It’s Mythical Monday time and only a few days after WEATHERING ROCK’s release. Wow. Can you believe it? Given I’m still deliriously jazzed about the whole idea, I thought I’d use today’s MM post to examine an element key to the novel.
How the heck did Caleb DeCardian end up in 2012? Let’s not forget, the guy was born in 1833.
You’ve probably heard me mention ball lightning before. When I started poking around looking for an…ahem…plausible explanation of how a Civil War colonel ended up in modern times, I was drawn to weather phenomena.
With its unpredictable nature, ferocity, and visually-striking spectacles, weather seemed the perfect conduit for time travel. Although there are multiple theories about ball lightning there is no concrete explanation of cause. Most eyewitnesses have reported seeing spheres of glowing light that hiss, spin, bounce, and often explode. It’s a rarity, widely considered a mystery.
Nice mesh for my werewolf Colonel, huh? I thought so too. 😀
Arianna Hart, the heroine of my novel, is excited when she sees it for the first time, although I’m not positive I’d be as enthusiastic.
Ball lightning was responsible for killing four people and injuring 60 others during a church service in Devon England in 1638. It shattered glass, hurled stone from the building, demolished pews, and crushed ceiling beams.
In 1726 the British sloop Catherine and Mary lost her main mast to ball lightning. It killed
one crewmember and maimed another, ripping off his hand.
The HMS Warren Hastings was struck by three spheres of ball lightning in 1809. Two crewmembers were killed, another injured and, like the Catherine and Mary, her mast went up in flame.
WWII pilots and submariners often reported occurrences of what may have been ball lightning. As recent as last year, it was reported a ball of light with a two-meter tail, crashed through the window of an Emergency Services Center in the Czech Republic. It bounced and rolled from window, to ceiling, to floor, eventually disappearing. Probably made a heck of a display – – ball lightning comes in a wide variety of vibrant colors – – but I’m not sure I’d want to get caught up in that rainbow.
Caleb DeCardian has a different viewpoint. He believes the only way back to 1863 is through another shower of ball lightning.
Hmm. Will it happen?
Let’s just say there are several instances of weather-spawned phenomena in WEATHERING ROCK available for your discovery. 🙂
Thanks for spending another Mythical Monday with me. I hope you enjoy reading these posts as much as I do writing them!
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
Stunning photographs and a fascinating concept about Ball Lightning and journeys to the past.
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Hi! Many thanks for dropping by and checking out my post. I’m glad you enjoyed it and the tie-in to time travel. I’ve always been fascinated by weather and hope to see ball lightning some day (although, maybe from a distance, LOL).
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I think a lightening ball may be very exciting to witness…but from a big, BIG distance. 🙂
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My thoughts exactly, Kitt! 😀
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Mae, I’m starting to think you are my long lost sister from another Mister. 😉
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How fun. I can just picture your hero being a storm chaser!
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Funny you mention storm chasers. I’m currently playing around with notes for a novel revolving around that. Weather seems to crop up in much of my writing 🙂
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Not only is your writing beautiful and lyrical but there’s education going on at the same time:) Kee it up!
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Thank you, Sheri. I’m so appreciative of all that you said. I so love sharing these tidbits of folklore and legend I’ve come across. I’m glad you find them entertaining and informative!
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I’d never heard of ball lightning before you mentioned it — so this was very intriguing, and I think it’s an awesome way to time travel. 🙂 It’s a bit frightening, though, so I’ll just sit wayyyy over here and watch it. LOL
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LOL! I’m with you, Donna. I would love to see it but I want to see it from a very safe distance! 😀
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How imaginative and great research into lightning ball phenomenon! Wonderful way to weave a story!
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Thanks, Deborah. I love taking various mysterious elements and weaving them into my stories. I’m glad you enjoyed this one!
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Can’t wait to read it! : )
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Thanks so much, Eric. I always appreciate your comments! 😀 WEATHERING ROCK is available for purchase now. I hope you enjoy it!!! 🙂
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I think if balls of lightning send men like Caleb my way, light it up! LOL Loved how creative you were with your world-building! You know I’m big on that! Cool post!
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