Bloody Mary

One of the most famous ghosts of them all: Bloody Mary. 

The tale varies from place to place - even the person who was thought to be the original Mary varies greatly. I began digging into this myth because of my own story and found that if you're writing a paranormal, you could morph this ghost into whatever you need it to be. It can be a good or bad depending on which stories you hear.

Of course we all know the one where you call out and she's supposed to rip your face off or do something equally terrible - but, did you know that Bloody Mary could be referring to the Virgin Mary? In this case, she does not harm you and may offer protection of some sort. Then, there was a legend where you'd stand in front of a mirror holding an apple after brushing your hair 100 times and Bloody Mary would reward you with a peak at your future husband.

Then there are other versions where an animal appears instead of Mary - such as the Donkey Lady or Mary Wolf.

There's many many legends about who she was. "The loony woman next door", a young woman named Mary Worth whose child was killed or murdered and the people thought she was the one who did it (in which case you're supposed to say "I believe Mary Worth" or "I don't believe in Mary Worth" or "I hate Mary Worth" or "Bloody Mary I killed your baby" or "Bloody Mary I have your baby".) the bloody English queen Mary herself, Mary queen of Scots, Mary Magdalene, an ax murderer, a child killer and many more.

Sure, most of stories end badly after you've called to her but in some cases, she can give you toys or candy, sometimes you just get to see what she looks like, you can ask her questions, harmless scratches appear on your skin, or the bathtub water turns red.

If you're writing a story, it can go either way - good or bad - depending on how you want it. I found most of this information at this site: The Face in the Mirror, Looking at Bloody Mary, Mary Worth and Other Variants of a Modern Legend
And also at wikipedia though, the site above gives the most information I could find.

Hope I could help!
Until next time~!

Shmoo

I came across this funny creature when paging through my book, Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose. It states that this lovable creature is the sweetest thing around. He's always smiling and happy, and is self-sacrificing. He can produce milk, eggs, and butter when needed and if looked at by a starving man would die of happiness to be eaten.
He taste like chicken if you boil him, steak if grilled, his hide was the finest leather, he multiplied quicker than a rabbit, and his eyes could be made for perfect buttons.

I read here: http://www.deniskitchen.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=bios.shmoo that he was so good that the people stopped working and became dependent upon them. So the American government took them all to try and get the people to work again but one managed to slip away and start his own colony in Dogpatch's Valley.

If you're in need of a creature sidekick in your story, he would probably be a good one. Until next time~

Water Leaper

The Water Leaper does exactly as it's name states - it hops on top of the water like a crazy beach ball.

Its image varies but, what is consistent it that it is round and winged with a tail that has a stinger and looks like a large toad-ish bat, except no legs. It uses its wings to skip across the water's smooth surface and with its sharp teeth cuts fishermen's lines and eats their bait. Sometimes, when it's fed up with fish bait and livestock and decidedly feeling adventurous, it lures the fishermen themselves to the edges of their boat and gobble them instead.

You don't have to worry about this little devil popping up and eating you while leaning over the rail of your cruise ship to ogle at the sunset. That is...if that cruise is stopping by Wales. Then you should be worried. So, if your cruise ship just happens to be chugging by Wales on the Irish Sea, stay in your cabins folks.

Until next time~