Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share a virtual kitchen table with other readers of Daily Kos who aren’t throwing pies at one another. Drop by to talk about music, your weather, your garden, or what you cooked for supper…. Newcomers may notice that many who post in this series already know one another to some degree, but we welcome guests at our kitchen table and hope to make some new friends as well.
Hard to believe it’s October already. Next week I’m having the second round of oral surgery— this time to put me me back together (and I hope teeth will be included). I know it’s early to be thinking of Halloween but next week will be busy. So I’m getting in the mood for the pleasures of Autumn right now, including the spooky bits that are so popular here in Portland. I’ll jump around a bit. Here goes!
The Oregonian has a list of events: Halloween 2021 in Oregon: More thrills, chills and in-person events. Among them, I would like to see this:
Witches Standup Willamette Paddle
After a year off for COVID-19, witches and warlocks will once again paddle from Willamette Park on Southwest Macadam Avenue, north on the Willamette River to the downtown Portland area near Waterfront Park. It’s a sight to see. Spectators are welcome and can get nice viewing spots along the banks of the river, on the Tillikum and Hawthorne bridges, and at Waterfront Park. Please avoid Willamette Park as it has limited parking.
Details: Beginning 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, on the Willamette River; facebook.com/groups/PDXSUPWITCHES
The autumn air is getting chilly and it is now really pleasant to use the oven and roast food on a sheet pan. I’m not ready to turn the heat up in the house but the oven does warm things up. Here’s a handy reference for us sheet pan aficionados from The Washington Post: How to clean and care for your sheet pans — and worry less about how they look With that in mind, here is a recipe I used as a guide a couple weeks ago — and it was great! 30 Minute Sheet Pan Marinara Sauce
Gothic Style before it was a thing… Over a century ago, Theda Bara became the first “Vampire Actress” or Vamp. Imagine the shock value at the time. It’s a pity most of her films were lost — but the studio stills are still amazing — and, to me, very Halloween. (Ann tells me a lot of her skimpy outfits must have involved a lot of glue. Ouch?)
The silent screen diva reminds me of a book that will be perfect for rereading in October. It’s crept into my thoughts. Are you familiar with the works of Barbara Hambly? She writes historical fiction, sci-fi and fantasy, and some gothic tales. The woman can write anything brilliantly, frankly. The Bride of the Rat God is set in silent screen era Hollywood. Here’s the blurb:
A Hollywood diva. A Chinese curse. A suspense-filled fantasy from the New York Times–bestselling author “who can write well in any genre” (Charlaine Harris).
It is 1923, and silent film reigns in Hollywood. Of all the starlets, none is more beloved than Chrysanda Flamande, a diva as brilliant as she is difficult to manage. Handling her falls to Norah, widow of Chrysanda’s dead brother. She has always done her job well, but she was never equipped to deal with murder. When a violent killing shocks Chrysanda’s entourage, and other weird happenings swiftly follow, Norah begins to suspect that some strange power is stalking the star. In Chinatown she receives warning that a curse has been placed on the actress as vengeance for wearing a sacred amulet in one of her films—and this curse could mean death for all who surround her.
How about some more books? Book lists from BookBub…
Women’s fiction, some with witches: 14 Books to Read on a Cozy Autumn Night
Space operas! 15 Epic Books to Read While You Wait for ‘Dune’
On to other entertainments… Here is the perfect board game for Halloween. We’ve played this on that day the last couple of years. Horrified is a cooperative game based upon the classic Universal Pictures movie monsters. It’s pretty widely available now — I think even Target is carrying it. Highly recommended and suitable for families.
A sequel to Horrified is coming out later this year featuring American cryptids of lore…Bigfoot, Mothman, the Chupacabra, etc. because sometimes it is cathartic to defeat little plastic monsters when real horrors in the world wear upon us. Can’t wait for this one.
Please share your favorite autumn pleasures, your day, your weekend plans, your menus! This is an open thread. And remember…