Hollow Wollow (what the heck is that?)

Did that one catch you by surprise? It shouldn't have. By my calendar, it is still three weeks to Halloween, yet we've had a number of our peers wallowing in Halloweeny stuff since the middle of September. To each his/her own, I suppose.

I've looked forward to fall each and every one of my considerable years. Now, though, because some of us can't wait for one particular little bit of the whole scheme of things, the absolute beauty of fall in the northern hemisphere, along with the celebration of a new school year and its concordant games, and in our region a gorgeous Indian summer, is trampled. Run down by gobledygook spookism.

I love Halloween, don't get me wrong. The end of summer for Celtic civilizations, and the beginning of winter. Spiritually speaking, the Church has celebrated All Souls Day and All Saints Day for centuries. Trick or treating for kids, spooky costumes, gaily decorated parties; all are a part of the upcoming holiday.

Yet I cannot get past the concern that we're trying to rush right past a most delightful time of the year to get to that holiday. I'll stop with this because I don't want this to become a rant. So, for those of you who can't wait, go for it. As for me, I'll take my fall color drives and rake my leaves, cheer my favorite football team on, and remember all the good fall times in my past.

Alright, I know some of you are chomping at the bit, to read me out good and proper, burn my butt, tell me off. Go for it! Turn the comment column into a malevolent firestorm.

Just remember, some of us make serious charges with our tongues firmly in our cheeks. Ha! You didn't see that coming, did you? Mainly, I just want to get somebody fired up to respond to my blog.

While we're here, I'd like to invite you to go to Sharon Donovan's blog tomorrow to read a new short story I wrote for the season. Not too scary, but don't stop before you get to the end of it.

You can find her at: http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com Log onto her site today and read another author's really scary story.

Also, you can go to karenfindoutaboutnewbooks or longandshortreviews for my latest promos. I'm celebrating this fall with a continuation of promos of my romance and romantic suspense novels. I hope you've read one or more of them, but if you haven't, I invite you to pick one up and read it. Then, like it or not, comment so I can get your feedback. I truly value what you think of my work.

Empath-Fact or Fiction?

I'm in a quandary. As I work on my current wip, I've come up with a new slant for one of my protagonists. The problem is, because I've shown empathic tendencies throughout my life, some of it comes eerily close to real experiences. It's only recently that I realized my life has been so affected by this 'power'. Some of you will no doubt scoff at my claim. I accept that; in fact, there are times when I wish I didn't have it.

But it's there. It's been there forever, as far as I can remember. Now, for what I need from you, my readers. If you've ever experienced the strange notion that you know something is going to happen before there's any indication of it, how did you handle it? Or, if you know exactly what someone is going to say before they open their mouth, did you try to short-circuit the conversation by going on to the next phase of the discussion?

Are there other manifestations of empathy you've experienced? I really want to expand this conversation to include any and all who've had such experiences, as well as those who've written empathic scenes in their novels. For those of you who do not believe such powers exist, I'll also welcome your pov. I can only say that my life has been enhanced and sometimes debilitated because I've responded without realizing what is happening until too late. I could give examples but they are embarrassingly personal.

On the other hand, I have to say it is reassuring to know that I can, almost without fail, know what is in another person's heart when they talk to me. If you have no clue what the heck I'm talking about here, let me know and I'll try to explain it. LOL

I'm declaring this EMPATH DAY on Pat's Plethora. Here's a call to all EMPATHS, come out, come out, whoever you are. I want to play.

Happy mindreading day!

Pat Dale