lovers, and companions. While raised in the Christian sense, I need my sense of spirituality which encompasses many other religions, including pagan. I NEED honesty, integrity, and respect...both given and received. If you can't provide these things, then it's doubtful that we would be a good match.

I spend a lot of time thinking about...

BDSM, polyamory, sex, computer hardware, movies, multiple-partners, traveling, and various other places my mind wanders. As I've mentioned previously; I can be a VERY complex person most of the time. My interests are often eclectic and varied. My mind will stick on one thing for a while, almost to the exclusion of everything else. I enjoy good, honest, intellectual conversations about almost ANY topic. You'll find that nothing is off-limits for discussion in my book. With the exception of Lust, you will also find that I DETEST any display of most of the other negative emotions that Pandora released from her box. I can be playful and creative (and my thoughts will often wander in that direction) but I am also VERY forthright, verbose, and open-minded although I DO have my own, definite opinions. I AM a thinker...sometimes to the exclusion of DOING. Is that a fault...well, maybe, at times.

On a most typical Friday night I am...

Home with my girl and sometimes entertaining friends. I don't really go by the standard workweek except that's how my job dictates my free time. I tend to stay busy all the time but I'm NOT a workaholic. I enjoy watching a good movie or television show or spending time talking about our lives and where they might go in the future. I'm impulsive at times and like to enjoy whatever my particular mood or inclination takes me...whether it's listening to music, spending time online, talking, or having great sex. It's all good and we need all those things. It's just best when it's spent with like-minded friends and those closest to you. My friends tend to be part of my extended family, some with whom I share extra benefits. It's not always what you do for fun and relaxation as much as who your share it with.

Most Private thing I am willing to admit...

Can't think of much to put in here. I'm pretty open and honest about myself. Want to know something? Just ask!!! I'm often a private person in some aspects, but that's not something I think about. If something is private it's only because not everyone would understand or accept those things. I'm not hiding a thing, however. I will gladly tell you about any private situation or moment in my life. I've had a long, full, and exciting life and have so many special moments that I don't honestly know what ONE thing I'd put here. Hence, my suggestion to contact me and ask.

In regard to my interests in polyamory, I will openly admit to certain things. I am married to a wonderful woman who is the light of my life to whom I'm intensely dedicated, as she is with me. I am not ashamed of my views even though others may reject our standards or not agree with them.

You should message me with...

You can deal with (notice that I DIDN'T say AGREE with?) most, if not all of my, points of view. You MUST be open, honest, and sincere. No fakes, phonies, or wannabes...just real people. You need to want to be a friend and see how we would connect in that aspect. One thing I DEMAND and EXPECT is mutual respect with no prejudice. I guarantee that you will receive in return whatever you send to me. I answer all my messages and mail, even if it takes me a while to do it. Just like you, I have my own ideals and opinions...I respect you for yours and ask that you respect me for mine. If you want to expand your horizons in some areas: contact me. If you want to share similar interests and thoughts: contact me. If you can't be open and honest about your feelings, interests, desires, or just want to disagree with mine...then by all means move on. I'm not the person for you.

**UPDATE: It seems a TON of people look at my profile but nobody writes, comments, or otherwise interacts with me once they peek. Guess I don't have the right equipment to be that much of interest or I'm just plain scary and too old eh? Oh well, being a voyeur can be fun at times too...weg.

I do remember filling out a profile and I know for a fact what I like and I am pretty sure everything that he has listed IS NOT compatible to me...86% my match, 70% my friend...with ONLY 33% my enemy...?

More like flip those stats with 86% being TOO low of a number on the enemy scale I say! I'd rip that guy a new "____"....if was up to me

But each to their own they say...

The only thing that guy has got going for himself is that he is positive of what he does want and doesn't hide it and the fact that he's willing to add that there is a possibility that he MIGHT be a little on the scary side....

I'll PASS this one....

Anybody else interested...his age choice is 27-70....;{?

Just hope your ass is up to it....;{

My first thought was to report him to the cops in his area and ask whether he might fit one of their scary suspects...?

As for the rest of my interesting life...

Sinus are acting normal for this time of the year...gotta love the itchy eyes and how they love to run with the dust and crap, kind of keeps up with the nose...big sigh

Our snow is almost gone and I saw my first robin on Sunday...there's even been some new little birdies that I must try to photo and see if anyone knows what they are? Sadly never have the camera handy when I do see one...hope they stick around for me to snap it. Our area is a main fly zone for a lot of different species of birds, so one wonders if some get lost...;}?

My slow time never hit...designing like crazy but money never appeared? I HATE TIRE KICKERS!

Been busy giving out FREE advice on grad decor ideas and the parade float signage is starting...but these are just proposals. My main customer's, the oilfield, is on hold right now due to it being too wet to go into the fields!

You should try budgeting for 4 months without any serious income and see how you live...teachers have to do it for only 2! One does keep wondering how I exist? I do have a guardian soul that helps me when I do get too desperate and a large order has landed but that payment will take another month to get here...big sigh

I HATE being a owner of a business sometimes...we don't get unemployment benefits!

BIG SIGH...

Been trying to walk twice a day, as this is the bug-free time and am so enjoying it! Aside form the once-in-a while cold wind nipping at the face...it's been refreshing having the cobwebs blown from the brain...

Another project that has been occupying my brain cells is our final acceptance of the paranormal into our town's museum!

PoD and I, along with the financial support of my business, are putting the Shadow People shapes and Orbs where they have been seen and documented. We've also been given space to hang photos and paranormal info. Our deadline for completion is the centennial celebration in July! PoD is almost at the end of her commitment with dinner theater [I stayed out of it] and we plan to get at it going soon after....I have to give her a break first she says...

Been also waiting to hear back from the town council whether I can keep reporting about the courthouse hauntings...seems I need their permission on some things for a new blog I'm planning on just it.

As for decorating theme wise...the Easter bunny has found his way here already! I only wish he would stop dropping off those marshmallow bunnies that I love soooooo much...kind of defeats the walking purpose...

Or maybe I should walk further so I can have more bunnies...

Did I ever tell you I HATE BEING DIABETIC...

Stay tuned for the Darkside Zodiac, as my most annoying sign that seems to be attracted to me most, is next...TAURUS [Apr 21-May 21]

YOU ALL HAVE A NICE DAY......;)

SNOW, SNOW, SNOW AND MORE SNOW...



Thought I'd show you the creepier side of winter...


Other than the fact that it IS winter that is...

Notice how the camera flashed on the door penguin's face...kind of weird

It even caught part of the face of the one in the snow bank...

Notice the carved edges of the snow banks...

The once fluffy stuff has compacted enough to be able to carve them...

Notice the metal sign stakes that seem to be acting as a snow guard fence [sort of]. I had brilliantly froze them in the ground so they will be stuck there until the thaw. I had planned on putting the lights back up but the electrical plug-in is under all of that crap too! I bent the wires over so no one will impale themselves on them.

In the photo below...see the poor shoveling penguin. His head barely peeks out of the snow near the orange dot [sign to be]

I've even carved a way to the garbage can. I hadn't planned on it, hoping to save some shoveling, only to notice that the meter reader dude has to plow his way through it to get to the meters out back of the house. I did stop at the can though...he's young enough to plow through the 3 feet deep stuff of the rest of it to get to them...:(

Notice the valentines?

Been trying to keep them above the snow fall and have had to lift them out three times already!

So here I sit at my computer composing this.... hoping that shoveling is coming to and end...



And again the door penguin catches the last creepy shot...



And all of the dots in the pictures are NOT Orbs....



JUST SNOW AND MORE SNOW....

THE GAG IS FINALLY LIFTED!


The only thing was, it was tied around my brain instead of my mouth!
Here I was crabbing about [to myself & kids] on "why" won't blogger let me blog, when it was the fault of the damn viruses that hit me around Xmas time...nice present NOT! My son was able to fix my computer woes by doing what ever the hell that he does to them...make any sense? I was happy to be able to work again...not that there was too much of that...;( Worst was I couldn't blog! Something he knows nothing about the workings of it so he couldn't say what was wrong! Nor did PoD! I had stories to tell...pictures to show and NOTHING could be done! WHO DO YOU CALL.... Nope....not Ghost Busters...;}

You try and figure it out....yourself! Yup...me got a brain storm...in the middle of our miserable snow storms!




Why not look it up on here....?



First of all, one has to be able to get on here in the first place...so it wasn't all my fault...;{! All I had to do was read and COMPREHEND what they were saying!


:O


Go figure Huh! Pushing sixty and it's never too late to learn something...;)


Something about changing my settings? I figure it happened then? He has to come back home again [not sure when that will happen] to fix the scary parts that really caused it. I still have a fear of clicking the wrong button so I won't go there! ANYWAYS.... It is way too late after Xmas to want to post the office pictures [unless you beg for them...:}] and believe me I tried to many times and couldn't!


Xmas came and went...we all had fun and were well for a change! The present I played with the most was my new "Game Camera"! Still trying to figure out where to put it. I know for sure that it doesn't work well [the batteries die] in the cold! Great for inside...I have discovered that the cat likes to walk all over places where she's not supposed to be...;} Work has been starting to get busy right now which is strange for a January with me. Normally my slow times are from Xmas to April/May. The town's Centennial is coming up in July and the one who are on the ball are starting now, which is great for me. I hate last minute jobs and have figured that's what will happen...seems I might be wrong One never knows... Main topic around these parts lately it the AMOUNT of snow we have right now... One is aware that it is winter and that we do get snow here... Only thing is, we haven't had THIS MUCH in a LONG time...

This is from ONE of MANY storms we've had lately! It's been shovel, shovel, shovel, shovel.... After one pushes their way out the door....

One just gets finished and it starts all over again!

No these aren't Orbs...just snow and more snow and more snow

I did manage to get Xmas taken down and put away. I left up the pine garland and lights for Valentines...


Which will appear as soon as I get a chance once more...



Not pushing my luck here...


I have also been trying to comment on your posts too but the gag was in place there too...


Hopefully I can do that...




?

REMEMBRANCE DAY...

"Lest Ye Forget"...

I haven't!

My tribute to the fallen...it's been lit since the 7th and will stay lit until tonight at midnight!

I remember the high pitched wails from the "War Sirens" that used to be in Edmonchuk [Alberta, where I was born]! There was one half a block from our house. When it went off one never knew whether it was real or just another practice run! Being that close to it made it really loud and quite impressive to a young child like I was. To this day, that sound, still sends the same chill down my spine and the old feelings of dread returns! Our town has a fire alarm siren that is about the same distance as the one from the olden days and it sounds the same!

That was the worst reminder that ones life/freedom could be taken away at any moment by unknown forces!

The other is the "Poppy"!

The RED Poppy!


Removing the War Sirens was a great thing for me and I hope they never have to return!


But removing the color out of the red poppy to promote peace sounds dumb to me!

All that does is make the red poppy insignificant!

Doesn't the red stand for the blood that was spilled for the sake of our freedom?

How does draining the blood that was spilled from that war symbol make it peaceful?

Removing the color from this symbol makes no sense!

The "red" poppy is the symbol for war reminding, isn't it?

Is this not the symbol for peace...

[I meant to show it as a white dove...oops]

?

I thought they could add it this way....

But I still don't like it on the poppy!

Other symbols like the health and disability Awareness Ribbons...

are represented by colors!

Removing the color did not change the reasoning for their awareness.

The white stands for something else!

 So today I am standing up for ALL of our Veterans who gave it their all for US! 

LEST YE FORGET!

FASHIONISM WEDNESDAY...

 NO...not really.

Just our costumes for the Halloween's Family Dance on Friday night.

PoD is "Princess of Darkness", AJ a "Glamor Girl" and JD wanted to be a "Skeleton".

I came as "Mother Nature"...

Which totally blew away all the little kids!

I was amazed at all the little kids who couldn't stop touching the orange tulle cape that I wore. Some even followed me? Many came up to me and with awe in their voice told me how nice I looked...calling me "Mother Nature". I figure their parents must have explained who mother nature was and they took it as something special? It sure stroked the old ego!

It wasn't much of a dance, more like a milling around of dressed up kids and very few costumed parents? Happily there wasn't any judging of costumes...it's too hurtful to children. All feel their costume is the winner and those who just throw something together are no match for the store bought ones. My preferrence is for the thrown together ones.


Would like to share more photos of this dance only the Exes camera confused both PoD and me, so you will have to take my word on it being very amusing seeing the variations.
PoD and I did get "Honorable Mention" on the best costumes, though. Screw the award, my reward was the look on the kid's faces!
Two hours of sugar frenzied kids was enough for us!




Next up...first my rant




The adult Halloween dance was held on Saturday and it was also a "Benefit Dance" for this poor little boy [2] who is bent over with a tumor that is growing on the side of his neck and spine. It is huge! The parents are extremely young and the financial burden is emmence! They needed this dance to help pay for the numerous treatments and surgeries that it is going to take to help this child...if he survives it that is!


What was very noticeable was the absence of the older citizens of this supposedly close-knit town! I was maybe the 4th oldest? I can't help but compare it to the fund raiser for the boy who lost his father due to a heart attack, the turn out for him was shameful compared to what this boy with the tumor got! That other boy will probably someday have a new dad to raise him whereas this boy with the tumor may not live to even enjoy a dad, period!


Most may not enjoy getting dressed up and hate Halloween but that gives no excuse for not showing up and giving your support to this young couple and HIM! Happily there were 2 that came with no costume just to support him! All I can say to those who didn't attend from this town [with no valid excuse like sick or dead] SHAME ON YOU! You better be sending a check to them or donating through some other means!

There was guys there that were only working in the area...they paid out the 20.00 entrance fee and didn't even know the kid!




As for what you missed...

PoD..."Princess of Darkness"

PoD forgot her staff...note she is wearing killer "slut" boots. With her crown she is about 6' tall!

And me as the "Queen of Halloween"...

and my killer shoes...[5.00]

No high heeled concotions for me! I prefer being close to the ground and have to problem with being 5'3"! Seems I was smarter that those who did wear those killer boots...most came off when the dancing started...;)

We, as usual stayed with our group...

This is our normal look...us and the Orbs!

Its like we have this wall around us and everyone else is afraid to approach it?
Except for the 50/50 ticket sellers and the table cleaners.

Lived here for 28 yrs and still not approchable? Although I did get a few inquiring on sign work...guess that's the only topic they figure I/we know?

Did get compliments on our outfits but they weren't winners.

Best Male Costume..."The Mad Hatter"

This was our selection too!

Best Female..."Cruella Deville"

It was okay but not note worthy in my books.

Didn't get a pic from the front cause it wasn't that great.

Why they picked it was beyond me?

Best Couple...."Extension Cord and Outlet"

PoD had taken the photo before they won and it was our choice too!

Even better was the fact that this was the boy that my son grew up with and practically lived at our place, a second son, you can say. So happy for him and his girlfriend. Both him and my son very seldom see each other any more, as they have gone their separate ways...;(


The next choice wasn't my pick but it was PoD's!

They were dance costumes and won mostly because they looked and were called the "Skanky Ninja Turtles". The pic shows the 3 of them without their "Skank" boots on. The outfits must have been uncomfortably short as most spent their time trying to keep the skirt down. Don't know why they were wearing shorts underneath?


Guess it's jealousy...I used to be that skinny!

They were cute and well made outfits.

We did do some dancing and have pics to prove it...even though it only looks like we are just standing there...

Will be show more Orbs and some diffrent ones

Not sure if can be called a dust mote or Orb...can you see a face in it?

PoD lost her boots after the first song!

Something about "Jello Legs"?

Here's PoD dancing with a few more Orbs...

Do you see a face in the brightest one?

The larger one is probably a dust mote. See the difference?

Yup...even I dance

Doesn't it look like I'm talking to this Orb?

We did have fun without anyone else...even though the dance floor was full.

Here a selection of costumes for your own ideas...

They even held a mock fight...notice the Orb with the face on it?

No...I'm not just pointing to his crotch...;}

Note this one...it has a very distinct face

I never noticed that the mouth looks like it shows teeth in the smile?

One of the final shots. 

We have such a large dance floor area, yet the crowd stayed shoulder to shoulder close near the stage? Granted the rest of the floor got pretty sticky from spilled drinks!

Why do people have to dance with their drink in their hand? It's not like one has to be worried about anyone slipping anything in your drink! This is a small town, everyone is watching your every move!

It got really hard to take near the end...all one wanted to do was go home. Feet tired and it's not entertaining, yet one has to stay because they bought 50/50 tickest and PoD bought a chance on the big TV they were raffling off.

Her ticket was half a playing card. A card that showed all sorts of promise for being lucky!

A Cat Card...a witch's familiar and the 7 [her lucky number] of diamonds

They pulled the 7 of hearts on the cat card!

Guess close only works in horseshoes...;{

And yes my Halloween has already disappeared from my house til next year!

STILL IN THE DARK AGES!

You'd think with all of the advancement we have with technology that we would be open to other avenues...such as the Paranormal


But we still have the "Doubting Tomas" to deal with here?


A favorite saying [I'll probably screw it up]...;}




For those who BELIEVE...no proof is necessary
For the SKEPTIC...no proof is possible!




This hold so true with the old ways of thinking in this town!


I have mentioned many times that this town is celebrating it's 100th birthday next year and has been on a drive to make it look pretty and hopefully generate interest in others to want to live here. Contest for changing the town logo [big needless expense] was held...not sure how that went? Letters went out, urging us to come up with new ideas...anything to draw interest. Not only for housing possibilities but for tourist attractions too!




My big idea was to use the fact that Dodge has this big, beautiful Court House and have advertised that it is "Haunted" [on web site] to do it some good, maybe not for living there, but for the tourist part?


What better gimmick than the haunted one!


How many other places in Saskatchewan is known to be haunted?


We even got PROOF by way of technology...not hearsay


We got PROOF because we allowed the paranormal groups come in to document the place! Different ones so there would be no bias opinions!




BUT NO MORE!




Powers to be in the town systems has decided that they can no longer allow access to them, due to what  reason I am still unsure of?


This is how it went...




A paranormal group wishing to book filming time [research] has been refused access to the building...seems forever? It's not just them...all of them!


Maybe I read it wrong....?




Good Afternoon QoH,


In 2009 the Town of Dodge established the following policy regarding use and rental of the Court House for meetings:
1. That the upstairs gallery and Council Chambers is not available regarding rental for meeting, effective immediately.
2. That the Council Chambers shall ONLY be utilized by Town appointed Committees and Chamber of Commerce.
3. All committees meetings shall be booked in advance, according to availability on a first come first serve bases, with the Town Administration Staff.


Unfortunately, since then the Museum has been added to the facility and we are continuing to complete the necessary renovations of the Court House. With the number of artifacts that are on display and the art display that are out - concerns have been made regarding the safety of the displays. With the number of concerns it was it makes it very difficult for us to continue to grant access to all paranormal groups. It is unfortunate; however; we must insure that we maintain the safety of the display's on site and can complete the necessary renovations to the Court House.


We hope that you will understand.


Town Administrator






Do you think I understood?








NOPE


This is my reply....




Dear Town Council:


This is in reply to your email to me Oct. 12.


I am quite amazed at your decision to NOT let the paranormal groups do more research on your "Haunted Court House"?


Why are you advertising on your web site that it is a haunted building then?


What proof do you have, to prove that fact, to be able to make that statement?


Hearsay and town gossip is not proof!


The proof you needed was obtained by two different paranormal groups! This proof was captured on video and by sound! Hours and hours and hours or recording/editing by people who are willing to VOLUNTEER their LEISURE time to do this! Yes, it's for their benefit too, but how can you complain when your proof was obtained for FREE! When I say benefit, I mean this is important research on a touchy subject for them and just because one doesn't believe doesn't mean it doesn't exist!


You doubt their honesty by not allowing access?


First of all, my daughter and I had offered up our LEISURE time for FREE, and did so, just to monitor such a thing and to keep it from happening! Not to mention our reputations in being associated with this medium! So in doing so, we have built up a relationship with both of these groups and can now vouch for both of them


For another fact, they are bonded! One even works for the RCMP!


We had offered up our services to keep track of this then and still do, for FREE! This will mean us staying with them while they are in the building over night, if need be and believe me that is NO easy feat for EITHER OF US!


The problem you ran into was what we had warned about all along...letting just any group in and be UNSUPERVISED! No one ever contacted us [we left cards] when these other groups did their thing? From reports, some weren't good! We monitor just exactly what's going on in there, while it is happening and by what the group does/stand for. There will be NO satanic rituals or evil doings and such, as mentioned by the religious factor of the nay Sayers in this town while we are there!


Unless you doubt our honesty? After all we are NOT bonded!


Do you monitor free roaming groups/people while they tour the gallery and museum? If you have camera, do they cover all angles? Are they guided tours?


If not guided, what assurance do you have that things don't go missing then...just because they sign a book? Do they provide credentials when they do? Seems to me you have more proof of stuff missing after a REGISTERED group leaves then strangers off the street!


Some deem that a Gallery and Museum will be big attractions to a town? How many are going to travel to Dodge for just that thing?


How many MORE might, if they were PROVEN to be REALLY, REALLY HAUNTED!


You might say you have enough proof right now...but really, how much is enough? Wouldn't LOTS more, draw more attention? Can you imagine the media attention! One group is now affiliated with T.A.P.S from the USA, which documents just such a thing. Even "Creepy Canada" has shown some future interest when I contacted them six years ago...all I had to do was get back to them!


The "Calling Lakes Paranormal Group" from Ft.Qu'Apple has submitted what they have captured so far on the DVD call "Haunted - The Dodge Court House". This shows video proof of a "Ghostly Child" like figure stepping into view, in the doorway of the men jail cell room! This group also has their own web site in which the town gets FREE advertising of your "haunted" court house.


Also the Ghost Hunters from Saskatoon has proof on their website too! More FREE advertising!


Why do more research now?


It is a documented fact that construction in these old buildings raises not only the dust, but much more! They need to be re-documented. Also one is not guaranteed to capture something every time! It takes HOURS of recording plus HOURS of editing with sometimes NO results! That's a lost weekend to them!


Plus we have our celebration coming up next year and why not add "Paranormal Tours" to the agenda? I have spoken with one of the groups and they would be willing to come here to do something for FREE or for maybe travel/lodgings in the court house/some food? My daughter and I would be willing to organize this and be with them if need be?


Why aren't there year round haunted tours? We did the M/N reunion one year...you could charge for this sort of entertainment, making money off of them? People would rather be entertained by the spooky than the normal boring museum/gallery stuff! Proven fact..look at the attendance book!


Unless you are an artsy person you will not go somewhere to visit a SMALL town exhibit just to see who or what, but they will if the place hosting it is PROVEN to be haunted!


Some may not want their stuff associated with being "haunted" but fail to realize that it's not their stuff that is haunted...just the place! And if you are able to draw any kind of crowd with this kind of means, why wouldn't you want ALL to see it there, whether it be haunted or not?


"Paranormal Fanatics" can be antique/art collectors too! They might recognize some ancient relic on a ghostly shot and just have to find their way here?


You say you want a gimmick or selling factor to have this town recognized by, yet you pass up the biggest one of them all...the "Haunted Court House"?


Who else has such a beautiful building like this, that is still standing in Saskatchewan, let alone one that is PROVEN [recorded] to be haunted?


Are we not entering a new age and are supposed to be forging into a new future?


Let's change the narrow thinking that goes along with the unknown!


Let us be FREE THINKERS and take a fresh look at what they MIGHT prove to us all! It might be a risky venture, but one you have already started for yourselves by advertising on the web!


So, that is why I am amazed that you would turn down such a great attention getter for Dodge.


QoH




I sent that out on the 13th

Not sure if anything will come of it....


Seems to me I made mention of this such a thing happening....




The religious factor was not mentioned in the letter. That was from personal conversation with the driving force behind this rejection.


Also renovation work isn't happening every weekend either!




All who enters takes the risk of any damages and they know that and everything has been replaced exactly as it had been found...so that's not it either...

Wake Up Dodge!