The Victorian Era is Not Dead...

...it's alive in a coffin in the dungeon!!!

On this day, 26 May, 1897, Bram Stoker's "Dracula" was published.

The celebrated book is of cultural importance; critics have inevitably classed Dracula as a genre novel but it falls into so many of their categories – vampire literature, horror fiction, gothic novel, invasion literature, crime, mystery, the supernatural – that categorisation is problematic. 

It is much more than that – a fine novel, dealing with Victorian sexuality, British culture, and more, and, moreover, it is a significant addition to the novel genre in its own right.

And...there are some fun memes for your enjoyment too!

🦇🦇🦇

If you have not read the actual Dracula novel, I highly recommend it; it's surprisingly fresh for a book written during what is thought of as a very repressed time in our history.

For those who want to have some fun with it, please consider Laurie R. King's "Castle Shade", when Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell assist the Queen of Romania to solve dark doings at Bran Castle.

Wild Walk

Although walking in my neighborhood is good exercise, a work break, and a great time to listen to an audiobook, it's not without dangers!

A skunk, who was very nervous when I stopped to look for my boyfriend Old Guy.
I backed away quickly; didn't want that skunk running toward me!
Old Guy was non-nonplussed.
Scary!

The gang...er, um...gaggle of Canada Geese made me walk all of the way around them, so they wouldn't rough me up.
Frightening!

Frozen kitty sniffs at frozen pup.
Last weekend was an ice-carving festival in town.
Freezing!

Sly: "Halt!  Who goes there?"
Me: "Sly, it's me, the lady who walks by daily."
Sly: "You cannot pass, not without the password!"
Me: "Um...how 'bout I give you some scritches?"
Sly: "That'll do!"
Bribery!

Yep, it can be dangerous in my 'hood!