We just saw “The Batman” movie for the first time last week. The soundtrack is amazing; we had to get the vinyl! Piano, drums, and a synthesizer are used most effectively. Additional unique combinations that at times give off an eerie old movie vibe stand out as beautifully haunting or ironically, powerfully strong with integrity. Nirvana’s “Something in the Way” is perfect for the film as well, but not included on the soundtrack album.

I put off watching “The Batman” (2022), because I couldn’t see Robert Pattinson as Batman. Since a sequel is currently in the works, I thought I better give it a watch to see. I loved it! Pattinson played the most introverted Batman yet and is even quieter as Bruce Wayne. The grittiness and loneliness of what it is to be Batman in fighting for the right in a dark world shines like moonlight.

This was a great find from Mondo. Glad we got it. Echoes of sounds that are from the Imperial March from Vader and Jaws.

We experienced one of the most peaceful shopping experiences on Saturday, July 11, at the Lilyfest located in the Bishop Educational Gardens in Rockbridge, Ohio.  After parking our car in a field, we were greeted with a map and welcome at no costs and entered the Viking area, which really takes you back to a time when everything was handmade.  My husband had been looking for an Iceland spar crystal and we found one at the first vendor’s tent we visited.  The spar is combined with a leather string to make a necklace.  Shortly after, we came across the opportunity of axe throwing and my husband jumped on that!  Again, there was no charge, but donations were welcome. 

As we continued to meet different vendors (over 60 artists and craftspeople offering pottery, jewelry, stained glass, leather, nature photography, and garden art, etc…) and shop through the woods, the lush green scenery was gorgeous and eventually along the path we discovered the lily pond where beautiful pink lilies bloomed and frogs croaked.  Gnome and fairy gardens were also scattered throughout the woods along with large sculptures incorporated creatively into the landscape.  Live musicians performing during our visit added to the folk ambiance of the artistic and natural atmosphere.     

The Lilyfest runs over a span of three days in July and this year marks their 34th year.  We would recommend taking cash as even though some vendors accept credit cards, the cell service is spotty.  We still were able to purchase a photography and informational book on owls by James N. Brown, the spar necklace, and a beautiful rose quartz.  If you visit next year, would you please leave us a note and share about your experience?      

Skyrim on Wax: A Collector’s Review of the IGN Red 4LP Edition & Atmospheres Clear Vinyl

Music by Jeremy Soule

Few soundtracks translate to vinyl as naturally as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Jeremy Soule’s score was already a modern classic the moment players stepped out onto the snowy cliffs of Helgen, but hearing it on a turntable gives it a physical presence—like the music is breathing in the room with you. Two recent pressings capture that magic in different ways: the IGN‑exclusive Red 4LP set and the clear‑vinyl edition of Skyrim: Atmospheres. Together, they form a complementary pair—one grand and symphonic, the other meditative and elemental.

🔥 IGN Red 4LP Edition — A Bold, Collector‑Forward Statement

The IGN release is immediately striking. The deep, almost blood‑red vinyl feels like it was pulled straight from a forge in Whiterun. It’s a colorway that fits Skyrim’s world perfectly—fiery, mythic, and unmistakably dramatic.

Packaging & Presentation

• Heavyweight gatefolds with crisp, high‑contrast artwork
• Clean typography and a layout that respects the original aesthetic
• A premium feel without drifting into over‑designed territory

It’s the kind of set that looks intentional—not just a repress, but a curated object.

Sound Quality

This pressing leans warm and cinematic. The low end has real weight, especially in tracks like “Dragonborn” and “Sovngarde”, where the choir and percussion bloom with a fullness that digital versions often flatten. Surface noise is minimal, and the mastering gives the strings a velvety texture without losing detail.

If you want the “big Skyrim moments” to hit with maximum emotional force, this is the version that delivers.

❄️ Skyrim: Atmospheres (Clear Vinyl) — The Soul of the North, Distilled

Where the IGN set is bold and fiery, the Atmospheres clear vinyl is its opposite: icy, transparent, and introspective. The clear pressing is a perfect visual metaphor for what this album actually is—a long, drifting immersion into the sonic weather of Skyrim.

Packaging & Aesthetic

• Minimalist jacket design
• Clean, modern presentation
• The clear vinyl itself is gorgeous under light, almost like a frozen lake

It’s understated, but intentionally so.

Sound Quality

This pressing is all about texture. The subtle drones, wind‑like pads, and environmental tones feel more organic on vinyl. There’s a gentle warmth that softens the digital edges without muddying the ambience.

Played through a good system, it becomes a meditative experience—perfect for reading, writing, or simply letting your mind wander across the tundra.

🎧 How They Complement Each Other

Together, they form a complete portrait of Skyrim’s musical identity: the sweeping heroism and the quiet solitude.

🐉 Final Thoughts

If you’re a Skyrim fan—or a vinyl collector who appreciates thoughtful pressings—both of these releases earn their place on the shelf. The IGN Red 4LP edition is the definitive “main soundtrack” experience, while Atmospheres offers a rare chance to hear the world of Skyrim itself as a living, breathing soundscape.

Jeremy Soule’s work has always been about more than melody. It’s about place, memory, and myth. On vinyl, those qualities feel even more tangible. These records don’t just play music—they open a door back into the world.

If you want to experience the best hospitality and deliciously authentic Mediterranean food, Lavash Café in Clintonville, a Columbus, Ohio neighborhood, is a great choice! Our waitress and the owner truly made us feel at home by checking in with us to make sure we were happy with our food more than once. The owner has a great sense of humor too. In conversation, I informed our waitress that we were celebrating my brother’s birthday, so she and other staff members brought out a free chocolate cake with a candle on top while singing “Happy Birthday”. The waitress even very discreetly asked me my brother’s name, so they could sing to him directly. I was enjoying their celebration of him so much that I forgot to sing along.

The diverse menu boasts a mix of fresh Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. I selected the gyro, which is a mixture of ground lamb and beef with tzatziki sauce and served with lettuce and tomato. My brother chose the kefta with ground lamb and beef with tahini sauce and also served with lettuce and tomato. We both asked for the Lavash bread made in-house instead of pita bread.

The veggie combo with hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, lettuce, and tomato with tahini sauce was my husband’s choice. We all three enjoyed the deliciously perfect hummus and pita bread as an appetizer and our baklavas for dessert; two of us picked the pasticcio and one chose the homemade walnut. My brother also opted to order Turkish coffee and liked it so much that he ordered a second. He let me taste it and it’s dark with a hint of mint aftertaste- very tasty! One would assume the costs would be high for such authentic and scrumptious food, but we found the prices to be most reasonable. This was our first visit to Lavash Café, but it most certainly will not be our last.

Last Saturday, after the snow stopped falling and didn’t stick, we ventured on an afternoon trip to Coshocton, Ohio.  Our first stop was the Main St. Station Restaurant with its railroad décor and marquee appropriately located near the local train tracks and old railroad station.  We ordered 8 oz. sirloin steak topped with sautéed green peppers; we both selected a side of broccoli, which was flavored just right topped with cracked black pepper and covered in vegetable butter (would be my guess).  I also selected a loaded baked potato as my other side and it was perfect.  For dessert, I couldn’t pass up on the homemade bourbon pecan pie and I’m so glad I got it!  This pie was delicious and surrounded by three dots of fresh cream.  I learned from our server that the owner’s wife makes the pies.  I would visit the Main St. Station Restaurant again just for a piece of this pie! 

After enjoying our meal and friendly service, we headed over nearby to the Coshocton Antique Mall, which offers two floors of antiques and collectibles.  There are at least over 50 vendors housed in this eclectic store!  We had fun spotting some unique items like a sculptured landscape scene, which included a small tree branch painted black to appear dead and scorched, a vulture made of two painted sea shells for its wings and a painted pinecone for its body, and a little crab claw repurposed as a beak for the vulture.  Also, an 1800’s Stereoscope viewer is provided to view the viewing cards available for sale; we enjoyed a couple of these cards especially: one black and white of the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem and one of a couple fishing while surrounded by a vast array of colorful flowers.  I almost purchased these at a very fair price, but I did not as I don’t have a Stereoscope viewer at home.  The one available at the Coshocton Antique Mall is not for sale, still, it’s helpful that they provide it for use.  If I ever do purchase a Stereoscope viewer, I will know where to go to get some good deals on viewing cards.

Last Saturday, it was a cool, crisp late morning into the early afternoon and we attended the “Haunted Newark: A Ghostly Walking Tour” hosted by Doug Stout, Local History Coordinator for the Licking County Library in Newark, Ohio. Our tour group met in the Downtown Newark Library foyer and proceeded to follow our welcoming host. Our first stop was the Licking County Players Theatre and additional stops included Veterans Park, the old YMCA, and more before reaching our last stop, which was the old First National Bank. At one point, we got to walk through the recently and most impressively renovated Arcade and around the Newark Courthouse Square along our tour path.

At each haunted site destination, Doug shared about the haunted history of downtown Newark with captivating stories, photos, and information. There are more tours scheduled and the last one is scheduled for Friday, October 31st at 5:00 pm. We highly recommend this free, most enjoyable and exploratory historically spooky tour!

Last weekend, in effort to complete our Passport to Licking County that we purchased from the Licking County Historical Society at the beginning of the summer, we visited two covered bridges amidst beautiful settings in Frazeysburg, Ohio, some historical sites in Newark like the Cedar Hill Cemetery and a church on Mt. Vernon Rd., which wasn’t too far from the Ye Olde Mill in Utica, Ohio.  We took advantage of our proximity and stopped for lunch; we ordered two cheeseburgers with a side of watermelon and I could not pass up the opportunity to get my favorite: Wild Black Cherry ice cream- two scoops!  This ice cream has the perfect consistency and is packed just right with delicious cherries. 

We enjoyed our meal alfresco near the mill we heard and watched turning, which was built in 1817.  Cloggers were setting up to entertain outside while people dined, but we did not get to stay to experience their show as we had one stop left on our passport.  To end our time traveling around Licking County, we shopped here and there at some staple stores.

The next day, we headed to Alexandria to visit one of our favorite greenhouses, Baker’s Acres.  We really enjoyed seeing their beautiful and full mums as well as all of their unique tropical plants and of course, the fun Halloween décor weaved in among their plants makes for a fun stroll through the grounds.  Along the way, we ate lunch for the first time at the Coffee Vault in the heart of Alexandria.  We don’t know if they make their own bagels, but the asiago bagels certainly tasted like they were freshly baked.  Yes, indeed, our BLT bagel sandwiches were tasty and our iced shaken espressos with brown sugar and oat milk were the best we have ever had!  This is a quality little coffee and sandwich shop with scrumptious freshly baked double chocolate chip cookies; we give it five stars! 

Lastly, we traveled further south to pick out our pumpkins and gourds at Dupler’s Pumpkin Land on Jacksontown Rd. in Newark, Ohio.  It is in a beautiful wooded setting, which includes a historical farm house built in 1823.  We chose two classic pumpkins, a black little pumpkin with two orange eyes reminding us of Mothman, and a handful of unique gourds.  Wagons are provided for use to help make the load lighter; we chose a Radio Flyer to gather our Autumn selections.  Photo ups are set up for people to enjoy during their visit and there are even some EMUs on the property that people can choose to purchase pellets to feed.  The sunlight hit the EMUs eyes just right and the reflection gave a gorgeous amber glow, which was such a surprising and beautiful sight!  I tried to capture this in a photo, but was not able to do so.  We really appreciate this place and family business and try to visit every year when fall comes to town.    

The Pete Mills B3 4tet performed delightful music from their new record, “For the Record”, which features Pete Mills, tenor saxophone and coordinator of jazz studies at Denison, Zach Compston, drums, Tom Davis, guitar, and Jon Eshelman on the Hammond B3 organ.  A Leslie speaker (amplifier/speaker) was used, which modified and enhanced the sound of the organ due to its cabinet-like build, spinning rotors, and motors. 

We thought “the Leslie” really added depth to the sound.  With smiles on our faces for the entirety of the show, we eagerly approached the band members to thank them for sharing their talents.  Each one of them happily spent time conversing with us and we were inspired with how they love what they are doing and are top notch musicians.  We purchased an LP of “For the Record” and each band member of the Pete Mills B3 4tet offered to sign it for us. 

We purchased one more copy of the record for a friend, who is also a musician.  In conversation, we shared that we dabble in music too (I occasionally play the alto saxophone, piano, and sing while my husband is a very talented musician, guitarist and synth player).  Pete Mills very cordially invited us to jam with them sometime.  We were most impressed with this band not only for being extremely talented musicians, but for being really nice people too.