Most of my adult life I read books on life after life, life before life, and living with ghostly spirits. They fascinated me, even more so after I began having paranormal moments from time time myself. I never expected to have these experiences. They just happened. I wanted to learn more and to understand what these moments were all about.
The story in this book of a Bordentown, (NJ) haunting began with Audrey more than 60 years ago. It continued with my, and my mother’s, “moments” and later with Veronica and her children’s experiences. It’s proved to be an interesting lineage.
I loved that house and living in it from 1972 to 1982. It’s also where I experienced my first peek into the afterlife with the form of a little girl. It was a very sweet, reassuring moment. Here is a small excerpt from Veronica’s teenage daughter Morgan: One morning at 3 a.m., I woke to hear my Ipod blasting! It nearly freaked me out! That has never happened to me before. Someone has to actually press play for it to turn on. It isn’t something that would slip on easily or without actual intent. Another time at 3 a.m.. a man was coughing and making noises like he was right here next to me. I have a cell phone with pictures-mostly black-taken during the night that I didn’t take!
Rose gave me a tour of her home, the Somerville-Graham House, that has seen much history. It is still being replayed over and over, in Warrenton, NC. She filled me in on her weird experiences along the way.
A heavenly white Christmas tree stands in the corner near the fireplace of this front bedroom. It is adorned with white angels, doves and other ornaments all exuding the feeling of peace and joy. It’s breathtaking to look at any time of year. A life-size young girl mannequin stands next to it, as if she is in the middle of trimming the tree. She is as graceful as a sculptured work of art. The scene casts an aura on the room bringing life to it.
Rose said, “I came into this room to clean it one afternoon after guests of ours left. I was in a bit of a hurry. I rushed in then stopped. A vapor was right near the tree. It seemed to be hovering. Maybe it was looking it over, I don’t know. It moved as if it noticed me. It turned toward me, moved again and stopped. Then it moved all the way across the room. I just stood there stunned. All of a sudden I just chuckled and said aloud, ‘Helen is that you? How do you like the tree?’ Then I left it to do whatever I was doing.”
I am grateful to live where wildlife is a part of the community. A few days ago I watched as a doe came out of the trees to 5 ft. from my window. Graceful, with an inquisitive expression on her face, she made a charming, contented moment for me.
I am grateful that while I am surrounded by forest and field, I am but 10 minutes to the center of beautiful Farmville, VA and 5 minutes to large stores for additional shopping.
The Barbara Rose Johns Farmville-Prince Edward Community Library is lovely, well-stocked, with pleasant, helpful attendants and is only 10 minutes away.
I’ve said it but not mentioned it here. For Grace who has been a rock since my car accident in December.
For Grace for rounding up the Tribe for a birthday celebratory luncheon at 313 Franklin before my final move out of town.
To the so many who have helped me make this move to Farmville. I couldn’t have done it on my own. Much help came in so many little and big ways.
For the staff at Poplar Forest Apartments. They are the kindest, most considerate, and helpful crew who felt like adopted family as soon as I moved in. Plus they are happy folks to be around, too.
I’m thankful for the 18 steps to reach ground level (in front) because it has strengthened my leg muscles again.
I’m thankful for the long, upgrade walking path to get to my Cooper parked under a shade tree at the far end of the parking lot. It helps get me back into physical shape again.
10. I’m thankful for my reading and writing friends and you are one of those.
Have you been the first to arrive, to sit in a darkened theatre waiting for others to come in? Have you wondered about the sounds coming from behind the curtain? Were they from this lifetime or maybe a long ago actor who died years before but didn’t want to leave? Have you heard about the most famous of all ghosts The Man in Grey. He’s identified as a limping young man in a powdered wig, white ruffled shirt, tri-corner hat, and grey riding cloak.
Inklings of apparitions being seen at the Colonial kept drifting over to me. Finally, a few people agreed to graciously tell me about incidents that have been reported at the gorgeous Colonial Center for the Performing Arts in the heart of South Hill, Virginia.
Entering into the lobby by the front doors, I glance up at the open stairway. The level opposite the elevator doors is where a lady in a long, brown dress with a bonnet or sometimes just a bun on the back of her head has been seen. Hmm. Actor or devoted theatre goer? Another lady, this one is blonde haired and seen in the offices on the second floor.
The apparition of a man has been seen walking across the front width of the balcony. A former mayor, who has seen him with his own eyes, has fondly nicknamed him Charley.
It could be Charley’s steps heard walking across the stage when the stagehands are in the basement and no one else is in the theatre. Some performers will not go backstage alone but most of us know that theatre spirits are there out of a love of acting, not to harm anyone.
Several people have heard, when no one could be seen, the lady singing on the third floor hallway. Anyone singing loves what they do and that’s not like whistling backstage. That is forbidden!
Excerpt from: A VISITOR STOPS BY Under the Moon Café’ Estela and Santiago were so successful in their separate businesses that a much larger location was needed for each. They decided to merge their talents into one location. Under the Moon Café was relocated in the much larger space in the former, long-time location of the Miller-Magowan Men’s Clothing Store on Farnsworth Avenue.
Remodeling is often the first thing to do when buying a building to rearrange it to suit your business. It is also the very thing that wakens sleeping spirits and gets them moving around in an old space. That is what happened in the new location for Under the Moon Café. Santiago’s creative juices started flowing with ideas on remodeling to give the building a totally Under the Moon Café look.
Charlie soon made his first appearance to Estela.
Estela said, “There is an old man dressed in all black. He wears a tall hat and a long coat. I call him Charlie. He plays with the coffee machine. Turn it on. Turn it off. Turn it on. Turn it off. At first I didn’t know it was Charlie. I called the company about the machine. ‘It turns on and off by itself,’ I told them. They came out to check the machine. They said the machine works perfectly fine. Then I knew it was Charlie. I said, ‘Charlie, if you want to play, you can play.’ He played with the cups and the Chimichanga glasses. Not like he drops them, he places them gently. I see them fly through the air but not like being thrown; he does it gently. Often when Santiago goes into the basement to bring up supplies, somebody will tap him on the shoulder. He will look over his shoulder. Nobody is there. At times a strong smell, not unpleasant, will permeate the air. Other times, voices are heard. Employees remark that they, too, experience the same things when they go down there!” Full story in Living with Ghosts at Amazon.com
As I left to go to the Food Lion at 7 a m I noticed my front tire on the Cooper was a little low. All the tires on the new cars always look low to me. I noted to check it out when I returned. At 7:30 my tire was nearly flat! Yikes! What do I do now? When I moved to rural NC in 2005 I canceled my membership in AAA because if I had a flat, cars would pull over to fix it for me. Really! I never had to ask for help. It just showed up.
This time I was in my Farmville Virginia apartment complex parking lot and most people had not even left for work yet. I decided to wait until I stopped in the office at 8 am where a Mental Health Awareness event was taking place. I did. I asked about local garages and AAA was suggested as the best idea. It was super to have folks, Poplar Forest staff, that I trust to discuss this with….me, a stranger here. This crew makes me feel like home, a stranger no more.
At home again, I called. I joined. I became happy. To start with, I know these things happen for a reason. I have no idea why. Joe’s Towing came out in a half hour, not only removed my tire-with-a-nail-in-it but repaired it on the spot!!! Wow! He saved me the cost and time of taking it to a tire shop. I stepped into the not-so-new-century and the new way of doing things. I was impressed with Joe, his quick and good work doing it right and his pleasant attitude so early in the day. Hat’s off to the Staff and to JOE my hero of the day!
As soon as I brought the frozen food in from the car and into the fridge, I settled down. I called my friend to tell her about the Captain. She said he had been there every day coming out of the woods at feeding time. She continued that he looked the same, meaning he had not lost any weight in the 4 days he’d been there. So who greeted me and ran the Captain’s usual routine? And how did he know? Ghost cat? Double? Split? I would swear it was the Captain. You make up your own mind.
He remains at my friend’s, happy to have her following his feeding schedule. He adjusted. Finally, so did I.
Now I have time to wonder why I brought so much stuff! Boxes of stuff that would go into the attic if I lived in a big, ole’ house. But I don’t. My kids sure don’t want it. They are building their own memories. I start with Mom’s pictures and keepsakes. I don’t know most of the people in those photos taken in the 20s, 30s and 40s. Out they go. Hard to do but I do it. Feeling a little guilty, especially as a writer, but I do it. I carry them in my head and in my heart. I do not need to look at them and I didn’t from year to year anyway. It is hard to do but I do it.
Next to go are the letters, boxes of them, some from 50 years ago. Some from my brother Albert who lived in Mexico and then Puerto Rico for 50 years. Out. Some from my son Kenny while he was in the Navy. Some from family members and friends who were away for one reason or another. Out. Out. I enjoyed reading the cards I kept, still kept a couple; tossed the majority. Gone. Hard. I love the cards I’ve received over the years.
Twelve boxes of books that I have no place for and really no longer need to surround me are still piled up in front of me. It will take a little longer to take them to Goodwill which is right up the street from me. They are heavy so I’ll need to take them out in small bags up the long path to my car at the end of the parking lot, for the next 4 years. Well, maybe it won’t take that long.
Well, I’m in. The move I thought was well planned, especially for a non-planner, was not easy. I had arranged for the wifi guy to be at my new apartment for the afternoon when I would be unpacking. Hah! The movers didn’t come until after 10 a.m.! I expected to be pulling out of town by then. They were quick and strong and easily picked up the heavy boxes of books. Since I had to leave before 11 to be in Farmville by 12, I left instructions on what to take and what to leave for the new owners. He had already taken what I gave to him for his store. I planned to return the next day to empty the refrigerator and freezer. The cleaning team was scheduled for Saturday.
The movers did a fine job of bringing my stuff in and placing it where I directed. It was hot and they had to bring my stuff down a full flight of exterior stairs. They were good and finished by 4:30. At 5 pm I panicked! The wifi guy had not come! I called immediately but 5:03 was too late! I missed the call from him while I waited in the empty apartment! Oh, no! Darn. Darn. Darn it!
The next day I scrambled. At the wifi office I pleaded. I knew it was my fault. The lady had squeezed me in a busy schedule (university kids returning and all needed wifi) and I goofed. No go until Monday. I would be waiting for him on Monday. . . closing day.
I didn’t get back to the house until Saturday. As I pulled into the carport the Captain ran up to meet me like he always did! He was thinner! What was he doing here! How did he get here! He was supposed to be 20 miles away, enjoying his new home, the forest and his new mistress! He was all over me, into the car and out again, ran ahead of me, ran through the house when I opened the door, like he did every morning when I fed him. He ran around outside the house and up on the front porch peeking in the storm door like he always did. He was replaying our daily life.
I couldn’t fuss, too much to do. Upset or not, I had work to do.
Then I spotted the dining room full of stuff that should have been moved. I told the movers all the furniture stayed in this room but there was a lot of other stuff that they overlooked! Mis-understanding. I tried to get it all into my car but my car is a small one. I was running high on being upset. Frustrated. The cleaners came and got busy doing their job. I emptied the freezer, no room for the refrigerator stuff. I explained to the cleaner who does not speak English, to empty the refrigerator and take the contents for herself if she wanted it, but leave the bottle of bubbly wine for the new owners. She nodded her head, yes, yes. I paid her fee and left extremely upset over the Captain and over things I couldn’t take with me. My friend communicated with him and he understood all that was happening. He said he loved it there, had been happy and was staying even if I couldn’t be there. He said he would be alright.
I cried the entire hour 10 minutes driving to my new home worrying about the Captain.
And I am still packing! Who snuck in during the night and scattered more stuff to pack? Bathroom, under the kitchen sink, and the top shelf of the spare room closet. Bottom of the office closet. Will it ever end? Stuff I forgot I even had. Chuck it, maybe.
The Captain is settled in his new home with lots of woods to roam around and someone to care for him and put up with his male ego attitude! But, I sure miss him. No one to greet me when I pull into the carport. No one waiting to be fed in the morning and afternoon. Time to move onto new adventures! Farmville, here I come!
