LIVING WITH GHOSTS
History often plays such a big part in a haunting. It seems some folks felt such passion about the place they once lived and the events that took place while they lived there, that they just don’t want to leave it. Remember that time in the afterlife is not like we count time here on earth.
It’s not unusual for a Revolutionary War soldier to show up in a Bordentown house, as it has in a couple (Living with Ghosts) where so much intense passion was felt during that period. In the Anderson Street and the White House stories, both places went under some major remodeling. This really brings the spirits out of the woodwork, and it takes a lot of time for them to settle back down again.
Of course, I don’t know why they should care, they just walk through walls (where the doorway used to be) anyway. Wow. What a talent to have!
Category: paranormal
SMUDGING MY NEW HOME
LIVING WITH GHOSTS
Moving into my new home requires a good smudging even though the house bursts with the best spirit ever. I start at my front door, give thanks to the four directions as I turn to face each one. The spirit above and the spirit below are added to those thanks for my blessings. Especially for being right here where I am meant to be for my best living right now.
As soon as I step inside (I don’t even look to see if the neighbors are watching. Perhaps I’m unknowingly teaching them something.) I light the sage sitting in my large conch shell, with a wooden match. It’s important to use a wooden match. As the smoke rises, I wave it outward with the eagle feather that I found in the forest one day. Walking clock-wise, I go from room to room, chasing negative spirits away, if there are any around, and inviting good spirits to come join me, watch over me (and cat Lizzie) to share in my joy of being here. Lizzie follows in my footsteps. She’s done this before, too.
There. Done. The house carries the aroma of burnt sage, a cleansing odor that comforts.
When I was still living in Bordentown, a lady stopped in my bookshop to ask a question. She wanted to buy a particular house in town and wanted to know if it was haunted. I didn’t know of any haunts hanging around the house, yet encouraged her to smudge, anyway. She was new to the concept. . . . I like spreading the word that helps others.
CATS ‘N SPIRITS
Cats are so tuned in to us real, live people as well as spirits who have stayed behind or drop in for a visit now and then. While going over my notes for my upcoming memoir, I came across a notation about an interview done in Bordentown a few years ago. Lora was telling me about the three cats that lived in her apartment at the time; her cat, her daughter’s Maine Coon cat, Draven von Lichtenstein, and a shadow cat. The shadow cat came with the apartment. He was just a shadow that ran from one room to another, leaped up onto the kitchen table, or jumped down from the sunny windowsill with a loud “b-r-r-p” just like the ‘live’ cats did.
As I sat at the kitchen table to record Lora’s story, I lay my folder in front of me. Lora’s cat leapt up, snuggled onto that folder and looked up at me, as if to say, “Get this all down right. I’m here to be sure you don’t miss a thing.” And that is where the cat stayed, throughout the entire interview, never moving, eyes watching me, interested in all that was said.” Cats are amazing!
From Living with Ghosts
PROMISED BY HEAVEN A doctor’s return from the afterlife to a destiny of love and healing by Dr. Mary Helen Hensley
This book begins with a punch and ends with a punch, and in between is a story that is nearly impossible to put down. Be prepared to sit up all night reading.
The story opens with Mary Helen Hensley in a hospital coming back to life after a fatal car accident. She was nearing her 22 birthday. I began marking the paragraphs and underlining sentences on page 5 and continued until the end.
Hensley holds nothing back. She doesn’t make herself out to be a hero, just a woman trying her best to do good and to get through life, being loved and loving. She tells us how difficult that can be. Her pain when life hits low points, are not hidden, but laid out there for you to understand. Her metaphysical experiences are clearly explained, so you can understand those, too.
Her writing about her life and metaphysical experiences has led me to understand many of my own. This is a book to keep and read again and again, learning more from it each time. Thank you, Mary Helen Hensley for writing this book.
FUN TALKING ABOUT GHOSTS, BOOKS ‘N STUFF & MORE
It was a great morning last Saturday, when Sandra Martin hosted a talk, reading, and book signing for me at BackYard Birds ‘n Books-Sandra being the books, in Bracey, VA. Anyone can read the book, so I enjoy talking about the “back story” that doesn’t get into the books. That’s fun.
Since one story about ghosts leads to other stories, I wound up talking a lot about Bordentown (NJ) and spirits that have visited me during the night. They were, among others, the Fraser family, coming one at a time to help me in locating information about them. This was when I was writing Major Fraser’s, the history of a particular house in Bordentown and all its inhabitants from Day One. Actually, before there was a building on the property. I enjoyed writing this book, so I love talking about the writing of it. The book is now out-of-print, but there are still a few copies floating around.
Interesting family.
Even more interesting: since I brought my copy of The Munich Girl by Phyllis Edgerly Ring along with my passion for the story, and my discussing it, brought me being connected to the author through Lisa Hagan. We have both been long-time members of the IWWG. . . . hmmm. The more I think of this, the more I remember having a conversation or two with her during those years. WOW! Synchronicity. Ya gotta luv it!
A review on The Munich Girl will be coming up soon. You don’t want to miss it.
Mucho thanks to Sandra Martin for this wonderful moment in my life, shared with the best audience ever. They took part and shared some of their stories, too. How cool is that.
Pssst……..in case you haven’t heard:
Sherman Johnson has invited me to his radio show to talk about ghosts….& things that go bump in the night and maybe more….wow! ….on the radio! WARR 1520 AM or on your computer….on Wednesday, 27 March at 10 am. Who knows what subjects may come up……it’s a month for women’s history! Join us, expect the unexpected………..
AND
Thursday 28 March 2013, at 5 pm at the Warren County Memorial Library….a Reading, Signing and talking about: Ghostly Spirits of Warren County & Beyond. Question & Answer period to follow. I’d love to see you. C’mon out and we’ll talk…
Ghostly Spirits of Warren County, North Carolina & Beyond – a Reading going on
TA-DAH! For the latest good news.
I’ll be reading from my newest book “Ghostly Spirits of Warren County and Beyond at the Warren County Memorial Library on the 28th March from 5 – 6 pm.
A candle in the window, a man who walks through walls, a woman from long ago…..peek into the personal stories of hauntings from those who wish to remain in their place on earth instead of going forward into the after-life. Warren County was a wealthy, thriving place during the antebellum years. Warrenton was the hub of activity, a destination on market days where friends gathered. These imprints were left and remain today.
Stories brought to Lake Gaston come to life as events are unveiled by those who have the gift of seeing what others cannot see. Stories of their paranormal moments and they are sharing them with so you can learn and understand more about the afterlife.
Added is the historical background that will endear you to place and time, to personal experiences for your compassion and understanding. As time progresses and changes are made, some spirits remain as they were forever.
Come join us if you can, spread the word, it’s happening at 119 S. Front Street in Warrenton, NC. Books will be available to purchase or bring yours in to be signed. Refreshments will be served. Thursday, 28 March 5 – 6 pm. Question period following.
PurpleStone February Ezine
PurpleStone Press Ezine ©
A Monthly Newsletter to keep readers informed on news in the book world, about moments not easily explained, stretching out to other genres, a personal story, events going on, comments from readers and more. Readers are welcome to comment or add their thoughts to the next newsletter.
In This Issue February 2013
Click Reply, enter your email address with the word Subscribe and return it to me at asbice@aol.com if you would like to receive the monthly Ezine on books, stories, life’s quirks, and other bits of interest to inquisitive readers.
Happenings & News At the FoodWorks-S. Main St. Warrenton-Friday: our Ribbon Cutting with live jazz from Just Friends! 4:00-6:30
What’s Goin’ On? ‘A Gathering of Artists & Poets’ Reception
(An opening show of original paintings –
with the poems written about them, read by the poets)
Join Us
Tuesday 19th February 2013
5:00 – 6:30
Artists & Poets:
Arlene Bice * Sherman Johnson * Thomas Park *
Jay Pearson * * Wheeler Smith
Warren County Memorial Library Community Room
119 So. Front St.
Warrenton NC
Refreshments Served
Sponsored by: Warren County Artists Market
Also: A new anthology coming together: The subject to write about: “Tell us about the creative passions that light your life. These can be painting, poetry, carpentry, cooking, weaving, sewing, gardening etc.” in poetry or essay form.. If you have any further questions or would like to submit & want guidelines, please email me at: asbice@aol.com
Stories… William R. Poole Haunts……..For reasons sometimes unknown to us, we feel a love of something so strong that we want to cherish and protect it forever. With William R. Poole his love was poured into trees and his beloved white horse. William R. is said to have begun his adult life with nearly empty pockets, but soon began amassing land for his farm and for his forests that he loved so much. He continued progressing through life by serving as Justice of Wake County Court of Pleas and Quarters Sessions and Chairman of the Board of Wake County Commissioners.
It was Poole’s habit to ride his great white horse through his woods every day, spending much time there in the heat of summer and the cold, bareness of winter. The Civil War exploded in North Carolina. At the end Raleigh was occupied by Sherman and his troops, mostly in an orderly fashion. But there are always exceptions….. A handful of Yankee soldiers heard that Poole concealed a fortune in gold in his woods. Poole instinctively knew they would pay him a visit. He bided his time, sitting on his veranda in his cane bottom chair when they charged in on their horses. His slaves were long gone. He was alone. Their conversation did not go well. The Yankees demanded the gold. Poole denied having any treasure at all. The men in blue bullied him and bound him to a fence rail. They dragged him on that rail to his corn mill. When he insisted there was no gold, they burned his mill down.
In frustration the soldiers began poking and prodding between and around Poole’s cherished trees, uprooting no gold or treasure. The Yanks caused such a disturbance that Poole’s proud steed neighed and whinnied in response. His beautiful companion was wrested from the protective, secret hideaway where Poole had stashed him with the comfort of fresh hay and a dry stall. He watched sorrowfully, dejected as his coveted steed’s hooves thundered away with the military horses, a blue-coated Yankee on his back. Never would he see his dear companion again.
Poole recovered and became active again in rebuilding Raleigh and Wake County. Eventually the Carpetbaggers and the Yankees were sent away. Poole died in 1889, seven years after building the Wake County Courthouse. He remained faithful in his love for his woods.
The Will of William R. Poole stipulated that a particular 75 acre tract of his woodland was to remain as such without even one tree being cut down or hauled away. The Will was upheld for a period of time but couldn’t hold out forever. Times changed. Suburbia was springing up everywhere. In the 1920s developers wanted that piece of ground as the area around it developed with houses and families.
But Poole got the last laugh from the grave. When the trees were harvested, each and every one was rotten from the inside, unable to be used for anything. Before those trees were cleared, some folks refused to go into the dense, dark forest. They said it was haunted. Fear ran through the area. Some told about seeing a filmy, galloping white stallion charging between the trees, knowing exactly where to place his hooves. Some say the spirit of William R. Poole was finally reunited with his dearest companion and they streaked through the forest at night to check that no one has chopped down his precious trees. Even after the land was developed into neighborhoods, folks say he is seen riding along the highway yet today; he and his faithful companion, a misty blur of white trotting along the road.
Blogs, I Get Blogs…. There are so many blogs out there and I keep adding more to my list of must reads. Kevin seems to be a neat guy, one I would like to have for a personal friend. His A Garden For the House is one of my favorites for garden tips inside and out along with recipes that are simple but uncommon and also views of his lovely old house. Check it out at;www.agardenforthehouse.com
T his Month……While working on Bordentown stories, I’m also collecting North Carolina true ghost tales for the next book. If you know of anyone who would like to tell me their story, please put them in touch with me at: asbice@aol.com or 252-257-4838. Thanks ahead of time.
Book Review…….. Brewing, by New Jersey Abigail Lorraine Pelletteri. A slender little book of poetry to read one at a time, now and then for contemplation, beauty and peace. And then to re-read after letting it sit on the shelf for awhile. I like her style, form, rhythm, and the subjects that touch her. I like to carry a book of poetry with me for moments of reflection or to keep my blood pressure down when I have to wait in an office waiting room. You can find her at: www.abigaillorraine.com/Photography 101
The Latest……. Ghostly Spirits of Warren County NC & Beyond (Soft Cover-2012 PurpleStone Press) $18.95 A candle in the window, a man who walks through walls, a woman from long ago…..peek into the personal stories of hauntings from those who wish to remain in their place on earth instead of going forward into the after-life. Warren County was a wealthy, thriving place during the antebellum years. Warrenton was the hub of activity, a destination on market days where friends gathered. These imprints were left and remain today.
Also Available…. Ghosts Of Bordentown (NJ) $14.95, Haunted Bordentown … (NJ) $14.95, Life & Labyrinth …$17.95 Memoir & Poetry, Major Fraser’s A House & Its History $19.95, Images of America Series -Bordentown, Bordentown history, New Egypt & Plumsted Township, A history, Bordentown Revisited, More history including its surrounds.
Subscribe: Click Reply, enter your email address with the word Subscribe and return it to me if you would like to receive a monthly Ezine on books, stories, life’s quirks, and other bits of interest to inquisitive readers. If you would like to unsubscribe, do the same interjecting the word unsubscribe, of course.
Keep your mind open. Keep reading. Be kind. Be gentle.
PurpleStone Press asbice@aol.com, http://purplestoneblog.com/
Arlene S. Bice writer-lecturer-artist P O Box 348 Macon, NC 27551
A Ghost
A Ghost
A ghost
that pants
and breathes
on my neck
that sends chills
running up my spine
and raises the hairs on my arms
A ghost
whispering
softly in my ear
reminding me of life
after death is a true thing
a spirit without a body not to
be forgotten because it is not seen
A ghost
configuring
in front of me
as a misty curvy wave
a haint to be an image of terror
to some but not by others who know
and accept it with the joy of a past love
A ghost
cannot give
comfort by touch
because never does
warmth come out of a spirit
from the middle world it inhabits
yet the sight brings memories of passion
© Arlene S. Bice, 2012 
PurpleStone Press Ezine for January 2013
PurpleStone Press Ezine © not published
A Monthly Newsletter to keep readers informed on news in the book world, about moments not easily explained, stretching out to other genres, a personal story, events going on, comments from readers and more. Readers are welcome to comment or add their thoughts to the next newsletter.
Issue: January 2013 Wishing You A Healthy, Prosperous New Year!
Happenings & News Look for “A Gathering of Artists & Poets” coming on February 19, Tues. at the Warren County Memorial Library details to follow …….
What’s Goin’ On? PASSAGER, a press for writers over 50 website at: http://www.passagerbooks.com/?utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=311d33937a-Winter_2012_Newsletter11_8_2012&utm_medium=email
They publish two issues a year, a poetry contest for the spring/summer and an open issue for the fall/winter. They suggest you browse previously published work before submitting. Their next reading period begins 1 Jaunary 2013.
Stories…Joseph Bonaparte & the Jersey Devil
Southern New Jersey still boasts of its Pine Barren with its natural setting of trees and swamps that have been since before the first settlers came. In those early days of the 1700s Mrs. Leeds lived there, mostly by herself while her husband was gone so often. She helped maintain her home and raising her house full of twelve children by using her skills as an herbalist and healer. She was known to help anyone who needed it.
While her birthing should have been an easy one, it was not. The reason was not recorded but it was repeated by the midwife that reported hearing her say, “the devil be this child” or something to that effect. Later the midwife swore the child was born with cloven hoof and wings.
Bonaparte’s Bordentown Gate House-still occupied.
When the Bonapartes began losing battles and power in Europe, Napoleon’s brother Joseph came to Bordentown, New Jersey to live ca. 1817. This was much more to his liking than ruling any country. The great men of the day all stopped to pay him a visit and enjoy his famous hospitality.
He was a naturalist and created a park-like setting on his approximately 800 acre estate which he thoroughly enjoyed. While out hunting in his wood one day he was surprised when he nearly bumped into a creature with cloven hoof and wings. The creature was as startled as he was, hissed at him and flew off never to be seen again. Joseph only found that it was the Jersey Devil when he gave a description while asking local Bordentonians what it was. People are still reporting Jersey Devil sightings. © Arlene S. Bice
Blogs, I Get Blogs ….. There are so many blogs out there that it is like going to a celebration buffet where nothing is stale from sitting too long or unhealthy because someone sneezed all over it. It’s easy to just take a taste of this and that…..and you don’t gain any weight or have to exercise extra hard to work it off. Just pick and choose what you want to read about.
London Calling at : http://general-southerner.blogspot.com/?wref=bif is one of the blogs that I’ve been enjoying for awhile now. Tony is a retired teacher and seems to jaunt around England taking great photos. His posts are varied but here are a few: A Tea with Jane Austen, Bath, Nicolas Cage and Johnny Depp (in Bath), Virginia Woolf, Colin Firth, The 6th June 1944 D Day The British Beaches, Charles Dickens , and he has trekked up to see the Bronte sisters home. He has also done the Beatles and much more including modern subjects. Photography is his inspiration, so there are many lovely and creative shots to view.
This Month……While working on Bordentown stories, I’m also collecting North Carolina true ghost tales for the next book. If you know of anyone who would like to tell me their story, please put them in touch with me at: asbice@aol.com or 252-257-4838. Thanks ahead of time.
Book Review…. Since I was of the generation who enjoyed Burt Reynolds naked on a bearskin rug for Cosmo magazine in 1972; generally worked in a field dominated by men in those years that followed, I thoroughly enjoyed: Always Wear Joy: My Mother Bold and Beautiful by Susan Fales-Hill. An Afro-American television writer-producer looks back on her struggles and that of her mother, elegant dancer, actor, entertainer Josephine Premice. Although their struggle was partly their heritage, it was the same struggle many of us women fought through to attain the rights we deserved during those years. A good read that brought an earlier time back to my mind.
The Latest……. Ghostly Spirits of Warren County NC & Beyond (Soft Cover-2012 PurpleStone Press) $18.95 A candle in the window, a man who walks through walls, a woman from long ago…..peek into the personal stories of hauntings from those who wish to remain in their place on earth instead of going forward into the after-life. Warren County was a wealthy, thriving place during the antebellum years. Warrenton was the hub of activity, a destination on market days where friends gathered. These imprints were left and remain today.
Also Available…. Ghosts Of Bordentown (NJ) $14.95, Haunted Bordentown … (NJ) $14.95, Life & Labyrinth …Memoir & Poetry $17.95 , Major Fraser’s.. History $19.95, Images of America Series -Bordentown, Bordentown history, New Egypt & Plumsted Township, A history, Bordentown Revisited, More history including its surrounds $20 each.
Subscribe: Click Reply, enter your email address with the word Subscribe and return it to me if you would like to receive the monthly Ezine on books, stories, life’s quirks, and other bits of interest to inquisitive readers. If you would like to unsubscribe, do the same interjecting the word unsubscribe, of course.
Open your mind. Keep reading. Be kind. Be gentle.
PurpleStone Press http://purplestoneblog.com/