Archive for the ‘Ghosts!’ Category

When you’re out of excuses…

Friday, April 29th, 2022

                        …just blame the supply chain.

This is “almost-but-not-quite the final version of the cover. (What do you think has changed?)

At least that’s what I think is happening these days.  It doesn’t seem to matter what the item is or whether it is slow in arriving, late, unobtainable, not in stock, back-ordered or just not being manufactured at all.  Ask the “why” question  (or the “where” or “when” question) and the answer will be basically two words: SUPPLY CHAIN.  My response (if only in my head) is also two words:  BULL PUCKY!

So, today, when I wrote the editor of my forthcoming (publication date: May 2nd) book for Arcadia Press, The Ghostly Tales of the Long Beach Peninsula and asked when I might expect copies, why was I not surprised at the answer:

Yes! Copies are forthcoming! As with most industries around the world, we’ve been hit with supply-chain delays. The books hit the warehouse a few days ago (weeks behind schedule). But many have already shipped, and the rest will do so this weekend. So fingers crossed you should have books by mid-next week.  Please let me know if they’re still MIA by the end of the week. I’m sorry about this. It’s truly maddening but out of our control.

One Version of The Supply Chain

I’d sincerely like to blame Mrs. Crouch for this one.  I have visions of her gumming up the works at the printer’s just to draw a little more attention to herself and to the other ghostly characters in the book.  But… I’m sure there are other books involved in the supply chain slowdown — not just mine (or, as she would prefer to have it, not just Mrs. Crouch’s!)

Keep your fingers crossed.  And if you should have an encounter with Mrs. C., please let her know that this is the book that will introduce her to the younger readers of Peninsula history.  She really needs to be a bit more gracious!

 

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Coming Soon! May 2nd, to be exact!

Thursday, April 14th, 2022

This is “almost-but-not-quite” the final version of the cover. (What do you think has changed?)

According to the Arcadia Publishing website, my newest book with them makes its debut on May 2nd, two weeks from this coming Monday.  WOOT! WOOT!  Look for it beginning that day on the shelves at your local book stores!

The book is called The Ghostly Tales of the Long Beach Peninsula and is part of Arcadia’s new “Spooky America” series for middle-school readers.   These particular tales were adapted from stories in my 2014 book in Arcadia’s Haunted America series — a bit less explanatory background and history, perhaps, and just a tad bit scarier than the originals.  “That’s what middle-schoolers want,” the editor told me.

I had no doubt that such was the case, but just to be sure, I checked with Gabi and Dani Wachsmuth, two of Tucker and Carol’s grandchildren.  “Yes!  Spookier!  Creepier!” they concurred.  Being the stickler that I am for telling stories the way I heard them and without gratuitous embellishment, made the writing a bit of a challenge.  I’m sure my young consultants will let me know how I did!

There once was a Pacific House in Oysterville (shown here in 1870) but, as far as is known, there was never an “Oysterville House.”

Meanwhile, I see on the Arcadia Publishing website that this is what they are saying about the book:  Ghost stories from the Long Beach Peninsula have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! The haunted history of Pacific County comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Visit the Oysterville House to catch a glimpse of the wandering spirits who still call it home. Or step foot into Sprague’s Hole, but be careful or you’ll end up trapped for eternity, too. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

I wrote the editor and asked if they might tone down that “come-on” a bit.  Just what is the “Oysterville House” that readers are being invited to visit??  (I surely hope it’s not mine or anyone else’s here in our little village.)  And suggesting that they “step foot” into Sprague’s Hole (which fortunately doesn’t exist anymore) seems a bit beyond responsible.  The editor’s response was that the blurb has actually been “out there” for quite a while and, besides, readers are being “invited” into the story — not into the actual places in the book.  Yes, I get that.  But will the readers??  SIGH!

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And speaking of dogs…

Sunday, February 13th, 2022

Listening

If you’ve read my ghost books or heard me speak about Mrs. Crouch, the unseen spirit of our house, you know that I don’t believe in ghosts.  Not really.  But I am a believer in coincidence and, also, in intuition.  So… when for the second time in as many months two totally unrelated friends spoke to me about their dogs seeing and hearing “a presence” that no human could detect…  I couldn’t help but pay attention.

Most of us do know that dogs have better developed senses of sight, hearing, and smell than we do.   For that reason, some say they have a highly evolved “sixth sense”– that ability, often called “intuition” which enables some humans to feel or see things without using the usual five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste.

Perhaps the best documentation of dogs’ super-skills along these lines, is of their ability to detect impending disasters (especially weather-related events) before they happen,  thanks to their powerful sense of smell. “Barometric pressure and all natural phenomena have odors associated with them,” says Dr. Mary Burch, a certified animal behaviorist.  “They are beyond the capacity of our noses to recognize, but dogs can sense these changes immediately.”

On Point

Dr. Burch points out that when a dog barks at what appears to be nothing, an owner sometimes thinks it’s because he’s seeing a ghost or picking up on something the owner can’t see. “While clairvoyance generally falls outside of what we can prove in terms of science, we do understand and have research on a dog’s basic five senses,” she says.   “Their senses are highly attuned, and it is obvious they are perceiving the world in a vastly different way than we do.”  Whether their extraordinary senses are able to pick up on unknown forms, energies, or the paranormal continues to remain a mystery.

So…  though I’m not a believer in ghosts (not really) I do think there may be some logic to the fact that in an area (ours) overflowing with ghosts (or so it seems) and with a dog population perhaps approaching that of our human numbers, there may be more ghost stories to tell.  Maybe even a book to write.  If you have a story to tell me about your dog’s “sixth sense,”  I’d love to hear it. Message me (as in don’t put it out here for other dogs to howl about!)

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Knock! Knock! Adventure calling!

Tuesday, July 13th, 2021

Kevin West at the Oysterville Cemetery 7/11/21

I was just in the midst of gathering my wits in preparation for my book signing at BOLD on Sunday when there was a knock at the door.  It was my neighbor Tucker and with him a personable young man named Kevin West.  “Kevin is looking for some historical information about Oysterville,” Tucker said, “so I told him I knew just the person for him to talk to.”

And then he laughed in that charming way of his and before you know it, the two of them were sitting in my library and we were talking about Oysterville’s founding fathers and about the rowdy days of old and about Mrs. Crouch, our resident ghost.

As it turned out, Kevin is a filmmaker and an adventurer and a follower of whatever takes his fancy.  He asked if he could film me for his You Tube “channel” and, without really understanding what it was all about, I said, “Sure!”  The next day, he gave Tucker the following information so that we could see for ourselves what he does: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3icB1QxGYQY  Copy it into your browser when you have 30 or 40 minutes to “visit” Oysterville and come sit with me in our library for a bit.

 I am passing it on to you “warts and all” as they say.  I’m not sure who the local was that told Kevin about the cemetery — I itch to edit that part and maybe you will too.   I thought the interview with me was fairly okay — I await your “review.”   (I think the episode is titled “This Town Is Haunted.”  If you know me at all, you know how I feel about that, too.)

 

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“Me? At an art gallery?” I asked BOLDly!

Tuesday, July 6th, 2021

Mrs. Crouch and I will see you here — Sunday, July 11, 2:00-4:00

I don’t think I’m a groupie exactly.  Certainly not in the musical sense.  Not really.  I cheer and clap for musician friends and, of course, we host House Concerts.  I used to hang out at the Purple Onion and the hungry i  in the City and the Blind Lemon in Berkeley — but only when friends or friends of friends were playing.  And, would you believe I’ve never been to a “concert”  — not a real one with thousands of people in attendance.  Not ever.

On the other hand, maybe I am a groupie when it comes to the visual arts.   Not only have I always had friends among “those arty fellas” as old Bob Meadows called the artists who occasionally set up their easels in front of the church or up near the Monterey Cypress trees here in town.   I usually remember cities I’ve visited by their art museums or galleries or special exhibitions.  I’m not sure why.

Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula

So, when I was contacted by BOLD in July of 2020 and asked if I’d be willing to have them sell my books, I was thrilled.  Not that my books are “art,” mind you, but there they are, rubbing elbows with the best of the best visual art on the Peninsula!  Wow!  And, they seem to be holding their own.

So when my second ghost book came out — Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula — and we decided on a Book Talk and Signing for Sunday, July 11th, from 2:00 to 4:00 — I knew for sure that I had arrived!  I felt exactly like I was having a one-woman show at a gallery (and, in a way, I am.)

I hope you come!  It’s not every day that an art gallery hosts a book writer!!!  Come and enjoy this stellar occasion with me.  Have a cup of coffee.  Ooooh and aaaah over the artwork.  And hold hands with a ghost or two!

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My One Track Mind

Saturday, July 3rd, 2021

Sydney After Adelaide’s Signing Event, 7-3-21

From noon-thirty until two-thirty today I was scheduled to give a book talk at Adelaides — my first for this second ghost book, Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula.  So, I scurried around with my morning chores — feed and water the chickens, refurbish the hummingbird feeder, spray Deer Fence on roses, hydrangeas, primroses, and camellias.  (Oh… and on nasturtiums!  Who knew?  But someone has been eating them and it doesn’t look like slug work.)

We ate an early lunch (read mid-morning snack) and I was on my way, hoping against hope that Adelaide’s still had enough books!  Every book seller on the Peninsula has replenished once and has called again…  More books on their way but North Carolina’s a far piece and there’s a holiday and will they get here in time for the next signing and and and?  Me worry?  YES!

It was crowded at Adelaide’s.  SRO!  Some people I knew — even from afar! — and many others whose faces were familiar and still others who were completely unknown.  I talked for a while.  I answered questions.  And then I signed.  And signed!  50 books in all — 41 of the new ones and 9 old ones.  Plus, a few that had been purchased elsewhere…

Adelaide’s at the
Taylor Hotel, by Jean Stamper

I finished about 2:45 and then PJ (husband of Jill, both of whom volunteered to “take care of my every need” — and they did!) asked to take my picture.  It wasn’t until that moment that I realized that, despite my best intentions, I had forgotten pictures entirely!  I had intended to photograph the crowd.  And the line of folks waiting for my signature.  And maybe even the parking lot.  Damn!

Thanks, PJ, for sending me a copy of the one you took!  It’s a great one, doncha think???

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Hope to see you Saturday at my booksigning!

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

Page A-8, Chinook Observer, June 30, 2021

I’ll be signing copies of my new book, Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula, at Adelaide’s in Ocean Park from 12:30 to 2:30 this coming Saturday!   But before I sign, I’ll be talking a bit about this book — what’s different from my first book of ghost stories, which chapters are sequels and which are totally new information.

Cover: Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula

I also want to tell you a little about Madam X who guided my steps through several of the stories. Was she a psychic?  A clairvoyant?  A soothsayer?    No matter what you may think about Madam X, you will find her a fascinating character in her own right.  In fact… if you knew her, maybe you can add to my remarks!

So, get there a bit early.  I’ll begin right at 12:30, give you a little “insider information,” answer your questions (if I can!) and then get to the signing part.  I can hardly wait!

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It’s out! Get your copy while they last!

Monday, June 21st, 2021

Cover: Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula

It’s June 21st at last — the official publication date of Historic Hauts of the Long Beach Peninsula!  The books are on the shelves of your nearest booksellers!  On the Peninsula, those outlets include Time Enough Books, the gift shops at the Cape D Interpretive Center and the North Head Lighthouse and the Heritage Museum in Ilwaco; BOLD and the Cranberry Museum in Long Beach; Adelaide’s in Ocean Park.

Also, of course, through Amazon, but I urge you to support our local booksellers — and, besides, I do better financially when you buy from the places I supply.  (Is this called full disclosure?)  I make close to a dollar a book if you buy from the stores I’ve listed, but only a few cents per book from other outlets.  Just sayin’…

But… more importantly, I’m hoping for feedback — especially from local readers.  The very first story in the book, for instance, is about the cadre (Yes! Cadre!) of ghosts at the erstwhile Lamplighter Restaurant.  My question:  After you have read the information about each of these persistent spirits, where do you think they’ve gone (or have they?) now that the restaurant is closed?

Another question is one I, myself, posed in the continuing saga of Mrs. Crouch — the ghost Nyel and I have lived with for twenty-plus years.  The question is the title of the story, itself:  “Closure for Mrs. Crouch?”  I’m interested in knowing what readers think about the additional information concerning the suspect in her murder — if, indeed, it was a murder.  And does that information provide answers for Sarah Crouch that will satisfy her after all these years?

Or… does the book pose still more unknowns?  Should I be starting yet a third book about the ghosts here at the beach?  I’m eager for your input after you’ve read Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula.  (But please don’t give anything away to those who have not yet read it!  Message me or email me privately with any revealing thoughts!  But “book reviews” and encouragement to other potential readers would be great!)

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