ok you all might think i am nuts but here it goes--- have you ever thought your house was haunted? i do . a few weeks ago i thought i lost my check book , i went through this house the car, every where no checks. all day i was looking and started to panick, i walked into the kitchen and there on the center of the table was the check book. no way could i have gone all day walking by the table and not seen it, we ate lunch on that table, i called the bank from there. now i have been looking into the history of the cabin nothing to off the wall so far, the only realy odd thing is the fact the farm was owned by the parrish family since before the civil war and durning the war one twin brother fought for the south while the other for the north. there are twin cabins built behind us one for each brother , now that might not be odd but 6 or more sets of twins where born on the farm the brothers are the only ones to live.last year we had identiacl girls {they do not run in families ,its a fluck of nature}we had 3 goats have twins[our only goats], a cat, and a chicken hatch out 2 eggs . well maybe iam going crazy but other things have happened around here nothing bad just odd. anyone ever feel some one else also lives in your house ?

-- renee oneill (oneillsr@home.com), May 31, 2000

Answers

Renee -- Don't get me started!! Not here, but in the home I grew up in, a century farmhouse that used to serve as a boarding house for the railroad, some seriously strange things used to happen. Just a few years ago, my parents went away for a week. No one was in the house. My brother checked the house daily, and not a sign of anyone or anything. The day mom & dad came home, all the framed photos (the kind that stand on tabletops -- not the ones hung on the wall) were in the middle of the living room floor in a circle, face down.

Another time, shortly after I left home, my mom & dad came home from an evening out and sat down to watch TV. Shortly thereafter, someone walked across the floor in the bedroom above them. Mom went up (dad was at the base of the stairs with the shotgun -- mom wouldn't let him go, said she wouldn't be able to pull the trigger if someone knocked him over the head and then came after her!!!) and checked each and every bedroom, closet and even the attic -- nothing.

When I was a teenager, shortly after my brother left home, mom and dad would occasionally go out for the evening, leaving me at home. Every time, I could swear I heard whispering voices from upstairs -- even saw a face in the window once.

My husband spent his early childhood in a "cottage" on a large estate in England. When he was about six, he ran upstairs to his bedroom for something, and in the shadows at the top of the stairs was an old man. Apparently he smiled and startled him, but it was very obvious that he wasn't intending harm. My mother in law saw him often. Turns out that during WWII, there was a single elderly gentleman who lived there and died alone.

Do I believe in ghosts? Absolutely!!

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), May 31, 2000.

I just got shivers, does that mean anything?

-- STAN (sopal@net-port.com), May 31, 2000.

Do I believe in ghosts - no. Angels, demons, and spirits - yes! I've had my share of "weird" things happen (things missing that all of a sudden turn up, noises, etc.), and I've had that "someone is watching me" feeling in the past too. Not lately though - thank God!

Usually I've had these experiences when my life was spiritually at a low point, or I was having a big difference of opinion with family over religion.

-- Eric in TN (ems@nac.net), May 31, 2000.

and now I'm supposed to go to sleep after reading all these.....

-- Suzy in 'Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), June 01, 2000.

"Ghosts" are all around us....we walk through them, breathe them in and hardly notice them at all. It seems reasonable to believe that there are multiple dimensions to our "world" and that time and space are merely conveniences. I am not at all sure about the communication part....why/how would they want to let us know they're there? And why would *they* be any more aware of us being "where" *we* are, than of us knowing "where" *they* are? I kind of don't think they have any intentions, evil, or otherwise...I think that's just our projections. IMHO, of course.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), June 01, 2000.

I'm from England. There's more ghosts than you can shake a stick at there. People just learn to live with them. My mom's next door neighbor has one that shows up every so often. One morning last week they were all upstairs still in bed but awake. They heard a key in the lock of the front door and the sound of the door opening and closing. Both kids got excited thinking it was their older brother coming home off the night shift. They went running down to greet him. There was no one there. It happens all the time. Some other friends bought a house but were unable to move in right away. The husband decided that at least he could go over and start working on getting the garden in shape. The house had sat empty for a while so the garden was quite overgrown. While he was pulling weeds he realized that someone was standing behind him. It was an old lady. He said hello and asked if he could help her. She gave him a big smile then faded away! When he mentioned it to the man next door he told him that an old lady had lived there. He said she had loved her garden and was probably happy to see that someone else was going to take care of it. I didn't know about this unill after I had been staying with this couple for a few days and made the comment that I kept feeling as though someone was following me around. Qh well, that's my two cents worth. You're not alone Renee. (No pun intended) Pauline

-- Pauline Adderley (tworoosters_farm@AltaVista.com), June 01, 2000.

I'm with Eric---I believe in Angels, Spirits & demons!--I have annointed every property we own, in oil more than one time! I have poured oil around the streets of this town more than once also! I would rather not give any stories--but, yes I very much believe in unclean spirits & demons! I am also way beyond thrilled I have Jesus as my Lord & savior to call upon. I won't preach--it is just how I believe! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), June 01, 2000.

Damm straight. without going on and on, I lived in a house years ago that had voices, walking sounds, doors opening the usual. a few years later a couple I knew moved in and had all kinds of trouble there, then another couple, they eventually had the house exorcised by a priest.

-- Hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), June 01, 2000.

While not "afraid" of ghosts or spirits, I do believe in them. While living in military housing about 20+ years ago, one night the dog who slept at the foot of our bed, started growling and had the hair raised on his back. My husband was staying in the "alert facility" as he did once a month, so I got up, put my robe on and headed down the hall to see what was up. That dog blocked the hallway, and refused to let me by. He had all his hackles up, growling like there was a lion in the living room. I finally got the light on, got past him, and he looked around, but still acted as if someone or thing was there. I just hushed him, and went back to bed. A few weeks later, during the day, when we were eating, he walked over toward the sofa, and again with all his hair standing up, growled and barked at the empty sofa. No one there, nothing different, etc. Weird. I always wondered if someone had committed some violent crime in that house, but of course, could never get any information out of the housing office. Years later, after my mother in law had passed away, and the family was all at here house, we were attempting to make a meal for all the visitors, and needed a certain large pan, which no one could find. All of a sudden, I just "knew" exactly where it was. When we looked in the cabinet, there it was. Same with some quilt blocks she had made for her children, years before. Just days before she passed away, she mentioned to a sister to be sure they were given to the kids. No one could find those, until again, I got this feeling of exactly where they were. Found them in her husband's old army trunk. I really felt her spirit was there with us. Not in a "spooky" way, just there, guiding us through the tough times. Jan

-- Jan B (Janice12@aol.com), June 01, 2000.

When my Dads half brother was a teenager, he woke suddenly in the night to see an older man standing there staring at him, then turned and walked into the closet (while the door was shut!) He was so scared that he slept in the woods for a week and a half dad said. And when he did come in he never slept inn that room again!

I'm glad not to have the feeling of something watching me in the shower, I'm crazy enough without them moving things around me and I certainly don't need any levitating so I'll be glad "they " live in someone elses house!

-- Novina West (lamb@stellarnet.com), June 01, 2000.

Ghosts are demons that take on a specific personality.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), June 01, 2000.

I dont belive ghosts are demons, just spirits that are stuck here. Our house in washington was built by my grandfather whom i never meet [he died 8 years before i was born in a car accident ]and i could always feel his presence there.My husband and i rented a lovely old house here a while ago and every once in a while he would jump and swear someone had pinched him, Figured since that was his only weirdness and he does have a cute butt i would just over look it. Latter our freind and neighbor told us the older irish lady that lived there had passed away in the house, When we told her about the pinching she said that sounds like something her friend would have done.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), June 01, 2000.

We once lived in a house where we experienced some strange happenings. I would come home and find the tv and vcr on. I finally became somewhat paranoid about it so I would strap the children into the car, triple check to make sure the tv and vcr were turned off, then lock the doors and leave. If an adventure movie was in the vcr, I would come home and there the tv would be turned on and the movie running. After about a year of this we began asking questions about the previous owners. We were only the second family to live there. The family that built the house had a 19 year old son who committed suicide in the living room with a shotgun. He was an only child and now his parents had also passed on. We blessed the house and never had any more trouble.

-- Cheryl Cox (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), June 01, 2000.

Oooooh, I have chills now, too! We have a farmhouse that was built in 1863, and I sometimes wish I had a sense of the people who had lived here over the years, but no such luck. We did find a postcard in the wall that was dated Oct. 11, 1867, and that was really cool, but no real "presences" to speak of. I would actually welcome them, if they were benevolent. I heard once that the south is full of ghosts, moreso than other parts of the country, because of the Civil War. This is a fascinating topic, I hope more people will write in...

-- Shannon (Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary) (gratacres@aol.com), June 01, 2000.

In are current home I used to hear children playing when mine were at school .I would also hear music , like at a carnival [?] .When the children and I went away for a weekend and Hubby stayed home , he awoke to a small girl climbing into bed with him .He didn't think much of it at first since are daughter often did this . Then he remembered we were gone ! I had a talk with "them " and told them we were happy to have them stay , but it was o,k, to go and rest now that they didn't have to stay . I haven't heard from them since .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), June 02, 2000.

I definitely believe in ghosts because I have seen a number of them in my lifetime. I just feel they are people who have passed to the other side and are bewildered by that and can't quite find their way to God. Or there is something in their earthly life that keeps them here such as their feelings for a loved one or a house or a garden, etc. I have helped several move on by explaining their circumstances to them and telling them to go toward the light and love that is waiting for them.

I will share one interesting story. When I was a child, I would every once in awhile tell my parents that there had been a lady in my room the night before and they would just put it down to active imagination.

After I grew up and moved out of the house, my parents moved into my upstairs bedroom. One day my father, a military officer, no nonsense kind of guy, called me and told me that he had awakened in the middle of the night and saw what he thought was my mother in one of the closets fumbling around. He thought she had gotten sick in the middle of the night and was trying to get to the bathroom so he sat up in the bed so he could get up and help her. Then his eyes dropped to the bed beside him and he realized my mother was there beside him in the bed. He admitted to me that he finally believed there were such things as ghost because he had seen one himself.

One of my brothers said he had recently seen one in his office building when he was working at night. It was in an old converted farm house.

I think some people have the ability to see ghosts and others do not. It seems to run in my family. But I have never seen one that was threatening in any way. They were usually just quietly watching me or something else around them.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), June 02, 2000.

Well, all I can say is "Cool!". Does that date me? Does anyone want to date me? Whoa, bad question! - Maggie has a sense of humor, thankfully! Anyway, in the house previous to this one, in the same Maine town, we had a mid 1800s colonial. After a couple of years, I awoke one night to hear water running. I got up and found the hot water in the tub was on full! This happened a few more times, and we concluded our older son was "sleepwalking" and turning it on. Always the tub, always the hot water, always on full. I changed the faucets (not because of this -but to install "period" fixtures) and the problem continued. Couldn't figure out why or how Hank was doing this! Then he went off to college, and 2 days later, at about 2 am, the hot water was on full blast! Never saw the ghost, never threatened, but he (OK, political correctiveness buffs!, or SHE) was definately there! On a related note, I absolutely believe in Guardian Angels! There is NO WAY I could have reached this age relatively unscathed, having done the incredibly stupid things I have done, without the intervention of my Guardian Angels. And, Big Guys, if you are reading this as I suspect you are - GOOD JOB!, and don't get lax now! GL to all!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), June 02, 2000.

My family and I have had plenty of experience with 'visitors' in our houses-I have noticed an advantage to living in a house where things get moved or missplaced-If I have lost something because I put it in a 'safe' place-I can ask out loud for the item to be put where I can find it-usually works! This life is certainly interesting.......

-- Mary Elder (wwabheart@yahoo.com), June 03, 2000.

No, Renee. You're not nuts! Actually, you're brave, as are the others in on this post-that we can speak of our experience! Years ago we'd all be hunted down as witches! Oh, I believe that we've all been here before, and in some form or another will be here again. My stories are pale compared to those posted, so I'll not bore you with details, but every person has had some kind of encounter with the afterlife, the question is, did thet know it?! Consider your experience a gift, that you have the intuition to 'see' what is, or isn't there.

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), June 04, 2000.

Is our house haunted? Do I believe in ghosts? Absolutely! We live in an old farmhouse (built in 1836). We moved in here about seven years ago. There are five ghosts seen and heard regularly. Have been unable to find out the history of the house beyond the 1970's, so don't know if there was any trauma associated with the family we are visited by.

In addition to the people, we have seen kittens playing in the parlor; cows, horses, chickens, and other assorted farm animals walking through what used to be the farmyard and is now part of our livingroom (now THAT'S an odd experience....walking through a cow!). We also have rain drops falling from the ceilings and doorjambs on bright sunny days. My husband thought our daughters and I were absolutely nuts when we'd tell him about our visitors or the *mystery drips* (as the girls call the rain drops). About six months ago he began seeing people walking through the house as well as the rain drops falling. He no longer calls us his nutcases, thankfully.

-- Kathleen (kalfy53@hotmail.com), June 04, 2000.

I totally agree with Sonda. I am glad and thankful beyond words that I have Jesus and as Lord and Savior but won't "preach". Eagle

-- eagle (eagle@alpha1.net), June 07, 2000.

Before my husbands grandmother passed away, she was very sick, in the hospital. Three times we all drove down there (2 hour ride) because the doctors said she was going to pass away immediately. She always pulled through. When we asked the doctor about this, he answered, that there was no physical reason, for her to still be alive. He said that sometimes people are not able to let go, because there is something they need to say, or do first, or somebody they want to see first. There has always been this big family secret about why my husbands father grew up with them, and not with his real mother ( her sister), and it had something to do, with their abusive childhood. there were 3 sisters, and if ever asked, they would say something like "I will take this to the grave with me". His grandmother passed away, after her other sister had a 2 hour talk with her. That sister is the only one living now, and she isn't talking either. My point is, if there are things, that can keep you stuck in life for a while longer, why wouldn't there be things, that can keep you stuck in death? I never seen a other being, but I do believe in the supernatural. I have a "sixth sense" that I learned to trust, so who knows what else might be out there.

-- karin morey (wind_crest@hotmail.com), June 07, 2000.

My father is dying. Until a few days ago we were caring for him at home. He had begun to see and have conversations with his parents and a brother who has passed on. He asked when his Dad was coming to pick him up. He talked about going "home". The social worker from Hospice told me that that is very common in the final stages of life and that it is also very comforting for people who are dying. She is convinced that patients really do see their loved ones and they are being helped into the next world. I want to believe that.

-- Peg (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), June 07, 2000.

Peg: I'm sorry to hear about your father. The older we get, the more we realize that our parents aren't here forever...and neither are we. When you are young, you just take it for granted that they will always be there for you, then suddenly, they aren't. I miss my husband's parents terribly. They were so good to me and my children, and often I wish they were here to answer questions, help with projects here on the place, etc. I'm sure you are right, that we are "helped" into the hereafter by those who have gone before us, seen it too many times for it not to be true. Take care, and our prayers are with you and your family. Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), June 07, 2000.

Dang, Renee, you do get around. I'm new to the forum and you're EVERYWHERE! I love this...

I do believe in ghosts, I do, I do, I do. I think these are just folks that won't let go to their earthly life after they pass over & don't realize it's time to move on. I think our future farmhouse could be 'occupied' because I get one of those oooo-eeee-oooo feelings when I go in, but it also feels harmless. The house is 70 yrs old. I usually bless a new abode anyway and am glad to 'share'.

I enjoy reading your input (as well as everyone's commentaries); this is way too much fun. debra in nm (and at work, being way bad).

-- debra in nm (dhaden@nmtr.unm.edu), August 24, 2000.

Hm, interesting contrast of opinions. Yes there are ghosts, I've lived with (and am apparently living with another one now) several. The first one was our old Beagle, Dash, who we had euthanized when I was 7. Old Dash was a great dog (ok, he was a wretched dog -- I loved him anyway) who spent most his waning years sleeping undermy sister and my bed, or in our closet on our shoes. He would get in dog fights and lie under there crying all night. I would climb in his dog box and sleep with him. When he was in terrible pain from tumors in his old age, we put him down, and buried him out back. For the first time in years, we closed our bedroom door that night, since Dash wouldn't be wanting in or out...but he did. He was scatching at the door that night and sniffing under the crack. It terrorized my sister and myself, since we were only kids. I have often wished that the spirits of my departed animals since then would return, but they rarely do. I try to look on this as evidence that they know I've done everything I could for them in this life and that they are waiting for me in a sun-filled meadow on the other side.

One of my dogs that my mother was very close to, died in a tragic manner at an early age. I went through hours of anguish trying to save her life, but she died in my arms. I called my mother (over a thousand miles away) the next day to tell her the dog had died, but she already knew it, and even told me what time it had happened at. Apparently the dog went to say goodbye to her too.

Currently, I have moved into the 'old family homestead', my grandparents house which is over 70 years old (78?). My brother had it and did wall-to-wall carpeting, dropped accoustical ceilings, hot tub, fur curtains and the works to it. When I got it, I ripped out the carpet back to the oak flooring and put down rag rugs, tore out hte ceilings back to the 9' height, removed the fake-wood paneling and replastered, threw out hte hot tub, removed the swimming pool and put in a flower/vegetable garden and brought back all her old mission- style furniture I inherited. Once I moved in, the noises started rumpusing at night when I'd turn out hte lights. Things like people trying the doorknobs, opening and closing doors, and general banging around. This gave me quite a lot of alarm (since I'd had a physical prowler years before --and got a handgun!!) until my sister suggested that it might be gramma. She was a notorious night-owl, like myself, and we were very very close when I was a child. I spent more time with her and grampa than I did at home, and I hadn't slept in her house in over 20 years, since she'd passed away. My mother opined that gramma would have absolutely LOVED what I'd done with the house and puttingin gardens she could never get my grandpa to do and that perhaps,yes, indeed, grandma was back. In any event, I settled for saying aloud at night when I wanted to sleep 'Grandma, I'm going to go to sleep now. I'm very tired. Could you please keep it quiet for me?' It has worked. Occasionally if I am gone for a while and came back, she would get upset that I'd been gone and get noisy again, but asking her to be more quiet works. If you have an old spirit hanging about, chances are that they are going to respond better if you are polite. I don't know what to say about the disappearing items...that happens to me all the time, but I don't think grandma has anything to do with it. Houses DO just 'eat' things. Mine have always thrived on a diet of odd socks and check registers.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), August 26, 2000.