Thanks for the words of warning, Jennifer and Dr. Lang.

I remember when I was having so many reception problems a couple of years ago and they said that "everything would be digital" in a year (well, it was two or three years), and I would just have to wait it out.  They didn't mention that "digital" would be a higher cost option.

My picture quality still isn't as good as I'd like, but at this point I'm not able to consider shelling out even more $$$ for digital.

Not to mention that all my DS tapes I've taped in EP -- so when my VCR goes, I may not even be able to play them.  I've tried them on my parent's TV and sometimes they "flicker" (like our old black-and-white set used to do back in the late 1960s!!)

As long as I'm off-topic, I may as well make my book recommendation for holiday reading:  "In the Devil's Snare" by Mary Beth Norton (just published, hardcover, by Knopf).  Historian Norton's illuminating study examines the Salem witchcraft from a broader context of the Indian wars in Maine, to which many of the accused and accusers had ties.  Norton shows how the Indian represented the devil to the Puritan mind and helped set the stage for the witchcraft crisis.  This book also has far more detail and corrects many inaccuracies of previous studies.  Perhaps it goes without saying that she dismisses the "ergot fungus hallucinogen" theory, which she notes was convincingly discounted soon after it was proposed in the 1970s.  That's one of the "explanations" that seems to persist (for example, Lara Parker was planning to use it in her next Dark Shadows novel set in Salem).  If you're looking for a light read, though, say something along the lines of the movie version of "The Crucible," you might not enjoy this book.  Some reviewers on amazon complained about all the documentation and quotes in early American English.

Also ... when I was supposed to be studying linguistics, I discovered another book I'm enthused about: David Blaine's "Mysterious Stranger."  He's the New York "street" magician whose magic is the antithesis of David Copperfield's glitzy stage productions.  Like most magicians (actually, all that I know of), Blaine is a skeptic of "psychics."  There's a brief but fascinating description of a voodoo ceremony he witnessed in the Carribbean.

Perhaps a few people might also be interested in the new biography "L. Frank Baum: Creator of Oz" (St. Martin's Press, Oct. 2002).  This study of the greatest American writer of children's fantasy will send you running back to the original Oz books, and many of Baum's other fantasies (like "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus," a recent animated version of which aired last night on the Cartoon channel, which creates an entire mythological world).  I reviewed the biography for a local publication in the context of an article on Baum's unconventional spirituality and feminism.  My view of Baum as someone who has contributed to spiritual awakening in the 20th century partly explains my negative view of some recent books that portray the Land of Oz in a manner completely at odds with Baum's spiritual vision.

*****

Oh, and ... remember to sprinkle nutmeg on the "Holiday Cheer"!

Merry Christmas, everyone.  And Happy Hannukah, Sacred Solstice, Merry Kwanza!

-Vlad

I can't believe I've been away from the board for so long.  I've only been away this long once in the past three years (going on four years now, or is it five?). I've felt especially bad not even having time to drop in to read everyone's comments at the start of 1897, which has really been top-notch in the writing, acting, and production departments.  I missed most of the last three weeks and have just started viewing again a few days ago.  My viewing was suspended when Quentin was killed by Jenny; I remember how much I disliked the Quentin-as-zombie aspect last time, so I'm not entirely sorry I missed that now, although maybe my opinion would have changed the second time around. Thought Frid's recitation of the spell from The Egyptian Book of the Dead yesterday was superb; would have liked to have heard more.

I'm hoping I'll be able to start posting again in January, but come February with new obligations, I don't know if I'll be able to continue participating as frequently as I used to.

There's nothing more I can really add to the DS discussion right now, so instead I thought I'd share a bit of holiday cheer.

This is my version of a recipe that appeared in a national newspaper supplement, but I have changed it enough to truly call it my own -- I just borrowed the basic idea.  One thing I've done is change the proportions of rum and brandy flavors to reflect the penchant for brandy at Collinwood!

This is a fantastic alternative to store-bought eggnogs (and much easier than making your own eggnog) -- no eggs, no heavy, over-rich gloppy goo like the commercial brands.  It's much lighter and more refreshing!


"Vlad's Holiday Cheer"

(Makes 4 servings)

What you need:

Mixing bowl, or large jar or pitcher for mixing and storing
Wooden spoon
Measuring cup and spoons

Ingredients:

1 quart 4-percent (whole) milk (4 cups)
4 rounded tablespoons "Reser's Hot Buttered Rum" (carried in the refrigerator section at grocery stores during the holidays. I've suggested alternatives to this below if you're unable to obtain it.)
1 / 4 cup sugar (or 8 sugar cubes)
1 / 2 cup brandy
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Stir sugar, hot buttered rum mix, brandy, and vanilla extract until dissolved.  Stir in milk.  Place in freezer for several hours until very frosty.  May be stored in freezer.

Enjoy in front of the fire, or while watching Dark Shadows.

For Christmas Eve, stir in a couple dashes of peppermint spirits or peppermint extract, and serve with a candy cane in each glass.

Warning:  Very addictive!  Reserve for holiday imbibing only.  Do not attempt to operate machinery or heavy equipment if you consume as much as you'll probably want to!

Alternatives:

If you can't find the hot buttered rum mix in your store (it can also be ordered online), you can make your own.  I haven't tried this, but it shouldn't be too difficult to duplicate.  I would estimate using the following amounts based on the ingredients label:

1 cup brown sugar
1 / 2 to 2 / 3 stick butter
rum extract or seasoning to flavor
a pinch of salt

Blend together.

Now, if you don't want to go through THAT much trouble with the rum mixture, modify my original recipe as follows.  In addition to the ingredients previously listed (minus the prepared rum mixture), add:

1 / 4 cup rum
a pinch of salt

Enjoy the spirit of the season!

Mr. Patrick certainly had an extensive and impressive resume.  Hope to catch some of his other work in the future.  I caught a glimpse of him at the festival in Anaheim and know he was well-liked and personable.  Thoughtful that he would give his time to the DS festival event.

I've wondered how each person possessing the secret is fortunate enough to be of sound mind and body and knows just when to transmit the secret right before conveniently expiring.

Dom wondered why it is that Elizabeth wasn't told the Secret by her father.  For those who don't like the "changed history" theories whereby the secret died with Grandmama (although I personally feel we have to accept that history *is* changed), here's an explanation that works well with my latest idea in "another thread": Jamison Collins (Roger and Elizabeth's father) may have known the Secret -- but died rather, er, unexpectedly before being able to transmit it to Liz ... (though he may have whispered it with his last breath to Betty Hanscomb!).

He (she?) looks like a sweetie!  Hope you had a great time, VAM.

Craig Slocum was still living in 1975. That's when the book was published. He died in 1978. It's him.  

I misunderstood.  I thought this was a just-published book.