Calling All Witches!

October Overview

Hooray, the witching season is upon us! I'm planning lots of fun Halloween-themed posts for this month, including a trip to the famous Keiki Halloween Costume Parade in Lahaina, Maui! But October must also share space with a whole series of posts about the War of 1812 because this month marks the bicentennial of the Battle of Queenston Heights. Plus I'm hoping for another letter or email from Her Royal Highness since Pussy Riot's appeal is being heard today but prison mail can be very unreliable, especially from Russia. We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

Hollywood Spy 2012 Heart Award!

Her Royal Highness and I have just received a 2012 Heart Award from Dezz's Hollywood Spy blog! Isn't that nice of him? Dezz is the "go-to guy" if you want to read all the inside scoop on upcoming movies and their stars. His popular blog just received its 2 millionth visitor and he celebrated by handing out various awards to his readers. When HRH gets out of the slammer, I know she'll be tickled pink to have been included in the award.

Piratical Swag Winner!

Arrr, the draw did NOT go well, mateys. First, that silver-tongued devil Captain Jack Sparrow tried to sweet-talk me into givin' HIM the swag instead o' one o' ye. Then the thievin' scoundrel and I tussled hard over the bowl containin' all yer names on little slips o' paper. Blow me down, ye hearties, if the bowl didn't fall over the side o' me ship. The precious slips o' paper floated and bobbed on the briny waves for a few brief seconds and then sank down, down, down to Davy Jones' locker -- FOREVER LOST!

But luckily, one wee slip o' paper got hooked on a big spiny barnacle what was clingin' to the side of me ship. Using the point of me cutlass and the delicate skill of a surgeon, I was able to retrieve it. So yo ho ho, I am pleased to announce that the winner of the piratical swag giveaway is . . . .

Linda Wildenstein of Olde Baggs 'n Stuffed Shirts

I'll be contactin' ye shortly for yer mailing address but first, I must have a tankard or ten of grog to steady me shaken nerves after this traumatic ordeal. Aye, and then make Captain Jack walk the plank, the rum-soaked blackguard.

Oh, rats.

It's Now or Never, Ye Swabs

'Tis the final day to enter me Piratical Swag Giveaway, all ye last-minute procrastinators and ne'er-do-wells. Click here if ye have the guts.

Captain Jack Sparrow hisself will be makin' the draw so be on yer best behaviour or ye'll soon be gettin' the Black Spot slipped under yer door.

Bouncy Stonehenge

So have you heard about Bouncy Stonehenge?

Oh yes, technically its name is "Sacrilege" and yes, technically it's an art installation by the Turner-award-winning British artist Jeremy Deller, but because it is inflatable, interactive and moveable, everyone simply calls it "Bouncy Stonehenge." It has been making the rounds this summer in the United Kingdom, attracting attention and fun-loving kids wherever it goes.

The rules for enjoying Bouncy Stonehenge are simple and obvious -- but notice how they snuck rule #7 in there . . . .

And if all this is not fun enough, Bouncy Stonehenge now has its own catchy theme song by British singer-comedian Mitch Benn. See if you can get this ditty out of your head after hearing it! And did you catch its reference to the original Wicker Man movie starring Edward Woodward? (one of my all-time favourite movies but only the British director's cut, not the censored hack job that got released in the U.S.A.)



There are rumours that Bouncy Stonehenge may tour internationally and that Canada may be a possible destination! Yay!

[Arrr, forget this sissy fun, ye swabs, and instead go enter me Piratical Swag Giveaway if ye have not done so already -- click here -- X marks the spot!]