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This Photo of the barn I posted is the sole surviving structure of the homestead of John McNeil, the town blacksmith. His house used to stand where we will be placing the Arviso House, and was unfortunately demolished before we bought the land.  It was in this small barn that was set into motion events that would lead to the conviction of McNeil for murder of his wife Melva C. McNeil, and his execution.

   On August 13, 1936, McNeil ended his marriage in a fit of passion, by bludgeoning his wife with a wringer from a washing machine.  Hoping to blame the murder on migrant workers, McNeil hid his bloodied clothes in this barn.  A dog, however, would lead detectives to the bloodied clothes that had been secreted here.  Once presented with the bloodied clothes, McNeil quickly confessed.  Justice moved a lot quicker in those days, and in less then a year; McNeil became one of the last people to be legally hung in California as the gallows made way for the gas chamber on July 9, 1937.

    With the Arviso house being opened as an old time Mercantile and residence, what would be more apropriate then one day having this barn serve as a blacksmith shop?

When I bought the 1930's grandfather clock case thirty years ago, I had thought about installing a clockswork in it, since the original was long gone, and replaced with a cheap batery movement. Years later I end up with the medical study skeleton that hung for years in my fathers medical office. Since one of my favorite scenes in Rocky Horror is Riff Raff and the coffin clock, I decided to convert the time piece to a display case. With a slight modification to the door, so it's no longer devided, and making the case a bit deeper, I now have the perfect display case for this heirloom. The finishing touch is the 1930's aluminum plate that reads "At rest" which has been placed at the top of the case. What can I say? Haloween is year round with the Barons.

In this day and age of stalkers, I thought Fredies song from "My Fair Lady" "The street where you live."could use an update. (Cue music)

I have often walked
down your street you see,
but you see me, scream police,
and then I have to flee.
But when you're asleep,
how I love to creep
in and out of the house where you live.

Restrainig orders
aren't a lot of fun
so if you don't know I'm there
you won't call 911
change your locks you say?
I'll pick them just the same,
just to be in the house where you live!

And oh, when you do the laundry
my heart defies gravity
for when you hang them for drying
I just leap your fence
and they're my property

You must be my love
it's your destiny
and I'm never going to stop
until you marry me.
Say you hate my guts
this I can forgive,
and I know in which house that you live.

For the lavatory of our Temecula crypt, we have chosen a bat motif. Besides the day of the dead tile, which grace the corners of the window and doorway, I decided to add a mosaic bat as sort of a keystone to the tile moulding around the windows.

October 29, I will be participating in the 7th annual Halloween pocession and show. If any of you live(?) within driving distance to Ornage County California, not only do you have a chance to witness a murder of hearses, as they terrorize the streets of Costa Mesa in an annual procession with police escort, but you'll have a chance to see local radio legend Dr. Demento, as he puts on a live show. I've been fortunate to participate in all of them so far, and I have no intention to miss this one.

On August 25 Devils_Angel talked about finishing her Vampire Lounge. Well doesn't that call for Vampire Lounge Music? Here's one.

Sleeps in a casket from daybreak to eight
She likes her beef rare, but doesn't like stakes.
Just adores children when served on a plate
That's why the lady is a vamp.

She loves the nighttime,daylight gives her cramps.
She perfers candles to electric lamps
lives in a castle, so what if it's damp?
That's why the lady is a vamp.

And when the moon is high in the sky
better watch out those teeth will bite.

She perfers O postive, O neg makes her fat.
She needs no airplane, just becomes a bat,
Saw the Exorcist, and just laughed and laughed.
That's why the lady is a vamp.

One of the things you don't want to do if you love things goth, is move into an HOA (Unless it's run by Morticia Addams). It's one of the reasons we bought an older home, to have something that didn't look like our neighbors. In the recent past, it seems one of our code enforcement officers took offense to our sense of the unusual, and we developed a somewhat adversarial relationship. The following song (sung to the tune "I've got to be me") was inspired by his efforts.

I carry a badge
I drive in a truck
making sure
you don't run amuck.
You've got to conform
You've got to conform
Normalacy
must be enforced

I want everyone
to live just the same
to do otherwise
would just be insane.
Live in a tract home
drive an SUV
do not be a pest
best live like the rest
or you'll hear from me!

I've got me a pad
of tickets to write
whenever I see
whats to me
ugly blight.
I'll never give up
so you must give in
until you cave
I intend to win.

Just see that you don't
cross over the line
follow the crowd
well get along fine.

Don't try to be you
you know what's instore
nonconformity
it is the disease
and I am the cure!