Okay, here's ridiculous with a capital "R"

    Be forewarned:  this post has nothing to do with books.  But it does examine some specious, ridiculous writing, so allow me my rant.
    Yesterday a curious catalog came over the transom:  wishcraft produced by a company called chasing fireflies (lower case theirs).  It consisted of 72 glossy pages of high concept, extremely overpriced Halloween costumes.  OMG! Are there really people who would pay $198 dollars for a "Vampiress of Versailles" 3-piece get up?  By the way, that does not include a "coffin cape," for which you would have to fork over another $78.  Nor does it include the requisite tiara ($24), bat earrings ($9) or fangs ($5).  For your vampire mate, you can get a five-piece set, which includes black velvet coat, brocade vest, lace jabot, top hat and boot covers, for a mere $178.  You can also attire your vampire ankle-biters in similar fashion at similar cost.  And according to the catalog copy:  "out of the crypt beneath the French palace you sashay, dressed to kill..."

Vampiress of Versailles and the Empress Josephine

Other costumes for children include the Empress Josephine, an unamed Russian czarina, a Renaissance princess (also nameless) and Marie Antoinette. Show me a first grader acquainted with the existence of Josephine and poor Marie-sans-tete, and I'll show you a unemployed history professor in the making. And none of these get-ups can be got for under a hundred dollars
(euros-- whatever)! 

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Yo ho ho, here's to rum, kibble and the lash .... uh, make that leash.

If you are the type of person who dresses your dog for  Halloween, you can also purchase attire for your pooch, including Yoda and  Princess Leia costumes -- a steal at $18! If your pet walks on the wild side, he  (or she) could be a pirate this year, complete with a hook! (I think if the ASPCA saw the photo of the poor bulldog in this get-up, it would descend upon  the photo-shoot and swoop the beast away.)

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Princess Leia and her pal, Yoda

And the ultimate degradation? Here's the catalog copy: "Your 'Toto' can be Dorothy. Just slip her into this blue-and-white costume with  attached arms. Comes with a pigtail wig." Yes, it's a some tiny, sad excuse for a dog dressed as Dorothy Gale. But what, no ruby slippers?!?! I'm shocked, simply  shocked...

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Dorothy, too?