Mom’s ready for tonight. She has her costume complete. She even went and got her a pedicure. She’s ready for the big time.
Are you going out tonight? Are you dressing up? Do tell – I need details my friend.
Us – we will probably visit Nana up the street and perhaps the neighbors. Then it’s back to the Haunted Hotel Thompson – snorts. That’s where we will pop some corn, watch some scary movies and then shake/shiver together in fright.
Whatever you do, ya’ll be careful tonight and have some fun!
I gotta share a picture from mom/dad’s trip to Australia. One morning, mom/dad and Fozziemom/Fozziedad were staying at the Oscars on the Yarra in the Yarra Valley – beautiful place! Magnificent suite with two bedrooms, a common room, kitchenette and a back deck. So breathtaking! Well mom sleeps with a fan on for white noise sound. The next morning, mom wakes up and sees the next to her on the bed. OMP – wouldn’t you have squealed with piggy fright? Yep, that’s dad all bundled up like Casper. Shaking my head snorting – those peeps of mine. Just wait until I tell you more about their trip.
And years ago, mom made a movie about all of us anipals here at the Hotel Thompson for Halloween. I thought I would share with you again. Have fun – don’t be too scared – snorts and oinks. Make sure you watch until the end to see who is the most afraid here at the Hotel Thompson.
Dear Bacon – We heard about your mission in life on becoming a Super Hero and wanting a cape. I think me and my brother will start a petition for you. With enough signatures, I think we can get your mom to get you at least dressed for the occasion. Super hero powers are something that you are born with. We’ve read enough of your blog to know that with enough thrust, you can fly. So, you’re half way there our friend. Signed Batdog and Robin
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Dear Batdog and Robin – Thanks my friends! Ya’ll look totally awesome in your outfits. I am so working on mom for my cape. I could use all of the help I can get!
Dear Bacon – Don’t believe everything you read. Having a cape isn’t always the best thing in the world. My humans make me wear this cape and then make me sit in the corner. Why? Ask me why piggy? Because I got so excited with my cape that I might have tinkled on the carpet. What did they expect? So, they sat me in the corner with my cape on for time out. How embarrassing! Take it from me little guy. Don’t whizzle with excitement. Signed Super Tinkle
Dear Super Tinkle – I’m so sorry my friend. That look on your face says everything. At least they could have removed your cape before putting you in time out. What super hero gets put in time out? Having a cape is exciting. I really can’t tell how I will act. But, thanks for the heads up to contain myself – whizzle and all.
Dear Bacon – Be very specific in what you ask for in a cape. I too always wanted one. I just should have been a little more specific in the details. You know like, nothing over my head. Save that material to cover my goodies. I mean really. What super hero is out there with his goodies showing? I feel like a pervedog. Help. Signed Spider Perve
Dear Spider Perve – WOW – thank you so much my little friend. I really never thought about specifics in my cape. You are so right. I really need to be detailed on what I want in a cape. Okay – nothing on the piggy head but covering the bottom half – got it. Yeah, you are so right my friend!
Dear Bacon – Okay, I like turtles and I play with them in my back yard. Yes, I wanted to be a Super Hero. Where in the world did I go wrong with my parents? Why would they dress me like a TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle) and think that was what I wanted in my Super Hero outfit? Really? Learn from me pal, have an open conversation with your humans. Signed Turtle Dog
Dear Turtle Dog – Does it help that you look cute and adorable? Okay, maybe that doesn’t help but you do. Personally, I wouldn’t go for the mask but at least your goodies are covered – snorts. And hey, the shell on your back could be a good thing. Just think if you fall, you have the comfort of some padding. I do appreciate the heads up my friend.
Dear Bacon – Just remember, Super Hero’s come in all shapes and sizes – not just dogs and cats. We can ALL be a Super Hero in some fashion. My humans got it right in my cape. It actually gives me just a tad bit of room to grow in. It’s so roomy that I can move. That’s important when you are doing your ninja kicks. I hope you get your cape soon my friend. Fly with Confidence! Signed Super Piggy
Dear Super Piggy – Thanks my friend. You are so full of confidence and that really inspires me. It reminds me of an old saying that my mommy says all of the time, “Bloom where you are planted.” I guess that could mean us anipals as well, huh? Keep up the great work my little Super Hero. Hope to see you flying in the skies soon.
Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.
Together we can do this!
Sunday, October 22, 2017 – It’s getting kind of hard to move now but I’m still treading along. It’s amazing to look back and see how much I was walking and feeling great vs now without my RA meds. They really were working! Soon after surgery I can take them again which I’m really looking forward to at this moment! Miles Moved: 0.98
Monday, October 23, 2017 – Mission accomplished. Today I wanted to finish my Australia pictures and get them made into photo books. I did it! Of course, it took two books – LOL. There were so many wonderful memories to make. Don’t worry – I will be sharing them with everyone in the next couple of months. Miles Moved: 0.74
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 – Trying to get a headstart on my end of the month/beginning of the month accounting at work. I want to make sure everything rolls and is good to go starting 4th quarter before my surgery. I will be out of work for a total of 12 days, including the weekends. I then go back to work for 3 days (the week of Thanksgiving) and then I’m out again for another 4 days. I think this is completely doable with my surgery and my doctor agrees since basically I have a sit down job. Keep your fingers crossed for me ❤ Miles Moved: 1.02
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 – Do you ever have days you wake up and just want to snuggle back down for another couple of months – LOL? That was all of us this morning in the king size bed. It’s starting to get a little cold in the air now – YAY! Just enough cold in the house that we were all heated by each other and was all comfy. I could have slept for another couple of hours for sure. But I got up and went out to work. Yay me. I get extra points for that, right? Miles Moved: 0.74
Thursday, October 26, 2017 – Paperwork – it’s going to kill me. I’ve accepted that. Started going through my personal spreadsheet that I keep up with for taxes. Yep, I’m anal like that – it’s the nerd in me. Better to start it now than to wait until the last moment. Miles Moved: 1.44
Friday, October 27, 2017 – Looking forward to another long weekend – only one more weekend after this one before surgery. We are going to run a few errands but other than that, rest is on the menu. Miles Moved: 1.40
Saturday, October 28, 2017 – Do you ever think about how much heat your anipals put out? And how hot their little tummies are? It just brings a smile to my face thinking of them. Especially when they are all snuggled up to you sleeping, tummy exposed without a worry in the world. Safe and content. Exactly how they should be. Miles Moved: 1.59
Thoughts for the week: As I said last week, no more videos this week about the upcoming surgery – LOL. I’m trying my best not to even think about it and to focus on family and friends right now. The more I do that, the better off I am. If I think about it too much, I get a little freaked out and anxiety peeks into my life. I’m trying. Next week 11/2/2017, is my pre-op. Keep my fingers crossed dear friends. I appreciate all of your love, advice and good thoughts sent my way. ❤
This week walked: 7.91
TOTAL 2017 Miles: 503.22 (I could have walked from Atlanta, Georgia to Gainsville, Florida)
Oh my friends. This tale today is scary unbelievable. It makes you want to do a double take… and possibly a triple take. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. You see working on my 31 Days of Spook takes month of advance preparation. All year long, I’m looking for just the right stories to bring to you. Stories of the macabre, ghosts, strange tales, paranormal and things that go bump in the night. But this story, it caught my attention and I’ve been waiting for some time to share it.
This is something that is strange. It takes place in Chihuahua, Mexico. There’s a well known bridal shop in the town called La Popular. In the bridal shop, there is a mannequin nicknamed La Pascualita that is wearing a wedding dress in the store window. Sounds all innocent enough, right? Well here’s the twist. Some say that La Pascualita might be real. Do I have your interest piqued now?
You see, for the past 75 years this bridal shop has had rumors flying around about La Pascualita. Some believe that this mannequin is actually a perfectly preserved corpse!
La Pascualita was placed in the window on March 25, 1930. Locals saw it and knew that something just wasn’t right about it. Look at the pictures to the left. Do you know notice anything odd?
According to the legend, La Popular’s owner Pascuala Esparza had a daughter. His daughter tragically passed away on her wedding day from the bite of a black widow spider. Some believe that Esparza had his daughter embalmed and that she is now the famous La Pascualita in the shop window. Of course Esparza has denied such rumors.
Funny thing though – if La Pascualita isn’t Esparza’s daughter why all the secrecy. What secrecy you ask? Well, of all of the employees of the shop there are only two that are allowed to change her clothing and that is only behind a closed door.
Other employees of the shop so that La Pascualita’s hands are very realistic and some say you can even see wrinkles and varicose veins on her legs. Other employees say they come into the shop in the early mornings only to see that La Pascualita has changed positions on her own. And then there are other employees that say La Pascualita ‘watches’ them during the day.
You be the judge. What do you think?
Story courtesy of Greg Newkirk with Roadtrippers and Pictures from Pinterest
Squeals with piggy delight. My friends I have scored the ultimate story for your today. Mommy has helped me to get in touch with Mr. Dave Schrader. If you know anything about the paranormal field, you will recognize the name. Dave Schrader does a talk show where he is the host and producer of Darkness Radio. If you haven’t heard of his show, you *must* check it out for chills and thrills. Dave Schrader has also been seen on television with Zak Bagans on Ghost Adventures, co-hosted the show Paranormal Challenge with Zak Bagans and has made contributions to Ghost Hunters TAPS ParaMagazine. Dave Schrader currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
We are VERY excited to present a story from Dave Schrader today. Now, settle back and enjoy my friends!
It was August of 2005 and our radio show was entering its 8th month on the air when I received an invitation to be a part of a psychic and shamanic exploration at Thayer’s Bed and Breakfast in Annandale, MN. Since I have no psychic bones in my body, I thought I would check it out and see if I could learn something new and tap into some psy experience for myself. I would be surrounded in a peaceful environment with mediums, psychics and shamans at a well known haunted location. This might be my best chance yet to witness some interesting phenomena.
I say quietly watching people mill about, discussing what they were picking up on, what spirits they sensed and generally soaking in the atmosphere. During my observation, the resident cat – a large fluffy white beastie – decided I was its new friend and would not leave my side, lap or feet. It stuck to me like I was made of tuna. I stroked the cat like an evil Bond villain as I sat and watched a fascinating scene unfold before me of shared experiences, giddy claims of ghostly presence and some chilling moments as part of the group relayed a story about the creepy man on the top floor that leapt to the wall and skittered up and across the ceiling like a Victorian Spider-Man.
Next came an extraordinary experiment. We were all going to tap into ourselves, meet our spirit guides and do a Shamanic journey. We laid upon the ground, spread eagle and not touching ourselves or others nearby while Hanakia Zedek gently beat a drum to some soothing music and in his deep voice guided us to a meditative trance. By this time, the room lights had been dimmed and the room had been cleared of all cats, kids and other distractions. We were to just BE in the moment and experience the darkness, the music and open ourselves to contact with our totem, spirit guides or loved ones.
As I lay trying to quiet my mind and the senseless chatter that usually clutters it, I found myself getting more restless, unable to attain the nirvana our leader wanted us to achieve. That was when my furry friend found his way back to my side. He would nuzzle my hip and flop on my hand seeking affection and attention. I would pet him for a few seconds than push him away so I could try to slip into a deep meditation, but my kitty companion wasn’t having it. He kept purring, nuzzling and pushing against me.
After 20 minutes or so all with my eyes closed, I finally relented and began giving him the love he craved. My hands scratching the deep fur bringing about even more purrs and nuzzles. I began to wonder how much longer this foray into futility would continue with our Shamanic leader. Obviously I was not going tobecome more enlightened or have a profound moment. I opened my eyes and glanced down to see which cat was so desperately in need of my attention. My eyes widened, my hand stopped mid scratch and I froze. I could feel the cat purring, pushing against my leg and hand simultaneously but to my utter amazement, there was no cat there.
I paused assuming my eyes were playing tricks on me and that they had just not adjusted properly to the low light setting. I closed them tightly, drew in a deep breath and began digging deep into the fur of phantom friend once more. I opened my eyes a second time and there was my hand, hovering mid-air, stroking….emptiness. There was no cat to bee seen, but I could feel and hear it. Within moments, the drumming stopped and the lights began to lift as they adjusted the dimmer switch, our journey to the ether-world was at an end yet here I was stroking an imaginary cat.
The crowd milled about in a semi comatose state. My brain raced trying to make sense of what had just happened to me. I was afraid to speak up for fear of looking like a fool despite the wild claims I had heard from other experiencers all night long. Then I heard the group begin to discuss their personal reflections of the drumming and meditation when one of the people spoke up and said, “How about the ghost cat?” Many in the group admitted to seeing a ghostly cat all night long checking us out and stalking the room. Still I stood silent.
“He was sure curious about what we were doing. I heard the owner say her favorite cat passed away a few weeks back, its nice to know he still calls this home.:” I was astounded, did I just spend 30 minutes petting a specter? I don’t even like cats I thought to myself, why did he mess with me?
The crowd dispersed and a few days later I got an email from a girl that also attended the event. She had laid to my immediate right and she informed me she knew I had an experience and she had been petting that same cat all night. We had been ping ponging the cat between us for the evening when we would try to focus on the guided meditation and brush it off, it would move to the other one of us. That was one of the first truly amazing experiences I ever had that was more than a fleeting moment that could easily be explained away and I will cherish that forever.
– Dave Schrader
Friends – we hope you enjoyed our special guest today. We would also like to throw a great huge THANK YOU to Dave Schrader for taking time to share his story. You rock!!
Hello my friends. Hope all is doing well from my 31 Days of Spook and that you had a restful weekend. Mom had a really special weekend planned for daddy. She told him to be ready to go in 15 minutes, she loaded up Albert her Smart car and they were off.
We anipals here thought they would be gone overnight. But no, they were back probably in a couple of hours. We couldn’t understand why.
That’s when daddy showed us this picture. Gulps. Enough said daddy. He said that once they pulled up and saw this sign, for some reason he just felt like coming back home to us anipals. Dad said that people were dying to get into this place – snorts.
Barks! Greetings my sweet friends. You know I’m getting ready for Halloween here – fun times at the Hotel Thompson. And yes, you get to see my costume before everyone else does. What do you think? I back the boys in blue and stand behind them. Call me Patrol Officer H. Thompson – sounds official huh? I’m thinking of wearing this to mom’s work with her on Halloween. Should be fun. They already call me her office mascot – barks with puppy laughter.
And check it out – I have handcuffs, a baton and a hat. I’m in official attire in my dress blues. Would you want me to frisk and arrest you? I’ve gotta get more training on reading the Miranda rights though. Mom says lots of humans don’t speak anipal. How do they live, right?
So now I leave you with my Jokes with Dad in his last Halloween joke – did you like them and the way he ‘dressed’ for the occasion? We saved the best for last – barks! He’s such a diva!
Today, October 27th, is Frankenstein Friday – booyah! Frankenstein Friday is always the last Friday in October. It’s a day to celebrate the birth of Frankenstein and its creator.
Frankenstein is one of the best known characters from horror movies and dates back to the 1800’s. Frankenstein was born and created in 1818 by Mary Wollenstonecraft Shelley at the age of 21 when she wrote the ever famous Frankenstein. Can you imagine being so young and creating a character that would last forever?!
Do you know where the origin of this day came from? Today was created by Ron MacCloskey from Westfield, New Jersey in 1997. He picked a Friday to celebrate so more people could participate.
Have you heard of Westfield, New Jersey before? Does that sound familiar? Well, Westfield, New Jersey is also the hometown of Charles Addams, the New York Times magazine cartoonist who created The Addams Family. Small world huh?
Miniature pot bellied pig and friends - Bacon, Houdini, Hemi and all of the Rock Clan with Journalist Rocky the Squirrel all out looking for adventures from the Hotel Thompson.
Just remember, Super Hero’s come in all shapes and sizes – not just dogs and cats. We can ALL be a Super Hero in some fashion. My humans got it right in my cape. It actually gives me just a tad bit of room to grow in. It’s so roomy that I can move. That’s important when you are doing your ninja kicks. I hope you get your cape soon my friend. Fly with Confidence! Signed Super Piggy
Oh my friends. This tale today is scary unbelievable. It makes you want to do a double take… and possibly a triple take. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. You see working on my 31 Days of Spook takes month of advance preparation. All year long, I’m looking for just the right stories to bring to you. Stories of the macabre, ghosts, strange tales, paranormal and things that go bump in the night. But this story, it caught my attention and I’ve been waiting for some time to share it.
Piglove 