"Real Zombies, TheLiving Dead and Creatures of the Apocalpyse

Though I am no stranger to those things that go BUMP in the night, I was utterly astounded to find there was actually a category for what I had experienced all my life.   But imagine my continued surprise when I came in contact with all those people who had dedicated their lives to investigating and researching it. 

It wasn't until the Spring of  2006  that I first made my discovery of  internet based radio talk shows and  the world of the paranormal. 

Through a series of serendipitous events, I found myself co-hosting a then popular paranormal talk show on the internet.  And as Lady Fate would have it ... it was there I was first introduced to a man I now call friend.   A man whose soft spoken manner and calm demeanor captured my heart.  Whose talents, knowledge and willingness to share his findings with all the world holds my respect and undying gratitude.     This man of course is none other than the one and only .... Brad Steiger. 

To say Brad has done it again ... is a gross understatement! In his latest work Real Zombies, The Living Dead and Creatures of the Apocalypse, Brad takes us through a world many of us only thought was make believe.  Just part of some crazy movie or T.V. show, a world that only came to life during the telling of  tall tales  around a campfire.  Yes,  a world  most of us foolishly believe only existed in the mind of George Romero. Or for the younger generation,  a world of mere  fantasy to enjoy while dancing to Michael Jackson's hit song Thriller.

Other than the occasional bad dream it was a world that caused no real worries and no real concerns for those who enjoyed a good old fashioned harmless scare.  After all,  these creatures only came to life when cued and then quietly slipped back into the nothingness once the song ended or  just faded away when the credits began to roll.

Nothing to be afraid of.  It's all just made up.   Right?  Right? 

In Real Zombies, Brad takes us on the edge of the surreal as he carefully guides us through this world of Voo Doo, hexes, curses, necromancers, and living shadows that lurk in the dark.  In true Master of the Macabre fashion, Brad  skillfully reminds us  that we are living side by side with real life monstrous minds.     Leaving us, the reader, to  ponder on not so much the creatures themselves, but the maniacal and diabolical genius behind their creation.

We're left wondering ...  What kind of person could do this to another human being ... and why?   What kind of world are we truly living in?    After reading this book, I quickly realized how much the nightly news paled in comparison. And on a more personal note, I found myself feeling sorry for the Devil baby of New Orleans and all the other little Zombies.  But I digress!

I am confidant, that like me, you too will find yourself being educated and enlightened while at the same time being entertained and delightfully scared out of your wits as you read Brad Steiger's  Real Zombies, The Living Dead and Creatures of the Apocalypse 

The contributors (me and some really, really cool para-folk) to Real Zombies, The Living Dead and Creatures of the Apocalypse are some of the world's most gifted and talented men and women dedicated to bringing awareness and truth to a world who is ... for the most part ... unsuspecting! 

Brad has once again skillfully and artfully weaved these contributions together like a beautiful spider web.  Binding it all together with his own research, knowledge and experience.   Of course, this is Brad Steiger's way -- his style if you will.  But then again, what would one expect from a Master Teacher and Story teller,eh?

The many artists who lend their talents make the stories even more enjoyable.  If not scarier!

My only  advise for those who  are faint of heart is to read this book only during the daylight hours and check under your bed before going to sleep!   As for  saying anything else ... well  You'll have to get your own copy and read it for yourself!    My lips have been sewn shut!  ummm ...  are sealed!  

To obtain your copy of  Real Zombies, The Living Dead and Creatures of the Apocalypse, please visit www.bradandsherry.com or www.visibleink.com

Until next time ....

Pleasant .... Dreams?!

The Empress on Motherhood

For most of my adult life I have been a mom.  Half of that has been spent being a single mom.   But  I'm not your typical mother by any means!

 Gross understatement if there ever was one,  I know!   

Truth is -- I am not one of these mothers who is a PTA member or who is the first on the scene with baked goods on hand for her kid's bake sales, I don't do car pools and  arts & crafts aren't my thing.

 I can't remember the last time I went to the beauty shop to get my nails and hair done.  In fact, there are days when my hair hasn't been combed or my teeth been brushed -- which  is perhaps the only time everyone leaves me alone! My cuticles are torn and raggedy the majority of the time due to me having to be Josephine the Plumber,  Harriet the Handy-woman and Mildred the Maid!   

I have all sorts of make up ... but rarely apply it.  I've come to enjoy the au naturale look now.  And though  Estee Lauder "Youth Dew" is my favorite perfume,  the only scent I sport these days  is Suave™ Deodorant. 

My normal daily attire no longer consists of neatly pressed shirts, slacks and/or skirts  that were perfectly accessorized with pristine jewelry and scarves and the like.  These have been replaced by a pair of over sized sweat pants or pajama bottoms, matching equally over sized shirts, a pair of socks and slippers or flip flops--depending on the weather.  The only accessory nowadays  is a matching scrunchie to keep me from looking like Medusa's bastard sister!

 I am not someone who projects a "perfect" home setting 24/7 -- reason being, I don't give a rat's ass what other people think.  Unlike my mother whose focus was always on what the neighbors had on their so called minds.

  In truth, you won't find any June Cleavers or Donna Reeds  types here. My house isn't filthy, just cluttered.   Though I do seem to vaguely remember a time when clutter was not part of my home decor.   But that was before I became a mom. 

Back when my kids were younger ... my house was filled with the usual assortment of the latest action figures, dolls, stuffed animals and TV cartoon characters, videos and games.   Couldn't walk through the house without bumping into, stepping on or sitting down on one or the other.

 Nothing like pulling one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles out of your ass before you take your first sip of coffee to get your mornings started!  Let me tell ya!

 Now that my youngest is a teenager, my house  is cluttered with books, dirty dishes, shoes and varied articles of clothing that I am constantly reminding her to pick up, put away and/or wash!  oy!

I know there are some moms who keep a clutter free clean home.     These are the women  who are the  Martha Stewart graduates. You know the type.  Those women who are immaculate and keep the proverbial home fires burning all the while looking  like they just stepped out of the beauty parlor as they tote their kids and their kids' friends everywhere, do all the shopping,  cooking, gardening, not miss one PTA meeting or school event, run some auxillary, oversee some  bake and/or rummage sale, volunteer and what have you.     Yea real Stepford Wives-like.   

 I have to admit that  I sometimes suspect  they are  all related to that chick on Bewitched!.

Now don't get me wrong!  In no way do I  envy these women.  I just want to know where in the hell do they have the time and energy???!!!!!   

Now once upon a time -- B.T.C.C. (before the children came) -- I was a young, beautiful, intelligent and some might even go as far as saying -- sane -- woman. 

I am still considered beautiful.  And though  I am no longer young -- I am young at heart and in mind.   I will be turning 50 this year--and  my mind still thinks it's 16 yrs old!!!  Of course,  my body reminds me constantly it isn't.  Especially when I am faced with a flight of stairs! 

I am still intelligent ...but only when my memory doesn't fail me.    I'm pretty sure I had a photogenic memory once.  But it appears  I forgot to replace the film one too many times over the years.  

The good news, I do remember the good times I had over the 20 plus years I have been a mother.    And though I don't remember much, if anything,  of  my life before becoming a mom -- the photographs in my family album tell me I did in fact had one! 

 Many years ago, when my oldest son was about 11 years old, he, his grandmother and I were flipping through an old family album at his grandmother's house.  He spotted a picture of a beautiful young woman with perfectly coiffed hair, dressed in a blue velvet evening gown, wisps of curls brushed across  her bare milky white shoulders as she sat upon an oval Queen Ann styled chair,  posed in an elegant queenly fashion.    My son gasped as he gazed at the picture and exclaimed: "who's the babe?"  To which my mother replied with a laugh ... "that babe is your mother!"  Naturally my son stared at me and asked ... "What happened to you?" 

Smart Ass!  Don't know where he gets it!

The photographs aren't the only reminders of a life I had once upon a time. 

The worn out sneakers and various tee shirts, jeans and capris that are aligned next to my business suits, party dresses and stiletto heels remind me of the woman I had once been and the woman I am now.  The beautiful jewelry and scarves that line the top of my dresser help jog my memory of those days before becoming a mommy. 

I seem to recall times when I got excited over the latest fashion.  Now my excitement stems from finding the latest new fangled box of detergent on sale or when I find a  roll of duct tape in a color I don't yet have.   Sad, but true!

There was a time I got all gussied up to attend some fashionable gatherings with adults.  Now the only gatherings I attend where there are actual adults are school field trips and the weekly jaunt to the local grocers and malls.   Getting gussied up these days means I put on a clean shirt and some pants that aren't sweats or pjs. 

With respect to my sanity.  Well, that is an issue best left for the courts to decide I suppose.  There are days I am certain I am crazier than a horse fly trying to land on a pile of freshly made manure.   Times Where clarity, reality and the totally bizarre all seem to be the same exact thing. 

Most often than not, I can barely remember what I went in the next room for, better yet where I laid my glasses only to discover that they were still on my face.  Caring what others think was never an issue with me, but now ... it's even less of an issue as I can barely remember who any of "those people" are!

According to my children, this makes me crazy.  And they should know!  After all  they know everything!

I don't regret becoming a mother.  Even when my kids are all conspiring to either send me to the looney bin or to an early grave (or both!)!  Being a mom has been, and continues to be, one of my greatest and most favorite adventures.

If anyone were to ask what the best part of being a mother is ... my reply would be ...

Just as all the women before me, being a mom insures the legacy of lunacy we all call motherhood  will continue on for generations to come.  And in the end,  like all those other mothers of generations past, I will have the last laugh! 

Because I know, as they knew, that for all the freeze dried bullshit my kids put me through -- my sons and my daughter will have the task of raising children who were worse than them! 

Ain't Motherhood Grand?

Real Zombies, The Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse--Book Review

I'm posting this review of my friend Brad Steiger's latest book.

Note at the very bottom (highlighted in pink) I have a wee mini part in Brad's new book! ENJOY!

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TREMENDOUS REVIEW OF REAL ZOMBIES from Haunted America Tours

Real Zombies, the Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse
By Brad Steiger

 In ... Real Zombies, the Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse, Brad Steiger [presents] more then just a comprehensive and unsettling study.

Steiger directly addresses, explores and brings forward into the spotlight the many strange traditions too often shrouded in secret throughout the world.

His mission I believe is to dispel the normal sordid beliefs and misunderstandings and the more then just common depictions of what we believe to be the real zombies today.

In this book I feel Mr. Steiger has set a high precedent for others to dare only to follow.

I believe that this book will be the standard by which many new zombie trends will emulate and be measured.

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Brad Steiger is what I call the Grande Master of the Paranormal world with his more then many excellent works over the years that have touched the publics haunted curiosity bone.

Oh and of course Brad Steiger has his finger on the true exact pulse of all that is naturally paranormal, extraterrestrial and supernatural.

Real Zombies, the Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse is not an exception to this rule. If you have not read this more then excellent book, I suggest you do so today.

Through Steiger's many well researched and respected volumes over the years of real eye opening insights, he has brought many new researchers and supernatural investigators to the popular front of the paranormal community today. Including myself.

In a recent radio interview the American Necromancer and student of the Occult Lisa Lee Harp Waugh stated:

"In his very well written newest best selling definitive book, Real Zombies, the Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse, Visible Ink Press." "Mr. Steiger tears down the myths and taboo's and plainly opens the doors to what many actually fear concentrating the real endeavors of those that practice the black arts of voodoo hoodoo zombification."

"Steiger explores the real truths and legends in the world of real human zombie research of today."

"And I am more then glad I personally could contribute the tales I have learned over the years, because they needed to be told before they became lost in history forever."

"This more then just exceptional exquisite work. The pages filled with art and tales that actually features many chilling first hand accounts and passed down stories of reported real-life zombie encounters from past and present."

"And in reading this you might just start be come a true believer in what real reported Zombies are all about."

This more then fascinating assorted collection includes the stories by Haunted America Tours Senior writer Alyne Pustanio of the evil spawn of Satan, The elusive supernatural "Devil Baby of Bourbon Street", a monstrous creature complete with sharp horns and a long pointed tail that still lurks in the shadows of the New Orleans dark haunted alleys and neighborhood streets.

Black Mama Couteau the often thought of as very strange and real evil Texas Voodoo Queen and the stories of her and the great zombie war, this tale is told by by Lisa Lee Harp Waugh the well known American Necromancer.

In Waugh's recounting of these Texas tales and obscure stories that she heard growing up in the very haunted town of Marshall, Texas. Waugh relates a curios snippet of an army of many hundreds of zombie soldiers battling for the supremacy of their queen.

True or not such urban zombie legends will make you think twice about what the real power of Texas Voodoo Hoodoo Can do.

And don't forget to investigate the swamp child of Mama Crete, who still roams the bayous of Louisiana.
In addition to the stories, a variety of zombie-related facts are directly explored and laid bare, including strange weird ceremonies to create such beings and actual initiations, zombies throughout history, sacred zombie and voodoo-related sites, and zombies and monsters of the Bible.

The book also contains great eye popping artwork by none other then the always wonderful talented mind and ... dark artistic endeavors of the great Bill Oliver, as well as the intense macabre masterpieces of  Ricardo Pustanio, who is also a top designer for New Orleans Mardi Gras Float for the New Orleans Mardi Gras Parade Krewe Of Mid City and a contributing artist for hauntedamericatours.com.

The methodical and very strong works of the unforgettable team of father and son Wm. Michael Mott and Ryan Mott are also featured.

The featured well written contributions of Alyne Pustanio.

The always lively American Necromancer, the always controversial Lisa Lee Harp Waugh.

HPI's lead investigator, an avid paranormal world explorer extraordinary, Paul Dale Roberts, and HPI's lovely superstar the ever beautiful Shannon McCabe.

And special attention should be paid to to the beliefs, tales and understandings of real zombie lore of Chris Holly, the one and only Laurie lee Mistycah, The ever aware Angela Thomas, The insights of Pastor Robin Swope, The art of Jackie Williams, the enlightened Julie Cole, [highlighting added] and the extraordinary talented psychic medium Tuesday Miles.

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About the Author

Brad Steiger  iss the award-winning author of more than 100 books, including Real Ghosts, Restless Spirits, and Haunted Houses; Real Vampires, Night Stalkers, and Creatures from the Darkside; and The Werewolf Book. He is a regular radio guest on the Allan Handelman Show, Coast to Coast, and Jeff Rense's Sightings. He lives in Forest City, Iowa.
 

His direct no nonsense approach and genius in Real Zombies, the Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse raises the bar to a height that is certainly hard for other undead books to try and hurdle.