Semi-Daily Scribbles

It was the Silver Needle that enabled my mind to soar. Gale-force winds may have had something to do with it, too. In any event, last night's voyage; embarked upon from beneath my blankets, was difficult to file away as "Only a Dream" once the day dawned. It all started with the new house: a 125-year old Victorian with a music hall attached to the back. How the property became mine is unclear, but I was overjoyed to be its new proprietress. The structure was used as a teacher's college before it underwent a hideous 1970's transformation into a quadplex. The adjoining concert venue had been boarded and bricked-up for years. The residence required intensive renovation, but it was the auditorium that held my fascination. The walls and flooring were a soothing sea foam green. Large, white scalloped shells served as sconces. Two fat, flying cherubs looked down from their vantage points at either side of the proscenium. The seats were in good condition, their dark green padded leather still intact. I then noticed people wandering in, so I got busy showing visitors around the historic building. Now that I think about it, I neglected to collect admission. The money could have gone into my restoration fund. I was quite the informed tour guide, although I was seeing everything for the first time. I took the group backstage and the aromas of cinnamon, clove, and pine were strong. It was like inhaling pure, concentrated Christmas. Peace, happiness, calm, and excitement filled me up as I showed my guests the quiet, dust-covered theatre. I was envisioning booking bands and author appearances in my very own opera house when an elderly lady at the back of the group coughed and raised her hand.

"I remember coming here as a girl," she said. "The place was full of ghosts back then. I can only imagine what they've been up to all this time." Within seconds of the woman's remark, a green glow materialized above center stage. My feet were stuck to the floorboards as a chill blast swept through the auditorium, making the silence ring in my ears.