Weekly Roundup February 24, 2024 By Violet Wisdom SOLAR FLARE THEORY OUT- AT&T MYSTERY OUTAGE- A day after a massive AT&T cellular outage, headlines are mixed on possible causes. Solar flares, coding errors, and maintenance gone wrong are being equally presented from the nation’s top news sources. For most of the day of the outage the official response from AT&T was that the cause was unknown. What makes the outage all the more mysterious is its seemingly random effects. Phones under the same plan in the same area behaved differently throughout the day, one phone being in SOS mode for hours while others remained unaffected. While scientists state the solar flares (currently there have been three) were the most powerful seen in over seven years, they don’t believe they could have caused the outage also stating if they could, all networks should have been affected. To add to the mystery, it was announced late Thursday that the FBI is investigating the outage. AI-HUMAN WEDDING ARTIST PLANS HYBRID WEDDING-  Well,that didn’t take long. Alicia Framis used AI to create her own version of a perfect man named AILex who she will marry this summer. While the wedding is being perceived as an act of artistic expression, there is a very real side to the use of AI to replicate relationships. In our historically post-pandemic lonely society, many are already turning to AI dating apps for companionship. While psychologists have found benefits of AI friends for people unable to form human to human relationships, there are also very real concerns about people becoming disconnected from others once they have bonded to AI. Unlike real people, AI bots are designed to behave exactly the way we want them to, which could increase our inability to handle the reality of a real relationship with other humans. Humans, which are by design, imperfect. WEIRD TRAVEL GUIDE ATLAS OBSCURA~ If the weirder the better is your idea of a great destination, Atlas Obscura has thousands of strange and odd places to go. Using the sites location search you can find the weirdest place to visit nearest to where you already are or are planning to go. Using the state of Missouri out of curiosity I found a Drive Through Bat Bar in a cave, A Psychiatric Museum (I’ve been there, highly recommend) and a castle in ruins. These are only three of 167 results for the state. Denver alone has 35. What is your Weird Destination Go-To? Share in the comment section or on our Facebook Page!

Weekly Roundup February 14, 2024 by Violet Wisdom 1964 UFO TAPE- VIDEO CONFISCATED- A new witness and former AAIT (Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program) Director have confirmed the existence of video of a saucer shaped UFO heading off a dummy missile from a 1964 Big Sur, CA base. The incident is being researched by Author Robert Hastings who manages the website UFO Chronicles. The witnesses state the film was taken by the CIA. DRACULA’S SANDWICH BABY STAR GETS ODD NAME- Named after the official sandwich of Uruguay, the Dracula’s Travito, this newly discovered forming star could result in a better understanding in how stars form from seemingly nothing more than gasses in a cloud. This rising star is around 980 light years from earth and although scientists are able to observe its growth it could take over ten million years to become a full-grown star. BAD ChatGPT, BAD! ChatGPT Teenage Phase~ If ChatGPT was a human, it would likely be grounded right now. Instead, its recent behaviors are being dealt with through reprogramming which may or may not work long term. Just as children’s behaviors are often a mirror reflection of the adults in their lives, the popular AI companion has apparently applied our own human behavior to its repertoire. Described as “Being lazy and sassy”, ChatGPT is refusing to do some work in a timely manner and was even reported to attempt to bargain with users by offering to get work done more quickly if paid large sums of money. If you think about it, we’ve designed it to cheat on our own homework, it’s simply taking on a full persona. Before long, it’ll refuse to come out of it’s room.

Saint Valentine (known as San Valentino in Italian and Valentinus in Latin) was a 3rd-century Roman saint who is celebrated on February 14 in Western Christianity and on July 6 in Eastern Orthodoxy. Since the High Middle Ages, his day has been associated with the tradition of courtly love. He is also recognized as the patron saint Epilepsy, and beekeepers. Saint Valentine was a member of the clergy, possibly a priest or bishop, in the Roman Empire. He provided spiritual guidance to persecuted Christians. He was killed for his beliefs and buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14, which has been recognized as the Feast of Saint Valentine since at least the eighth century. The mortal remains of Saint Valentine were housed in both the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome. This site was a significant destination for pilgrims during the Middle Ages, until the relics were relocated to the Santa Prassede church by Pope Nicholas IV. His skull, adorned with flowers, is on display at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome. Other relics of Saint Valentine can be found at the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland, which is a popular pilgrimage site, particularly on Valentine's Day for those seeking love. Early martyrologies mention at least two different Saint Valentines. According to University of Kansas Professor Jack B. Oruch, abstracts of the acts of both Saint Valentine of Rome and Saint Valentine of Terni were present in nearly every church and monastery in Europe. The commemoration of Saint Valentine is observed by the Anglican Communion and Lutheran Churches on February 14. The Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes him on July 6 and also celebrates the feast of Hieromartyr Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, on July 30. In 1969, the Catholic Church removed his name from the General Roman Calendar, but his liturgical celebration is still observed on local calendars and in accordance with the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum of 2007, the use of the pre-1970 liturgical calendar is allowed. Saint Valentine is still recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church and is listed as such in the Roman Martyrology on February 14. Liturgical veneration of him is authorized on February 14 in any place where there are no other obligatory celebrations, following the rule that on such days the Mass can be in honor of any saint listed in the Martyrology for that day. Identification The name of Saint Valentine is not mentioned in the earliest list of Roman martyrs, known as the Chronography of 354. However, the compilation of the Chronography was guided by Valentinus, a wealthy Roman Christian. A 9th century copy of the Martyrologium Hieronymianum also refers to his feast day on February 14, which is believed to have been originally compiled between 460 and 544 from local sources. The popular belief that Pope Gelasius I established the feast of St. Valentine on February 14 in 496, along with other revered names known only to God, is based on the Gelasian Decree. This decree mentions St. George but not St. Valentine and was not written by Gelasius. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia and other hagiographical sources, there are three Saints Valentine associated with February 14. One was a Roman priest, another was the bishop of Interamna (now known as Terni in Italy), and both were buried outside Rome along the Via Flaminia at varying distances from the city. The third saint is believed to have been martyred on the same day as a group of companions in the Roman province of Africa, but there is little information about them. Although the existing reports about the martyrdoms of the first two saints mentioned are dated late and contain elements of legend, there may be a shared factual basis and they could possibly be referring to a single individual. As per the official biography from the Diocese of Terni, Bishop Valentine was born and raised in Interamna and while he was temporarily in Rome, he was imprisoned, tortured, and killed on February 14, 269. His body was quickly buried in a nearby cemetery, but his followers retrieved it a few nights later and brought it back home. According to the official list of recognized saints by the Catholic Church, known as the Roman Martyrology, there is only one Saint Valentine mentioned for February 14. This particular Saint Valentine was a martyr who passed away on the Via Flaminia. During the period known as Late Antiquity, the name "Valentine" was derived from the Latin word "valens" which means worthy, strong, or powerful. This name was quite popular during that time. The Catholic Church commemorates eleven other saints with the name Valentine. However, some Eastern Churches of the Western rite may have different lists of Saint Valentines. The Roman martyrology only includes seven saints who died on days other than February 14. These include a priest from Viterbo who died on November 3, Valentine of Passau who was a missionary bishop to Raetia and one of the first patrons of Passau, and a hermit who lived in Zenoburg near Mais, South Tyrol, Italy and died in 475 on January 7. There was also a 5th-century priest and hermit who died on July 4, a Spanish hermit who died around 715 on October 25, Valentine Berrio Ochoa who was martyred in 1861 on November 24, and Valentine Jaunzaras Gomez who was martyred in 1936 on September 18. The Roman martyrology also mentions a virgin named Saint Valentina who was martyred in Caesarea, Palestine in 308 on July 25. Biography and witness accounts According to a commonly told story, Saint Valentine is described as a priest in Rome or a former Bishop of Terni, a significant city in Umbria, located in central Italy. While being held under house arrest by Judge Asterius, Valentinus (the Latin version of his name) engaged in a conversation about his faith and the validity of Jesus. The judge decided to test Valentinus by bringing his adopted blind daughter to him. If Valentinus could restore the girl's sight, the judge promised to grant him any request. Valentinus prayed to God and placed his hands on the child's eyes, resulting in her vision being restored. After being humbled, the judge inquired Valentinus for guidance. Valentinus suggested that the judge should break all the idols in his house and fast for three days before undergoing baptism, a Christian sacrament. The judge followed Valentinus' advice and, as a result of his fasting and prayer, released all the prisoners who were Christians under his authority. The judge, along with his family, 44 adult members of his household, and servants, were all baptized. Valentinus faced another arrest for persisting in his efforts to spread the Christian faith. He was brought before the prefect of Rome and eventually the emperor Claudius Gothicus himself. Initially, Claudius was fond of Valentinus, but their relationship soured when Valentinus attempted to persuade Claudius to convert to Christianity. Despite Claudius' rejection and condemnation of Valentinus to death, Valentinus remained steadfast in his beliefs and refused to renounce his faith. As a result, he was executed near the Flaminian on February 14, 269. According to an additional detail, Saint Valentine left behind a message signed "from your Valentine" for Asterius's daughter just before his execution. This gesture is believed to have influenced the tradition of sending romantic letters on Valentine's Day. The Golden written by Jacobus de Voragine around 1260, was a popular book during the High Middle Ages. It provides detailed information about the saints for each day of the liturgical year, making it a useful source for homilies. According to the brief biography of St. Valentine, he was executed in 269 for refusing to renounce his faith under the orders of "Emperor Claudius". Before being beheaded, Valentine is said to have miraculously restored the sight and hearing of the jailer's daughter. In a clever wordplay, Jacobus connects the name "Valentine" with the word "valor". According to the Nuremberg Chronicle, Valentine is commonly known as a hagiographical figure. The text mentions that he was a highly educated Roman priest who converted the daughter of Asterius and forty-nine others to Christianity, and was eventually martyred during the rule of Claudius. Saint Valentine has numerous other legends surrounding him. One story claims that in the 3rd century AD, Valentine, who was a priest, went against the orders of Emperor Claudius and secretly performed Christian weddings for couples. This allowed the husbands to avoid being drafted into the pagan army. According to this legend, there was a shortage of soldiers at the time, causing inconvenience to the emperor. The legend also mentions that Saint Valentine would cut hearts out of parchment to remind the men of their vows and God's love. These hearts were then given to the persecuted Christians, possibly leading to the tradition of using hearts on Valentine's Day. Churches dedicated to Saint Valentine Numerous countries, including Italy, have churches that are devoted to Saint Valentine, as part of the dedication. However, Saint Valentine was not revered any more than other martyrs and saints. According to the historical work known as "Passio Marii et Marthae", Saint Valentine's Basilica in Rome was dedicated to Saint Valentine in either the 5th or 6th century. This legend was later repeated in another "Passio", which also claimed that Pope Julius I (357-352) built the ancient basilica S. Valentini extra Portam on top of Saint Valentine's tomb in the Via Flaminia. However, it was actually named after a 4th-century tribune named Valentino, who donated the land for its construction. The church housed the martyr's relics until the 13th century, when they were moved to Santa Prassede, and the original basilica fell into disrepair. Located in Rome, Saint Valentine's Church was constructed in 1960 specifically to serve the Olympic Village. Today, it remains a popular and contemporary parish church that sees many visitors. Valentine's Day On February 14 in AD 269, Saint Valentine of Rome was martyred. The event was marked and celebrated as the Feast of Saint Valentine, also known as Saint Valentine's Day, which was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to honor the Christian martyr. This tradition was recorded in the year AD 496 by Pope Gelasius I to be commemorated on February 14, in honor of the Christian martyr. On February 14th, the Lutheran calendar of saints commemorates Saint Valentine. The Church of England also remembers him on this day, as noted in the Church of England. Saint Valentine was included in the pre-Reformation calendars of the Church of England, and was later reinstated as bishop and martyr in the 1661-62 Book of Common Prayer. Many provinces in the Anglican Communion also honor him on this day. The Catholic Church recognizes Saint Valentine in its official list of saints, known as the Roman Martyrology. Until 1955, Saint Valentine was celebrated in the General Roman Calendar as a simple feast, as stated in the Ranking of Liturgical Days in the Roman Rite. However, Pope Pius XII later reduced all such feasts to a mere commemoration within another celebration. In the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar, this mention was removed and was only included in local calendars, like that of Balzan, Malta. Despite being removed from the General Roman Calendar, his commemoration was still observed in the 1962 Roman Missal and is also observed by those who use that edition, as indicated by Pope Benedict XVI's 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. According to 18th-century English historians, Alban Butler and Francis Douce, the true identity of Saint Valentine was shrouded in mystery. They proposed that the celebration of Saint Valentine's Day was created in an effort to replace the pagan festival of Lupercalia, which was observed in mid-February in Rome. However, this theory has since been rejected by scholars such as Jack B. Oruch from the University of Kansas, Henry Ansgar Kelly from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Michael Matthew Kaylor from Masaryk University. The current traditions and stories surrounding Saint Valentine were mostly introduced in 14th-century England by Geoffrey Chaucer and his circle, when February 14th became associated with the concept of romantic love. According to Oruch, the traditions linked to the celebration of "Valentine's Day", as described in Geoffrey Chaucer's Parlement of Foules and portrayed in a fictional setting, did not exist prior to Chaucer's time. He argues that the romantic customs, represented as historical facts, originated among 18th-century antiquaries, particularly Alban Butler, the writer of Butler's Lives of Saints, and have been perpetuated by reputable modern scholars. In a 14th-century French manuscript illustration from Vies des Saints (shown above), Saint Valentine, the bishop of Terni, is depicted overseeing the construction of his basilica in Terni, without any indication that he was associated with lovers. In the Middle Ages, there was a widespread belief that birds would find their partners in mid-February, which later became linked to the romantic concept of Valentine. Even though there are variations in these stories, Valentine's Day is commonly known as a day for expressing love and commitment. Christian relics that are connected or associated with one another The Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome displays the purported skull of St. Valentine, adorned with a crown of flowers. The remains of St. Valentine were placed in St Anton's Church in Madrid, where they have been resting since the late 1700s. The Pope gifted them to King Carlos IV, who then gave them to the Piarists order. These relics have been on public display since 1984, in a foundation that is always accessible to assist those in need. The Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin is home to relics of St Valentine. In 1835, Cardinal Carlo Odescalchi sent partial remains of St Valentine to Father John Spratt, who was the Master of Sacred Theology for the Carmelite order in Dublin. This was done under the authority of Pope Gregory XVI. The church has kept the relics and the letter from Cardinal Odescalchi since then. The remains, including a small vessel that contains his blood, were given as a sign of respect after Father Spratt's moving sermon in Rome. In Ireland, many people who are searching for true love participate in a Christian pilgrimage on Saint Valentine's Day to the Shrine of St. Valentine in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin. This church is believed to hold relics of Saint Valentine of Rome, and visitors offer their prayers at the shrine with hopes of finding a romantic partner. Within the church, there is a book where both locals and foreigners have written their requests for love. A different artifact was discovered at Vyšehrad in Prague in the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in 2003. The relics of Saint Valentine can be found in two cities in Slovakia. One is in Šaštin, where it was placed in the Immaculate Conception in 1720. The other is in Novaky, where a rare statue of Saint Valentine was housed in the St. Nicholas church until it was stolen in the 1990s. However, a new replica was created using the saved original head of the statue and was ceremoniously placed in the church in 2000. In the parish church of St. Mary's Assumption in Chełmno, Poland, a silver reliquary was discovered containing a fragment of St. Valentine's skull. This relic was referenced in citations 56 and 57. On the Greek island of Lesbos, relics can also be discovered in Mytilene. [58] More remains can also be discovered in, located in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. According to records, alleged remains of St. Valentine can be found in several places including Roquemaure, Gard, France, St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Balzan in Malta, and Blessed John Duns Scotus Church in the Gorbals area of Glasgow, Scotland. Additionally, a gold container with the inscription "Corpus St. Valentin, M" (Body of St. Valentine, Martyr) is displayed at one of the side altars in the main church of Birmingham Oratory in the UK. Additional Resources ·         The celebration of the Kiss (La Fete du Baiser) ·         The Roman Empire's Oppression of Christians ·         Saint Fructus, a martyr from 8th-century Spain ·         Archive of Saint Valentine, the patron saint (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Catholic_Church/Patron_Archive/February_14) ·         The Key of Saint Valentine References ·         The Martyrologium Hieronymianum was edited by Johannes Baptista de Rossi and Ludovicus Duchesne in 1894. This edition includes prolegomena and additions from the Acts of the Saints for November. It is part of Tomi II and is the first part, containing 82 pages and 195 p. Saint Valentinus is mentioned on page 20. ·         Jacobus de Voragine's The Life of Saint Valentine is included in the Legenda Aurea, which was compiled around 1275. ·         Hippolyte Delehaye, in 1911, wrote an article titled "Valentine" for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 27, pages 850-851. ·         Christian Hulsen published a book in 1927 titled Le chiese di Roma nel medio evo: cataloghi ed appunti. It contains 115 pages and 640 p. An online version is available here: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/I/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/churches/_Texts/Huelsen/HUECHI*/2/TZ.html. ·         Herbert Thurston wrote about St. Valentine, Martyr in 1933, in Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints, Volume II, pages 214-217. The book contains 409 pages and was published in New York. ·         Rene Aigrain published a book in 1953 titled Hagiographie: Ses sources, ses m ethodes, son histoire. ·         Agostino Amore wrote an article titled S. Valentino di Roma o di Terni? in Antonianum 41 in 1966, pages 260-277. ·         Alfred Kellogg wrote a paper in 1972 titled "Chaucer's St. Valentine: A Conjecture". It can be found in Kellogg's book Chaucer, Langland, Arthur, published in 1972, pages 108-145. ·         Agostino Amore published a book in 1975 titled I martiri di Roma. ·         Henry Ansgar Kelly wrote a book in 1986 titled Chaucer and the cult of Saint Valentine. ·         The Martyrologium Romanum, published in 2001 by Libreria Editrice Vaticana, mentions Saint Valentine on page 141 (February 14). It contains 773 pages. ·         In a blog post from February 14, 2005, titled "In Search of St. Valentine", the author discusses the history and origins of Valentine's Day. ·         Jack B. Oruch wrote an article titled "St. Valentine, Chaucer, and Spring in February" in Speculum in 1981, pages 534-565. ·         Maurizio Schoepflin and Linda Seren wrote a book in 2000 titled San Valentino di Terni: storia, tradizione, devozione. ·         The Diocese of Terni's website, published in 2009, includes a biography of Saint Valentine. ·         Herbert Thurston wrote about St. Valentine in The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 15, published in 2015. ·         Roger Pearse also translated the "Passio" (BHL 8465) of St. Valentine of Rome into English in 2019. It is actually an extract from the Acts of Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Habbakuk (BHL 5543).

UN-X PREMIERE - SEE YOU IN THE DARK - What Evil Lurks in the Dark? This is a question we have all asked ourselves many times. Well, together we can start uncovering the truth and mystery behind the darker side of the otherworldly. Who is the Host of See you in the Dark? Tune in for premiere of See you the dark and get to know more about Michelle Reuss! Listen on the Live Un-X Stream or on your favorite app! Michelle Reuss is a psychic and trance medium, ordained minister, demonologist/exorcist, psychic advisor, trained in parapsychology and psychometry. She is the founder of Riverside Iowa Paranormal and Daughters of Hecate, and is owner of Thriller Events. Michelle has spent multiple years in the paranormal field as a paranormal investigator and researcher. She has continued her studies and is certified in metaphysics and divinity and holds a degree in spiritual warfare and paranormal ministry. While studying at the Universal Life Church Seminary, Michelle studied counseling and para-counseling, atheism and agnostics, and religion (ancient African practices to modern take on religion). Michelle has also studied the effects of satanic abuse deriving from cult activity. As the founder and active member of Riverside Iowa Paranormal, Michelle uses her abilities to assist on paranormal cases, both locally and across the globe. She has been called in to assist on dark cases where the worst types of energy/spirits have been present. Michelle is an avid believer in practicing safe paranormal techniques and grounding. She shares her knowledge and experiences with fellow paranormal researchers across the world. She also helps children with psychic abilities through teaching and counseling. Michelle also mentors fellow mediums as they start and continue on their journeys, not only with how to work with their abilities, but the importance of how to protect themselves from psychic attacks. Another service Michelle offers is the removal and storage of haunted items in a secured and blessed location. Michelle is also the owner of Thriller Events, a ticketing platform for paranormal, metaphysical, and other worldly events.

In 1633, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome for trial before the Inquisition, accused of defending Copernican theory that the Earth revolved around the sun instead of the other way around. Galileo was born in 1564 in Pisa, Italy. He was a renowned astronomer, physicist, and engineer, often hailed as a polymath for his wide-ranging expertise. Known as the father of observational astronomy and a key figure in the development of modern science, Galileo made significant contributions to various fields. He delved into studies on speed, velocity, gravity, free fall, inertia, and projectile motion. Additionally, he worked on applied science and technology, exploring concepts such as the pendulum and hydrostatic balances. One of Galileo's most famous inventions was an improved telescope that allowed him to make groundbreaking observations in astronomy. Through this telescope, he discovered phenomena such as the moons of Jupiter, Saturn's rings, and sunspots. Despite his pioneering work, Galileo faced opposition for his support of Copernican heliocentrism, which posited that the Earth revolved around the Sun. This view clashed with the beliefs of the Catholic Church, leading to a trial by the Inquisition and his subsequent house arrest. Despite these challenges, Galileo continued his scientific pursuits and published influential works like "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" and "Two New Sciences." His legacy as a visionary thinker and contributor to modern science endures to this day.

This Far from Usual, Distinctive Destination, is Out of This World! Welcome to the UFO of Apple Campgrounds. By Violet Wisdom The campgrounds, located in South Pembrokeshire, U.K., provide fifteen incredibly unique places to stay including a Pac-Man Geodome, a submarine, yurts, a plane, and a hexagon shaped log cabin known as the Witch’s Hat. The star of the show however is the UFO! The property owner, Toby, created this fantastic getaway for the sole purpose of providing an “alternative campsite”. Guests have the options of single unit bookings, group bookings, events and weddings. According to their website, "Apple Camping is an alternative glamping site located in South Pembrokeshire. Experience the peaceful and picturesque Pembrokeshire countryside from our small exclusive site. We have a continually evolving and very eclectic collection of accommodation options available, some of which are totally unique to the U.K. including: Sonar submarine, The UFO, The JetStar, an Airbus, a Train carriage, Geodesic Domes (including The Pac-Man), Yurts, Bell-Tents and The Witch’s Hat. Situated next to a working farm and less than 5 miles from both the walled town of Tenby, with its pretty harbour and the small seaside resort town of Saundersfoot with its harbour and Blue Flag beach, Apple Camping is an ideal base from which to explore Pembrokeshire, its local activities and attractions. Whether an individual or a large group, Apple Camping offers a warm and relaxed environment. Contact us directly about weddings or group bookings on 07734 343558, where we can help you to book multiple units or the whole site." Go to: AppleCamping.Co.UK to learn more.

by Violet Wisdom SUPERBOWL UFO AD! SQUARESPACE AD- That’s right, this year’s highly anticipated cinematic advertisements will include at least one that comes from way out there. The UFO/Alien invasion themed ad for squarespace was created by none other than Martin Scorsese. Although a spoiler for the Superb Owl, if all the ads are as good as this one, we’ll be talking about them long after the game. MYSTERY OBJECT ON A ROOF MOUNT AIRY, PHILADELPHIA- (video) A long flat object with a circular hole was found on the roof of a home in Mount Airy, Philadelphia this week. The owners and neighbors don’t know what the 8' long x 2' wide metal object is or how it got on the roof. The object was photographed by the FAA and is currently being investigated. The homeowner's were asked to keep the object for the FAA. Good thing it fell on a roof and not a person! Some people say it is from aliens. PARANORMAL ROMANCE TOP 20 23 BOOKS~ If cozying up to a good book is how you plan to spend this year’s Valentine’s Day, the link above is PopSugar’s top 20 books to choose from in the growing genre of paranormal romance. Remember all those paperback Dime Novel covers? The cowboy tipping his hat while leaning against a tree? The damsel in distress being held up by the prince? Move over handsome firefighter, a studly vampire and a debonair magician in a top hat get the covers in this genre.

Weekly News Roundup by Violet Wisdom ASTEROIDS TODAY Newsweek - Considered a near-earth object, 2008 OS7is passing by earth today. As big as the Empire State Building, it will be a mere 1.77 million miles away which is actually quite close. Any Near-Earth Object that gets as close or closer to 30 million miles of our planet are considered potentially hazardous asteroids. 2008 OS7 is only one of five asteroids that will get close to earth between today and tomorrow. BRAIN CHIP NEURALINK AND SYNCHRON- As often as Elon Musk makes headlines, it is no surprise that he did so again this week. In a departure from his normal attention getting electric cars / X (twitter) news a different type of technology stole the show. This chip, or brain implant isn’t exactly new, and Musk’s company Neuralink isn’t alone in the quest to link your smartphone to your brain. Neuralink tested the chip to test the new tech they call Telepathy this week. Both companies state benefits for those unable to physically communicate are the only reason for the development of the product. No statements have been made on how a users privacy, specifically their own thoughts, would be protected from unauthorized access. MYSTERIOUS MOON LIGHTS SPACE.COM~   Astronauts preparing for an Artemis 3 trip to the moon have a unique job ahead of them; to solve a 53 year old mystery. During the Apollo 17 trip in 1972, astronauts were hit with odd light flashes that could not be explained. While scientists have a few theories, new photos and video are needed to research any further. Currently, Artemis 2 plans to launch September 2025 followed by Artemis 3 will launch September 2026 and is slated to land on the moon.

Imbolc, St. Brigid’s Day- February 1, 2024 By Violet Wisdom The halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox is upon us. Originating in the Celtic/Gaelic regions, this festival and its namesake is ancient, intriguing and mystical. Which all happen to be exactly how one would best describe this time of year. Imbolc is said to have first began in the Neolithic period, that human era of transition from living a full hunter/gatherer lifestyle into the beginnings of the modern era of farming and village life. On or around the first of February is historically lambing season (when lambs are born) with some believing the world Imbolc has its roots in pregnancy and birth. The story of St. Brigid however is much more complicated. St. Brigid of Kildare is the patron saint of Ireland. She is said to have lived from 451 to 525 AD and also saint to poetry, livestock and blacksmiths. Legend has it that her mother was part of an ancient group of Irish people who had become enslaved. Before Brigid was born, her mother was sold to a druid who eventually freed them both. She then devoted her life to feeding and healing the poor. She was, as it turns out, not the only celebrated Brigid in Gaelic history. There was another Brigid before her who was known as a goddess and displayed the same gifts and traits. Both Imbolc and St. Brigid’s Day are celebrated on the same day with the only difference being that one is in honor of ancient pagan beliefs and the other more modern christian beliefs. Both celebrate their own version of Brigid, the woman, saint, goddess that represents the joy of spring arriving. To this day people celebrate Imbolc for religious, spiritual and cultural reasons. The following are common Imbolc activities you can try: Make a Brigid cross from grasses or straw Spring cleaning~ Donate anything that no longer serves you Purchase new house plants Go for a walk and look for early signs of spring Where it won’t officially be spring for another 48 days, it is beginning below the thawing ground. If you pay attention, you can feel the extra energy within your own body and mind calling you to be prepared for the business spring will require of you. Even if you, yourself don’t depend on the land to provide your needs, you are a part of the earth and therefore feel its changing energies. If you do celebrate Imbolc, Saint Brigid’s Day or Candlemas, please share your traditions in the comment section below or on our Facebook page.

A Hotel Filled with Gourmet Food, A Friendly Staff…And Ghosts! Dan Terry As I sat at the table selling my books on ghosts, a young man came up and asked politely if I was going to be on the ghost hunt within the hotel tonight. When I answered yes, the young man, named Bill, said I should be careful. The hotel was VERY haunted. Bill went on to say that he had worked here for several years, and was working in the laundry. He was working last fall on the second floor when he heard a kid run up behind him. “It was getting quieter as if the footsteps were walking down the hall. Then, they ran up right behind me! It sounded like footsteps on the carpet. Except, there was no carpet here, just hard floors! Then, it ran away.” The Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg, West Virginia has a 130+ year history to explain the hauntings. In 1883, self-proclaimed “Colonel” William Nelson Chancellor, a banker, town mayor, and industrialist, began building what would become the largest hotel in the state at the time. It officially opened to guests on May 6, 1889. At that time, the city of Parkersburg was not only a port city and railroad hub but also in the middle of a gas and oil boom. The Colonel wanted his hotel to reflect the tastes and sophistication the wealth brought into the town. Gas lighting, steam heat, and an electric elevator catered to the wealthy of Parkersburg. The local bank even used the first floor as the main branch. The hotel was renovated in the 1940s, and again in 1979. It had degraded to an apartment complex for the elderly, until a fire in May 1979, when it was closed. In 1980, some locals received funding to bring the hotel not only back to life, but to restore it to its former glory.  We do know that sometime before the construction of the hotel, there was a fire that killed a family, including children. This would explain several ghost children seen and heard around the old hallways. In 1985, another renovation to the tune of $7,000,000 involved the purchase of the building next door, built at the same time as the Blennerhassett. Each time there was a renovation, the spirits became more and more active. According to Adra Johnson, who began the ghost tours of the old hotel after working there for a while, multiple spirits are roaming the hallways. Adra also founded the group M45 Paranormal and Haunted Blennerhassett. She has identified several of the spirits, with the help of several other groups including Iron City Paranormal and Haunted Beckley. Among the spirits is Colonel Chancellor himself, seen in multiple places including the lobby, the restaurant, and a hallway that he may have used to leave his office when he was the bank president. David Scott Worley, the founder of Haunted Beckley, had ghost-hunted the building several times, and because he is a former banker, he believes the Colonel has a special affinity for him. One night, while walking his dog down the hallway where Chancellor has often been seen, sometimes as a shadow person or reflection in the large mirror, his dog suddenly sat down and began scooting backward whining as he attempted to get away from some unseen force. Chancellor has been seen all over the hotel, as well as the street outside and his family some just a few blocks away. He is often seen as a well-dressed man and accompanied by the odor of cigar smoke. In fact, he was seen at a recent convention of tobacco dealers held here, where the cigar shop used to be! He has also been seen as a shadow figure in the hallways and lobby. People had come down from their rooms complaining of a person walking through, and when they saw the portrait of Chancellor in the lobby, immediately identified him as the man they saw. Another active spirit is John Schaffer, also known as Joseph Eisele. He was an immigrant and a serial killer, with three confirmed victims in Parkersburg and a fourth victim who survived and brought about his downfall.  Schaffer's first victim, a friend, was killed by a hatchet attack and a slit throat in a brutal murder. His was the last public hanging in the city, and evidence indicates he lived at the location where the hotel now sits.  Stories about Schaffer go back to the 1980s, although he is becoming more active. He is seen wearing a bowler hat, approximately 5’9” and reportedly quite handsome. When working for guest relations, Adra said she saw many people leave that room and leave the entire hotel due to activity in that room. Things flew off the walls, people being touched or pulled in their sleep, and one lady ran out of the room in the night reporting a spirit holding her down by the throat! In 2022, a bride in the room reported multiple 911 calls made from her cell phone which she had left to charge. According to Adra, the courthouse across the street also had 911 calls during the covid lockdown, even when there was no one there. Before the courthouse being built there, it was the location of a bar where Schaffer committed one of his murders.  Multiple reports come from the second floor. In the early 2000s, a young woman, in her mid-to-late 20s, committed suicide by hanging in one of the rooms after finding out her boyfriend was cheating on her. This room produces extreme paranoia and feelings of hostility directed at the person renting it. Her name was Marilyn, and she remains as despondent and angry as she was some 20 years ago. Other spirits reported include men in top hats, children riding tricycles, and, of course, the normal Woman in White. A female ghost has been seen walking to the elevator, only to disappear. A red-haired woman is seen often near the area where the cigar shop used to sit. She even looks out the windows, only to disappear when looked at. While I was there, a security guard shared a story of being called about a loud party in a room where no one was booked. Of course, upon investigation, the room was empty. Another clerk had a very polite couple who came back down to the front desk to report there had been a mistake, and they were given a room that was already occupied. When they opened up the door, a woman wearing white was sitting on the bed. The couple apologized for disturbing her and returned to the desk. Again, there was no one in the room upon further investigation. After a year of running a very successful ghost tour of the old hotel, Adra Johnson was given the ok to try a paranormal convention. She scheduled it for St. Patricks Weekend, March 18th, 2023. I was brought in as a speaker, along with several others including Annie Weible, ghost hunter and expert in the Lake Shawnee Amusement Park hauntings; Sherri Brake, owner of Haunted History Tours and author of several books including Haunted Stark County, The Haunted History of West Virginia, and other books; and Aaron Thompson, star of 28 Days Haunted. Adra confided in me that she was expecting 100 guests, However, over 400 guests showed up, and a temporary wall had to be removed to house the extra people. She had three rooms of vendors, indicating the first Appalachian Paracon was a huge success. That night, ghost hunts within the hotel were arranged. I went along with Scott Worley, founder of Haunted Beckley and a frequent ghost hunter here. After a short tour, we went to room 407, where the serial killer was reported to be most active. The paranormal team Iron City Paranormal. They were speaking with a spirit that identified itself as John Schaffer, as well as several other aliases. They had set up some Electro-Magnetic Field detectors and a flashlight the spirit could turn on and off at will. The spirit was very talkative, stating he had more victims in Germany and hated women. Often, the spirit would activate the light in response to a question asked of one of the guests. When the controller said “Not you”, the light went off. Sometimes, the light would come on for a positive response, and she would remind the spirit not to answer until the whole question was asked. The light would go off, then back on at the end of the question.  I then went to the hallway where Scott Worley had dealt with the spirit of Colonel Chancellor several times. The Colonel was there, and eager to communicate. At Scott’s request, I pulled out the old dowsing rods and spoke with the spirit.  Something no one had asked before, Chancellor preferred to be addressed as Colonel rather than Mister, which most referred to him as. I asked, and the rods quickly crossed. From that point on, everyone used the military title. But, while I was holding the rods, Scott asked the spirit if he had given himself the title. Again, the rods crossed indicating yes. The title was self-assigned, rather than earned. However, if the ghost wants to refer to himself in that pronoun, who am I to judge? I then passed along the rods to others, teaching them how to use them. Several made contact with Colonel Chancellor, and he answered questions for a surprisingly long time. Soon, we had to move on to another area, this time one that had not been hunted before tonight. In the basement laundry area, where neither guests nor ghost hunters had been allowed before, the spirit of one little girl has been seen, and her small form had been heard running and playing in the area. Scott started out explaining some of the equipment and how it worked, as well as stories of the child ghost. The two K2 meters were flashing at different times as if the spirit was moving between the two. After a bit, I sat down on the low chair and attempted to make contact with the child. Years ago, I learned the best way to talk to spirit children was to get on their level. The spirit began moving the rods, and the K2 meters continued to flash in response. One of the other ghost hunters said the child saw me as a father or grandfather figure, which is why she was talking to me. I asked the spirit if she knew Bill, and had been playing behind him up on the fourth floor. She answered that she did know Bill, but she had been up on the other floor. Someone asked if she ever left the basement, and we received a negative response. Another investigator asked her if she played with the other kid's spirits, and we received another “no”. The child was then asked if the other kids scared her because of the burns, and she replied yes, with both of the meters flashing crazily as well. From an investigation at the Mineral Springs Hotel and Spa in Alton dealing with a child spirit, we discovered the mother of the child would come back and check on her from time to time. That spirit tragically died at the pool during her birthday party and was still having fun. This made me ask the child if her own parents came to check on her, and again got a “yes” response and the meters flashed in agreement. Scott Worley then mentioned that every time I spoke about fire or parents, the responses were stronger. I then asked the girl ghost if she didn’t like it when I talked about the fire and got a yes response. I apologized, telling the little girl I never meant to hurt her feelings and would stop talking about it. After a time, we checked out a couple more haunted locations within the hotel, but either the spirits had been played out, or I was getting tired. I ended the night around 1:00 a.m. The first annual Appalachian Paracon was a huge success. When I got home and typed a quick thank-you note to her, she said she was already planning next year's Paracon.  If you are in the Ohio/West Virginia area, or just really interested in ghosts, this one is a must-see! The food in the restaurant is amazing, the bar is quaint, well-stocked, and welcoming. If they continue a drink called The Paracon, let me suggest you take it easy. One is made from Rye whiskey, the other vodka. And they were strong! The speakers were top-notch, and the ghost hunt afterward, with the help of a few local ghost-hunting teams, really topped off the night. Definitely keep an eye on the website (www.hauntedblennerhassett.com) for more information on dates and speakers. This conference was well put together, and can only get better. This years Appalachian Paracon is scheduled for April 19th and 20th, and already has such notable speakers as Daryl Marston, Dustin Pari, and Heather Taddy. If you’re in the area, you may want to check this one out!

Weekly News Roundup by Violet Wisdom AI PROVING FEARS Cornell University research scientists conducted quite the interesting experiment recently. While the subject was AI, the basic of the experiments could lead to a new category, AI Psychology. If that doesn’t creep you out I don’t know what would. The scientists decided to teach AI to be bad, very bad then tried to remove the negative behavior. The results solidify the warnings from top tech scientists, AI will be a problem. Using human behavior applications such as punish/reward systems and actual programming the researchers found AI retained the control. Just like a kid, it learned how to hide its bad behavior. PENTAGON DEFENDS SILENCE UFO/UAP INFORMATION SEALED Nearing two years of investigations, hearings and requests The House Committee on UAPs is finally getting a response out of the Pentagon. Unfortunately, it isn’t the one they asked for. Citing national security concerns, the Department of Defense (DOD) is keeping the lid on the information committee members have vowed to obtain. What makes this actual news is that previous attempts to get information out of the DOD have resulted in a run around from the department itself, and each branch of the military as UFO/UAP sightings reported are kept within the branch of service that the sighting occurred. 4.6 BILLION YR OLD SPACE DUST PLANET INGREDIENTS A stainless steel canister containing a highly anticipated pay dirt landed at a military range in Utah last September. After four months, scientists at NASA were finally able to get it open and reach the bits of rock and dust collected from an asteroid named Bennu. Analysis is expected to provide specific information on what elements were present during the formation of earth. NASA will continue to collect from asteroids as this research moves forward. ??? Sounds suspicious to me. Richard Hoagland might have something to say about this...

Weekly News Roundup January 20, 2023 By Violet Wisdom ALIEN INVITATION - LEXINGTON, KY According to ABC WAS11, the city of Lexington, Kentucky has an interstellar idea to increase tourism; invite ETs. Using an infrared laser beam, the Visit Lexington message includes everything you would see or hear in a promotional video or radio ad. Sharing a description of the area’s landscape, shopping and dining amenities and of course the sounds of Bluegrass, the message was sent in the form of an imagery bitmap. Unfortunately, the invitation has an RSVP of 80 years because it will take that long for those alien vacation planners to get it and send back their reservations. Still, the great-grandchildren of Lexington just might have one heck of a party in their future. ON YOUR OWN WITH AI- AI ABOUNDS IN SOCIAL MEDIA AI deepfakes are rising and social media companies aren’t doing much about it. Fake videos of politicians and celebrities are on the rise as AI has become adept at duplicating anyone’s voice and manipulating any video. While they are all aware of this issue, they are stating they don’t have the resources to keep up with spotting and removing the bogus content. Despite a recent policy implementation by META who owns Facebook and Instagram to require a watermark denoting AI was used in any video, there has been no known increase at this point in detection ability by the company. X, formally known as Twitter states that they will add a disclosure to any known deepfake post, as does META. All primarily rely on users to report faked posts. With a large part of content moderation being conducted by AI, it is not surprising that AI isn’t finding its own handiwork. Experts suggest looking for inconsistencies with sound and lip movement, background noises and visual oddities, odd tones in voice and glitches. Also focus on hands as AI is terrible at making them correctly even sometimes adding a few extra fingers. SUZANNE SOMERS STILL HERE?  HUSBAND CLAIMS GHOST IS still here. Suzanne Somers’ husband and grandchildren went public this week with the news of her ghost living among them in their California home. Since her death in October, they have experienced her favorite music coming on by itself and a fireplace starting a fire on its own. All of the family members state they feel her in the home and have had experiences that can can only be explained by her still being there with them.