"Let's each write a ghost story."

                          

 This casually tossed out challenge lead to the creation of the most iconic, enduring, groundbreaking horror story of all times,                                               Frankenstein. 

   In the summer of 1816, Mary Wollstonecraft, Percy Shelly, and Mary's half-sister Claire, took a trip to Geneva to visit Claire's lover, Lord Byron. 

   The weather was beastly, the world was locked in a long, cold volcanic winter caused by the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815.  

    There at Byron's Villa Diodati by Lake Geneva, in Switzerland's Alps, the friends sat around discussing Enlightenment and Counter-Enlightenment, atheisms, the political times, and the unrest in France. Even the scientific theories of galvanism and reanimation. 

    One evening (this had to be the original dark and stormy night) Byron and the visitors were again forced to stay indoors. To help pass the time, they read stories from Fantasmagoriana a French anthology of German ghost stories

     Byron suggested that he, Mary, Percy, and Byron's physician, John Polidori (credited by some as the creator of the vampire genre of fantasy fiction) each write a ghost story. Mary's attempt, eventually became the famous Frankenstein. 

   Mary was very well educated. Her father was a fairly well known philosopher and author. Her mother was Mary Wollstonecraft, a feminist and women's rights advocate, and author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. 

   Although her mother died shortly after young Mary's birth, while growing up, Mary was surrounded by her father's friends as they enjoyed many political, scientific, and philosophical discussions.  

 The subtitle of Frankenstein was The Modern Prometheus, and volumes of information have been penned regarding the influences and underlying theme surrounding the basic story. Even parallels between Victor Frankenstein and Mary's husband, Percy Shelley have been explored. 

    Published on 1 January 1818 by a small London publishing house, the book was issued anonymously, with a preface written for Mary by Percy Bysshe Shelley and with a dedication to philosopher William Godwin, her father. 

                              

   The second English edition was published in August 1823 in two volumes. October 31,1831 saw the first "popular" edition in one volume. This one was heavily revised by Mary Shelley, partially to make the story less radical. It included a lengthy new preface by the author, presenting a somewhat embellished version of the genesis of the story.

  But Mary's life seemed destined to be filled with loss and sadness. As noted, she lost her mother in infancy, she married Percy only three weeks after his first wife died of suicide, she lost two children early in life, and then Fanny, another half-sister, also died by suicide. But was anything as devastating as her final loss, that of her beloved Percy? 

                                   Photo by Paolo Razzauti
    There are rumors, his drowning in the bay of Lerici, Italy was due to piracy? Percy Shelley’s boat, the Don Juan, was one of the largest ship in the region. In town, he was known as an Englishman of wealth. There truly were pirates about, and they could be violent in their attempts at stealing. 

                   Statue by Henry Weekes, 1854 Christchurch Priory, England

   After several weeks, Percy's body washed ashore, identified by his friend Edward Trelawny from the clothing and a copy of Keats's Lamia in a jacket pocket. The body was cremated nearby. When the ashes cooled, Trelawny retrieved a piece of what remained and swore it was Percy's heart which he gave to Mary.  

   

   It is doubtful it was really Percy's heart, but the important thing is that Mary thought it was. She kept it with her throughout her life. After she died of brain cancer at age fifty-three, her only living child found the relic in her desk.

   Trelawny also collected ashes and supposed fragments of Shelley’s skull, now residing at the British Library. 

  How tragic and sad Percy and Mary's great love ended so abruptly when they were young and vibrant. Yet Percy accomplished much in his twenty-nine years, and Mary promoted his work, and remembered him always. 

My Stories: 

Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery. 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart        *Promise Me Christmas. 

Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream 

Romantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence 

Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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Anna Mazzola
https://annamazzola.com/did-mary-shelley-keep-percys-heart/#:~:text=How%20could%20it%20have%20survived,calcified%20due%20to%20earlier%20tuberculosis.

Is there a castle, right here in Colorado?

                      
The "castle" is located southwest of Pueblo, Colorado in Rye on State Highway 165 in the Wet Mountains. 

      Named after its creator, the late Jim Bishop, construction on what was originally intended to be a simple family cottage, started in 1969.

   Over the forty years it took Bishop to build this amazing structure, he not only battle the elements, and hard working conditions, he was also engaged in a running battle with Washington bureaucrats over the rocks that he used, which

came from the National Forest surrounding his property. 

    Bishop felt that they were his for the taking, the government wanted to charge him per truckload. That dispute was settled. In 1996, he was challenged by the local and state government over unsanctioned road signs that pointed to the site. They settled the dispute by issuing official road signs.

     Jim was a man with a big heart, big ideas, and big opinions.

 RoadsideAmerica.com devoted a chapter to the castle and rated it "major fun" and describing it as, "one man's massive-obsessive labor of medieval fantasy construction". But it also issued a "parent's alert," warning potential visitors that Jim Bishop was "a tough-talking man with strong, extreme beliefs, and sometimes he expresses them bluntly and loudly. If you and your children want to avoid potentially offensive rants (involving politics), you may want to steer clear."

   Jim Bishop passed away on November 21, 2024, in Pueblo, Colorado, at the age of 80. His son Dan took over as the castle's caretaker.

             https://www.facebook.com/bishopcastlecolorado/

                                  You can get driving directions here

If perhaps this got you in the mood for a good medieval romance, please try....  

The Dragon and The Rose https://books2read.com/u/3JOyOK

Iron Heart https://books2read.com/u/m2AxAd

Promise Me Christmas https://books2read.com/u/4EYMYE

My Stories: 

Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery. 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart *Promise Me Christmas. 

Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream 

Romantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence 

Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Gini-Rifkin-Author/100001680213365

Amazon author  https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

Pinterest             https://www.pinterest.com/ginirifkin/pins/

Goodreads                     http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

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LinkedIn                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/

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The wild rose press     https://wildrosepress.com/?s=rifkin&post_type=product&type_aws=true

Singing the praises of the wheelbarrow

   Over the last twenty years, I've spent a good amount of time pushing a wheelbarrow. They should make one with an odometer! 

   Until it breaks down, this simple farm implement is hugely taken for granted. When it does go south, you are up a creek with more than no paddle.

The term "wheelbarrow" is made of two words: "wheel" and "barrow." "Barrow" being a derivation of the Old English "barew". It originally denoted a simple frame with handles and no wheel used for carrying loads, often requiring two people to operate. 

 In ancient China, the wheel was typically in the center of the barrow. There is little evidence that the Greeks used this idea, and the Romans preferred four wheeled carts.  

The first wheelbarrows in medieval Europe appeared sometime between 1170 and 1250. the first archival reference was in medieval Europe 1222, specifying the purchase of several wheelbarrows for the English king's works at Dover.

 When we were children, wheelbarrow was a game of competition. 

       That still holds true today, especially if libations are allowed. 

In Hungary, they have The Wheelbarrow Olympics. It's an international sporting event! 

Participants compete individually and in teams, in several categories: solo, double, triple, sandwich, and in speed and skill exercises.

    Take a minute and watch the Red Barrows of Devon, England. They have ramps, a ring of fire, and precision barrow-flying moves.  

Meet the flying Red Barrows

The Red Barrows competition

England also has the Overton's Fancy Dress Wheelbarrow Race. Looks like they pick a different theme every year. 

 I'm was thinking of decorating my wheelbarrow, although the goats would most likely make short work of anything I put on it, including paint.    

They have two-wheeled models now. They don't fall over as easily when attacked by naughty goats, but they are far less maneuverable in stalls.  

    Here's a snazzy one, so pretty, but no way could I bring myself to filling it with donkey doo!

    Who knew the unassuming ancient wheelbarrow would make it to modern times as an essential helper on the farm, as well as become a source of competition and merriment. 

Amazon author  https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

Western Romance:

* Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw*  A Cowboy’s Fate 

* Special Delivery* Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller:

* Fatal Recall

Contemporary Fantasy

The Fae Warriors Trilogy: 

*Solace * Bliss * Portence

Medieval Romance:

*The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart * Promise Me Christmas

Victorian Romance: * Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream

 

 

 

Fatal Recall, win a gift card at N.N. LIght event.

Grab a copy of my award winning romantic thriller 

and take a chance at winning an AMAZON gift card

 Fatal Recall,

an N.N. Light book award winner and 

 judged Best Romantic Thriller of the year 

by Colorado Authors' League. 

Available here

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Blurb: 

   Hudson Kincaid prefers the wide-open spaces. But tracking down a serial killer means hanging out in Denver as he investigates neuroscientist Dr. Marilyn Monrose. So far, he can’t figure out if she’s city kitty in high heels, or a country kitten in cowgirl boots? 

    Marilyn’s experiments using ramped up virtual reality, captures the final moments of each murder victim’s life, a chilling discovery she’s trying to keep secret. The last thing she needs is a determined private detective barging into her lab—no matter how sexy he looks in his Stetson hat.

   When word of her research is leaked to the press, Marilyn becomes the killer’s next target.   

   Now the woman Hudson races to save, is the one who has stolen his heart.    

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You Tube Promise Me Christmas book trailer.

                    

Live now on You Tube! https://youtu.be/A5PI8TeUmPI

My beautiful trailer was created by Mistress of Book Reviews                          https://www.mistressofbookreviews.com/

Blurb:

The nights are growing longer and the winter snows are coming—Darkenwald Castle is under siege.  
Lord Guy Blackthorne is prepared to lay down his life for his children, his wife, and all who seek his protection. But as renegades, mercenaries, and political intrigue surround his ancient family stronghold, he’s forced to stay his hand against those who would dare to attack his fortress.  
As supplies and hope dwindle, Lady Vespa fears Yule will not be one of good cheer, and the children shall have no gifts this year. At least she and Guy have one another, for that she is thankful. But there are few private moments to share their love, and every endeavor to satisfy their passion is interrupted when the enemy attempts to invade the castle. 
On Christmas Eve, when a battle to the death begins, Guy faces his greatest challenge. Now Vespa’s wish for a happy Yule celebration turns to a prayer for her beloved’s safety. 

Available here: https://books2read.com/u/mKVOwE

 

Western Romance:

* Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw*  A Cowboy’s Fate 

* Special Delivery* Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller:

* Fatal Recall

Contemporary Fantasy

The Fae Warriors Trilogy: 

*Solace * Bliss * Portence

Medieval Romance:

*The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart * Promise Me Christmas

Victorian Romance: * Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream

 

 

Thrilled to be featured in Literal Literary.

 

So proud to have an article in Literal Literary featuring my two award winning books Fatal Recall a contemporary thriller, and Break Heart Canyon an historical romance.

A little bit about Literal Literary: We strive to shine light on excellence in writing. We are an online literary platform that promotes talented authors, and high quality books and written works. We have the privilege of helping book lovers to discover new authors and their works, while helping authors to be more visible and find new reader bases who will support their work.

Please read my article here!

Available at

Available at

My stories 

Western Romance:

 * Break Heart Canyon

 * Undercover Outlaw

 * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats

 * A Cowboy’s Fate

 * Special Delivery

Contemporary Romantic Thriller:

* Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance:

*The Dragon and The Rose

* Iron Heart

* Promise Me Christmas

Victorian Romance:

* Lady Gallant

* Victorian Dream

Fantasy:

* The Fae Warriors Trilogy: 

*Solace

* Bliss

* Portence

Vinegar, a common household product with a very long history.

   I often use vinegar and salt as a weed deterrent, that way when my goats and ducks are "helping" and moseying about the yard, they can forage at will. I think they actually enjoy a wee taste of salt and vinegar on their usual fare.

 So what is the history of this inexpensive unassuming liquid? 
  Vinegar has been traced back to 5000 B.C.E. Babylon, and the practice of making vinegar from fermented liquids like wine or fruit juices is one of the oldest known food preservation techniques.

According to legend, vinegar's discovery came about when a forgotten wine was left in storage for several months, causing it to ferment and turn sour. 

   Traces of vinegar have been found in Egyptian urns, the Chinese began professionalizing vinegar production with dedicated vinegar makers in noble households. 

   During the Middle Ages, vinegar-making was well-established in cities like Orleans, France, and its uses soon became widespread. In general, vinegar is made using a two-step fermentation process. First, a liquid mixture containing yeast and sugar is fermented into alcohol. Then the alcohol goes through a second fermentation which produces a sour- or bitter-tasting product packed with acetic acid.

 For including in your historical western: besides being useful as a cleaning agent and for food preservation, your characters could use vinegar to doctor a wound, or make a compress for headache and fever, or let the aroma revive someone who had fainted. 

 

They might also partake of a refreshing drink, called a shrub, made of vinegar, sugar, and fruit—typically in a 1:1:1 proportion. This sweet and tart beverage was popular before refrigeration and carbonated drinks. The British navy used shrubs in the 18th century to combat scurvy, and it was popular in the US during prohibition.

 There are a plethora of  different vinegars, each with their own colors and flavors. Wine Vinegar: Champagne Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar: Rice Vinegar: Balsamic Vinegar:  Black Vinegar: Honey Vinegar: Cane Vinegar: Malt Vinegar--Made from malted barley and used as a condiment.

Making a shrub is another whole adventure. There are many recipes on-line and some can take 2-3 days of fermenting (cold method) or you can cook the fruit (hot method) for almost immediate use. 

Shrub recipes here This looked like an interesting site. 

In the summer, I like make sweet and sour cucumbers. Peel, stripe the sides with a fork, slice thin, (no more than 1/4 inch) and put in lidded container with enough vinegar to cover cucumber slices. Stir in sugar (this is the tricky part) Start with at least a few table spoons. Let it sit, stir, check and keep adding sugar to your taste, tart but edible. Be carful when taste testing, they're zingy.   

                 Do you have any interesting uses for vinegar?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar#:~:text=While%20vinegar%20making%20may%20be,blood%20soups%20around%20the%20world).
https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/vinegar/
 https://womersleyfoods.com/pages/a-short-history-of-vinegar  New World Encyclopedia contributors  

My Stories: 

Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery. 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart        *Promise Me Christmas. 

Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream 

Romantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence 

Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Gini-Rifkin-Author/100001680213365

Amazon author  https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

Pinterest                         https://www.pinterest.com/ginirifkin/pins/

Goodreads                     http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

Barnes and Noble          http://bit.ly/2xPs9S4

AudioBooks                  https://adbl.co/2OlWbGJ

LinkedIn                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/

Universal link                https://books2read.com/u/3JLGMv

The wild rose press     https://wildrosepress.com/?s=rifkin&post_type=product&type_aws=true