Category Archives: Supernatural

Are Aliens Really Coming For Us?

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A disc‑shaped UFO with glowing blue lights hovers in a dark, starry sky, casting a bright beam onto the mist below.

UFOs on Dusty Roads: From Roswell to the Berkshires

The Western Stories We All Know

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Aliens and UFOs, my mind goes straight to the wide‑open western states. It all started with the Roswell incident in 1947 in New Mexico. Then came the Socorro sighting in 1964 — the one many consider the keystone case because of the credibility of the witness. Police officer Lonnie Zamora described an egg‑shaped craft and two small beings, and his steady demeanor has kept that story alive for decades.

Even now, so much UFO lore clings to the Southwest. When I visited Sedona, I heard plenty of stories. I didn’t see anything myself, but the talk was everywhere. And of course, we have the popularity of The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch and the two‑part Destination X deep dive into the high strangeness of the Uintah Basin.

New England’s Surprising UFO Legacy

But New England has its own UFO history — and it’s a lot richer than people realize.

Probably the most famous case is the 1961 abduction of Betty and Barney Hill. Imagine my surprise when I came across the sign marking the location of their encounter just outside Lincoln, New Hampshire.

Massachusetts has more than its share of sightings too, especially in the Bridgewater Triangle and the Freetown State Forest. But even I was caught off guard when I learned about the Berkshire UFO incident in 1969 in Sheffield, MA. This wasn’t just a sighting — it was an abduction.

The Berkshire Encounter That Shocked Massachusetts

On the night of September 1, 1969, Thom Reed and his family were driving across the Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge when a brilliant light filled the sky. The Reeds later said the light felt focused on them, and their next memories were disjointed: being taken from their car, finding themselves inside a huge hangar‑like space, and experiencing strange sensations and lost time. The details were hazy, but the family was eventually back in their station wagon, unharmed and with no explanation for the missing minutes.

A Monument to the Unexplained

The account gained so much traction locally that the Great Barrington Historical Society formally recognized the Reed family’s experience as part of the region’s historical record. In 2015, Sheffield even opened the Thom Reed UFO Monument Park at the site, complete with plaques — including one donated by the team behind Ancient Aliens — commemorating the event.

Sightings Close to Home

And the sightings haven’t stopped. As recently as 2025, reports have come in from Taunton, North Attleboro, Avon, Sudbury, and Pembroke. Massachusetts has logged more than 2,000 UFO sightings overall.

So… Are We Alone Out Here?

So… do you believe in aliens?

As I’ve gotten older, my feelings have definitely shifted. I went from a dedicated Trekkie who loved the idea of boldly going where no one had gone before… to a slightly more nervous observer. These days, I find myself leaning toward Stephen Hawking’s view: intelligent life almost certainly exists somewhere out there — but maybe we shouldn’t be in a rush to make contact. After all, first contact didn’t work out so well for the Native Americans when Columbus arrived in the New World.

What do you think — are we alone out here on these dusty roads, or not?

Banner, Balboa, and the Curse of the 13th

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Friday the 13th Musings — February & March Edition

It’s the first Friday the 13th of 2026. The month is February. So far it’s been quiet and no major issues. This is the first of three Friday the 13ths this year, which makes it a very special year — or at least a very interesting one.

Peace reign in the home as Banner and Balboa cat nap

February

The universe behaved.
The cats behaved.
Even the weather behaved.

Suspicious, in hindsight.

And then, on February 23rd, Mother Nature apparently remembered she had a reputation to uphold. She dumped a heavy, wet, back‑breaking load of snow on New England and buried us all. A Friday‑the‑13th vibe… just arriving fashionably late.

The dig out begins following the blizzard of 26

March

March didn’t bother with subtlety. It wasn’t even Friday the 13th yet when I woke up to no service on my cell phone. I’d been hacked. Again. These things happen — I shared the whole sad tale in my March 11 post — but apparently March was just laying the groundwork.

Then came Thursday, March 12, when the cats decided to contribute their own brand of “help.”

Banner makes his get away

First, Banner strolled over and hit the delete key at the exact, precise, worst possible moment of a data transfer. I took that as a sign to step away and wait for a quieter, cat‑free moment.

He claims he was framed.

But Balboa had other plans. He emerged from his afternoon nap full of energy and mischief, and in short order he destroyed four — or was it five — mice.
Not the fuzzy, long‑tailed kind.
The kind I actually need to use with my computer.

By the time he was done, I had a small graveyard of plastic mouse parts and one very proud panther‑cat.

Friday the 13th

And then came the big day.

Friday the 13th started quietly enough. We even managed to wrestle Instagram into submission — successfully, I might add — which should have been my first clue that the universe was saving its energy for something else.

Feeling productive, I decided to make a quick grocery run. Lasagna was on the menu for Saturday, and I needed ricotta cheese. While I was there, I grabbed a couple of small extras. Total bill: $19.00.

Until my card was declined.

I had checked my balance before leaving the house. Plenty of money. No reason for drama. Yet there I was, standing at the Hannaford checkout with a perfectly good grocery order and a very uncooperative debit card.

Since I had to drive right past the bank on my way home, I stopped in. And that’s where the real Friday‑the‑13th twist revealed itself:
the bank had accidentally printed — or attempted to print — two replacement cards when mine was hacked. So they canceled the one I was using. The one in my wallet. The one I had just tried to use to buy ricotta.

Which means, of course, that I now get to go through all my auto‑payments and update the card number… again.

Two Down, One to Go

So that’s February and March. A quiet start, a snow ambush, a hacked phone, feline sabotage, and a bank‑card fiasco — all before we even reach the halfway point of this “special” year.

We’ll see what November brings.
Stay tuned… the calendar isn’t done with us yet.

 

Magical Thinking and Affirmations ✨

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Turkey Dreams and Wishful Thinking

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving—full plates, full hearts, and maybe a nap so deep you dreamed of winning the lottery or finally mastering sourdough bread. Holidays have a funny way of stirring up gratitude and imagination. And sometimes, those dreamy thoughts feel like little sparks of possibility.

Be Careful What You Wish For

We’ve all heard the saying, “Be careful what you wish for.” It’s not just a cautionary tale—it’s practically a cosmic rulebook. Witches, for example, believe that any spell cast (good or bad) comes back threefold to the caster. So if you’re going to send energy out into the universe, make it good, make it kind, and maybe make it sparkly. After all, who wouldn’t want three times the joy instead of three times the chaos?

The Law of Attraction (With a Wink)

The law of attraction is basically the universe’s version of a mirror: what you focus on, you get more of. Think of it like ordering from a cosmic menu. If you keep saying, “I’m stressed, I’m broke, I’m unlucky,” the universe hears, “Ah yes, one extra-large serving of stress with a side of bad luck, coming right up!” But if you focus on abundance, gratitude, and possibility, suddenly the menu shifts to health, wealth, and happiness specials.

Affirmations: Your Daily Spells

Affirmations are like mini incantations. Say them often, say them with conviction, and watch how they shape your mindset. Try lines like:

  • “I attract opportunities that make me shine.”
  • “I am worthy of abundance and joy.”
  • “Good things return to me threefold.”

Pair those affirmations with visualization—picture your goals as vividly as you can. It’s like sketching out your dream life in neon colors.

Action: The Secret Ingredient

Here’s the catch: magical thinking isn’t just about daydreaming. You’ve got to stir the cauldron yourself. Take consistent action—learn the skill, chase the opportunity, send the email. The universe loves a co-creator.

Final Spark

So as we move from Thanksgiving into the season of twinkling lights and new beginnings, remember: your thoughts are spells, your affirmations are charms, and your actions are the wand that makes it all real. Cast wisely, cast joyfully, and may your blessings always return threefold.

 

 

Desert Wings & Coal Mine Shadows

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More Creepy Cryptids

Have you heard of the Van Meter Monster? Another flying menace. Is it similar to The Tombstone Thunderbird is Arizona? Could they be the same creature? 

🦅  The Tombstone Thunderbird vs. The Van Meter Monster

In the dusty pages of American folklore, two winged beasts flap their way into legend: the Tombstone Thunderbird of Arizona and the Van Meter Monster of Iowa. Though separated by over a thousand miles and a decade in time, both creatures share eerie traits—massive wings, bulletproof hides, and a knack for vanishing into myth. Let’s dive into their stories and explore what makes each cryptid so captivating.

🌵 The Tombstone Thunderbird: Wild West Wonder

Date: April 26, 1890
Location: Tombstone, Arizona
Witnesses: Cowboys and prospectors
Legend: A giant bird—possibly featherless, with leathery wings like a pterodactyl—was allegedly shot down by six men and displayed against a barn wall. Its wingspan? Said to be 160 feet. The photo of this event? Never found, yet many swear they’ve seen it in old magazines.

In 1886, the Tombstone Epitaph (Arizona) published a ...

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Sensory Snapshot: Imagine the dry desert wind, the scent of gunpowder, and the awe of seeing a creature larger than a blue whale sprawled across a barn. The tale is stitched with Old West bravado and a hint of false memory syndrome—where vivid imaginations conjure images never truly seen.

🕳️ The Van Meter Monster: Coal Mine Cryptid

Date: September 29–October 3, 1903
Location: Van Meter, Iowa
Witnesses: Town doctor, banker, teacher, and other respected locals
Legend: A nine-foot-tall creature with bat-like wings, a glowing horn, and a sulfurous stench terrorized the town for several nights. Bullets bounced off it, and it emitted blinding light. Eventually, two creatures were spotted near an abandoned coal mine and sealed inside.

The Van Meter Visitor Greeting Card

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Sensory Snapshot: Picture a quiet Midwestern town jolted awake by beams of unnatural light, the acrid smell of sulfur hanging in the air, and the thud of shotgun blasts echoing through the night. The Van Meter Monster feels more alien than avian—part devil, part dragon, part mystery.

🔍 Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Tombstone Thunderbird Van Meter Monster
Wingspan Claimed 160 feet (likely exaggerated) Large bat-like wings
Appearance Pterodactyl-like, featherless Half-human, glowing horn, red eyes
Bulletproof? Allegedly shot and killed Immune to bullets
Smell Not mentioned Overwhelming sulfur stench
Setting Desert frontier Small-town coal mine
Legacy Photo legend persists Annual festival celebrates sightings

🧠 Folklore or False Memory?

Both legends thrive on the tension between belief and skepticism. The Tombstone Thunderbird’s tale is tangled in memory distortion—many claim to have seen a photo that likely never existed. The Van Meter Monster, meanwhile, boasts multiple eyewitnesses and consistent descriptions, yet no physical evidence remains.

🎪 Cryptid Culture Today

Van Meter hosts an annual festival celebrating its monster, complete with games, paranormal talks, and themed treats. Tombstone, ever the theatrical town, keeps its Thunderbird alive through ghost tours and Wild West reenactments. Both creatures have inspired books, podcasts, and cryptid merch—perfect for curious collectors or folklore fanatics.

Whether you’re drawn to the desert drama of Tombstone or the eerie glow of Van Meter’s visitor, these legends remind us that mystery thrives in the margins. They’re not just stories—they’re invitations to wonder.

 

🌑 The Black Cat Paradox

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🐾 Whiskers of Legend: Cats in Folklore and Myth

They slink through shadows, curl into sunbeams, and stare into souls with eyes that seem to remember something ancient. Cats have long held a place not just in our homes, but in our stories—woven into the myths and mysteries of cultures across the world. From divine protectors to spectral companions, here are some of the most enchanting legends surrounding our feline friends.

Balboa – Photo credit Deb Neumann

☘️ Nine Lives and Irish Luck

The idea that cats have nine lives is more than just a comforting cliché—it’s a whisper from the past. In Irish folklore, cats were believed to possess supernatural resilience. Some tales speak of the Cat Sídhe, a spectral black feline said to haunt the Scottish Highlands and Irish moors. It was no ordinary cat—it could steal souls before they passed to the otherworld, unless distracted by music or riddles.

The CAT NIGHTS begin! 🐱 A rather obscure old Irish legend said that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth time (August 17), she couldn’t regain her human form.

Perhaps this eerie ability to dance between worlds gave rise to the notion of nine lives: a creature too clever, too slippery, to be claimed by death just once.

🐱 Bastet: Egypt’s Divine Guardian

In ancient Egypt, cats weren’t just pets—they were sacred. Bastet, the feline goddess of home, fertility, and protection, was often depicted with the head of a lioness or domestic cat. Bastet guarded  households from evil spirits and disease, and her presence was so revered that harming a cat—even accidentally—was punishable by death. Egyptians believed cats had a spiritual connection to the divine, and their graceful movements were seen as echoes of Bastet’s own celestial dance.

242 Cat Goddess Bastet Stock Photos - Free & Royalty-Free ...

🧙‍♀️ Witches and Familiars

During Europe’s witch trials, cats—especially black ones—were cast in a darker light. They were said to be witches’ familiars, magical companions that aided in spellwork and mischief. Some believed witches could even transform into cats to roam unnoticed. This fear led to centuries of superstition, where a black cat crossing your path was considered a bad omen. Yet in other cultures, black cats were symbols of prosperity and protection. In Japan, they’re thought to bring good luck, especially to single women seeking love.

Black Cat Stare photo credit Deb Neumann

🌑 The Black Cat Paradox

Is the black cat a harbinger of doom or a guardian of fortune? It depends on where you ask. In Celtic lore, black cats were often seen as guardians of hidden treasure. In Scottish tradition, a strange black cat arriving at your doorstep was a sign of prosperity. But in medieval Europe, they were feared as agents of the devil. Today, black cats still straddle the line between superstition and affection—misunderstood, mysterious, and utterly magnetic.

 

 

 

Whether lounging in sunbeams or prowling through moonlight, cats remain creatures of contradiction—both wild and domestic, feared and adored. Their legends remind us that magic often wears whiskers and walks softly on velvet paws.

Have you ever had a cat that felt just a little too wise? Share your stories below—I’d love to hear about the feline folklore in your life. 🐾✨

 

 

Your Cat is proof that you are loved by forces beyond your understanding… (Edgar Cayce)

 

Blep- photo credit Deb Neumann