When real things happen to imaginary people

Some of Forrest Ackerman's collection is going to be auctioned off. (clicky-link!)

Including:

- Dracula ring worn by Lugosi as Count Dracula. ($20,000-$30,000).

- Cape made for Lugosi in 1932 and used many times for his stage portrayal of Dracula. Lugosi also wore the costume in Plan 9 from Outer Space. ($15,000-$20,000).

- A first edition of Dracula, signed by Bram Stoker and inscribed by Bela Lugosi to Forry Ackerman (also signed by a host of other Dracula-related personalities). ($6,000-8,000).

FIRST EDITION OF DRACULA, SIGNED BY STOKER AND LUGOSI!!! Yes, my heart skipped a beat when I read that. I need a very wealthy fairy godmother, or I need to start my life of crime now.

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Oh yeah, happy things! Things That Make Me Happy, Day The Third:

- Dracula. (oooh, I should read part of The Annotated Dracula tonight.)

- Cupcakes. (We stopped at Cupcake Royale after dinner.)

- That Ruthven, one of our adolescent boykitties, still chases his tail if he sees it.

You would think that with the collection of parasols I have, not to mention the fact that I know how to re-cover using whatever fabrics strike my fancy, that my head would not be turned by someone selling modern parasols.

Yeah, I thought that, too. Until I discovered that there's someone who is making folding parasols and umbrellas with large-ish canopies. And is also making very nice handbags, some of which have loops to securely hold your folded-up parasol.

Parasol clicky link

Handbag clicky link

Pricey, yes. But very, very nice.