Name(s): Alp, mara, mahr, mahrt Origin: Germany Appearance: It is a shapeshifter and often is invisible Lore: The alp, or mara is the origin of the “mare” in nightmare. The alp is the male, and the mara is female. The creature will sit on it’s victims while they sleep, crushing…
Name(s): Matagot, mandagot, chat d’argent, money cat Origin: Southern France Appearance: A black cat. Lore: The matagot or money cat is a creature said to be in service of a sorcerer or witch, like a familiar. It brings health and wealth to the master so long as it is cared…
Name(s): White Worm, lindworm, lindwyrm Origin: County Durham in North East England Appearance: An eel like humongous worm with the head of a salamander and nine holes along the sides of its head. Lore: The Lambton worm was made famous (or infamous) by Bram Stokers’ Story “Lair of the White…
Name(s): Bennu, Benu Origin: Egypt Appearance: A large grey Heron with two crest feathers, or classically, the Benu bird is described as being as large as an eagle, with red and gold (solar or flame-colored) plumage. Lore: According to some stories, the Bennu is a self-created creature that existed before…
Name(s): Rainbow Serpent, Rainbow Snake, and many others by various Aboriginal cultures. Origin: Australia Appearance: A rainbow hued snake, large enough to span the sky. Lore: Most lore about this creature seems to primarily point to it being a guardian of water (the essence of life). Sometimes harmful to humans,…
Name(s): Bixie, Pixiu, Tiān lù, Mengshou Origin: China Appearance: It has the body of a lion, the head of a dragon, and feathered wings. The female has two antlers, and the male has only one. Lore: The Tiān lù is the male and brings wealth, whereas the Bixie is the…
Name(s): Dragon, Wyvern, Hydra, many more Origin: Everywhere Appearance: Most often reptilian or serpentine, but feathered variations also exist in some cultures. Lore: Dragons of one type or another have existed in virtually every culture. There are stories and legends about them from North America to the Far East and…
These muffins are low calorie (126 each), oil free, wheat free (no kidding), dairy free, vitamin packed, loaded with metabolism boosting stuff … AND they actually taste good. Here’s the story. Briana has a habit of making requests for me to cook things that I’ve never done before. Usually it’s…
You learned (I hope) most of this stuff when you were a child, so why did you abandon the knowledge? Share with people, whenever you can. You have more of something than you actually need, so why not share it? You have something in copious supply, so why keep it…
They say that if you want to change the world, you should look in the mirror. I cannot emphasize how true that is, but what does it actually mean? For many years I have been trying to have a better life and be a better person. Eventually I wondered what…
I know, I shouldn’t even contemplate writing something like this if I don’t have children. I can’t possibly know what it’s like to be a parent, etc, etc. I may not currently be a parent, but I have a good idea what it means to be a decent human being.…
Abortion is one of those things that I have a serious problem with. I don’t like the idea of eliminating a life before it has a chance, and on the other hand I have seen plenty of cases where it’s a necessary medical treatment. I don’t think that it should…
Alex crept up over the ridgeline hoping that the slither of leather on stone wouldn’t give him away. Slowly but surely he pulled himself up for a better view. He made sure to keep a low profile and stay downwind anytime he approached new ruins. You never knew what might…
I watched “Wreck-it Ralph” some time back, and I must say I was touched. I honestly was tearing up at a few points. The lessons hidden away in this gem touched even a jaded old vet like me. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should. You might even learn…