Introducing: Vickie Trancho

A spiritual technician, artist, and dream mechanic

At the suggestion of Dr Mehmet Yildiz, founder of Illumination, I’m writing a story about my story. Thank you so much for gathering this wonderful group of writers from around the globe. It s an honor to be here.

My earliest memories are of post-WWII Flatbush, Brooklyn. My mom was a true Brooklyn Dodgers fan, so I know I visited Ebbetts Field, though I don’t remember much. My dad was a New York Yankees fan all the way. We moved to Queens, New York when I was three years old. Being the eldest of seven children seemed to pave the way for my love of service, and my decision not to rush into raising a family. I am blessed with a daughter and two granddaughters today.

In the ‘60s I attended Mary Immaculate School of Nursing. I was in class when we received word President John Kennedy had been assassinated. On the bus ride home everyone, including our driver, was sobbing. That event changed history, and my personal trajectory as well. I left nursing school and entered the fledgling field of Nuclear Medicine, where I loved working for over forty years.

Healthcare is both very demanding and very rewarding. There is something spiritual about helping a patient who is particularly vulnerable. Being able to put them at ease and to minister needed care is a blessing to me. I feel I get more than I give. Having an ongoing relationship with both the patients and their families is a wonderful experience. I once had a conversation with a patient who was a police officer, and told him I could never do his job. He gave a big smile and said, “I could never do yours.” Finding your calling in life leads to a happy and fulfilling journey. Sometimes, though, life has other plans for you.

My mom was a miniaturist. She painted over specially prepared photographs, usually copies of tintypes and daguerreotypes. The originals often accompanied the copies, and some of them dated to the Civil War. Many of her paintings are still in museums today. I was captivated! That was my introduction to art, and my love of history. Now, about life’s other plans.

About 2007 I met Michael DeMeng, an assemblage artist, online. I’m pretty sure it was a Yahoo Group. We all would discuss art, of course, but Michael would wax poetic about a place in Mexico, Oaxaca. The pictures were spectacular, especially those taken during Dia De Los Muertos, the Day of The Dead celebrations. In October 2009 I traveled to Oaxaca to attend Michael’s ten day workshop. From the time the plane landed and the wild bus ride through the streets of Oaxaca with all the sights, sounds, and smells fom the food vendors, I was under it’s spell. There I remain even today. People I met there have become dear friends. As eccentric as artists can be, speaking for myself of course, we continue our art journey all over the world, including New Orleans. Some of us are exchanging Pandemic Protection Talismans this very month.

Speaking of New Orleans and life’s other plans for you, here’s a story. In May of 2014 the art group aka The DeMengians, scheduled a Vampire Hunting Kit workshop in New Orleans. The previous New Orleans workshops were scheduled in February. Living in New York, the thought of flying during the snowiest month was not enticing. However, May was good in my book. Upon arrival I was greeted by old friends, and soon to be new friends. As I perused the itinerary, I noticed one event was a two hour walking ghost and vampire tour with Lord Chaz. When I questioned our amazing event organizer, Katherine Engen, about it she laughed and said, “Lord Chaz is quite a character. I think you’ll enjoy the tour.” Hmmmm.

The night of the tour arrived and I was not feeling it. I twisted my ankle the day before and was not looking forward to a two hour walk. Definetly landed in the cranky zone. I was making excuses to bow out, but my compadres would hear none of it. So, there we waited in the hotel lobby until we heard voices outside. “Lord Chaz! Lord Chaz! Oooh, it’s Lord Chaz!” I looked to the front window. All I could see above the curtain was a black top hat moving our way. I remember telling Katherine if this was some hokey act, I was staying put. See, cranky! Then he entered the room, commanding everyone’s attention. He had mine.

Before we left for the tour, he did this trick with a rolling key in the palm of his hand, and the entire room was silent. He had us mesmerized. I was on my feet when it was time to go. The tour was so much fun. He is a master storyteller, and other artists appreciate a great performance. The chemistry was electric. I drank in the atmosphere of the French Quarter as we walked through the streets. The vibe reminded me of The Village in the 60s and 70s, lots of atmosphere and creativity with more than a little naughty to go around. My wheels started turning. Then, while waiting to cross Bourbon Street, a strange event occured. I know, your thinking what is unusual about that? I can only describe it as an spontaneous mystical experience. My spiritual director advised me to keep the details to myself, but it was extremely cool. I knew then I was moving to New Orleans.

When we returned to the hotel, Katherine said everyone was going to hang out with Lord Chaz for a while, but I had to decline. My ankle was the size of a small melon by that time. I needed ice, and not for my drink. I bid all a fond farewell and limped to my room. With all the workshop art and activities I didn’t see Lord Chaz again that May.

We connected online a few months later regarding some spiritual work, which went well. In subsequent conversations, I mentioned I was considering leaving New York for New Orleans. I had retired from my job in Nuclear Cardiology earlier that year. So many things changed on a personal level. My daughter and her family moved out of state. Both my parents had passed. Then, I dreamt of my brother, Chris, who died from a dissected aorta in 2002. In the dream, he had just arrived in New Orleans and had a message for me. I’ve kept dream journals my entire life, and an appearance by Chris was and is a rare occurance. When I discussed this with my spiritual advisor she told me to start packing for New Orleans. I wasn’t quite ready, but the universe was.

I lived in my apartment for about thirty years, and a lot can change in that time. I changed, too, which was good news. After a while it didn’t feel like home anymore. I was getting restless. Now was the time to start investigating possibilities. During a conversation, Chaz mentioned that he was looking for a new place, too. Perhaps we could pool our resouces and find a place together. What an excellent suggestion. Over the course of the next year I traveled to New Orleans several times, with and without The Demengians. Chaz and I scouted for the right place, but, alas, no luck. I was at a meeting in Las Vegas when I received a message with lots of pictures. He found a house with plenty of space and great potential! Eureka!

Chaz flew up to New York to drive the moving truck down to Louisiana. Five days later, we were on the road. That is another story for another day.

Since moving to New Orleans I’ve continued my spiritual work. My company, ArtShadow Media, is undergoing a transformation to online services for personal growth using your dreams, and a new course and a new podcast are coming soon, OptiMystical Dreams, focusing on, you guessed it, the power of dreams. I’m always creating art.

I am delighted to be writing for Illumination. In times such as we live in, the brighter the light, the better.

Lord Chaz has a new podcast, Lord Chaz’s DedTime Stories, featuring all manner of ghost and scary stories. He may be walking the dark streets of the French Quarter with his minions trailing behind him one day soon, whose to say?

We spend time relaxing watching the goldfish in the pond as the cat, Miss Choice, chases lizards she never catches. The house is a work in progress, as are we all, as it should be.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story of me with you.