Steampunk Granny's Big Hug and Thank You

                                                                 

                   

On Sunday, June 29, 2014 I did a book launch for my apocalyptic tale with a twist, Roof Oasis, at the Treehouse Coffee Shop in Audubon. There is my banner outside of the Treehouse. Joining me that day at the tables was Dawn Byrnes, better known as Super D to all our friends in the South Jersey Writers’ Group. Dawn and I are responsible for selling our group’s anthologies.

                                                                        

                                                      ReRe and me setting up.                              

My daughter, ReRe, her husband Jim of Reid’s Auto Repairs in South Philly, and my two grandsons, Joshua and Nathan were there to sell her jewelry and to handle the children’s craft corner. Marybeth, a friend of Josh, was kidnapped into playing photographer and what a great job she did. Thank you Marybeth!

                   

                                       

My editor Pattie O’Brien was there to celebrate in my big day and to introduce me when it was time for my reading from the book. She was also selling her ‘Bottles of Inspirations’ which proved to be very popular.
                                                                    

                                                    

My granddaughter, Allie, the fashion designer in the family was selling her Steampunk and Cosplay jewelry and she made the pin that I word on my dress. It represented my writing. Thank you, Allie.

                                                                         

                                                   Me with my husband, Dan.

My husband Dan was put to work collecting money and giving out tickets for our guests to win a door prize. I drove the poor man crazy.

                                                            

                                                              

 

The Treehouse was packed with family and friends from all paths of my life starting with our writers’ group, friends from the Academy of Natural Sciences, St. Agnes Hospital, friends from my Zumba class, friends from my old neighborhood in South Philly, and even my ghost hunting friends were there.

 

                                                                   

              
                                                            

                             

                                                                     

News from the Dark Side 8/30/2013

                                                                    

Yes, my little zombie snacks; it's that time of the week again. I have more weird news thanks to Huff post and a few other sites. Hope you enjoy the latest in weird.


This came from the Upworthy site by Adam Mordecai. How to get the politicians to admit that our climate is changing and not for the good? You'll love this solution:

http://www.upworthy.com/this-is-probably-the-funniest-most-effective-way-to-deal-with-people-who-ignore-science-facts-ever-2?c=upw1


I've always thought that some of my relatives were a little strange, and now I know why. From Huffington post science:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/28/life-start-on-mars-origin-martians-new-evidence_n_3830652.html?ref=topbar


From the weird news section of Huff post we have this story:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/26/loch-ness-monster-sighting-photo_n_3817842.html?ir=Weird%20News&utm_campaign=082613&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-weird-news&utm_content=Photo

I've always wondered why we don't have a museum for Tesla. I guess other's are asking the same question. From G4 and Huffington post, we have:

http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/lets-build-a-goddamn-tesla-museum-517453249


To end this week's weird news update, I have this little gem. In honor of the first man on the moon, a tribute from NASA:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/25/neil-armstrong-tribute-video-nasa-anniversary-moon_n_3813858.html

Stay safe; run fast, my little zombie snacks. See you next week and if you come across an interesting article; submit it to me.

Episode Seventy-two of Lilith's Escape

                                                                   

The jeep holding Lieutenant Scott, Edward, Scouter and three other soldiers pulled through the gates of the naval base. Edward and Scott were arguing on the ride over, but Edward won and Scouter would be spared the injection. Edward would be the one to interrogate this prisoner.

“It looks like you were knocked around some. Do you need to stop at the base hospital?” Lt. Scott asked Edward aka Brandish.

“No, I’m fine. Just let me take care of my prisoner,” Edward replied. He was hoping to get inside the holding cells and find Rita’s husband and Lazarus.

                                                                    

After the jeep dropped Edward and Scouter off at the prison, it took off, heading towards the Command Center. “You think they bought our story?” Scouter asked.

 “I’m not sure, but we'll soon find out,” Edward said, as the guard at the prison gate ordered them to stop.

                                                                         

“Your credentials, please,” the armed guard said, putting out his hand. Edward handed over his identification and waited.

                                                                            

“There seems to be a problem,” the guard said. Before Edward could reply, two more guards showed up with their weapons drawn.
This was definitely not part of the plan.   

Episode Seventy-one of Lilith's Escape

                                                            

Shots rang out and two of the zombies fell to the ground before Edward had a chance to get a shot off on his own. As the jeep pulled up to Edward and Scouter, the soldiers inside the jeep put down the remaining zombies.

“We thought you were dead,” the officer, who climbed out of the jeep and walked over to Edward, said.

                                                                     

“Me too,” Edward replied. His British accent hidden, his mind clicked through the descriptions given to him by Tzaddik of the known comrades of Captain Brandish, but he could not place this officer’s face. “Thanks to this fool, I was able to escape,” Edward added, trying to buy some time, but he was saved by one of the soldiers who had called out to the officer.

                                                                          

The officer walked away from Edward to speak to his men, but when he returned he said to Edward, “You can ride with us, Captain, but we won’t need him.” The officer then pulled out his gun and aimed at Scouter.

                                                                             

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Edward yelled at Lieutenant Scott. He knocked away the officer’s arm and said, “This man is my prisoner and I’ll decide when he dies.”

Lieutenant Scott gave Edward a dirty look, but he put his gun back in his holster. Edward could hear Scouter’s sigh of relief, but they weren’t out of danger, yet. “When you’re done with him, we’ll inject him with the virus and set him loose,” Scott countered.

                                                                           

This was not starting out to be a good day for the rebels.

Episode Seventy of Lilith's Escape

                                                                        

                                                                                                                    

Episode Seventy of Lilith’s Escape

Edward disguised as David Brandish and Scouter acting the role of prisoner made their way towards the Philadelphia Naval Base. This base was now used by the Illuminati as a prison and medical research center, and the zombies who had attacked the rebel’s underground hideout were created here.

“I hope we don’t run into another herd of zombies. I’m almost out of ammo,” Scouter said as, he pulled his knife from the skull of the dead man.

“Hopefully, they’ll see my uniform from the towers,” Edward replied, pointing to the lookout towers rising above the entrance.

                                                                    

 He had seen the soldiers moving about in the towers; they were scanning the area with their binoculars. If they recognized his uniform, they might send out a vehicle to investigate. Edward was counting on this because he was down to three bullets.

“Here they come,” Scouter cried out as several more zombies stumbled towards them.

                                                                  

"Give me your gun," Edward said. They were too close to the base for Scouter to use his weapon on the zombies heading their way. Scouter needed to act the part of prisoner. Edward quickly snapped on the handcuffs and then pointed his gun at the first zombie to reach them. That one went down, but there were more coming

"Don't miss," Scouter said.

"Don't worry we have company," Edward replied, as the jeep sped down Broad Street towards them.
                                                                           

 

Episode Sixty-seven of Lilith's Escape

                                                                  

Ruth led Edward and Scouter down the dark corridors to an underground tunnel. The guards here were more heavily armed and all wore full radiation protection hazmat jumpsuits.

                                                                

“You’ve got to be kidding, right?” Edward said to Ruth.

“Do I look like I’m laughing? Ruth replied, hands on hips.”

                                                            

“What weapons are kept in here?” Edward asked, ignoring her reply and attitude.

“We have several Peacekeepers, Russian SS-18 Satans and a few medium range warheads from Israel. If they try to get into this place, the Naval Base and all of Philadelphia will be history.”

                                                                    

“But, you’ll destroy the good people with the bad. Are you willing to do this?” Edward was a bit worried that Ruth was a little too hawkish.

“They crossed the line by creating those zombies, and yes, I’m ready to do what is needed to stop them.”

                                                                         

“You’re freaking nuts!” Edward replied.

“Am I?” Just do your job and bring back Lazarus,” Ruth replied. She turned away from Edward and headed back towards the refugee area.

“I don’t know who to fear more, her or the Illuminati,” Edward said to Scouter as they began walking back towards the refugee area.

 

“You go with the Devil you know,” Scouter replied.


                                                                            

Gibbs, Grimm and Haunted Collector

                                                              

                                                Just in time for my weekly catch up!
                                                       
                                                                        

On NCIS, A Petty Officer is insisting that he’s being followed. Is he crazy or is he part of a government funded study? Plus, someone from the Department of Defense is asking a lot of questions about Bodnar’s death. The snake in the grass had our team frazzled and mislead them into thinking he was after Ziva, but he’s really after Gibbs. Watch the show “On Demand”.

                                                                      

                                                                          

Grimm

Nick came in contact with a muse whose hobby is seducing artistically inclined men. She makes these men crazy in love with her and then encourages them into killing a rival before she moves on to the next victim. Unfortunately for Nick, the muse has captivated his mind and heart at the same time our Juliette has regained her memories of Nick and her being in love, and their living together. Will Hank, Monroe and Rosalie be able to help our star-crossed-lovers?

                                                                   

Haunter Collector

This show was spooky and I mean “big time” On the Episode titled Hollywood Haunting/Gold Rush Ghost, the spirits are extra busy scary the bejeebers out of our team. On the second part of this episode, you can see the sheets on the bed rise up and fall as the ghost climbs into bed.

See you next week and make sure to watch Defiance on Syfy. This show rocks!!!

                                                                              

 

Episode Sixty-five of Lilith's Escape

 

                                                                 

 

“Slow down,” Edward yelled over the noise of the quad. The driver was zigzagging all over the place and Edward was worried about Rita. If the driver heard his protesting, he had no idea.

                                                                           

Just then a rocket flashed past them, followed by an explosion overhead. Edward looked over his shoulder to see a drone crash to the ground, but that’s all he had time to see before the quad drove down a ramp that led under the museum.

                                                                    

As soon as they reached the underground tunnel, the metal doors were slammed shut. Lilith, Bradley, Jones, Scouter, the entire caravan had made it to safety.

The driver climbed off the quad and pulled off her helmet. Edward was amazed; the woman had to be in her 70’s. “We need a medic,” the woman shouted when she realized that Rita was in trouble.

                                                                      

While the medics rushed Rita away, Edward thanked the woman and asked for her name. She shook his hand and said, “I’m Ruth, the Commander of this post, and who the hell are you?”

“After today, I’m not sure,” Edward replied with a chuckle. He immediately took a liking to the little old lady who had a very tight grip on his hand.

                                                                         

Episode Sixty-four of Lilith's Escape

                                                                       

Heavy artillery was ringing out in front of them, but Edward’s attention was on the woman he carried in his arms as he rushed to safety. Rita was screaming something, but the explosion from the grenade that had gone off several feet behind them, made it impossible to hear anything but the ringing in his ears.

“We’re not going to make it to safety, please…put me down,” Rita was struggling to free herself from his tight hold of her.

Edward needed to catch his breath and lowered Rita to the ground, but when he realized that she was bleeding, his heart sank. “I’m not giving up and neither are you, he told her.”

                                                                          

                                                 

Instead of replying Rita pointed her gun at Edward and shot. When he realized the bullet wasn’t meant for him, he turned and saw the zombie lying on the ground. There were another twenty or more heading their way. “These bags of bones picked the wrong day to start with me,” Rita said through clenched teeth.

                                                                    

The sound of a loud engine caught their attention and when Edward spun around, gun aimed, he was surprised to see an elderly woman sitting on a four wheeled vehicle.  This was Edward's first introduction to a quad.

                                                                         

“What the hell are you waiting for? I ain’t here to take your pictures; climb on, now,” the grandmotherly rider shouted out.

                                                                        

                                           

Edward had no time to question the woman, not with the zombies within hand’s reach. He helped Rita onto the back of the bike before joining her. Edward was forced to hang on for dear life as the driver raced away.

Episode Sixty-one of Lilith's Escape

                                                                 

It was dusk by the time the caravan climbed out of the subway station at Pattison Ave. They at least could use the cover of the trees and bushes to keep them hidden from the drones, which frequently flew over the city looking for resistance fighters, but if there were zombies in the area, the very same trees and bushes would also endanger the living from seeing the shuffling dead in time.

                                                            

Rita was making her way back towards Edward and Bradley. As she waddled towards them, Edward wondered how she was doing; she looked so huge, so uncomfortable. “Lilith will lead with Tzaddik bringing up the rear with a few of the soldiers,” she told the men.

“Where do you want us?” Bradley asked.

“The three of us, along with some of the women, will protect the inner circle.” The inner circle she was mentioning was the children, the group’s most important cargo.

“Will you be alright…uh…you know?” Edward was attempting to be polite in pointing out the obvious.

“I’ll be fine. Just call me Wonder Woman,” Rita teased, but her expression revealed how worried she really was.

Edward could see Lilith at the front, near to the steps leading out of the subway. She was pointing to something on a map that Jones was holding in her hand.
                                                                   

 She must have sensed his eyes on her, because she glanced towards his direction and smiled. Edward and Lilith needed to talk, to touch base and maybe mend fences, that's if they made it to the museum, alive. 

Episode Sixty of Lilith's Escape

 

                                                                        

 

It took most of the day to move through the underground ruins that was once a working subway system in the city of Philadelphia, with the majority of time spent climbing over the wreckage from the bombing. Scouter carried the child known as little bit on his shoulders, while Edward held the hand of a boy who had to be about six years old.

                                                                            

“I’m hungry,” the boy told Edward.

“So am I, Peter,” Edward replied. He picked the boy up into his arms and hurried his steps until he reached Bradley. “We’ve been walking all day…these kids need a break.”

“Let me check with Tzaddik. Here, watch him,” Bradley replied before handing over an older child to Edward.

Edward was exhausted, but he managed a smile as he asked the boy, “What’s your name.” But, the child never replied, only stared off into space.

“He saw a monster and now he don’t talk,” the six year old explained.

                                                              

Edward wondered what type of monster this kid had seen and was it scarier than the zombies that they had fought, earlier. Whatever happened to the boy, it must have been bad.

“We’re taking a 15 minute break,” Bradley said as he handed Edward a package of crackers and a bottle of water to share with Peter. While everyone took advantage of the meager meal and needed break, Bradley whispered to Edward “We have to make it to the museum before nightfall.”

                                                                       

                                                        Edward knew why.

Episode Fifty-five of Lilith's Escape

 

                                                                                                 

Edward’s weapon was knocked out of his hand and went sliding across the ground, the zombie  before him, huge. Edward guessed the creature to be over six feet tall and close to three hundred pounds. He needed a weapon, but all the soldiers were occupied, taking the brunt of the battle, their numbers weak against the multitude that swarmed over the barricade.

                                                                 

“Here, catch,” someone yelled out. Edward turned just as the zombie lunged forward and Bradley’s army issued knife flew through the air. Edward stretched out his hand and was knocked to the ground, the creature’s bloody teeth snapping at his face. The knife was on the ground, but Edward was using all his strength to keep the teeth from touching him.

                                                                    

Edward’s arms were straining to push the creature away, his strength giving way to the zombie’s unrelenting attempt to take flesh. The zombie bit down, ripped away…white linen…? The bandage, he had forgotten all about it. The zombie momentarily startled, Edward grabbed the knife and jabbed it full force into the thing’s skull.

Edward pulled himself free from the creature lying on top of him just in time to face the two coming at him. Suddenly, they burst into flames. “What the hell?” Edward asked, stunned.

“Keep them coming,” Tzaddik yelled out.

Edward turned to see several Molotov cocktails flying over his head and into the zombie crowd.