…so, naturally, I was afraid! It didn’t even need to be stormy. If it was dark, I was afraid. As you all know, I grew up on a farm in a little mountain valley where I could see every star in the universe once twilight ceased and darkness reigned. Every. Single. Star. I should have been in awe! And, if I was outside with someone else, I certainly could relax and appreciate the limitless view of the heavens.

But, if I was alone in the dark, for whatever reason, inside or outside, all I experienced was a heart-pounding irrational fear. One evening we drove to town to go see a movie. It could have been a Disney cartoon classic or something equally innocuous like “The Parent Trap” or some Doris Day film. It doesn’t matter because also shown was a Woody Woodpecker cartoon that involved a vampire vulture stalking Woody. Naturally, Woody was oblivious to the threat, and every time the vulture just missed getting Woody. But that vulture’s looming face, coming up behind cheerful little Woody Woodpecker really got to me! When we were home, I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed, and THERE WAS THE VAMPIRE VULTURE!! No, seriously, I swear I saw him in the darkness of the window panes over the bathtub. He WAS there. So, from then on, if I went to the bathroom after dark, I had to consciously NOT look at the windows, or I couldn’t even stay in there long enough to brush my teeth.