Stand Aside. I’m Out of Here
Now that I’m home and safe from the evil spirits of Leap Castle, I think I was darned brave to have ventured up those winding stone stairs and to have stood where there’s the Oubliette (the opening into which hundreds of people were tossed to their deaths–see my FIRST POST about this horror).
Come on. Say I was. And take a look at my selfie in the Chapel. Does it look a bit misty? The rest of my pictures don’t.
Is That A Ghostly Light Around Me? |
If the stories about the Elemental Spirit are true, I could have been gobbled up, never to have blogged again.
Elementals Lurk in a lot of places. Photo Credit |
Now remember in that earlier post, I remarked that Sean Ryan, the owner, didn’t tell me about the spirits he’s seen, even when I asked him to tell me about things of interest in the castle. I knew the stories he wasn’t sharing, but I kept wondering why. Maybe he thought I wouldn’t climb to the Bloody Chapel. Maybe he thought I’d run out the door without leaving my euros because I had to go up without him (he was having a bad knee day). Who knows, but here’s a link to a TRAVEL PROGRAM and listen to what he tells the interviewer.
Come on, Sean, a little warning might have been a good thing. And next visit, I’m bringing my camera crew.
Next Week: More about Ireland, but nothing spooky.
Medeia Sharif says
It's always eerie to see misty pictures. I'll take a look at the petition I can't remember if I signed it already.
Chemist Ken says
I absolutely adore castles, especially the haunted ones.
nashvillecats2 says
I have enjoyed your Leaps Castle. I lived in the North of Ireland but went regulary to The Republic to see my Danny Boy. Ireland is a beautiful place.
Yvonne.
Nick Wilford says
Maybe he thought you looked the fearless type and didn't need any warning? I signed the petition. I think it's quite insulting how they imply we might be being dishonest with how we garner reviews – which might be true for a small fraction, but don't tar us all with the same brush.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I might have shown my no-fear face. You're on to something, Nick. Great that you signed the petition.
Yvonne Ventresca says
I'm waiting for the castle-inspired story! Please say you are working one one. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm thinking, YV!
Pat Garcia says
Hi,
I think it is cool that you went up those stairs. Of course, it was spooky but you conquered your dragon by going up there. There are so many nice spooky places in Ireland.
And thank you for the quote from Adlai Stevenson. He was a great statesman and I admired him.
Shalom,
Patricia
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love the idea of conquering my dragon.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – lovely photo .. ghostly misty glow. Your visit must have been so much fun … and so interesting about the past with all the bloody goings on – the oubliette etc …
Those well worn stone steps that wind around to get to the top of a tower are fairly interesting .. and one needs to be steady on one's feet … however meeting The Elemental anywhere would give me the ghoolies – whatever they are … I'm glad it's early the image might have faded by nightfall!
Lovely memories and photos – great one of you wrapped against the elements … sent by The Elemental? Cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Maybe they recognized a writer and hoped for more publicity? "Let this one go and see what she writes about us."
Christine Rains says
I wonder, too, why he didn't tell you. I remember seeing a show on TV about the elemental at the castle. Freaky! I'm happy you didn't meet up with it, though. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think he's been on TV a lot, but I've only seen that one program where he tells about all the gore and ghosts.
Alexa S. Winters says
Love that quote!
Hmm, I wonder why he didn't tell you. Maybe he really thought you wouldn't go up if you knew.
And yeah, haha, very brave! Glad you weren't eaten by elemental spirits though! 😉
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbositybookreviews.wordpress.com
C. Lee McKenzie says
Maybe he just wanted his breakfast and I was keeping him from it. I have no idea.
Lynda R Young says
Glad you weren't gobbled up! Love the pic.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'd prefer to stay around a bit longer. There are more castles to visit with "haints" awaiting my arrival.
Donna K. Weaver says
It's kind of creepy that Amazon knows how many pages you've read of a book. Makes me want to go through and flip through all the pages in a book even if I haven't read it yet.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh yes! Hate that. It's like their next to me in bed as I "turn" the page.
Yolanda Renee says
That's a very haunting photo. I can't wait to read the tales inspired by your trip. Need to sign that petition, I don't understand the federal government used to protect us from that crap – but lately they are the creators of all that crap. Our politicians are bought and paid for – freedom? Not anymore… Sorry didn't mean to get on a soap box.
Thanks for signing up for the WEP – this first challenge will be an exciting one – Denise has outdone herself.
Yolanda Renee says
Oh, and I really love they way your blog page opens. AWESOME!
I know the most overused word in the English language, but it's a good one! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Yolanda.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Soap boxes always available here. Love your comment.
sage says
Come on, admit it, you fogged the lens before the photo, right? 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
What? Me? I'm way too slow to consider something like that, but I'm taking notes for next time.
Pat Hatt says
A little spirit lingering about maybe. Amazon sure has being big brother down
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yep to both. I believe I was visited while there. My husband says I'm daft, but he says that a lot. 🙂
Carol Kilgore says
I may have freaked out if I'd been there. And you were smiling and everything. Good job 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I believe the smile was forced? No. Not at all. I'm truly brave and fearless and all of that. Well, as long as it's not dark.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
I would love to see that creepy castle and all its gothic beauty. Amazon is a monster. My small press publisher is scrambling to survive.. Amazon's goal is to be not only the only bookseller but the only publisher.
Susan Says
C. Lee McKenzie says
Do you think it's a plot? Big publishers and Amazon in cahoots? Now there's a story.
Mason Canyon says
Are you sure some of the spirits didn't come back home with you? Just saying ….
C. Lee McKenzie says
Let me take a look. Back later with the results.
Chrys Fey says
Maybe a ghost photo bombed your selfie. 😛
The picture of the tree/elemental spirit is neat!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm a terrible photographer, so I probably should have let the ghost take the picture in the first place.
Kelly Hashway says
I enjoyed seeing your pictures. Sounds like creepy good fun!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Actually it wasn't too bad. A lot of cobwebs, but it was daylight, so not too spooky.
Karen Lange says
Of course you are brave! Will check out the petition. This is the first I'd heard of it. (Yes, been living under a rock this summer.:)
Have a great week!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Summer is always a good time to hide under rocks. Glad you came out and signed.
Jemi Fraser says
Love the pics!!
Signed!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hurray! Another name on the list.
DEZMOND says
wouldn't it be fun if we could talk with spirits and ghosts like mediums?
C. Lee McKenzie says
I thought you did? Come on. Fess up. How else do you get the scoop on all that's going on in Hollywood and TVland? You're channeling Kirk Douglas, aren't you?
Mark Noce says
Beautiful places…just so long as you don't sleep there;)
C. Lee McKenzie says
Last place I'll sleep overnight.
Sharon Marie Himsl says
Great Selfie, Lee…..and yes, I signed the petition. Thanks for letting us know. I'm really bothered by Google's intrusiveness.
C. Lee McKenzie says
My selfies are usually a fail, but this ghostly one isn't bad, is it?
Thanks for signing, Sharon.
Lexa Cain says
That really is spooky about the mist-covered selfie. It was a ghost photo-bomb!!
I'm afraid that as long as our culture gets more and more materialistic, Amazon will win and write their own ticket. No great number of authors have seriously left them – because they all want money too. We all do. But it's their game so you play by their rules. I can't get on Amazon, and I really want to – because although they're unfair, that's where 75% of book buyers go to buy their books. Amazon built a better mousetrap and the customers know it. So if you're not on Amazon you're SOL.
Have a great week, Lee! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I hear what you're saying. But we can't just lie down and let the steam roller flatten us. At least we can speak our minds. A lot can be accomplished by many pushing together.
Patricia Lynne says
Glad you made it out alive.Whew!
I did sign the petition.
C. Lee McKenzie says
They don't cast writers into the pit. They just torture them with tickling. Great the you signed. 🙂
Elizabeth Varadan, Author says
That was a great news episode. Spooky indeed. Does this castle figure in your WIP? If so, what great research. I'll check out the petition.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Maybe in a future story. It has tons of possible tales, doesn't it?
Bish Denham says
I want to know how THEY know the Druids believed the land where the castle is, was sacred and that they summoned an elemental? We know so little about the Druids and this is a rather specific statement. I would have gone up there with you without question. The haze around you is spooky-neat.
I've signed the petition.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Next time I'm calling you, Bish. As to the Druid knowledge, I'm sure there's a lot of hype to get people's attention. When all else fails, make stuff up. 🙂
Great that you signed.
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Yes, you were/are brave. And that mist could very well be the aura of a ghost. Did you feel a chill? I attended a paranormal convention one time and they showed pictures of ghosts the different people had seen and they looked very much like your picture.
I'll take a look at the petition.
Have a great week.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh dear. I was surrounded by spirits? Now I'll bad dreams for a while.
Hope you'll sign, too. It's not right for Amazon to control who can review.
Angela Brown says
Hmmm…I agree that a little warning would've been nice.But, I have to admit, his "mums the word" reaction really added to the spook factor.
I like that quote and I'll check out the petition.
C. Lee McKenzie says
The more I think about his not telling me about those ghosts, the more I wonder about it.
Hope you'll sign.
Misha Gericke says
Creepy that something affected your photo!
Elementals are scary. I saw an episode of Ghost Hunters that was shot at Leap and it freaked me out.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'd love to see that episode. I'm wondering what it's like sleeping in that place.
L. Diane Wolfe says
It was trying to gobble you.
I love that picture of the mossy tree.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You should take your camera to Ireland. You'd have the best pictures.
Natalie Aguirre says
Glad you didn't get gobbled up. Sounds like such a fun adventure.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm thinking I was lucky.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I wonder why he didn't tell you about the spirits?
I signed the petition!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm thinking of writing and asking him. I'm curious. Great that you signed.