Monthly Archives: August 2021

The Passenger

Posted on August 27, 2021 by maradanto

They say it’s not wise to pick up passengers when you’re in a strange country, but when the night is long and lonely and the road is dark, sometimes you can’t help yourself. A little company can ease a troubled … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Hulder

Posted on August 16, 2021 by maradanto

One of the most underappreciated monsters of all is the hulder. Coming from the folklore of northern Europe, hulders are female woodland spirits concerned with the lot of the charcoal burners. Much as tommyknockers kept miners safe from imminent cave-ins … Continue reading →

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Message from Beyond the Ouija

Posted on August 15, 2021 by maradanto

It was ten to midnight when Denise produced the leather bag she had kept hidden inside the pocket of her jacket the entire evening. “It is time,” she said, and she poured the contents of the bag onto the table. … Continue reading →

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PetSmart fouls vacation plans for my dog

Posted on August 11, 2021 by maradanto

Scenario: You take the family out to a nice restaurant. Someone comes by and asks what you would like to eat. You go around the table and give you orders, including substitutions due to taste, health and other reasons;. When … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Grootslang

Posted on August 11, 2021 by maradanto

Have a vast treasure trove that you need to protect? Never mind an alarm service, get yourself a grootslang! Native to Kenya, the grootslang is either a snake the size of an elephant, or an elephant with the shape and … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Betobeto-san

Posted on August 10, 2021 by maradanto

It was late at night and Sylvie was on her way home when she realized she was being followed. It started out when she bought gum at the bodega on Bayard Street. As Sylvie handed her money to the shop … Continue reading →

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‘Pray Away’: initial reactions

Posted on August 9, 2021 by maradanto

I just watched “Pray Away,” a documentary on Netflix about the faith-based ex-gay movement. So-called “reparative therapy,” which intends to make gay people straight, has been deemed abusive and unsound practice by every major mental health organization in the country. … Continue reading →

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