Every Thursday night at 9:30pm I gathered with friends in
the student center at Ithaca College. Seats went quickly, so you had to get
there early. Some camped out as early as 4:00pm to make sure they had seats.
Others grabbed comforters and pillows from their room and claimed their space
on the floor. The show was wildly popular, stretched the imagination, and
captivated viewers (well at least the college crowd where I was). We all waited
for those iconic words and the host Rod Serling as he introduced, Twilight
Zone.
"You're traveling through
another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a
journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's
the signpost up ahead is our next stop,
the Twilight Zone." — Rod Serling
We were fortunate at Ithaca College. Rod Serling taught on
campus, screening his own work and mentoring students. He provided feedback on
student scripts and projects and every once in a while appeared in their films.
After his death, his wife donated some of his work to the
college and resulted in the Rod Serling Archives at Ithaca College. This is the
largest single collection of his television scripts and screenplays. The college
is the proud custodian of his six Emmy Awards.
Today, May 11th we celebrate Twilight Zone Day. The episodes
were mysterious, weird, surreal and perhaps a little scary. His stories made
social and political statements relevant for then and scarily so today. Judge
for yourself with this, the closing epilogue for the “The Monsters Are Due on
Maple Street.”
“There are weapons that are
simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices, to be found only in the minds of men.
For the record, prejudices can kill, and suspicion can destroy.”
Twilight Zone Day was a quick pleasant remembrance of being away at school, being with friends I haven’t seen for many years, and having a fan girl moment with an imaginative creator.
* * * *
The Guardian’s Witch
by
Ruth A. Casie
"Ruth A. Casie has woven an extraordinary story of a brave
knight, a beautiful heroine, a King, a mysterious crest, and [magical] visions.
Oh mercy! What more do you need??? Absolutely nothing! Don't miss this
journey!!" ~ L. Cook
England, 1290
Lord Alex Stelton can't resist a challenge, especially one
with a prize like this: protect a castle on the Scottish border for a year, and
it's his. Desperate for land of his own, he'll do anything to win the
estate—even enter a proxy marriage to Lady Lisbeth Reynolds, the rumored witch
who lives there.
Feared and scorned for her second sight, Lisbeth swore she'd
never marry, but she is drawn to the handsome, confident Alex. She sees great
love with him but fears what he would think of her gift and her visions of a
traitor in their midst.
Despite his own vow never to fall in love, Alex can't get
the alluring Lisbeth out of his mind and is driven to protect her when attacks
begin on the border. But as her visions of danger intensify, Lisbeth knows it
is she who must protect him. Realizing they'll secure their future only by
facing the threat together, she must choose between keeping her magic a secret
and losing the man she loves.
Buy Link: Amazon
Ruth A. Casie is a USA Today bestselling author of
historical fantasy and contemporary romance. She weaves exciting and
beautifully told legendary tales that are both rich and engaging. Her stories
are full of, ‘edge of your seat’ suspense, mind-boggling drama and a
forever-after romance.
