Louisiana Ghost Stories: Le Lutin

When I was a child one of the stories told to me by my Creole / Cajun family members was the story of the Lutin. Pronounced loo-tah, short a as in apple, it is the French Canadian version of the Leprechan or elf. The females are Lutins, pronounce the "n" but not the "s" For some odd reason, it terrified me as a child. Perhaps it was because there was the constant pitter-patter of little feet in our home due to toddlers or rats or something supernatural. But one thing is for sure, it didn't take much to terrify a 3 year old. Here is the story:

Long ago, in France, there lived Le Lutin, a mischief maker who appeared everywhere -- along the rocky shorelines, in the dark forests, in villages and towns.

The lutin could change his shape and appearance, and when he wanted to, he would take human form, and then people called him "le bon garcon," the handsome man, though many say he was not handsome. When the lutin lived upon the coastline, he often turned into "le petit homme rouge," the little red man, and sometimes he had a long beard.

No matter what shape the lutin took, he loved horses. They were his cherished animals, and people always knew when the lutin was about, for his horses would appear with braided manes, and they would often become fat, for the lutin loved to feed his horses.

Now when the French people settled in Canada, they had not planned to bring along the lutin, but the lutin is a trickster, and so it was that before long, he appeared in Canada.

No one in Quebec had expected the lutin, for no one imagined he could travel across the ocean, but one morning, in early autumn, a farmer named Jacques who lived in Quebec walked out to his barn and discovered that every one of his horses had a braided mane, and a braided tail, too.

"This must be the work of the lutin," said Jacques, "but I shall stop him from playing his tricks," for no matter that the lutin meant no harm, he was an irritating fellow, and few farmers wanted their horses' tails to be tangled.

Jacques thought for a while, remembering tales of other farmers who faced the tricks of the lutin. He could think of nothing that might stop the trickster, and so he went to discuss the matter with his fellow farmers.

"What sort of traps work?" Jacques asked Pierre, Paul and Bernard. "Remember, the lutin changes shape with ease."

The four farmers pondered the problem. They all wanted to help Jacques, not because they were particularly generous, but because they knew that once a lutin comes to a village or a town, he will invade every barn, stable and farm in sight.

And so they came up with a solution. Together they returned to Jacques' barn, and there, just outside the door, they dug a deep pit. "When he leaves the barn, he'll have to come this way," said Bernard, for this had been his idea. "The rest of you will hide inside the barn and do as I've instructed you to do."

That very night Jacques, Paul and Pierre hid inside the barn. Jacques hid in the horses' stall, and Paul and Pierre hid just outside, in a row, so that the lutin would have to run in a straight line out the door. And there, outside the door, just beyond the pit, stood Bernard. He held a sack. This was just in case the lutin somehow managed not to fall in the hole.

They waited breathlessly, and sure enough, they suddenly heard movement, and then they saw him. The lutin, was disguised, of course, as a tiny, bearded man carrying a sack full of sweetened oats to feed to Jacques' horses.

The horses neighed happily at the sight and smell of the lutin, but just as the horses neighed, Jacques jumped out of his hiding place.

The lutin turned to flee, for lutins do not abide detection by human beings. He ran out of the stall, and as he did, Pierre and Paul leaped out of their hiding places.

The lutin streaked toward the barn door. The lutin can run as fast as the wind, and it is difficult to see him as he runs. The men saw only a flash of red -- the color of the lutin's coat -- and they stared in wonder as the door to the barn flew open.

And then they heard an enormous whoop as the lutin managed to flee right over the hole, but just as they had imagined, he landed in Bernard's huge sack. Bernard at once closed the sack.
"I've got him!" he cried, and the three men ran to join their friend outside.

"Don't open the sack until dawn," Jacques whispered as they stared at the bulging sack. "The lutin does not like sunlight."

"Are you sure of that?" asked Pierre, for no one knew precisely what was true when it came to the lutin. They all knew, though, that they had caught the fellow, and they were so proud of themselves, they did not feel at all tired.

"We'll stay awake all night, and in the morning we'll have a look at our prisoner," said Pierre. The others nodded their agreement.

They built a big bonfire, and there they sat that night, the sack held fast beside them. They sang, and toasted each other and their brilliant trick. "We're trickier than the lutin himself," said Paul, and the others agreed.

When dawn came, Bernard grinned happily. "I shall now open the sack," he announced, but as he released the rope around the neck of the sack, a blur rushed past them. "What was that?" they cried in amazement, but all they heard was a giggle that turned into roaring laughter, and they knew the little trickster had run away.

He never did return to that stable, or so the tale goes, but many loggers in Quebec tell tales of their horses' braided manes and the ways of the trickster lutin.

Gold Bond Rough and Bumpy Skin Review



What is Gold Bond Rough and Bumpy Skin Cream?

Walgreens.com shows the following product information:
Effective for combating rough and bumpy skin on arms and legs as well as extremely rough, dry skin on elbows, knees and heels. Gentle yet effective combination of AHA, BHA and PHA exfoliates. 8 intensive moisturizers condition and soften.

Proven results: 90% experienced smoother, softer skin in just 1 week. 72% experienced reduction in bumps/the appearance of KP in 4 weeks. 89% experienced consistently less bumpy and significantly softer skin in 4 weeks.

• Dermatologist tested
• Fragrance free
• Non-greasy and non-irritating

Made in Canada

Apply as often as needed, or as directed by a physician. Use sunscreen or other sun protection to prevent sun sensitivity while using this product. Discontinue use if there is any irritation or burning.
© 2014 Chattem, Inc.

What is KP?

Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is a very common and completely harmless skin condition. In the population as a whole, keratosis pilaris may affect as many as one person in three. Its name gives some idea of what it is. 'Keratosis' means that there is too much keratin – which makes up the tough horny outer layer of the skin: 'pilaris' comes from the Latin word for hair (pilus). In keratosis pilaris, many small (1 to 2 mm. across) horny plugs can be seen blocking the hair follicles on the upper and outer parts of the arms and thighs.

What causes keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is an inherited skin condition, running strongly in many families, sometimes with a generally dry skin (ichthyosis). The way it is inherited varies from family to family, but often fits into an 'autosomal dominant' pattern – which means that there will be a 1 in 2 chance that each child of an affected parent will inherit the condition. Keratosis pilaris appears when extra keratin accumulates in the hair follicles. This is usually in childhood, and most obvious during adolescence, often it clears in adulthood. It tends to be better in the summer than in the winter. Keratosis pilaris is harmless, and is not infectious.

Product Review

I found the product to be too expensive initially. It was at Walgreens for $11.99. But my daughter has KP on her calves and it has begun to develop on the underside of her forearms. There is no discoloration, only a rough bumpiness. I have KP on the underside of my forearms and my triceps. I am dark skinned and the marks are even darker. Doctors have no solutions for us. I have found that exfoliating gloves and a lavender infused natural soap keeps the KP from progressing. But it is very slow in its effectiveness. I saw a commercial for this product and decided to try it out.

I immediately noticed softer smoother skin, but only in the smooth skin areas around the KP. I felt like Neil Goldman from Family Guy when Meg tells him, "I never noticed how smooth the skin between your acne is."

The second thing I noticed was the uncomfortable tackiness of the product. My skin stuck to my pajamas and made me uncomfortable all night. During the day, when I rested my forearms on my desk calendar, I found dead skin residue on the paper. It was gross and I was not pleased. But then I remembered that the product, although smooth to the touch, is an exfoliating cream. So I decided to only apply the cream at night. I also noticed that it does not wash away easily. When showering, you will really need to scrub the cream away.

In one week, I noticed a difference in the way my skin felt but not the way it looked. I began using it twice a day and wearing long sleeves to deal with the tackiness. By week 4, after sporadic use, the KP on my arms was 90% less visible and physically detectable than before. The product delivered on its guarantee. I recommend using exfoliating gloves or loofahs in the bath and a moisturizing body wash in combination with the product as it causes layers of dead skin to shed in a rapid amount of time. Keep the area covered to protect it from the sun and to speed up the process.

The product was definitely not overpriced as originally believed. I would purchase it again.

Mabon Incense Recipe

Mabon is defined as:

The holiday of the autumnal equinox, Harvest Home, Mabon, the Feast of the Ingathering, Meán Fómhair or Alban Elfed, is a Pagan ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and the God during the coming winter months. The name Mabon was coined by Aidan Kelly around 1970 as a reference to Mabon ap Modron, a character from Welsh mythology. Among the sabbats, it is the second of the three Pagan harvest festivals, preceded by Lammas / Lughnasadh and followed by Samhain.

I like to mark the occasion by burning incense. Here is my recipe for Mabon incense that is burned on charcoal.

2 parts sandalwood Powder
2 parts White Oak Bark (You may substitute Oak Leaves)
1 part rosemary
1 part cinnamon chips
1 part Apple Chips
1 part Frankincense

All ingredients must be dried and well ground. You may use a coffee or spice grinder but you should not use the appliance for food once you do. A pestle and mortar are advised. Just spoon the desired amount onto your lit charcoal and let smolder. Keep the remainder in an air tight container.

What Apple Fans Want Everyone to Know

We don't actually wait years for anything.

The fact is, Apple products are built to last. I still have a MacBook that I purchased before the release of the first smartphone. And guess what? It's just as fast, graphics are great, still just as compatible, and it's as virus free as the day I bought it. Sure there have been many changes in the MacBook line. There have been many changes to laptops and notebooks. But the thing is, I've never needed to buy a new one. The same is true of the IPhone. I still have and use my Verizon IPhone 4. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It's small, no bugs, compatible, nice pics, works great. I've had this phone over five years. So why do Apple users upgrade? There are three simple reasons. One, you have damaged or broken your product. Sometimes it's just cheaper to replace than to repair. Two, you're completely happy with your product except for one or two features. Once those features have changed, you're willing to upgrade. Three, You're a lessor. Many people like to have the newest version of everything. By constantly upgrading your Apple product, you will always have a new product that you can sell before it's completely depreciated. Much like leasing cars. I am an Apple fan that falls under one and two. I had my IPhone 4 so long that if I broke it, it would make sense to simply replace it. Also, as a mother, I LOVED the Touch ID and the Cloud. Sure other phones have these features, but not before Apple.

We aren't throwing away money.

There's a reason new Android phones and PC products are released so frequently. The life expectancy of the product is shorter. Imagine what would happen if your Galaxy gave out completely before the new version was released. Imagine that the release of the new version took as long as the IPhone. How many times would you have to purchase the same phone before the new version came out? The fact is, this was a part of the marketing campaign. Companies must determine the approximate amount of time before consumers realize they have purchased the same product more than once and therefore have an inferior product, before they decided to switch brands? Many new IPhone fans have purchased more than one Android phone before the next one was released. After realizing just how much was spent they figured, they could have bought one IPhone that would have lasted the entire five years. The same is true of notebooks and laptops. They came with screens that flip and spin and an operating system that mimicked Apple's. But the products failed to perform and they did everything but keep viruses out. A product that isn't expected to last cannot be expensive. It also has to regularly come up with new gimmicks to keep consumers faithful, to distract from the fact that they have the inferior product. The old adage "You get what you pay for" is so true when it comes to Apple and non-Apple products.

We don't believe the hype.

In fact, there is no hype. When a new Apple product is set to release, there is always the leak, and then the actual release. Every IPhone user I've known has said that they learned of the new IPhone from a non-IPhone user. That is because a good competitor spies the competition. But think for a moment about Apple commercials.  There is simply the product. In fact, sometimes, there isn't any dialogue or lyrics to the music. When you're selling a great product, you don't need all the buzz and fluff. Also, winners don't compare themselves to anyone else. If you're the best, why compare to the rest? And why would anyone want to switch from Apple to Android when they are releasing commercials that basically call us idiots that make poor decisions. "You're an idiot for buying that IPhone. Switch to Android." Yeah, that's not going to make me want to switch.

We don't want bigger screens, you do.

There were many surveys that determined the biggest reason non-IPhone users haven't switched was the screen. They loved, however, the quality, picture, function and security.Veteran IPhone users want privacy, hence the TouchID. We don't like others seeing what's on our screens. We don't like people in line seeing what type of credit card we have in our wallets. We don't like apps that use blanket permissions that allow regular monitoring of our phone content. So the IPhone 5s focused on those things. The reality is the IPhone 6 is not geared toward current IPhone users, It's intended for those holdouts who haven't taken the plunge yet. Veteran IPhone users, aren't complaining about the phones they already have.

The same is also true of the notebooks. Have you noticed how subtle the changes to a MacBook are? Have you noticed how every few years there's a new gimmick on the PC laptops? The reason is these features either fail to function or don't attract the masses in the first place. Apple hasn't really changed a thing. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The greatest difference was the MacBook Air, which, surprise surprise, was thinner and smaller. It is still the top selling notebook. In fact, when schools order computers and tablets, they order Apple, not Android, not PC. The reasons, the reliability and the quality of the products.

In summary, Apple fans are people who want quality products that last long enough not to need a gimmicky upgrade every year to distract us. We aren't hipsters looking for the trendiest products. We are techies who seek out time tested technological advances. No matter how many You-Tube videos you make about us, we aren't switching.

What Classy Women Know

This is merely a compilation of things that self-described classy women say has set them apart from other women. There were many other things that were named but I didn't want this post to be too long. The following is in no way meant to pass judgment on others.


Go tagless.

Those tags on your lingerie, cut 'em off. The point of a lacy thong is to show off your assets. A slender, pink tag with your size on it, sticking out of your crack is not attractive. In fact, the only tags you should have on your clothing should be the designer's label. If you can't remember your size or how to launder your clothing, you have other things to focus on. Lingerie should not have any labels at all.

You don't need to raise your voice to be heard.

Speaking loudly, shouting, rolling your neck will certainly call attention to you. Unfortunately, it will not be the attention you seek. Change your vernacular, use different tones and facial expressions to emphasize your point rather than raise your voice.

Don't use words you don't know.

Most people attempt to use words they don't know in order to sound more intelligent. But the reality is, it has the opposite effect. It is better to take the time to learn the words you don't know and how to properly use them. The same is true of enunciation and pronunciation. Over enunciating and pronouncing words with excess, in an attempt to sound "proper" makes other's wonder about you. Be yourself.

Your bra is not a purse.

There are several styles of handbags, purses, clutches and totes. There is never a reason to use your bra as a purse. No one wants your sweaty money. It's not very classy to reach down into your bra at the counter at the grocery store.

Take it easy on the perfume.

A woman's perfume should not announce her arrival to a room. It should also be light enough to last but mere seconds when she leaves the room. It should last just long enough for someone to want to follow her out of the room to ask her for her number.

Make-up is meant to enhance your beauty.

Eyebrows should be easily identified as neatly groomed strips of hair. They should not appear to be painted on or drawn on with a Sharpie. If it takes you two washes to remove all of your make-up at night, you're wearing too much make-up.

Dress for your body type.

Thin women should not wear high-waisted pants and full-figured women should not wear low rise jeans. The reason is that certain garments cover up the natural beauty of a woman's figure. For example, low-rise jeans on full-figured women brings attention to the waist. Curvy jeans or hip-huggers provide the same look in a more flattering way. A flat chested woman can wear a ruffle front top and appear to be more balanced at the top. A smooth front top on a full-figured woman, as simple as it is, can make a man's jaw drop. She has curves that should not be disguised.

Polish can be flashy but your nails should be simple.

There seems to be a trend of pointy manicures. Women are wearing lattice patterns on pointed, witch-like nails. You may love your new nails, but your man is secretly praying you won't gouge his eyes out when you reach for him at night. If you have to type with the underside of your fingers rather than the finger tips, your nails are too long.

Keep it in the closet.

You are woman, we've heard you roar. There is no need to discuss your sexual escapades in public. If someone wants to know what you're like in bed, then they should at least have to ask you on a date to find out. True, men are attracted to overt displays of sexuality. If this were false, twerking would not have made a comeback. But what keeps a man coming back for more is the mystery. Which is more exciting, an unwrapped birthday present, or a wrapped one?

How to Give Her a Mind Orgasm

We've all heard the Alanis Morissette song, All I Really Want. She practically ignited a riot amongst Generation X when she shouted, "And all I need now is intellectual intercourse, a soul to dig the hole much deeper."

Many Star Trek fans also remember at least one episode per version of the show where someone performed a mind meld. It began with Mr. Spock and continued on to Deanna Troi on The Next Generation, as well as Odo on Deep Space Nine to name a few. It would seems as though the geeks and nerds of the Sci-Fi genre have a deeper understanding of what it is that women truly want. Their ideas of making love tend to involve discussing literary works or scientific theory before somehow, telepathically perhaps, tapping into her deepest desires and satisfying her in ways even Captain James T. Kirk couldn't accomplish. Could all of these geeks and nerds be wrong? In my opinion, no.

How many times have you come home to a woman who is rambling on and on about "that bitch at work" (or the PTA, or the grocery store, or wherever) and wondered what you did to deserve to be tortured? You really don't want to hear her crap. But guess what, she want's to talk about it. And what she wants more than to talk about it, is to have you listen to her. And I don't mean sit there blankly while fighting the urge to dose off. I mean active listening, asking questions, relevant questions and giving a corresponding opinion. Making a woman feel like you are actually listening to her and valuing her thoughts is the equivalent to unfastening her bra. It won't be long before you're bumping uglies in the dark, or smashing, as it has been recently referred.

But you can't just sit there and listen to her babble. Although, depending on the woman you chose to be your mate, you may have to do just that. In reality, most women want to talk about something more. Ask her about the situation in Tel Aviv, her opinions on the misogyny of feminism, when is the right age to wean a child from breast feeding. Even if she has never thought of those things before, chances are, she will be grateful that you even attempted to have an intellectual conversation with her. Don't get me wrong, every woman wants to be beautiful and esthetically attractive. But the truly confident ones are already content with their outward appearance. They don't need or want any reassurance from you that they have "a big fat butt." What they want is to know that they are more than just a "dime piece." If you encounter a topic she knows nothing about, teach her. She will respect you for it. Think of the football fan in the fall, all set to watch his favorite team when his woman walks in. She has no idea what's going on or even what a touchdown is. But he recognizes that she wants to be a part of this aspect of his life, so he teaches her. And although she may ultimately choose a different team as her favorite, together they can enjoy one of his past times simply because he took the time to teach her.

Try it out one day. Pick a Friday or Saturday when you both already planned to stay in. Turn off the t.v. and pour some wine. Only turn on the stereo if you intend to discuss the music playing. Strike up a conversation. Make and maintain consistent eye contact. Discover things about her you never knew before, while sharing things about you with her that she never knew. If you run out of things to say, say nothing. Her mind will peak multiple times in ways you can only imagine. This is the equivalent of removing her panties. I'm sure you know what to do from there.

Stimulating a woman's mind is the best way to show her that she is more than just a sexual object to you. That is the best reassurance you can offer her, whether or not she is insecure. But of course, that doesn't mean that she doesn't enjoy meaningless raunchy sex anymore. It just means you finally made her mind feel what her body feels. If you need more clarification, go ask a geek or a nerd.

Things to Consider BEFORE You Have An Affair

Every wife has thought about cheating on her husband. Exactly what she's thought about it may vary. Some women will swear to the Lord above that the only thoughts they have ever had on cheating is that they would never and that their husbands had better not. But then there are the ones who are seriously weighing their options. Here are some things to consider while you ponder the unthinkable.

Why are you doing it?

There's never a good reason for it. There may be very understandable and forgivable reasons, but no justification ever exists. So figure out your motivation for doing it in the first place. If you're bored, angry, unsatisfied, you may want to put in a little more work with your husband. As Ludacris once said, "Some say that sex is overrated but they just ain't doin' it right." If ho-hum has hit your sex life or if too many arguments have turned you off, find another solution. You will find it extremely difficult to live with yourself once you work through your rough patch if you have an affair for such a simple reason.

But then there are the more complex reasons. I know people who have done it because they can't afford the divorce. Affording the divorce goes beyond the cost of a divorce. In a divorce, consider the living arrangements for the children, which friends you will undoubtedly have to stop seeing, the cost of child support etc. Justified or not, there are some situations where it's easier for some women to supplement rather than replace. Whatever your decision, make sure the reason you choose is one you can live with.

What do you want out of the affair?

There are long term and short term affairs. You have to be clear before you have the affair of exactly what you want. If you are looking for a full-fledged relationship to replace your own, it's better to wait until the relationship has officially ended. "Once a cheater always a cheater" is a concept that applies to women as well. How will your new belle or beau be able to trust that you will be faithful when you were cheating when you met? This will certainly trip up your road to happiness. If you want short term, does your lover want the same thing? We've all seen the stalker stories on Discovery ID and Lifetime where one person wants sex and the other believes they were soul mates. If what you want is short term, consider how far the other person may be willing to go to keep the relationship going. If what you want is long term, can you handle letting go?

Are you willing to lose everything?

This goes back to my first question. Why are you doing it? If your reasons to have the affair outweigh your reasons to abstain, in theory, your situation is such that you are ready to lose everything. Which is why some say, just end the relationship. When you have the affair, you aren't just risking your marriage. Your friends and family will judge you. Some will forgive you, others will not. Your employer may find out thus ending your employment, especially in an at-will hire state. Are you a PTA member, philanthropist, public figure, community leader? If so, you may do irreparable harm to your career and your community. What will you do when your child's teacher finds out? Will the couples you used to hang out with shun you to protect their own relationships? Being a cheater can be very lonely.

Is this going to be a secret?

If you plan on keeping this affair a secret, can you handle it? In order to keep an affair secret, you have to be able to behave as if nothing at all has changed. You also have to make sure that the lover you choose has just as much to lose if not more than you. A single man has nothing to lose if your husband finds out, but a married man would. But then that elevates your transgressions to include an entirely different family. Can you live with that on your conscience? You have to be very discreet about your affair if you choose to have one. You can't risk being seen in places where you will be recognized. There is always the chance that your spouse's friends may be out one day and see you with your lover. What happens then? How will your spouse react once he or she discovers what you did? Is your spouse suicidal, homicidal, likely to take the children and flee? If you choose to have an affair, you will have to spend more money to travel to far away or private places. Or, you will have to spend all of your time indoors, which may be what you want in the first place.

Will you use protection? 

This seems like such an obvious answer, but Maury Povich isn't famous for political interviews. The fact is, the average woman does not know when she's ovulating. Which means, if she is having sex without birth control or barriers, she will increase her probability of getting pregnant. How do you explain a pregnancy to your spouse? What if you're still having sex with your spouse, will you know who is your child's father? Will your lover cut and run the moment he discovers you're pregnant? The thing to remember is, you are having an affair. The lover you choose, may not feel the need for monogamy. Who are you to criticize? Your lover could bring home everything from HPV to AIDS. If you aren't using protection, you risk infecting your spouse and any unborn children. If you use protection with your lover that you normally don't use with your spouse, you will be discovered.

How will you handle an unplanned pregnancy?

There are a few choices. You can come clean to your spouse and keep the baby. You can come clean and choose adoption. You can have an abortion. You can lie and let your spouse believe it's his baby. Keeping the baby opens your whole family up to ridicule. Having an abortion, right or wrong, will have a lasting emotional effect on you. Choosing to allow your spouse to believe your lover's child is his own presents a number of issues. Your lover may want his child to be with him and his family. Your spouse may become suspicious and decide to ask for a DNA test. Your friends will be burdened with the decision to tell your spouse or remain loyal to you. Your child will grow up not knowing the true identity of his or her father.

My goal is not to sway your decision either way. But one must consider all possible consequences of their decisions. Only you know what the right decision for you will be.