Monthly Archives: August 2020

Summer of Monsters: Dryad

Posted on August 31, 2020 by maradanto

A dryad is the living spirit of a tree, expressed in human form. Often respected and held in high regard by the ancient Greeks, if not in active terror, dryads are known for their highly developed customs, rituals and sense … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Camazotz

Posted on August 29, 2020 by maradanto

Long before Meg Murray and Charles Wallace were wrinkling time, Camazotz was eking out a quiet life in the caves of Mesoamerica. This charming monster had a humanoid body, a head like a bat and a nose like a knife … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Fosse grim

Posted on August 29, 2020 by maradanto

It already had started raining when Rebekah opened her eyes Friday morning. Droplets hit the pane of the window by her bed with a gentle but persistent ting-ting-ting that sounded like the opening notes of a great symphony. She sat … Continue reading →

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That special kind of stupid, on display

Posted on August 23, 2020 by maradanto

The only thing about Kennywood today that really irked me was the stupid so many people had on full display. Most people seem to get that there’s a potentially lethal virus on the loose, and they’re following the rules. Stay … Continue reading →

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Welcome to Kennywood

Posted on August 23, 2020 by maradanto

When I was a kid visiting Kennywood, it was a place of fun and endless wonder. With rollercoasters like the Jackrabbit and eventually the Thunderbolt the excitement was bottomless. It was untouched by bullies or tears. It was the magic … Continue reading →

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The voice at Sabella Park

Posted on August 20, 2020 by maradanto

Not far from my house is Sabella Park. It’s got your usual attractions: a soccer field, a baseball diamond,a creek to splash in. Local kids lore has it that if you go to the place where the creek disappears into … Continue reading →

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Cider so strong it’s a revelation

Posted on August 18, 2020 by maradanto

I met a Jewish friend and former classmate for drinks with her boyfriend Saturday night. During conversation, she gave me a new reason to explain why she initially had thought I was Jewish too: I have a Jewish name. Well, … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Boobrie

Posted on August 18, 2020 by maradanto

In its natural state it’s a bird, but it changes shape. During the summer it drinks the blood of horses. It eats walruses by the dozen and preys on livestock being shipped by boat. When whimsy strikes, it pretends to … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Slenderman

Posted on August 17, 2020 by maradanto

Eric Knudsen made a bogeyman And that’s what started Slenderman. Around the net the stories flew And all the children knew just what to do. They pulled up their blankets and turned On the lights ‘Cause creepy pasta gives us … Continue reading →

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Steve and his medicine

Posted on August 16, 2020 by maradanto

I think i mentioned once before that my brother Steve was born with a rare disease that required him to eat 2 tablespoons of dirt every day, and how our oldest brother, Blair, kindly made sure that he did. I … Continue reading →

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