Nighttime Back-roads driving.

Remember me? The one who said she'd do a better job of keeping up in here? Yeah, I guess I fail at "blogging", but thankfully, blogging isn't considered a vital or important life function, so all is good. The other night we were driving home from Banshee's dance recital in the city, and as we wove through the back roads, we passed a cemetary - which struck a memory of something that happened a couple years back to me - something that still chills me to the bone thinking about. It was a dark and stormy night (really, it was! Well, almost - it was thundering and lightning in the distance - but close enough to say it in my story here). I had been to my monthly scrapbooking night and was heading home through the backroads. It was late-ish - around 11:30 when I headed out. As I drove along, a cute little fox MASSIVE snarling dog-like creature jumped out of the ditch and stared me down right there on that concession road. I slammed on my brakes and nearly had a cardiac infarction (how's that for using my new medical knowledge?! See, my edu-macation IS paying off!). Finally the vicious creature darted off into the bush, and I worked quick to gather my bearings because 1) I realized just how untravelled these roads are at night; 2) It was REALLY dark out; and 3) There were A LOT of noises coming from the woods on either side of me. I very quickly allowed my imagination to run wild - and in case you haven't noticed, my mind is ALWAYS thinking and processing. It's definitely not always to my advantage or well-being. I rolled up my windows, locked the doors and peeled off up the road like the terrified maniac I truly was calmly pulled back onto the road and enjoyed a leisurely ride home because I'm all calm like that and such. Not. I was totally on edge as I worked my way up the road. I could see bright, beady little eyes looking at me from the edge of the woods - waiting for the right moment to attack. I could sense their blood-thirsty thoughts. They were just laying in wait for my car to break down and for me to step out of the vehicle. I begged right out loud for God to forgive me for everything I've ever done in my life silently prayed to God asking him NOT to let my car break down along this stretch of road. I started to feel a little better as I got closer to civilization and where houses were closer together. I remember that once the relief started to flood in, I realized just how much of a loser I really was for allowing myself to get that worked up, and I even laughed out loud at myself (because if I didn't laugh at the things that happen in my life, then I'd lead a pretty stressful life). Then I noticed it. Flickering on the side of the road ahead of me. As I got closer I saw more flickering lights - tons of them. At first I was intrigued, and even sped up a bit to see what it was. My first thought was fireflies, but the time of year wasn't right for fireflies, not to mention, they aren't so plentiful around here, although, it was a possibility that all the fireflies in the area all live together in one single field, right? As I got even closer, I realized that the lights were set back - off the road. I knew there were no houses there, and I knew it definitely wasn't fireflies. So what was it? What was going on?! Then, as I realized exactly where I was, the horror set in: It was the cemetary. There in the cemetary were a bunch of eerie glowing lights. And a misty fog weaving it's way through the gravestones. What the hell?! My spidey-senses were more than tingling - they were on OVERDRIVE! As an avid follower of "Walking Dead" (for those not the in the know - it's a show about a Zombie Apocalypse and the fight for survival for those that had lived through it), you can well imagine exactly where my thoughts went to, right?! In my defense, what else would you think? I mean really, think about it: it was thundering and lightning, there were creepy lights on the graves and it was misty. That is the "perfect" set up for a zombie invastion if I ever saw one. I admit it, the 20 mins drive home from that point took me about 5. Suffice it to say, I was terrified. Turns out, putting lights on graves is the new 'thing' to do, but my question is, WHY? Why the hell would you do that? Is it a ploy to scare the living shit out of unsuspecting drivers at night? Or is just making it easier for when the zombie apocalypse DOES hit? Are we lighting the way for them so they can see as they dig their way out? Are we providing a reading light or a night light for our 'lost' family members? I mean, I know it's hard to lose a loved one and all, but from my knowledge, when they're dead, they kinda-sorta don't need reading or night lights. For real - enlighten me: Why would ANYONE participate in this exceptionally creepy activity?! It just seems, well, creepy. While I know my experience is funny. Well, NOW it is - definitely not so much at the time, but the reality is, I could have died that night from a heart attack, panic attack or car accident. Seriously, they should have to put some warning sign about creepy, eerie cemetary lights as drivers approach it.