This self-promotion fills me with shame...

...but Spinster Aunt's alter ego, A.J. Sweeney, has a short story up at Flashes in the Dark! Normally Spinster Aunt is too reserved to toot her own horn like this, but that A.J. Sweeney is a cold-hearted, fang-toothed hussy.

Goblin markets

Lately I've been getting back into fairy tales, having read some great contemporary updates in recent months (e.g. Baba Yaga Laid an Egg) and I'm pleased to see the form is thriving online. A couple of intriguing sites I've stumbled upon recently include Cabinet des Fees, Enchanted Conversation, and the sensibly named Fairy Tale Review. I like the sense of continuation and collaboration as new stories from multiple authors mesh with existing narratives. The Fairy Tale Review organizes its issues by color -- this month's is red, abounding with tales of the girl in the riding hood, and an upcoming issue will be gray. Enchanted Conversation favors story-based themes, with every issue focusing on a specific fairy tale. Upcoming: Rumplestiltskin. EC's editor also has a blog called Diamonds and Toads, where she muses on all things fairy tale with great passion and visual panache. Finally, Cabinet des Fees is a quasi-highbrow affair that tempers whimsy with some sturdy academic offerings, making it a good source for further (non-fiction) reading in addition to its short stories. My only problem at this point is finding enough hours in the day to read everything therein, so if anyone has any spells for stopping time, let me know.

Winter...

I like to imagine I live in an enchanted secret world about 90% of the time... a soft blanket of snow and a hushed, empty park help me do that splendidly...


It's lovely to see this meadow so child-free...

I chose this angle to hide the blue smear of spray paint on the rocks...

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Critters

I've been having weird dreams lately (I don't know why I bother to use the word "lately") about sinister little forest creatures.

In one dream, I have a pet who is a re-animated taxidermy squirrel named Mabel.

In other, an owl is stalking me. He perches at my window and stares...

According to dreammoods.com, to dream of an owl symbolizes -- wait for it -- wisdom! And to see a squirrel in your dream indicates that you are involved in a loveless, pointless relationship, an unprofitable business project, or are pursuing empty and fruitless endeavors!

Interestingly enough, to dream that you are trying to run over squirrels with a lawn mower means you are looking for some form of acceptance.

Life imitates art