In a wonderful moment of unexpected serendipity, the weather here in the Kansas City area became positively autumnal on the opening Sunday of the NFL season. It was beautiful. Despite their being games played on Monday night, my Fantasy Football team, the Conqueror Worms, handed Jimmy’s Grind House their first loss of the season, relying on the stellar performance of tight end Antonio Gates to propel them to victory. Look out, the Worms are on the move!
While planted firmly in front of the television screen all weekend, reveling in football glory, I had plenty of time to get some reading done. So, on to Short Story Sunday:
Short Story Sunday Week Two is in the books, pardon the pun. On the Review Site recommendation of Mrs. Micah, I had Mary snag a book of Nathanial Hawthorne Short Stories:
She had reviewed the short story David Swan and it was so intriguing that I had to read it myself. David Swan is not a typical horror story and one that probably only loosely fits in with the R.I.P. criteria, but it is a good one. David Swan is the story of a young man who, while waiting for a coach one afternoon, pauses to sleep in a grove of trees. As he enjoys a blissful sleep, a number of passersby interact with him in ways that would severely effect his life, for good or ill, were he to awaken. It is an interesting story about the many opportunities for success or failure, for life or death, that are along life’s path. It is a very short story and one that I highly recommend.
For my second short story I read the first issue of the new Mike Mignola mini-series, Lobster Johnson. For you Hellboy comic fans, Lobster Johnson is a fan favorite pulp hero who has had a minor role in one of the Hellboy story arcs as well as had some back up stories in some of the comics. I’m not sure how I feel about the artist on this one, being spoiled both by Mignola’s own work as well as the current artists on Hellboy and on B.P.R.D. The coloring is typical Hellboy coloring by the amazing Dave Stewart and the story, while not having much take place in the first issue, has the trademark historical/gothic/steampunk fell of Mignola’s other stories. I am looking forward to the rest of the issues in Lobster Johnson’s adventures.
And of course, in celebration of my victory, I read aloud Edgar Allan Poe’s aptly titled poem, The Conqueror Worm.
____________________
In unrelated news, we had a good thunderstorm this past week and when I left for work the next morning I saw that my neighbors three houses down did not fair well from the storm’s destruction:
I hope they have good insurance. Waking up to see something like this after a much needed rain would be quite disheartening.
Have a wonderful week everyone, and stay tuned for imminent R.I.P. contest/prize announcements!!!
I love your picture up top, of the book next to the tree!
Oh my, sympathies to your neighbors. What a horrid thing to wake up to. š
Mary told me about the tree falling on the neighbor’s car, but that is more spectacular than I envisioned.
And congratulations for your team’s win!
Wow, that looks like a storm we had here recently. Luckily we didn’t bear the brunt of it, but the motel down the street from the community college where I teach is now missing a roof!
Thanks for the story recs!
Love the downed tree pictures…ouch to the homeowners.
Isn’t it great to have football season back? I can’t wait to have the weather to go along with it down here. Still hot and humid here *sigh* Congrats on the fantasy win!
Awesome group of reads for Short Story Sunday! I’ve read some Hawthorne and what I’ve read I loved. I hadn’t heard of the new Mignola, but I did finally pick up Baltimore! I’d like to fit it into the RIP if there’s time! I fit in two stories from Wizards this Sunday but haven’t posted on them yet…I suppose I should do that…
That downed tree sucks! Your poor neighbors…I’d be so pissed!
I TRIED to read my short stories on Sunday. But Poe couldn’t hold
a candle to football!! My hubby has Gates too. And Eli Manning
although he will be looking for a new QB for awhile!!
Congrats on the victory!! By the way, don’t forget….I’m giving away
my first RIP book. An ARC of Marked: A House of Night novel. http://stephaniesbooks.blogspot.com/2007/09/book-giveaway-and-rip-challenge.html
What, you didn’t trust one of the Poppets outside with Poe? lol.. great shots!
Great picture of the Poe book. I enjoyed your composition. Also glad that you had a restful Sunday. What? No mention of the Chiefs’ game!
Holy Crap! That tree photo reminds me of the ice storm of a few years back. As for those worms my Browncoats look forward to eating some fried worms in two weeks. š
I missed out on reading Poe this past Sunday do to Boy Scouts, Kids Soccer, and watching those miserable Chiefs. I look forward to reading more Poe this upcoming Sunday since watching the Chiefs already is slipping down the priority list.
I can’t wait to finish Lobster Johnson. I just love that Mignola cover.
Chris I look forward to your Baltimore and Wizards thoughts!
congratulations to the conqueror worms!!
and i just LOVE the hawthorne pic! carl, you’ve seriously got an eye for photography!
Great post, hon. I too got some good reading time in this weekend. I just finished Baltimore last night! It was a great read. Thanks for recommending it.
Ah, Lobster Johnson — I’m definitely getting it when it comes out in trade.
I am so sad I won’t be traveling with Don to KC – I wanted to, but it just wasn’t in the cards for me this year. He will be in your wonderful city next weekend, covering the Vikes. I only wish you guys were having a better season!
You’ve been quiet – hope everything is okay?
I love that Poe pic. I’m thinking of doing one of my own copy.