Short Slumbers: Recent Episodes
Mel Essy
I decided to only record the charming beginning of this tale of 'tomboy transformation'. I prefer Austen's Lady Susan, as far as epistolary tales go and I'm always sad when tomboys end up conforming! Cornelia is, however, a delightful and exuberant nature-loving quasi misanthrope.
Please do enjoy as you drift off to sleep.
This is my nascent effort at narrating a Christmas ghost story (sorry! it is a bit scary for a Short Slumbers offering!) complete with (hopefully) creepy sound effects. Having quickly listened to bits of other recordings of this story, I find that my version is a bit...restrained. I do prefer English stories with English accents, but mine just aren't consistent enough, so my twangy North American tones will have to do.
I hope you enjoy part one of this traditional Yuletide ghost story just the same. I'll be editing part 2 tomorrow!
Free sound effects from https://sfxcellar.accusonus.com/
I also use their (not free) filters to remove any explosive plosives and intrusive sounds.
More info about A.M. Burrage here:
https://www.deadtreepublishing.com/pages/a-m-burra
Although this ghost story was published in 1930 it is in the tradition started by the Victorians of telling ghost stories over the Yuletide period.
👻 Some background on the tradition of Victorian ghost stories here:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/dec/23/ghost-stories-victorians-spookily-good
http://victorian-era.org/ghost-stories-of-the-victorian-era.html
Charming, impish orphan Charlotte discovers 2 gaps on opposite sides of the orphanage property that give her a glimpse into the lives of 2 Very Different, but Wonderful Ladies and A Very Handsome Cat!
Jolly chums in the summer and virtue rewarded: (and social-climbing put down) a winning L.M.M. combination.
This episode recorded using a quieter mic and a little sound dampening. I hope the plosives and such are more pleasing to the ear.
This is the sort of Gothic(lite) tale that Ann Shirley or Emily Starr would've loved. It's a wee bit creepy, but not enough to keep you up at night. I think the rainy, cold fall weather we're having today inspired me to choose it (and the fact that Hallowe'en is coming!). Perhaps play a little Allerseelen by Richard Strauss to accompany this slightly spooky story.
I do love a feel-good story about a woman entrepreneur-especially when it involves baked goods and jars of apple jelly. I recommend this be accompanied by a delicious cup of tea and possibly a scone..or two.
I think this 6th of 20 short stories (from the first collection-1896-1901) has the makings of a good, camera-toting 'lady' P.I. period drama. Let me know if you agree.
Celebrated Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery was certainly prolific and although I thought I had read just about everything as a tween, I recently came across her short stories when I was casting about for something to record. The stories are about as charming and of their time as you would expect. I've chosen a handful that I liked best in the first of three volumes and am starting with An Invitation Given on Impulse. Personally, I'm always looking for something to fall asleep to besides ocean or whale sounds. I tend to favour news or politics, but thought that a L.L.M. story might be a bit more soothing and others might feel that way too. Consequently, I decided to warm up my narrative voice and set to work. Please enjoy (even if you do nod off quickly!).