Vampires and Mothers

May all the mothers and those who love them have a wonderful Mother's Day. Enjoy your time together, try to enjoy the time apart, let Mom read a book, have some chocolate, and take a bubble bath, if that's her thing. If she'd prefer a trip to the movies and a beer, by all means, make it happen.

Of course, if she'd rather curl up with some old vampire movies, I recommend the Frank Langella version of "Dracula". It's a standard for me and my mother -- possibly the first movie we saw together that we loved for the same reason (uh, that would be Frank Langella, the Dracula as far as we're concerned).

Whatever you do today, with or without your mother, stop and remember something that could only have happened between you and your mom. Then catch Langella as the Prince of Darkness. (You'll thank me later.)

Jemma Chase

Buy a Book for Valentine's Day!

Oh, I know it's a few weeks away. But you should be thinking about the romantic day now.

Roses are lovely, but they die. Candy is nice, but it causes weight gain. Dinner out is an hour or so and then it's gone. A movie may make a memory, but you'll still have to buy the DVD. Certainly lingerie has its place, but how often are you really going to wear it?

But a book. Now a book has lasting power. It's still one of the best, nay, the best entertainment investment you can make. Read it right away. Read it later. Read it anywhere. Re-read it any time you want. Share it, treasure it, shelve it. Use it to help prop a piece of furniture or say 'I thought of you'. No matter what, a book is a wonderful thing to give and to receive.

With the economy the way it is, a book can say 'I love you' over and over again, in either hardcover or paperback, and it says it with fiscal responsibility, too.

Need some title suggestions? Well, I'm partial to the classics -- 'Dracula', 'Interview With the Vampire', 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil', 'Misery', or, I suppose, 'Love Story' would all be good choices. Newer options include -- 'Twilight' and 'Bloodsucking Fiends'. Really, you can't go wrong with anything that has 'blood' or 'vampire' in the title. Nothing says love like someone turning you immortal, after all.

No matter what you choose, including something sweet and nice without a single vampire or psycho who hurts because he/she loves too much in it, choose a book, the true testament to lasting affection.

Jemma Chase