Cast of Big Finish's Bloodlust

Dark Shadows: Bloodlust

Some describe it as the town at the edge of the world. When Melody and Michael Devereux come to Collinsport on their honeymoon, they don't know the secrets that are hidden behind closed doors. But those secrets will be unearthed when an innocent is viciously murdered.

Collinsport will be a town divided. One woman's rise to power will lead to further death and destruction. Families will be ripped apart. Blood will be spilt.

... And the dark forces that wait in the shadows will wait no more.  For in Collinsport, death is never the end ...

Daisy Torme as Melody Devereux 

 Jeff Harding as Michael Devereux

 The Cunninghams - Matthew Waterhouse as Andrew, Scott Haran as Harry, and Stephanie Ellyne as Amy (Jennings) 

 

 Michael Shon as Tom "Tommy" Cunningham

Alexandra Donnachie as Jacqueline Tate and Walles Hamonde as Cody Hill

  Lara Parker as Angelique Bouchard, Andrew Collins as Barnabas Collins, and Kathryn Leigh Scott as Maggie Evans 

 David Selby as Quentin Collins and Jamison Selby as Ed Griffin

Marie Wallace as Jessica Griffin 

Jerry Lacy as Issiah Trask

 Asta Perry as Kate Ripperton 

Roger Carvalho as Benjamin "Frankie" Franklin

Alec Newman as David Collins

Lachele Carl as Rhonda Tate and Daniel Collard as Eric Hanley 

 

 Wallace McBride as Edgar McBride

         

Wayback Wednesday - Dark Shadows episode 16-20

Here is a summary of episodes 16 through 20:

Episode 16  Original Air Date: 07/18/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Roger emerges from the accident without serious injury, but is shaken by the experience.  He's lucky, the accident could have been worse. Elizabeth is not sure it was an accident. Elizabeth asks Matthew how he's been attending to Roger's car; Matthew jumps to the conclusion that Roger complained and says he hates him. He threatens to kill anyone who harms Elizabeth. Matthew says the brakes on Roger's car were checked two days ago, so they had to have been tampered with in order to cause Roger's accident. Carolyn attempts to get Burke to dance with her; Burke refuses. Burke decides to stop waiting for Roger; Carolyn invites him to the movie. Joe storms out after insulting Burke (who's really been quite passive in this). Burke and Carolyn go looking for Joe. Reporters hound Elizabeth because the Collins' are newsworthy. Victoria has to give Carolyn up when Elizabeth attempts to contact her at the movie house. Elizabeth is furious when she learns/realizes that Carolyn is chasing Burke. She finds out from the barkeep that Carolyn indeed left with Burke. Victoria breaks a dish; Elizabeth watches the clock.

Episode 17 Original Air Date: 07/19/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Elizabeth comforts David after he has a nightmare about Roger's car accident. Collins family employee and retainer Bill Malloy begins to suspect that Roger was the victim of foul play.

Merciless truth-devils haunt David in his dreams; the oddly-accented Dr. Reeves hopes Lucy Cameron doesn't have her baby early, so he can satisfy Bill Malloy’s desire to check the accident scene again (by nursing Roger while Bill is gone) before Bill has to take Roger home. Roger has to wear a cast for a day or two and tells Reeves that his brakes worked fine until he got ‘100 miles--100 miles, felt like 100 miles--100 feet’ up the Hill. Dr Reeves remembers the guy who died 10 years ago. David wants Elizabeth to recount his dream, which Elizabeth dismisses. Dr Reeves threatens to write a book about New England Secrets. Malloy tells Roger that his was not an accident. He explains the mechanics of bleeder valves and brakes. Roger wants to attack, kill, or in some other way confront Burke. Elizabeth gives David a history quiz (Isaac Collins landed in the area in 1690) and David asks her if she loved her father, who died over 20 years ago. David has been having nightmares about his father's death, but Elizabeth doesn't see the connection. After learning from Elizabeth that Victoria saw Burke near his car, Roger scolds Burke and resolves to grill the governess. Elizabeth talks to Bill about finding Carolyn. Roger plans to go to Victoria's room to interrogate her again. David lurks under the stairs.

Episode 18  Original Air Date: 07/20/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Learning Victoria saw Burke by his car, Roger takes her to Burke's room at the hotel to make a confrontation. Meanwhile, David harbours the bleeder valve taken from Roger's car.

A restless Victoria is awakened by Roger and summoned to the Drawing Room. David asks if Roger hurts and tells him he's sorry. Roger is cruel, but apologizes and says his arm hurts a bit, but is just sprained. David knows that someone fooled with the brakes and Roger tells him not to eavesdrop. He refuses to answer David's questions, and orders him to bed. David recants his apology and almost wishes his father dead. Victoria and David talk about David's statements and the accident. David asks what will happen if it wasn't an accident; Victoria tells him the person who did it would be found and tried. Victoria admits she'd tell if she knew who did it. David likens Victoria to Roger: They both want to send him away.

Episode 19  Original Air Date:  07/21/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift  

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Elizabeth continues to insist that Carolyn should not visit Burke again, adamant that he is attempting to destroy the Collins family. Bill Malloy attempts to learn more about Burke's motives.

Bill and Sam talk on and off about Carolyn and Burke. Sam immediately suspects Burke when Bill tells him about Roger's accident; Maggie is sick. Joe begins to suspect Carolyn's immature games. They go to Collinwood; Carolyn learns of Roger's accident and Joe is interrogated by Elizabeth. Elizabeth accuses Burke of murder to Joe; Roger is missing. Elizabeth repeats her accusation to Carolyn, who disbelieves it. Elizabeth tells her about the trial and orders her not to protect Burke, 'not even in her mind.'

Episode 20  Original Air Date: 07/22/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

 Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke
Timeline: 1966

Roger confronts Burke, accusing him outright of causing the accident and attempting to kill him. Victoria, however, is unimpressed by Roger's assumption of foul play on Burke's part.

Roger takes Victoria to the Collinsport Inn and tells her to wait for his call; Victoria and Sam talk in the lobby. Roger goes to Burke's room and accuses him of attempted murder.

Obama treason myths

Recently, I had someone post "mythical" acts  of treason committed by Obama. After trying to explain the facts, I was meet with sarcasm and name calling, so I decided to explore the facts for myself. This has been difficult because, although there are plenty of sites repeating these myths, no one has offered any sources for the information. So, I have spent much of the day reading rubbish people has posted regarding our President, trying to sort out the facts. Here is what I have found out about the first six myths posted by the National Writers Syndicate and other right wingers:

• Perpetrating acts of fraud, perjury and conspiracy in his refusal to confirm his lawful eligibility to serve as president under the U.S. Constitution Article II, Section 1, constituting impeachable offenses of high crimes and misdemeanors adumbrated in U.S.

The minimum qualifications for the presidency of the United States specified in Article II of the Constitution are few and seemingly straightforward: In order to be President, a person must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, must be at least thirty-five years old, and must have been a resident of the United States for fourteen years. The Fourteenth Amendment states that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." Since Hawaii is part of the United States, even if Barack Obama's parents were both non-U.S. citizens who hadn't even set foot in the country until just before he was born, he'd still qualify as a natural-born citizen. Snopes

• Surrendering sovereign U.S. war-making to foreign powers and international authorities by attacking Libya without consulting Congress, in violation of U.S. Constitution Article 1, Section 8 and U.S. Code Title 50, Chapter 33:1541-1548. 

 Under the Constitution, only Congress has the power to “declare war.” The president, however, has ample authority to use military force without a “declaration of war” where the anticipated U.S. engagement in hostilities is limited in its expected nature, scope and duration. Presidential administrations of both political parties have recognized a long tradition that supports this use of force. And Congress has acknowledged its legitimacy as well. Politico

• Accepting foreign title and office while acting as U.S. President and without consulting Congress when in 2009, Obama assumed the Chairmanship of the UN Security Council, the international body responsible for declaring war on behalf of the UN, in violation of U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 9.

Every month, the presidency of the Security Council rotates between the 15 member body, giving them the chance to set the agenda and lead meetings of the body. The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN Security Council does not declare war. They may issue ceasefire directives, dispatch military peacekeeping forces or offer collective military action. US Security Council

• Making bribery attempts in word and in deed, as Obama administration offered bribes to at least three Federal candidates for office: Joe Sestak, Andrew Romanoff and Jim Matheson, in violation of U.S. Code Title 18, Section 201.

 No credible report could be found on this myth.

• Defying a Federal Court Order by refusing to halt the unconstitutional implementation of the "Patient Healthcare and Affordable Care Act of 2010, popularly known as "ObamaCare", in violation of U.S. Constitution Article II, Section 3.

U.S. Constitution Article II, Section 3 pertains to the Executive Branch, State of the Union and Convening of Congress. The Supreme Court of the United States declared the entire Affordable Care Act, as a whole, is constitutional The only aspect of the Affordable Care Act found unconstitutional is the provision that allows the federal government to withhold federal funding for existing Medicaid programs from states that choose not to provide expanded coverage. Given that it was not necessary to strike down the entire Act in order to preclude the federal government from imposing such a sanction, the Court held that the remainder of the ACA is constitutional and remains in effect. SCOTUS

• Defying a Federal Court Order by refusing to grant lawful deep water drilling permits, in violation of U.S. Constitution Article II, Section 3, and Article III, Sections 1 & 2.

Again, Article II, Section 3 is reviewed above. in 2010, after the Deepwater Horizon mishap, there was a moratorium on drilling so safety measures could be implemented to prevent another accident. Newsweek  As reported in 2012, Federal regulators have issued the most permits for deep water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico since 2007. ThinkProgressive

I will resume my research tomorrow debunking more myths.

Spring bulbs are popping up

With the warm spring-like weather we have seen in the Bluegrass Region during December, it is not uncommon to have spring bulbs start popping up out of the ground.

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There are certain bulbs that will make an appearance in the fall as a normal and expected occurrence. Grape hyacinths do it, as well as most bulbs in the Allium family, including garlic. My granny used to tell me the plants were saying, "Don't dig here!'" as we would look for yet another place to put fall-planted bulbs.

Most of us would agree we have had very unusual weather here in the Bluegrass Region. In Kentucky, we had way too much rain in over the course of the spring, summer and fall.

The fall season was beautiful and it stayed warmer longer than usual. We got a nice amount of rain and the gardens perked up. Last week, during the Christmas holiday, it was 60+°F. While unpredictable weather is characteristic of the Bluegrass, this has been a strange year for weather.

No wonder our gardens are confused! With bulbs relying on temperatures to regulate their growth and blooming schedules, many of them just don't know whether to sleep or leap. The crocus are blooming and daffodils, tulips and garlic are up about two inches all over the gardens. Now I’m just going to let Mother Nature take over and protect these super producing bulbs and give me beautiful flowers in the spring.

Monday Musings - We Are Mortal

We Are Mortal

Driven by fear and desperation,
the hours tick by
as faint whispers of panic become louder,
a suspected truth unable to be seen.

A brewing storm buffets the angry spirits,
coming out of a dim past to pound against the walls
demanding attention.
Thunder echoes with the whine of rising wind,
emptiness seems alive with a fright and tension
that builds on a single terrifying fact –
We are mortal.

Moment by moment, a tight coil of tension,
drawn to the breaking point,
seems like years which have halted the flow of time;
rooted in the walls of hearts and souls.

A instant of quiet,
the unending chill of terror,
as the hand of death brushes close;
then moves away, stirring the musty air
with a touch filled with overwhelming scents of
anxiety and dread.
My time has not come.

Dark Shadows will return in 2016

Big Finish Productions is pleased to announce that Dark Shadows will be returning with new audio drama episodes in 2016 as part of the series’ official 50th Anniversary celebration.


Following the huge success of 2015’s supernatural murder mystery serial Dark Shadows: Bloodlust – which has been shortlisted for a BBC Audio Drama award – 2016 will see the release of two new projects to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the classic supernatural drama.

June 2016 will see the release of the Dark Shadows 50th Anniversary Special. This two-hour celebration will be written by Roy Gill and will see an old enemy return to a pivotal moment in the haunted history of the Collins family.

Then in Autumn 2016, terror will return to Collinsport in a brand-new 13-part serial - Dark Shadows: Bloodline. Written by Alan Flanagan, Will Howells, Aaron Lamont and Rob Morris, this mini-series will feature the return of the cursed Collins family, or at least those that survived the terrifying events of Dark Shadows: Bloodlust. As family and friends gather at the Collinwood estate for the wedding of David Collins and Amy Jennings, a new mystery starts to unfold…

Both the Dark Shadows 50th Anniversary Special and Dark Shadows: Bloodline will be produced by David Darlington and Joseph Lidster.

"Having produced the audio adventures of Dark Shadows for the past decade, I am delighted that Big Finish Productions will continue to chronicle the dark and mysterious tales of the inhabitants of Collinsport for at least another five years," says Big Finish Executive Producer Jason Haigh-Ellery.

Jim Pierson, who represents the estate of Dark Shadows creator Dan Curtis says: "It’s been a great thrill for the original Dark Shadows actors to return to the roles they made famous with these new audio episodes. I know that fans everywhere will be looking forward to more great stories of supernatural suspense with these wonderful characters and ominous adventures."

The Dark Shadows 50th Anniversary Special and can be pre-ordered today for just £14.99 on CD or £12.99 to download. And remember, when you choose to buy this release on CD directly from Big Finish, you will also unlock access to a digital copy for download on the day of release.

Pre-orders for Dark Shadows: Bloodline will open in the new year. More than fifty other Dark Shadows releases are currently available from the Big Finish website, including full cast audios, dramatic readings and two compilations of original music. Click here to start exploring the world of Colllinsport.

Yesterday

Yesterday

Yesterday was a wonderful day
For happy, smiling kids
Wrappings torn and ribbons tossed
A seas of toys did form

Yesterday was full of smells
That assaulted all my senses
Mom's yummy dressing, the candied yams
And a turkey fit for a king

Yesterday did shame my diet
For I couldn't stop at smells
Oyster casserole, fluffy potatoes
Had my tummy yelling out for more

Yesterday, although for kids
Did give us grownups joy
From textured ribbons and crinkly paper
Our fingers touched them all

Yesterday, that holy day
Gave pause for carols of old
From Once Upon a Midnight Clear
To the end of Silent Night

Yesterday comes but once a year
Though we hold it deep in our hearts
That special something all year 'round
Until Christmas comes again

Past Santa Traditions

Here are a few Christmas traditions I had when my children were little:

 
1.) Santa's kiss - I always kept a cheap tube of bright red lipstick in my medicine cabinet. Every Christmas Eve - after the kids were asleep - I would coat my lips with red and then kiss each girl on the cheek. On Christmas morning, Mommy or Daddy would point out the Santa kiss and the girls would be so excited.

 



2.) Magic Reindeer Food - On Christmas Eve before bedtime, the girls would go into the front yard and sprinkle a trail of Magic Reindeer Food to attract the reindeer. The Magic Reindeer Food is simply rolled oats and white glitter mixed together. The glitter helps the reindeer see the lawn and the oats give them something to eat. Luckily for parents, the trail melts into the lawn with the first rain or snow.

 



3.) Presents from Santa - We always wrapped all the gifts from Santa and each girl had a different kind of wrapping paper. This way, we could hide presents all around the tree, but still know which girl got which present.

 





4.) Presents in the tree - This was a tradition in my hubby's family, so we adopted it for our own. We typically hide smaller packages up inside the tree branches. The girls enjoyed finding new presents throughout the tree. The problem is, I always seem to forget one present and we find it when we are taking the tree down. My family is always excited to see who will get the "forgotten" present every year.

Was Jesus born on Christmas Eve

Was Jesus Born on Christmas Eve
The star in the East
As my Granny used to say
Will lead to the baby
Asleep in the hay

Though steadfast and true
This story is alive
Through the magical month
Of the Christmas hour

He was sent to earth
To save us all
Tiny and pink
And swaddled in clothes

Supposedly on a cold winter's night
But was it really Christmas Eve
When the babe was born
Or springtime when the dogwoods bloom

The story's been told
All of my life
But my aging heart wonders
Is this really right

Wayback Wednesday - Dark Shadows episode 10-15

Although I love the Dark Shadows episodes with Barnabas Collins, these first 210 episodes that began the gothic soap opera are well written and have a great story line that should not be missed:

Episode 10 Original Air Date 07/08/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke

Timeline:  1966

Roger puts pressure on Elizabeth to send David away to boarding school, a conversation the boy overhears. Burke gives Carolyn false information on the reason for his return. David sneaks in through the front doors and peeks into the drawing room, but when the telephone rings, he hides behind a chair. Elizabeth answers the telephone, speaking to Roger, who wants Elizabeth to somehow subdue Victoria. She tells him she will not and hangs up, then addressed David, who she knew was there all along. David tells Elizabeth he didn't break the teacup; he implicates ghosts before zipping up the steps.

Episode 11 Original Air Date: 07/11/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke

Timeline 1966

Burke Devlin pays the residents of Collinwood a visit, apparently hoping to reassure Elizabeth that he has no vendetta to pursue against her family. He does, however, ask if Collinwood is for sale. Elizabeth is very cold to Burke, and wants to know what he is after. Burke tells her that all he has done is drive her daughter home and stopped in to say hello. Elizabeth invites him into the drawing room, and asks Carolyn to wait in the foyer. But Carolyn says she wouldn't miss this for the world, and goes into the drawing room with Elizabeth and Burke.

Episode 12   Original Air Date:  07/12/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke

Timeline 1966

Roger encountes Victoria on Widows' Hill and tells her the story of its legend and history of the wailing of the Widows. Roger tells Victoria that sailing Widows used to watch from Widows' Hill for the ships of their lost husbands, but once Jeremiah constructed Collinwood they were no longer permitted there. But if you listen carefully to the wind, you can still hear the widows. He asks Victoria if she had met anyone there, someone looking for him. Victoria tells him about meeting a man named Sam.  Meanwhile, Maggie Evans tries to learn what is troubling her father, Sam. Sam wants to skip town with Maggie, but won’t tell her why. He denies that it has anything to do with Roger Collins.

Episode 13  Original Air Date:  07/13/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke

Timeline 1966

Roger enters the drawing room and finds Burke with his sister. Roger is cold to Burke, but on Elizabeth's request, decides to listen to what Burke has to say. Elizabeth and Roger continue to harbor suspicions about Burke, in spite of him offering the hand of friendship. As Victoria walks to Matthew's cottage, she notices Burke examining Roger's car.

Episode 14  Original Air Date:  07/14/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke

Timeline 1966

Victoria learns about David's relationship with Roger. Burke arranges to meet with Roger at the Blue Whale, and spends time talking with Joe and Carolyn, at her request. David Collins is in his room, holding a small metal object. He sneaks over to Victoria's room, and is looking for a place to hide it, when Victoria walks in. She sees that David is holding something in his closed hand, but can't see what, and thinks that David has taken something. David runs out and back to his room.

Episode 15  Original Air Date:  07/15/66

Writer Art Wallace / Director Lela Swift

Opening Voiceover: Alexandra Moltke

Timeline 1966

David is sitting in the dark in the drawing room when his father enters looking for his car keys. David asks him if he still wants to send him away. Roger says he's only interested in finding his keys. David says, "I won't let you do it." David is now convinced that his father hates him. Roger leaves the estate in his car to meet with Burke. On the way, he loses control of the car and crashes.

The 12 days of Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.







Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.







Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.





The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.






The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.







The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.







Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.







The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.






Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.






The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.







The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.







The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.




Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone