Clarissa Johal's Blog, page 57

Mixed Up Tuesday-One of Those Days

You ever have one of those days where the dog needs to go to the vet at the same time the cat yaks on the floor...where the voices in your head are starting to sound like characters from South Park...the house is a wreck and the laundry needs to be done, but you have edits to finish or can just kiss your career good-bye...you've got three appointments all in one day because apparently, appointments breed like rabbits, but if you don't make it to the gym you will seriously go insane...the kids need to go in a gazillion different directions and omg, your older daughter has a report due, and your younger daughter has some major drama going on with the girls at school because (insert name here) is a total spaz?   Yeah, one of those days.

Back to edits...

I leave you with this, because it's just how I roll.

STRUCK Virtual Book Blast Tour

On Monday February 24th STRUCK is going on a virtual book tour! Please check out these sites for reviews and the chance to win an ecopy!





STRUCKThe shadows hadn't been waiting.
The shadows had been invited.

After a painful breakup, Gwynneth Reese moves in with her best friend and takes a job at a retirement home. She grows especially close to one resident, who dies alone the night of a terrific storm. On the way home from paying her last respects, Gwynneth is caught in another storm and is struck by lightning. She wakes in the hospital with a vague memory of being rescued by a mysterious stranger. Following her release from the hospital, the stranger visits her at will and offers Gwynneth a gift--one that will stay the hands of death. Gwynneth is uncertain whether Julian is a savior or something more sinister... for as he shares more and more of this gift, his price becomes more and more deadly.

Buy Links
Amazon
Musa Publishing
Barnes and Noble

Monday February 24th Book Blast Tour 
1: Sharing Links and Wisdom
2: Kit 'N Kabookle
3: Andi's Book Reviews
4: Christine Elaine Black
5: Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews
6: The blog of C.R. Moss
7: Long and Short Reviews
8: Linda Mercury
9: My Odd Little World
10: The Book Review
11: Blood Moons and Nightscapes
12: Readers Writers Connect
13: fuonlyknew ~ Laura's Ramblins and Reviews
14: Author Nancy Adams
15: fundinmental
16: Welcome to My World of Dreams
17: It's Raining Books
18: Straight from the Library
19: Room With Books
20: The Cerebral Writer
21: The Story Echo
22: Zombiegirl Shambling
23: Rose and Beps Blog

*Goddess Fish will be giving away 3 ecopies to three randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

Frightening Friday-Bloody Mary

*Photo courtesy of morgueFile.com  dpawattsHas anyone tried this game when they were a kid? I never did, but my daughters tell me that it's all the rage.

Here's the premise:You start with a lit candle in a dark bathroom. Holding the candle, you close your eyes and spin around three times saying, "Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary." When you open your eyes, you look into the mirror and the spirit of Bloody Mary will be there to greet you. She is usually covered in blood, will either slit your throat, pull you into the mirror for eternity, strangle you, or otherwise cause a very violent death.

Well, that's fun.

So why "Bloody Mary?" Variations of the game are "Mary Worth," "Mary Worthington" and "Hell Mary."

The folklore seems to be a blend of a divination ritual combined with a couple of historical (or made up) figures. Why? Because folklore is a complex thing; a blend of oral history, legends, stories and fairy tales.

The ritual is similar to one during Victorian times which was said to foretell the futures of young, unmarried women. In a darkened house, the woman would walk up a flight of stairs backwards, while holding a candle and a hand mirror. As they gazed into the mirror, they would be able to see the face of their future husband. There was, however, a small chance they would see the Grim Reaper, boding an early demise. But alas, it was the price to pay when dabbling in divination and the occult.

As far as to whom "Bloody Mary" refers to, there are many claims. Mary I, Queen of England was commonly known as "Bloody Mary." She earned the nickname by violently executing and burning people at the stake for heresy throughout her reign. Mary I of England was known as "Bloody Mary" because of the number of Protestants put to death during her reign. Another woman said to be the conjured spirit in the mirror, is Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed. Elizabeth is labelled the most prolific female serial killer in history; remembered as the "Blood Countess." It was said she tortured and murdered hundreds of girls, bathing in their blood to make herself more beautiful. 
Another variation of this ritual uses the name Mary Worth, a witch that supposedly lived over 100 years ago. She was executed for dabbling in the black arts and her spirit seeks revenge. Yet another variation uses the name Mary Worthington. This Mary supposedly preyed upon and murdered many children in and around her small town. In some accounts, she was caught and tortured to death by the townspeople. In others, she was purposely disfigured before being executed. However, there is no historical evidence to back up the stories of a Mary Worth or Mary Worthington.

These days, Bloody Mary boils down to no more than folklore and a slumber party game. But try and tell your teens that and they will ignore you. It's more fun to be scared, after all.
So...do you want to try it out? Go on, I double-dog dare you.

Thoughtful Thursday-Coming Out of the Paranormal Closet

Photo courtesy of Penywise via morgueFileI may just get the eye-roll here, but here goes. I believe in ghosts. Which kind of sounds like I just admitted to believing in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, and I don't. But then again...

There's an awful lot of paranormal shows on television that seek proof of ghosts. Any proof. A tiny sound, the small movement of a curtain, a degree drop in temperature. It kind of makes me laugh because I feel it's unnecessary. I don't need "proof" that ghosts exist--I know they do. Why do they need proof? What happens once they get it? What then? I long to go on these shows and point, "There, there and there! Don't you see them?" But that's another story.

Ghosts were people. People with issues, people without issues. People that want to move on, and some that don't. I have yet to understand "other" paranormal entities (non-ghosts, if you will) but again, they are what they are.
My kids don't understand why I'm unafraid of ghosts and other entities. I write about the paranormal. It's meant to scare and to cause thought, but it's fiction. Rarely have I ever come across activity that's scary. It is what it is. Accept it, and it becomes part of the normal world.
Which doesn't mean I won't try and scare you, because I delight in that.

Foodie Wednesday-Pumpkin Bread

Photo courtesy of kconners via morgueFileSuper healthy, because that's just how I roll. :)

A slice of this makes for a good breakfast on the run. Enjoy!








1-1/2 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. ground flax seed
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves

1 c. canned pumpkin
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
1/3 c. milk


Heat oven at 350*F
Spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray

Mix flour, flax seed, baking soda, baking powder and spices in large bowl.
Whisk pumpkin, sugar, applesauce, eggs and milk in separate bowl. Pour over dry ingredients and gently stir together. Pour into loaf pan.

Bake for 40 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

Mixed Up Tuesday-Coffee

Photo courtesy of omdur via morgueFile I love coffee. Seriously love it. I can go a day without eating, but coffee? No way. Cream, no sugar, two cups in the morning and one in the afternoon. My favorite coffee used to be Peet's Sumatra but since I've changed coffee makers (I've gone Keurig) I find that Gevalia French Roast tastes better. Thank goodness for reusable cup filters because buying coffee pods can be quite expensive!

I got to wondering--how many coffee companies are there in the world? The following list doesn't include independent roasters, there are far too many, but check some of these out (and yes, setting these links up took forever, lol). It's my mission to give them a try. It may take me years...or not, but I'll let you know how it goes.




Alterra Coffee Roasters

An Giang Coffee

Aroma Espresso Bar

Barcaffe

Bewley's

Black Ivory Coffee

Bridgehead Coffee

Café Bom Dia

Café Britt

Café Coffee Day

Cafédirect

Caffè Nero

Caffé Vita Coffee Roasting Company

Caribou Coffee

Coffee Beanery

Coffeeshop Company

Colectivo Coffee Roasters

Coop Kaffe

Costa Coffee

Dallmayr

Death Wish Coffee

Delta Cafés

Diedrich Coffee

Douwe Egberts

Dulce Café

Dunkin' Donuts

Dunn Bros

Eight O'Clock Coffee

Equal Exchange

Gloria Jean's Coffees

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

Highlands Coffee

Illy

Indian Coffee House

Jittery Joe's

The J.M. Smucker Company *Folgers, Millstone Coffee, Douwe Egberts in the USA, Cafe Bustelo, Kava, Life is Good, Medaglia D'Oro, Pilon

Juan Valdez Cafe

Koa Coffee Plantation

Kraft Foods *Café HAG, General Foods International, Gevalia, Jacobs, Kenco, Maxwell House, Nabob,Sanka, Tassimo

Lavazza

Massimo Zanetti *Chase & Sanborn Coffee Company, Chock full o'Nuts, Hills Brothers Coffee, MJB, Segafredo Zanetti

Matthew Algie

Maxwell House

Melitta

Mikel Coffee Company

Nestlé *Nescafé, Nespresso, Taster's Choice

New England Coffee

Peet's Coffee & Tea

Sara Lee Corporation

Starbucks *Seattle's Best

Starr's Market

Strauss *Elite Instant Coffee, Elite Turkish Coffee, Platinum

Tchibo

Tim Hortons

Top Shelf Coffee

Trung Nguyên

Tully's Coffee

Van Houtte



Photo courtesy of godidwlr via morgueFileLet's not forget the independent roasters!

Here are a few of my favorites so far:

8th Sin Coffee Company

Larry's Beans




If you have a favorite--let me know. [image error]

Paranormal Monday-Demons

Buer, the 10th spirit, who teaches "Moral and Natural Philosophy"  The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King (1904)Image Use: Public DomainHere be demons...

They've been feared and worshiped by various cultures around the world. They are exorcised by priests and shamans and medicated by psychologists. They've shown up in literature, art and music since the dawn of time. Demons have an interesting history.   So, when did demons become, well...demonized?

The English word demon is derived from daimōn, a Greek word meaning a spiritual being who influences a person’s character--and not always in an evil way. The Greeks divided their demons. An agathos daimōn (good demon) was benevolent in its relationship with humans, while a kakódaimōn daimōn (bad demon) was more of a malevolent spirit. The Greek philosopher Socrates spoke of his daimōna, a spirit that inspired him to seek and speak the truth.

In many pagan cultures, demon was a term used to describe a spirit, deity or a god. It could also refer to a spirit that had never been embodied or invisible forces found in nature; a waterfall, a tree, or even a rock. They could be malevolent, benevolent or neutral. It was only later that demons were considered inherently evil. Demons as entities were divided and renamed. Benevolent entities were called angels, while those viewed as malevolent were termed demons. This is a common thread throughout history--one culture adopts another's deities as adversaries of their gods/goddesses--and thus, they become evil.

It has been reported that 63% of Americans between the ages of 18-29 believe in demons. The numbers drop with older groups; 57% of Americans 47-65 and 44% of Americans over 65 years of age. The standard belief in American society today is that demons are evil and deceptive. In doing some research for this post, I came across the following signs indicating a demonic presence in your home, and none of them are good.

9 Signs of a Demonic Presence

1. Hearing voices that you cannot understand or voices that seem to talk in a foreign language.
2. An increase of paranormal activity starting at 3am, this becomes a pattern.
3. Nightmares that involve dark images or ideas.
4. Sleep deprivation due to noises, movement/disturbances in the bedroom, and temperature changes. A lack of sleep makes anyone easy prey--that is the demons goal.
5. Unexplained scratches, bruises. Being pushed, or having your hair pulled.
6. Growling sounds.
7. A haunting that mimics people, animals, or objects. Demons can present themselves as someone you know who is alive or dead. Intelligent hauntings do not have the ability to mimic.
8. Unexplained shadows or solid black masses. It has been reported that they may have red or glowing eyes.9. Bad smells like rotten eggs, sulfur, and/or rotten meat or flesh. The smells have no apparent origin, but will sometimes feel the entire home or small space. They can dissipate as fast as they appear and have no apparent origin.

In most instances, there are logical explanations for these things. But there have been documented cases that have no explanation. In all honesty, I've experienced some of these "signs" myself. Do I think they're demon related? I seriously have no idea. Sleep deprivation? Take a number, I'm probably the only person who not only sleepwalks, but sleepwrites. Sleep is for the weak. I get unexplained scratches and bruises all the time because I'm just forgetful like that. Shadows and black masses--a common occurrence in my house but I suspect these entities aren't necessarily demonic. But the bad smells... There was one instance where I was hanging clothes in my closet. I was hit with the smell of rotting flesh that grew so strong, it made me queasy. The scent dissipated moments later. I've smelled rotting flesh, it's not a smell you'll forget. I found that incident especially perplexing with no explanation, but it hasn't happened again.
What have you experienced?

The Bloody Valentine Blog Hop Winner

Thank you to everyone that entered the contest!
The ebook winner of my paranormal novel, BETWEEN and COOKING WITH MUSA (a cookbook from my publisher) is...Courtney W.
I've sent you an email, Courtney! If you don't get it (or SPAM gets it) let me know.

The Bloody Valentine Blog Hop

The Bloody Valentine Blog Hop--Celebrating the bad side of love. On this stop, I'm going to talk about missed opportunities and destiny.

Have you ever met someone that you've clicked with instantly? There's an instant attraction and an overpowering feeling of, “I know what makes you tick.” Some would call this coincidence. Others would assert that, somewhere in time, your paths have crossed before. Reincarnated souls destined to be together.

Timing is everything in a relationship like this, whether it’s a friendship or beyond. Have you wondered what would happen if the timing was different? Should it be? What if that connection wasn't meant to be in this lifetime--should you alter your path to make it so?

BETWEEN, a story of the paranormal. Find out whose paths have crossed before and what they’ll do to make them cross again.
BETWEEN 
How far would you go to redeem yourself?
As a young girl, Lucinda was able to see spirits, a gift that didn't come without its problems. Now, a dedicated young veterinarian, she is committed to the idea that every life can be saved. After a devastating accident, Lucinda tries to escape her past by moving to a small town. There, she meets a newcomer and feels an immediate connection with him. But there is another mysterious stranger to the small town, one that stirs within her a mixture of unease and desire.  As Lucinda is drawn into a bitter tug-a-war from the forces around her, she is likewise pulled into a dangerous twist of past and present events. Forced to make difficult choices, she finds that the two men are locked in not only a battle for her life...but a battle for their salvation.
*Second place in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2012

Excerpt from BETWEEN
Buy links:
Amazon.com
Barnes and NobleMusa Publishing

Enter my Rafflecopter Giveaway for an ecopy of BETWEEN and an ebook COOKING WITH MUSA from my publisher.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No missed opportunities, but please take a peek at my new release, STRUCK, a paranormal gothic horror.

STRUCK
The shadows hadn't been waiting. 
The shadows had been invited. 
After a painful breakup, Gwynneth Reese moves in with her best friend and takes a job at a retirement home. She grows especially close to one resident, who dies alone the night of a terrific storm. On the way home from paying her last respects, Gwynneth is caught in another storm and is struck by lightning. She wakes in the hospital with a vague memory of being rescued by a mysterious stranger. Following her release from the hospital, the stranger visits her at will and offers Gwynneth a gift--one that will stay the hands of death. Gwynneth is uncertain whether Julian is a savior or something more sinister... for as he shares more and more of this gift, his price becomes more and more deadly.

Excerpt from STRUCK

BUY LINKS:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Musa Publishing


Author Bio:
Clarissa Johal has worked as a veterinary assistant, zoo-keeper aide and vegetarian chef. Writing has always been her passion. When she’s not listening to the ghosts in her head, she’s dancing or taking photographs of gargoyles. She shares her life with her husband, two daughters and every stray animal that darkens the doorstep. One day, she expects that a wayward troll will wander into her yard, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Author WebsiteJoin me on FacebookTwitterGoodreads

Please visit the other bloggers participating:

 24. Tickled Pink 

Thoughtful Thursday-Getting the Correct Thumbnail to Show on Facebook Posts

Have you ever shared a Blogger post on Facebook only to have a completely unrelated thumbnail show? For instance, your post is on, "Spiritual and Demonic Possession" and Facebook grabs a photo of a deer from somewhere in your blog. Not the impact you were going for! You can upload the correct picture with the link, but it doesn't look nice like a Blogger post should.


So, here's how to fix that.
I won't go into too much techno-babble, because if you're like me, you really don't care.

You will need to copy and paste an HTML code (called a Meta description) into the template of your blog.

Step 1: Go to your blogger dashboard.
Step 2: Go to your Template and Edit HTML
Step 3: Save and backup your template before you do anything! It's always good to have a backup of your template, especially if you're going to mess with the HTML.
Step 4: Find the <head> tag in your template. To find it, use Control F and a box will appear in the top right corner of your screen. Type <head>
Step 5: Paste this code right below the line where <head> shows.

&lt;meta content=&#39;article&#39; property=&#39;og:type&#39;/&gt;
&lt;meta expr:content=&#39;data:blog.postImageThumbnailUrl&#39; property=&#39;og:image&#39;/&gt;
&lt;meta expr:content=&#39;data:blog.title&#39; property=&#39;og:site_name&#39;/&gt;
&lt;meta expr:content=&#39;data:blog.pageName&#39; property=&#39;og:title&#39;/&gt;
&lt;b:if cond=&#39;data:blog.metaDescription != &amp;quot;&amp;quot;&#39;&gt;
&lt;meta expr:content=&#39;data:blog.metaDescription&#39; name=&#39;description&#39;/&gt;
&lt;/b:if&gt;
Preview your blog to see that everything looks the same. Save your template.
You're done!

It won't work on updating the thumbnail of anything that's been published in your blog already, even if you revert the post to a draft and re-publish it, but it works on everything on out. If you have any problems, let me know and I'll try and help. Happy sharing!

*Something I found out while writing this post. To show an HTML code in a blog post on Blogger (without actually coding the post itself) go to Postable
Paste the HTML code you want to share in the box there, press the "make it friendly" button. Copy and paste into your blog. Voila!