I met some friends at our local coffee shop. Some dabble in ghost hunting — some more serious than others.
I like hearing of their ghostly adventures . . . and I’m rather fond of the blueberry muffins.
My friend, Barbara brought along her nephew Joel.
He seemed nervous.
After the introductions, Barbara told Joel to start at the beginning. Joel is a college student.
He decided to give us a description of the room he was in when his unexpected visitor appeared. The back room, they use as a TV room was added on to the back of the house about five years ago. From the living room, there’s an archway and you step down three steps into the back room. There are windows across the back of the room and a door on the right to the backyard. There’s a couch under the windows, a loveseat is against the wall to the right with the back door and to the left are bookcases and a couple of chairs with a table and lamp between them. Mounted on the wall to the right of the archway is a widescreen TV. There is a coffee table in front of the couch. Nothing is in front of the loveseat.
Joel was standing in front of the couch, bent down to pick up the remote from the coffee table. When he pointed it at the TV, in the reflection of the TV screen was a tall man wearing overalls and a straw hat, holding a shovel or hoe, standing behind the couch, right behind Joel. The curtains on the windows were closed, because it was night.
Joel stood still for a few minutes staring at the man reflected in the TV screen.
He slowly turned around to see if someone really was behind him. As happens so often, as soon as he turned his head to look, the man was gone.
Joel ran from the room, to join the rest of the family in the kitchen, looking at old photo albums. He tells his mother, Barbara’s sister, what he saw and to his surprise she smiles and walks away.
Joel just stood there, still in shock from his encounter. He watched pictures being passed around. There was an old yellowed newspaper article with a grainy black and white picture that he swears fell from the ceiling and landed in the middle of the table.
According to Joel, it was like the whole world stopped. He pointed to the picture and yelled, “That’s him!”
Barbara took the newspaper clipping from her purse and passed it around the table. Evidently, the man was found dead in his backyard, apparently from a heart attack, working in his garden. This garden is now the TV room.
Joel’s mother had seen the gentleman several times over the years. She usually saw him in the backyard before they added the TV room. At times she saw him in various areas of the house — this had been his home. She knew a man died on the property when they bought the place, but that didn’t bother Joel’s parents.
Barbara couldn’t explain where the newspaper article came from, but it was appropriate to note that the date of the newspaper article was August 20, 1968 — 50 years ago Monday.
We made a point of going to the cemetery and looking up this gentleman’s gravesite to place flowers and to let him know that he is remembered.
Joel is still uncomfortable. It will take him some time to come to terms with this unexpected visitor. He is actually no stranger to the paranormal . . . but it’s the newspaper clipping that has him creeped out.
I would feel the same way. How about you?
Leave me a comment, tell your friends about TwoCansOnAString.com and come back and visit us again soon!!
The photograph of The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall is familiar to most everyone. It is included in everyone’s collection of ghostly apparitions. Many believe it is authentic, but there are always those who believe otherwise.
I’m no photography expert, but I am open in believing it is real and I’m also open to the possibility of light getting into the camera or there being some sort of double exposure. However, this doesn’t explain away the actual sightings many have claimed to see around Raynham Hall.
The first was in the early 1800’s by King George IV. He said he saw a woman dressed in a brown dress standing next to his bed. He remarked that her skin was pale and her hair disheveled. During the Christmas holidays of 1835, Colonel Loftus saw a woman wearing a brown satin dress with a pale luminescence around her. He further described her as having her eyes gouged out. Captain Frederick Marryat and two friends encountered “the Brown Lady” in an upstairs hallway carrying a lantern in 1836. It is reported she grinned at the men in a “diabolical manner.”
Who is this “Brown Lady”? Why is she haunting Raynham Hall?
According to legend, the “Brown Lady of Raynham Hall” is the ghost of Lady Dorothy Walpole (1686-1726).
She was Robert Walpole’s sister (Robert Walpole is regarded to be the first Prime Minister of Great Britain) and the second wife of Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount of Raynham and residents of Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England in the early 1700s. Rumor has it that before Dorothy married Charles, she had been the mistress of Lord Wharton, 4th Baron Wharton, an English soldier, politician and diplomat
Now Charles Townshend was known for his violent temper and accused his wife of adultery. It is likely he strangled her right on the staircase of Raynham Hall in 1725 and buried her. It is a tidy little story and ties the picture in nicely for this legend, but more rumors suspect the funeral was a hoax and Charles locked his wife away in a remote location on the estate. It is believed she died of small pox in 1726 and others believe she lived out her life locked away.
What is a legend without contradictions? Why are these sightings so rare? Is the photograph a hoax or proof that spirits walk among us? Was “the Brown Lady’s” life cut short by a jealous husband or small pox . . . or was she locked away for the remainder of her life in the place she now haunts?
I suppose “the Brown Lady” will forever be shrouded in mystery . . . until someone holds a séance at Raynham Hall and Lady Dorothy Walpole Townshend comes forward to tell her story. Actually, I’m surprised it hasn’t been done.
I sometimes wonder if not knowing is sometimes better than actually knowing the truth of a legend. It would truly be a shame if this was just a photographic anomaly. Photography in those days was in its infancy. It would be interesting to see if there have been other photographs, more recent photographs depicting the fine lady in brown.
Let’s begin with a couple of definitions — I know, the former teacher in me is coming out . . .
When you pick up voices that’s an EVP = Electronic Voice Phenomena. It’s a disembodied voice imprinted on a recording device that was not audible to the ear at the time of recording.
When you pick up non-voice sounds: music, bangs, rattling, etc. that’s an ENP = Electronic Noise Phenomena.
I was out walking my dog this morning. I just wanted a little exercise and fresh air. I like going out in the morning when it is quiet and cooler.
On my walks I sometimes take my camera and voice recording device to record anything interesting I see or hear. Or when I intuitively think I might pick up EVPs or ENPs. Once I recorded the clip-clop of horse hoofs going at a steady pace up the street. It reminded me of horse-drawn carriages . . . or a hay ride — usually in August I dream of fall.
This morning I was curious about the house that was just vacated a few days ago.
In the past I would hear sounds coming from the house when they were on vacation. It seemed the spirits in there have a great party when the owners are gone. I had asked them once if they left a radio on while they were gone and they said they hadn’t. It sounded like teenagers back in the 50’s – 60’s with a sock-hop. I just shrugged off their answer. My neighborhood, I believe in very active with ghostly spirits, but the neighbors don’t discuss it. They usually deny any activity or think I’m crazy for bringing up the subject.
I did walk up to the porch and set the recorder down. I said, “If there are any spirits here, please talk into this recorder. I’m not going to hurt you and neither is this recorder. It will just record what you say. You can say anything or make a noise. I’d greatly appreciate it.” I then set the recorder down and went on my way.
I think most spirits are a bit shy and like to “be” unnoticed. I know it’s an intrusion on them, but I am curious. I do try to be respectful.
While I was walking, I had a mental image of a spirit on hands and knees checking out the recorder . . . it made me chuckle to myself and also made me eager to retrieve my recorder.
I could hear piano music as I came around the corner of my street. It got louder as I walked closer to the vacant house.
I was torn between keeping the recorder on the porch until this little concert was over . . . but I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to see if the recorder picked up anything.
I listened to my little statement and I heard, “Hello?” It was a woman’s voice.
Oh my goodness!! I got an answer!! I almost dropped my recorder!!
There was quite a long pause and then I heard, “Play piano.”
Wow!! I was in heaven!!!
It didn’t take her long to start tickling the ivories with a classical tune. It was lovely and as I mentioned earlier she was still playing when I picked up the recorder and turned it off. So I got both an EVP and an ENP.
I do remember hearing a previous neighbor was a piano teacher.
I do hope the new owners like classical music and are kind to this lovely sounding woman. Or the new owners will be “stick in the muds” and deny any paranormal activity taking place in their new home.
I’m also curious if the teenage “sock hop”-pers are still in residence. That will keep them on their toes!!
I am so amazed by the spirit world and how lovely ghosts can be . . . sometimes I like them better than the living . . . I’ve always imagined having a “tea party” inviting the ghosts from the neighborhood. Maybe with my new Spirit Box, I’ll be able to do just that.
Maybe I should do it on my back patio . . . I don’t necessarily want a whole lot of spirits in my house — I have enough of my own.
I wonder what kind of prayer would be appropriate for self protection and having them go away after our session . . . Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for stopping by!! Please leave me a comment and be sure to tell a friend or more about this website.
I’m confident that many of you who have dabbled into the paranormal have had an experience or two that either still shocks you . . . or tickles you . . .and perhaps a little bit of both . . .
This Real Ghost Story happened quite a few years ago. I found it amusing and thought you may enjoy it as well.
Hey!! It’s not every day you encounter a ghost who gets offended and reacts in a non-ladylike manner . . .
I was in a restaurant with a friend, who is quite psychic.
I noticed a woman who kept rubbing her right foot on the carpeting . . . actually she did have her shoe on . . . and it seemed as though she was trying to get something off of it — perhaps she stepped in something . . .
This seemed odd. Not just the behavior, but that she was there one moment and gone the next.
I decided to concentrate on my meal and be polite to my dinner companion — Michael. Then, once again I saw that woman was back rubbing her right foot on the carpeting. I mentioned it to Michael.
He was so cool that he immediately turned around. Oh good grief!! I couldn’t believe it!!
And he did see her!!!
Now, if you want to know something, just ask . . . but not in the middle of dinner — oh good grief
Michael asked the waitress if she knew anything about the history of the land before the restaurant was built. She was new to the area and asked the manager to come to our table.
Well, we did find out that the whole area was once a pasture . . . a cow pasture . . . Need I continue?
And the ghostly apparition had evidently stepped in it . . . and was now cleaning her shoe.
It struck me as funny!
I burst out laughing!!
Now, if I had been embarrassed by Michael’s behavior . . . mine took the prize! But more than that, the ghostly woman, in her fine attire of two centuries ago came up to me . . . I could feel the chill of her icy stare . . . and without warning — all right, that isn’t true . . . I knew the woman was upset. She slapped me!! That’s right!! Slapped me right across the face . . . an open handed “bitch slap”.
Yes, I was shocked! But, more importantly you’re probably wondering if I felt the slap . . .
Yeah!!
It felt as though I was hit in the face with a bag of ice.
Michael could see the imprint of the ghostly hand print as my face reddening . . . Yes, from the slap . . . and perhaps embarrassment, too.
It was absolutely amazing . . .
Michael was caught in one of those catch 22 situations, be consoling to me or be astonished that a ghost
“bitch slapped” me.
“Go ahead, Michael, it’s all right,” I said calmly.
He burst out laughing . . . and so did I.
Then, I quickly looked around for the refined ghost . . . but she was gone. I truly did not want a repeat performance . . . unless it happened to Michael . . . nah . . . but . . . it’s just one of those things you have to experience . . . and I wouldn’t want to deprive him of the experience.
As we were leaving . . .
And I was waiting for Michael to open the door . . . I’m not all that women’s lib . . . I enjoy gentlemanly gestures.
I looked at Michael . . . he was frozen in place . . . his eyes wide open . . .
I helped him outside . . . and to the car . . . and saw the ghostly apparition off in the distance . . . watching . . . She had a broad smile on her face . . .
I looked at Michael . . . back at the apparition . . . back to Michael . . .
He said through clenched teeth, “She goosed me, right up the . . .” (We don’t have to go there . . . I think you got the drift of it.)
I heard a laugh . . . a laugh that echoed through the air long after the apparition disappeared.
I didn’t join in her merriment . . . Michael looked so pathetic . . . and I was still chilled from the slap.
I often wonder what the other patrons in the restaurant thought while all of this was going on — the apparition cleaning her shoe, my being slapped, Michael being goosed . . . Did they see anything paranormal . . . or just thought Michael and I were odd . . .
In retrospect . . . what did I learn from this experience?
For one, don’t tick off a ghost by laughing at her after stepping in a “cow patty”.
And, there are ghosts who will interact with you . . . maybe not in a kind manner . . . (just ask Michael) . . . but then again, if I had been more kind . . . Being insensitive to a ghost is rude . . . especially one who was all dressed up and obviously upset by her situation of trying to clean off her shoe
I didn’t know anything about her. She may have been “someone” in this town, so . . . how dare I laugh at her unfortunate situation . . .
Well, I hope you enjoyed this Real Ghost Story and share it with a friend or two.
You may know them by different names . . . or you may know of some that are “new” to me. From my understanding, these are the basic types of “hauntings” or “spirits” — other ones may fall into these categories.
First there are Impression Hauntings.
This is usually “left over energy” from a person who is now deceased. It’s not a conscious ghost, nor conscious ghost energy. This “impression energy” can also be given by the living.
Huh? Let me give you an example: let’s say you’re a college student. At the beginning of the term you had good feelings about all your classes and viewed the text books as a welcome source of information. Later on, one of those text books became a source of great anxiety to you. The class was difficult and the subject matter was near impossible for you to grasp. So, over time, that book picked up on your anxiety to the point where you couldn’t even look at it without getting upset. And, if you sold the book back to the bookstore, your anxious energy would have built up in association with that book and would be left on that book.
A sensitive person, upon touching that text book could detect this anxious energy you placed on it.
I’ve had similar experiences with a particular chair or desk in a classroom. As though it was the “hot seat” — the one the teacher would invariably call upon to answer a difficult question. There was a build up of “anxious” energy on that chair or desk. The student felt it — and the teacher felt it . . . It could have been anyplace in the classroom — it wasn’t the location, but the seat itself.
Second we come to the Loop Apparition.
This is basically the same concept as an impression haunting, except of it being left behind energy on an object or place, there is an image associated with it — a ghostly apparition may appear which is a left over energy source of an event that occurred during a critical part of a person’s life..
These loop apparitions are not conscious ghosts. They are more like a recording, stuck on repeat and replayed over and over again of what the person was doing before they died.
An example would be the Battle at Gettysburg. Many people have seen ghostly apparitions on this site. There have also been reports of people seeing Civil War soldiers sitting around a table cluttered with maps, planning their strategy.
A friend of mine recorded an apparition that would come in through the front down and walk to the kitchen . . . then disappear. She recorded it on consecutive days — the same woman, same movement.
I’ve heard of “hauntings” where a lit candle is placed in one particular window night after night. Or a woman walking night after night on a “widows walk” waiting . . . watching . . . That, I believe is an excellent example of an energy source apparition rather than a conscious ghost.
Third, is one most of us are aware: Earth Bound Spirits.
These are conscious ghosts whose passing was unexpected, usually through an accident or murder.
They could also be of those who were not ready to “pass over” because they felt their life was “cut short” due to illness or had regrets of being unable to complete something important to them. This even happens to those who died peacefully in their sleep. They are unaware of their passing.
You may be familiar with EVPs who ask, “Am I dead?”
These earth bound spirits remain in familiar surroundings. This could be the land, the house, a favorite place where they “felt at home.” That’s why many children haunt a playground of a school or even their classroom. If people loved their job, they may want to be there.
And, there are those who have a treasured possession and want to stay near it. This happens with jewelry, household items such as cabinets, music boxes and various furnishings. They seem to move about in unpredictable patterns. These conscious “ghosts” may interact with you. You’ll feel as though you’re being watched or followed when you wear a particular object. Or, if it is a household possession, you’ll feel as though you’re not alone in the house.
I’m reminded of a story I read about a man who saw a woman every morning standing at the picture window in the living room. It was as though she was anxiously watching for someone to arrive. That’s a non-conscious loop pattern energy source apparition. She’s following a repeated pattern, completely unaware of the man watching her.
These “earth bound spirits” can and do move objects, open and close doors, walk around the house day and night, etc.
I had a “resident ghost” who would move my furniture around. Obviously, she didn’t like the way I arranged my furniture and kept moving my furniture. Sometimes she became fixated on a particular piece and would move it around — even to different rooms. It became quite annoying, so I sent my “resident ghost” on her way.
Finally, we come to the Malevolent Spirits.
I’m not at all fond of these non-human spirits. Their purpose is to cause bodily and emotional harm to living human beings. These are extremely rare, but they can come from evil or possessed deceased humans.
They usually are attached to a toy or doll. They prefer contact with children rather than adults. We’re very aware of malevolent spirits being attached to Ouija Boards — more for the tween, teen and young adults.
As I said earlier, their goal is usually to infest children, but they can infest anyone of any age depending upon the spirit’s motive. Brings to mind “Chucky” doesn’t it.
Once you detect something malevolent about an object, get rid of it!!!
That last one really freaks me out. These malevolent spirits can start out by being “friendly”, helping you find misplaced items or playing pranks on a bully. Then, once they gain your trust . . . all hell breaks loose.
Be aware of ghostly visitations in dreams, nightmares, foul smells, loud unexplained noises, objects being moved or rearranged.
One child, upon getting a new toy would find that his homework was torn up the next morning upon awaking. He also noticed the toy was never where he left it before going to bed. It appeared this malevolent spirit was always getting him in trouble by “stealing cookies”, spilling the contents of cereal boxes, dumping out the contents of the refrigerator, drawers and cupboards. Also cutting up the parent’s clothing.
That may be why I don’t like the Christmas item “elf on a shelf”. And why many children are freaked out by it — yet it is still quite popular.
Well, that’s enough of that!! I hope this was informative. Thanks for stopping by!
Yes, a haunted cabin deep in the woods of Tennessee.
It’s always exciting to see in real time and receiving honest reactions when strange paranormal activity happens right in front of you.
Most of the time, many of us don’t have the peace of mind to grab a camera . . . but with trained professionals such as Patty and her G Team and friends, although relaxing after a long day of investigating did decide to turn on their cameras and get out their EVP box.
The video is quite long, but it is worthwhile to watch the whole video and stay tuned for the second part.
I truly believe this is a real ghost story — that chair didn’t rock as I had expected it to. I thought it would rock a bit harder which tells me it was an honest and true ghost sitting there and gently rocking it — as one normally would while sitting quietly on the porch.
There was also an honest to goodness ghost at one part of the video . . . but I also think I saw it sooner in the video . . . but it could have been the light. Let me know what you think.
Wasn’t that amazing?
Something was definitely on that porch with them!!! I got goosebumps a few times while watching the video and listening to the EVPs.
I remember watching either something on television or on-line at least 15 to 20 years ago about being careful when viewing programs involving paranormal activities.
At the time I wasn’t too concerned about it and thought the “warning” was a hoax or hype to get more views.
But the more I thought about it . . . and the things I’ve experienced, I decided to always have sage burning and also say a prayer of protection . . . and pretty much go all over my house with the sage smoke and repeating a prayer.
One experience I had while watching a YouTube Video that creeped me out was the shower curtain falling in one of my bathrooms and writing inside one of my cupboards in the kitchen which repeated something that was said in the video.
I was so creeped out that I emptied the cupboard and painted over it. The writing did bleed through, so I repainted it. And, yes again it bled through so I spackled over the writing, let it dry and repainted.
I can’t explain why the shower curtain fell nor the writing in the cupboard. I just know it happened and I do get a creepy feeling when I go into that bathroom and open cupboards in my kitchen.
I have called in “professionals” and have been told my house is very active. I’ve encouraged several “ghosts” to leave . . . which they have done, but for some reason I still have activity in my house.
I am definitely not a skeptic. Strange, uncanny, paranormal, if you will, things do occur more often than not. I do look for a logical explanation . . . and sometimes I can’t find one. So, I do have an open mind and subscribe to many YouTube Channels where I may see paranormal investigators experiencing something similar to my personal experiences for an explanation.
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