#local blogging

[keeping-an-eye-out]

Ghosts in the County Website?

It's always been crunchy and slow to load, like every other net-based function in the region. I mean, we practically just transitioned away from dial-up. But this morning, some fellow sleuths brought something to my attention.

Yes. Gloamingcounty.com has been hacked. Not sure about their choice in graphics and decoration, but I appreciate the chaos for sure. I cracked up after loading the home screen only to find that creepy old lamb mascot tiled across the entire thing with its cheeky little grin.

Then, the slideshow loaded in. Most of the images look like home videos or photographs likely donated by community members. I wouldn't be surprised if they were drawn from the town's pre-existing photo bank. Then this happened:

This image has entranced me, dear reader. Who is she? Mysterious, silhouetted, some trace of a face just barely legible through the grain... Look at the blurry, indistinct shape of her shoulders. The nonsensical way the photograph smears around her, as if it can't believe she's there. Because she isn't.

Yes, I do believe we have a ghost in the machine. Or a liberal use of the blur tool in Photoshop. One of those. But in the spirit of Hallow's Eve festivities, I'd like to believe in ghost stories for once in my little skeptic's life.

The Gloaming County ghost. What should we call her?

Happy Halloween from yours truly,

Cain Mosni

On my way to the harvest fest now. Can't wait!

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Is Vi home rn??? When's the last time you've had contact??

The Egress works in strange ways.. We aren't the closest and I don't typically do house calls.. but if she doesn't turn up soon someone might need to go knocking on her door.

Eventful week, eh?

[keeping-an-eye-out]

Do YOU know who winona is?

A nosy bunch of anonymous readers, aren't you. I'm so proud.

I do. That is, if my hunch is correct on who YOU are referring to. Not sure if it's my place to speak on it, but here goes.

People called her a witch. It was mostly a snide joke among ladies at church buffet tables, but I know a good handful of people would've been ready with pitchforks and torches at a moment's notice if given the chance. God forbid a woman be a little spiritual and hippy-dippy in a way that ain't praising the Lord every Sunday.

Not to say she didn't go to church. She did, and brought her whole family along. I remember seeing her there when I went as a kid, anyway. Once she even corrected Rev Caplan on a quotation mid-sermon. When I tell you everyone went white as a sheet at that... she always struck me as sort of fearless in that way.

She worked some kind of nature conservancy job. Taught a lot of classes to kids in the woods, that sort of thing. I went to a few of her talks. Once, she brought out a hawk, took of its leather hood, and showed us how it hunted by holding a dead rabbit above her head. The kids all screamed when the thing dive-bombed us to snatch its prey, but I was having the time of my life.

I always got the feeling she didn't really mesh with Gloaming in general, though, despite growing up here. Or Gloaming didn't mesh with her? Not sure which. Sort of a chicken and egg situation.

Either way, she skipped town eventually. One of the few to actually make it out of this place for good. I still don't know how she did it.

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You alive buddy?

As alive as I can be on the job after a solid 3 hours of sleep. Haha. Chugging Zoomy-Mart brand pumpkin spice brew and boy is it bad!

Cheers.

-Cain

[keeping-an-eye-out]

Rumor: An old woman fishes coins out of the main square fountain every Saturday morning.

Score: 7/10 Soggy Pennies

Rating: TRUE!

I stopped by the main square market this Saturday... I showed up as early as I could drag myself out of bed. The market hadn't actually started yet, but I found myself a nice bench to sit at inconspicuously and sip some cheap coffee from the gas station down the road.

About fifteen minutes in, I wondered if this was a bust. Then I saw her. Just as our anonymous tip proclaimed, a woman approached from the far end of the square. It was difficult to make out much detail, as she was wrapped head to toe in several layers of colorful shawls and scarves and a matching knitted cap. She shambled over to the fountain and began... doing something? Scooping handfuls of water up and drinking it from her cupped palm, is what it looked like to me. Can't be sanitary. Then I saw that no, sure enough, she had grabbed a fistful of coins.

What happened next, I can't make sense of. I think she actually swallowed a quarter. Put it on her tongue and swallowed it like a pill. She was mumbling something the whole time, too. I couldn't make it out. It sounded sort of like a song.

She didn't seem to notice me so I didn't speak a word. Then she shambled back the way she came and was gone. I felt a bit cold all over after that, but by then the market had started up and vendors were opening their booths. The rest of the day went off without a hitch! I got to catch up with our anonymous friend, who I'll call Arugula, in person! What a treat. Always great to meet a fan. Especially one who pays such close attention to the goings-on about town. As I always say, keep an eye out! You never know what you might find.

Anywho, I soon forgot all about what I saw and the generally clammy energy it gave me. Until I had to write this post, that is. The people deserve to know!

So... you're welcome. Enjoy your daily dose of The Truth, certified by yours truly,

Cain Mosni

[keeping-an-eye-out]

UPDATE:

Scratch that on the Gainey sheep hunt. He’s been found, and uhhh... it ain’t pretty to say the least. I’m no park ranger, but I’ve never seen a wild animal make such a mess of their prey before. 

image source: Earnest S. Caterwaul Park Patrol.

If you have livestock or plan to raise ‘em in Gloaming County, invest in a couple of good, burly guard dogs. There’s something nasty in the woods, probably a bobcat or maybe my feral cousin from Florida. On a serious note, though, my uncle has chickens, and he keeps two Rottweilers outside of their pen to ward off those darn wildcats and foxes.

This has been Cain Mosni with your daily scoop of neighborhood drama. Stay safe and stay nosy, my friends. 

Brr, chills. I’m going to go make some tea. 

[keeping-an-eye-out]

Yikes, Gloaming PD!

A missing person and three wild animal complaints in just the last month. That must be a lot to handle. If only someone were doing something about it.

Deputy Craven told our highly skilled and professional reporters quote: 

“We're dealing with the Fennel case, I assure you. But wild animals? That’s the park patrol’s problem, not ours. We deal with local crime, not rabies.“ 

I don’t know about y'all, but if something big and nasty takes a chunk out of my baby terrier Rusty in the safety of my own backyard, I’m not waiting for those fine park rangers to scoot their way over from the station with a have-a-heart trap or what have you. 

Whatever you say, officer. Y'all have your work cut out for you, so we won’t interrupt. Get back to catching folks in the speed trap on Main or confiscating skateboards. You’re doing our community proud.

And about the missing woman? Apparently her car was found parked on one of the backroads, but everyone’s yet to see her. Curiouser and curiouser. 

This has been Cain Mosni, signing off for now. 

Sleep tight, stay safe, and keep your eyes peeled. 

[keeping-an-eye-out]

ok so my rumor is: an old woman fishes all the coins out of the main square fountain every saturday morning. big fan btw. love everything you do. whnver I see u at the farmers market I just want to give you the biggest hug. sry if that's weird and parasocial of me lol. your content just makes me laugh about this place. that's hard to do some days. (I'm the guy who sells arugula and beet micro-greens btw if you want to come say hi. totally optional of course. I know you're a busy man. hehe.) 🥬

Howdy, pal! Thanks for the support. What can I say, I'm easy to adore. Maybe I will stop by. Looks like I'll have to in order to give my official verification on this particular rumor.

Did you plan that? Not mad if you did, but I do want to know. (Insert wink here.)

Cain is on the case!