About Wendy Schardein

Wife, mother, novelist, editor, bad artist, New Agey type, and closet vampire who lives in a messy, happy house with my husband and three big dogs. You can find me on most social media sites as Whisper292.

Chinese Fire Drill and Creepy Theme Park Book

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. The hubby and I saw the kids on Saturday and fun was had by all. Since then, we have done mostly nothing. We both have injuries, so we’re trying to convalesce as well as we can. He’s doing a great job, but I can’t sit still for five minutes.

There is still a lot of stuff to be done on the house, plus I keep changing things as I go. Hubby says I employ the “Chinese Fire Drill” method of decorating. My writing and art are that way, too. Insert eyeroll here. For those who don’t know, a Chinese fire drill is when you stop at a red light and everyone in the car gets out and runs around it, then gets back into the car a different seat. It’s a really goofy prank, but it’s actually kind of hilarious.

That said, I have made a decision to change my Whisper Tarot cards. Again. I went for photorealistic, and honestly, some of them are kind of blah. So I’ll see what I can do to make them a little more mystical. I’m not taking them down like I did the other set, but I will take them down as I put up new ones.

Before I forget, I have a book recommendation: Fantasticland, by Mike Bockoven. It looks back on the events of a fictional Florida theme park after they’re cut off from the rest of the world as a result of a major hurricane. It’s low on the searing but high on the violence, blood, and gore. Be warned. I would recommend listening to the audiobook if you can, but the narration is fantastic (no pun intended).

That’s all for me. Have a happy New Year, and hopefully I’ll visit and post more.

What I’m doing:
Watching: Wednesday, Attack on Titan
Eating: Light (I restarted Noom)
Drinking: Red Mush (it’s actually Fruit Punch Powerade Zero)
Listening to: an eclectic mix, as always
Reading: The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

Moon Deck 24 Sketch

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I’ve been learning to draw, and while most of my work looks like crap, I do one occasionally that I really like. This is from an oracle deck called the Moon Deck. The card is No. 24, I love Myself Completely and Unconditionally. I hope you enjoy.

Across the Pond

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Are things really that different on the other side of the Atlantic?

Yup.

I found a great channel on YouTube called Lost in the Pond. Lawrence has lots of videos covering memos between the U.S. and Britain that seem to have gotten lost in the pond. Check it out.

Horror Writing Prompt: Morse Code

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PROMPT: YOU’VE NEVER FELT THE SAME AFTER LEARNING MORSE CODE. THE RAIN KEEPS TELLING YOU TO RUN.

My response. I would love to see your all’s responses in the comments (no judgments on “your all’s,” please. I’m from Kentucky, and here it’s a totally valid phrase.).

TRIGGER WARNING: SENSITIVE CONTENT

I was conscripted into the military. We all were, really. The unit I was assigned to was being prepared for infiltration behind enemy lines, and I learned their languages. One of those languages I learned was a system of dashes and dots they called Morse Code, after the man who invented it. And it changed my life forever.

Ever since I learned it, I’ve heard messages in places that made no sense. The rain tells me to run.

.-. ..- -.

The treads of a tank rolling by tell me to hide.

…. .. -.. .

The drums played at a nearby temple tell me time is running out.

– .. — . / .. … / .-. ..- -. -. .. -. –. / — ..- –

Even the anchor chain of a ship in the harbor says to get away.

–. . – / .- .– .- -.–

This morning, as I look up to see two small planes flying over, a motorcycle goes by, and the engine growls that it’s too late.

– — — / .-.. .- – .

My world is suddenly filled with blinding light. When my vision clears, I see a strange cloud rising over Hiroshima. A blast of hurricane-force wind slams into me, and then I feel nothing at all.

I should have listened.