DARK MATTER

It's late January

2010-01-30T12:58:00.000-08:00

Wow! Where has the time gone (I know, a poor excuse for blowing off my blog duties)?
anyway, we're past the Full Moons of December (Two so that's great) and past the Full Snow Moon of January. This is the first year where we had a Full moon on my son's (Sept 4), my (Dec 31) and my Daughter's (Jan 29) birthday. Kind of cool. Speaking of which, it's 6 degrees here with little releif in sight. Oh well, it's winter in NE Ohio.

Full Beaver Moon- Spectacular

2009-11-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

Catch the Full Beaver Moon tonight. It's cold, crisp and clear in NE Ohio so the showing was spectacular. Yukon wasn't stirring so likely no werewolves about. Halloween was great; we watched the Saw series 1-5 and a few great movies on demand. Orphan was great.
Today was fair sunny and cool but I guess the cold weather is coming. Next moon it will likely be snowing.

Waxing to Full Beaver Moon (Nov 2)

2009-10-27T19:06:00.001-07:00

The nights are cold but generally clear so the moonrise was spectacular. Watched the annual Wiccan/Halloween festival across the road on Saturday Night. I dared not invade their ceremonies but I did watch from afar as screams and howls filled the air from the deep woods to my north and many came and went throughout the night. On Sunday I walked Yukon and Kato past the home and saw but the slightest remnants of the festival (carved pumpkins, corn dollies posed in straw scenes, and more than a few empty 12-pack boxes. Bet they had a blast. Halloween is forecast to be cold and overcast, but dry and the near full moon to rise in mid-evening. I’m renting a collection of horror flicks to fill the weekend (and a 12-pack or two). Stoke the fireplace, turn out the lights, crack a beer and watch Saw I, II, III, and IV. Yikes! I love Halloween!

Full Harvest on 10/4/2009

2009-09-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

The full Harvest Moon is waxing but here in NE Ohio the rains are obliterating any view. Cold weather is here and forecast until after the 4th. I guess any thread of summer is now broken.

Well, I started a novel/novella (not sure on the length yet) and have no word from WCP about the print version of Beckoned, only that it is a go.

Enjoy the autumn, because the next stop is winter- and it's not far off

Full Corn Moon waning

2009-09-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

Great news from Marci. "Beckoned" will be available in print with a projected date Early 2010. Quite the ordeal from a twinkling of an idea to hard copy book (years of writing and research sandwiched in between). I'll forward updates as they come.

Full Corn Moon

2009-08-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

Well, a warm summer it was not! (I heard that, at least here in NE Ohio, that it was the coldest recorded July and will probably close to record cold for August). Autumn looks like it may have arrived. Surely there will be hot days ahead but the season is running down and cool, if not cold weather looks like it will be here soon. On Sept. 4 (my son's 16th birthday!) is the Full Corn Moon. September Moons are typically named "Harvest" but the Harvest Moon name is saved for that full moon nearest to the equinox. This year the 10/3 moon is closer so our next cycle of the (were)wolf is called the Full Corn.

Enjoy

best
ron

Full Sturgeon Moon nigh

2009-08-01T14:11:00.001-07:00

Well, summer is winding down with the Dog Days of August. A few days 'till the full moon. It's been the coldest recorded July for NE Ohio (so much for global warming!) and very wet. August will likely turn around and heat up (we hope).

I'm working hard(ly) on my two novels (stalled for a while but making slow progress) and on an interesting short story that may turn Vampire on me.

I'll keep you posted on these and the decision from my publisher about having "Beckoned" go to print.

Spring breaking

2009-05-13T03:20:00.000-07:00

The night of the Full Flower Moon was foggy and cool- perfect werewolf weather. Yukon was interestingly quiet as the moon rose.

We're past the full moon now and Spring is threatening. I grow peppers and tomatoes in a container garden on the deck and have taken the risk of putting them outside. But we can get frosts well into late May so I will keep an eye on the forecasts.

Looking forward to summer, getting some stories done

New Moon

2009-04-25T12:14:00.001-07:00

The weather has finally turned the corner here with a high today in the 80's and a cobalt blue sky. With the clear skies and new moon the star show will be spectacular tonight. Looking forward to May and summer, though I have three business trips before June 1. I really hate travel anymore, but, I'm lucky to be working. Until the full flower moon.

ron

Full Pink Moon April 9

2009-04-07T14:15:00.001-07:00

Nearing the Full Pink Moon on Thursday but somehow it doesn't seem like Spring here. We picked up 5 inches of Lake-effect snow and I heard on the radio that the PA Turnpike was closed between Exits 13 and 28. April snows are always bad because, for some reason, drivers forget how to navigate on slippery roads after experiencing a few warm and sunny weeks.

Yukon still looks like a polar bear with his winter coat but he'll be shedding soon. In kind, I shaved off my beard last Friday and I think that's what jinxed us into a cold spell. Like washing your car brings on the rain.

Pray for warm weather !

Back in the Saddle-yikes!

2009-04-04T04:26:00.000-07:00

Well I'm back after a LONG hiatus (Oct 08). I had planned for this time to ramp up my writing and made a little progress. I've resurrected two works-in-progress novels. One is Sci-fi taking placed in the Amazon Highlands. The other is a supernatural tale set in the Nevada reservations.

Good news-I am nearing an agreement with my publisher, Wild Child Publishing, on getting Beckoned into print. I love the eBook version and they have done a superb job so far but getting in print can only help with sales to those who still prefer traditional in-your-hand books.

More later

rs

Full Hunter's

2008-10-16T03:30:00.000-07:00

It's Full Hunter's Moon, though here in Ohio we have rain and mist. Perfect werewolf weather. The cycle begins. I've been working steady at the day job and getting no writing done. But after the season I plan on completing a werewolf novella, and kickstarting two novels that have stalled.

Hallow's Eve is coming; be good, beware.

ron

Autumn and Harvest Days

2008-09-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

It between moons and summer has faded to just a shadow. It was a glorious one though, sunny almost every day, and hot. Now the storms are coming. Mostly ours but a few leftovers from the hurricanes. We lost power for a week from Ike. Can't image what you folks in Texas are going through.

While I didn't make any progress in writing this summer, I did work out the details on my short story collection and I am happy to say it is now available in paperback- on Amazon and www.etreasurespublishing.com.

It's all horror so the timing is perfect. Hallow's Eve is just around the corner!

Don't forget Full Hunter's Moon on the 14th

September

2008-08-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

We passed through the Full Sturgeon Moon, now waning as September approaches. Kids are back to school and, the weather is giving us the first hint of Autumn. I even had to clean maple leaves from the deck, an early signal of Fall's coming. The air is clearer in the morning and often crisp and cold. Football weather

The Eve of Full Buck Moon

2008-07-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

It's hotter than Hades in NE Ohio on the eve of the Full Buck Moon. Days are still long, sunrise dreadfully early, but we love the summer months. All too soon my thoughts and labors will be turning toward things like splitting wood for the dark cold months that come too fast and last too long.

High days of summer

2008-06-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

Just past Summer Solstice and Full Strawberry Moon, the best part of the year. Writing is going slow, too many distractions. Will have my anthology in print soon and hope same for Beckoned.

Best to all

Full Flower Moon

2008-05-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

Full Flower Moon (last night and now)

Surely summer is near but here in NE Ohio the temps are more like March- High in the 50's.

Back in the Saddle

2008-05-12T17:28:00.000-07:00

Wow,

I haven't posted for almost two months, sorry. We are closing in on the Full Flower Moon, usually the gateway to summer. Here in NE Ohio, cold weather just won't give up the ghost and we have the fires on again with temps going down to 35 tonight. It'll come though. I did a guest blog on Murder-by-4

www.murderby4.blogspot.com -please check it out (April 28 dateline)
and I am gearing up to finish a werewolf novella.

Ron

Nigh Spring and Full Worm waxing

2008-03-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Two days until the Vernal Equinox (Mun Geri) and also the Full Worm Moon. The fogs are heavy and deep. 'Tis Werewolf Weather!

Mother Nature

2008-03-12T17:28:00.000-07:00

Well, we just dug out from 23 inches of snow that dropped over the weekend. It was actually amazing sitting through a March blizzard. Now I really think Mother Nature is out of steam, at least wrt snow, can feel the change. We're waxing toward Full Worm Moon and that means the rains. It also means the maples will flow. Syrup making time.

CONTEST WINNER- BRANDY

2008-03-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

Brandy (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=9120981) has solved the contest question for a free download of "Beckoned". Congrats, Brandy- well done.

The answer is: The symbol appears on the cover of Santana Abraxas on the left hand of the Red Demon.

I'm hoping Brandy will enjoy the novel and maybe write a review.

Stay well, all

Ron Scala
(between Moons)

CONTEST for BECKONED- new clues

2008-02-29T20:08:00.000-08:00

The Contest for a free download of “Beckoned” has not been won after a month. I am willing to give the following additional clues. With a little sleuthing, this should now be easy. I think you will find it worth the effort. Beckoned is a horror novel with both a touch of romance and some deep historical elements. I think you will enjoy it.

When you have the answer, please email me at ronaldscala@gmail.com

Question: Where did I get the symbol that appears on the cover of “Beckoned”?

Clues:

Check http://ronaldscala.blogspot.com/ for a better view of both the original image and the book cover
Released @September 1970 (not 1969 or 1971)
LP album
Left hand (you may need a spy glass)
http://www.oldielyrics.com/s.html

Ron Scala

Full Snow with extras

2008-02-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

Hi,

February 20: Tonight is Full Snow Moon AND a lunar eclipse. Don’t miss it. Be careful of the werewolves though. I’m OK. Yukon is half wolf so they leave me alone.

ron

New theme for MySpace tunes

2008-02-13T11:28:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I’ve changed my tune on MySpace. As before I’m staying with artists that have “crossed over”. I consider it a way to communicate with the other side. http://www.myspace.com/ronaldscala Comments welcome.

Ron

Feature Article

2008-02-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

I was pleasantly surprised to see an article about Beckoned in our local paper, The Weekly Villager. I was waiting on a take-out pizza and picked up the Villager while it cooked. On the Features Page were three pieces about local authors. Beckoned was one. It included a full color photo of the book cover and a very good article. Its also on-line at http://www.weeklyvillager.com/archive_pdf/020808.pdf (pg 19).

Some new clues for the contest

2008-02-07T18:08:00.001-08:00

Hi,

I haven’t gotten a real good response from the contest for free download of “Beckoned” so I wanted to give a few more clues. It probably is a little tough without help. Here goes.

Question: Where did I get the symbol that appears on the cover of “Beckoned”?

Clues:

Check below for a better view of both the original image and the book cover
Released @September 1970
LP album
Left hand

Ron Scala

There's good news and bad news.

2008-02-01T20:04:00.000-08:00

Good first. I did my first interview with a local paper about Beckoned. It's a small weekly but it was cool talking with a professional writer about being a writer. Hopefully she'll decide to put a piece in the paper about the book. And, I finally got classified as a"published author" by Pennwriters so I can now do what (?)

The bad, well not too bad. The weather is a little intense here in NE Ohio. Snow then an ice storm. Went to pick up my son at the movies and passed a flipped over pick-up and locked the brakes for a cool 80-foot skid.

Waiting for the Ground Hog and praying for clouds

CONTEST for free book

2008-01-26T12:07:00.001-08:00

CONTEST for FREE Download

I am offering contest to win a free PDF download of my newly released horror novel, “Beckoned”. It is open to everyone. To win, you need only send to me on one of the following sites the answer to this question.

Where did I get the symbol that appears on the cover of “Beckoned”? I’ll even give you two hints

(1) an unaltered image of the original symbol can be seen on, http://ronaldscala.blogspot.com/

(2) Released September 1970

If you think you have the answer, send it to me at the Blog or to my email address ronaldscala@gmail.com

Full Moon at Midnight

2008-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Amazing night. I went outside around midnight. Waxing toward Full Wolf, the moon illuminated the backyard, the trails and the woods and cast deep shaddows. Already below 10 degrees, I wanted to check on my dogs, Yukon, who is half wolf, and Kato, my Husky. Though the near-full moon was bright, I could see brilliant stars, even next to it. The air was crisp and fiercely cold and the ground rock solid. The crust of snow crunched beneath my boots and I imagined this might be what it would be like on one of the moons of Jupiter; cold, sterile, brutally beautiful. Everything was so still, like the cold had frozen even time. Amazing.

The cryptic symbol on the cover of "Beckoned"

2008-01-15T17:42:00.000-08:00

Hi, just wanted to put up the original symbol that the cover used. Check back for the significance of this later.

Beckoned cover art

2008-01-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

I wanted everyone to see the cover art for Beckoned. It was graciously adapted (from a photo my daughter took at Full Wolf Moon last year) by M. E. Ellis and hubby. The resultant image is another story but that's for a later date.

Update and Thoughts from Home

2008-01-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

The weather has done a 180. Partly sunny and in the 50s. Wow! Rode my bike yesterday and today and its the first week in January! Saturday I was on cross country skis with Sky, Sunday riding the Trek up the road.

Getting positive feedback about "Beckoned". At least several buyers have commented that it "looks interesting". Trying to get another professional Review too.

A New Year reflection

2008-01-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

Shoveling out of 14 inches of Northeast Ohio lake-effect snow, it didn't dawn on me right away how fortunate I really am at the dawn of this new year. To begin with, and most importantly, my family and I are healthy. My daughter Taryn has recently gotten engaged and she and her fiance visited for the Holidays from Florida (they hoped to see snow but missed it by a week). And today my new book "Beckoned" was released.

All in all a fabulous start to 2008!