A Rose in the cemetery...

It was a cold morning, February 14th.....Bill Clawson grabbed

his old Konica camera and headed out of his Jeep and into the

Hendricks cemetery.

Bill loved going to this particular cemetery at first light as it

offered some outstanding scenes to capture, and he hoped

today would be no different. 

What Bill didn't expect to find was a young woman who

startled him upon his early entrance just inside the gate.

Bill was soon to discover that today's photo shoot would be

like none he had experienced before....

Come join Bill in his early morning photo outing in the

story; 'Rose in the cemetery', one of the twenty eight

chilling stories in Tales Unleashed, the new short story

book coming soon.

It might make you think twice about venturing out at

first light into such a tranquil and desolate spot.

Tales Unleashed, coming very soon.  SS 

May the joy of Christmas....

be with each and everyone of you this week.  Take the time to

enjoy your family and friends, and maybe give a call to someone

who might be alone this week, or possibly in an adult care home.

Let's pray for a peaceful 2019. These are interesting and

challenging times, and we all need to lend a hand to our local,

state, and national leaders as they take on the business of the

new year.

Stay safe, sane and be happy.  Very soon, we'll be promoting the

new book Tales Unleashed here, so be ready for it... I know you

will enjoy the read.  SS

You can reach me anytime at;  undertakings@inbox.com

Dr. Thomas Holmes...the embalmer

Many people ask me during my presentations about the art of

embalming and how it came about in the U.S.

Embalming actually started with the Egyptians as you know...

they spent days and sometimes weeks preparing a body for

burial...it was a lengthy and precise process.

The 'father of embalming' in the U.S. has been credited to

Dr. Thomas Holmes. Holmes developed most of the

embalming procedures which are still used today. He

experimented with many different chemicals and actually did

embalming near the battlefield where soldiers were killed

during the civil war.  One still photograph here depicts what

an 'embalming' station actually looked like near those

battle fields. Because of his embalming, hundreds and thousands

of men killed could be sent home for burial in their local

communities. Most of those early fluids were banned many

years ago as they contained very dangerous chemicals like

lead, arsenic, mercury and zinc. So thanks to Dr. Holmes

for the art and science of embalming. Although fewer

people are choosing embalming today, those who do select it

owe a debt of gratitude for his work out in the field.

It's a most interesting facet of the funeral industry. 

Here's the list of stories...

I've been asked by many many people to list what is going to

be in the new short story book Tales Unleashed....with it's

release scheduled for January the 3rd, I thought I would put

up the list of the stories that will be in it, they are below;

Crow, keeper of the gate...
House upon the hill...
A walk in fog and time...
Mason' mark...
Harry's lost airplane...
A night to remember...
Reflection at the Ardmour...
The Reading...
Grandmother's attic...
A brief stop at level two...
The haunted belfry...
Discovering Dr. John...
A hunter's panic...
A very close encounter...
The lantern...
Fortune tellers' marble...
The pumkin weeps...
The letter...
Ole man Crenshaw's place...
The conductor's watch...
Jimmy's night time visitor...
Candle in the window...
Jessie's find...
A skate on strange ice...
Lost at the drive-in..
Rose in the cemetery...
Billie's touch with the past...
The forgotten chimney...

I've had so much fun creating these stories, and I know
you will enjoy this little paperback when it comes out....
I'll be sharing the front and back covers with you... which
should be to me any day now!
Also, I would love to hear from you out there, please drop
me a line anytime at :   undertakings@inbox.com
and I'll note you back! SS

Just when you thought...

you had seen everything before.....couldn't find any of my

Christmas bubble light strings, so this year... something

totally unique.....putting up my very collectible Universal

Monster Creature from the Black Lagoon lights....

proving once again, that even 'creatures' can enjoy and

celebrate Christmas...

And of course it does fit right in to my theme here at

Stanley Swan's Undertakings....a bit off center, but I

thought you'd find it entertaining... now I'll wait for the

responses...lol.... have a safe holiday all.. and

remember, Tales Unleashed is 'unleashed' the first

week of January!  SS  (scroll down)

Four weeks and counting...

Within a short amount of time, approx. four weeks,

Book Stand Publishing of Morgan Hill, California will

announce the release and publication of my new short

story book Tales Unleashed.

It's a pocket sized paper back...like the ones you used to

buy as a kid....and you'll jump into 28 short stories I've

created to entertain you....and give you a few chills as

well. 

They are putting the finishing touches on the book as

we speak...and the cover will be here soon for me to

share.  January 3rd is the date... and I can't wait to share

it with you and my followers in the UK, Canada,

Australia and elsewhere....so stay tuned....and think

2019... a new year of opportunity, renewal and exciting

challenges!   SS

Thank you George H.W. Bush...

President George H.W. Bush's service dog Sully stays with his masters

casket before it departs for Washington D.C. Thank you Mr. President,

you taught us all humility, grace, compassion, wisdom and love for each other..

you were indeed a shining example for us all.....rest in peace Sir.