(This will most likely be the post that causes my follower count to plummet…)
Before I continue, thank you all for making me feel better on Monday. Fortunately it was only a 24-hour Meh so now I’m back to my old self. I self-medicated with the best possible over-the-counter treatment: Haagen-Dazs. And peaches. All is well.
Now for the spooky stuff. I’m going to preface this by saying that although I love real-life ghost stories, I regard most of them with a huge dose of skepticism—especially the stories on television. And I think Ghost Hunters and all the other shows in that genre are completely full of shit.
But over the years I’ve met many sane, reliable people who have stories they can’t explain. And now I have a few of my own.
The first incident happened 2 years ago when we adopted our third Weeblette. She needed a new home because her owner had died. I made arrangements with a neighbor of the woman who died so that we could pick up our new kitty. During my phone conversations with the neighbor I noticed that she never mentioned the deceased woman by name; she always called her “the owner.” I thought that was peculiar. Why not just use her name?
We drove to the house of the deceased woman, where her sister and the neighbor were meeting us. Again, they kept referring to “the cat’s owner.” Didn’t this woman have a name??
The poor, scared little cat was hiding in the woman’s bedroom. So we went in there to try to calm her down and get her in the carrier.
While Mr. Weebles took the bed apart to get to where kitty had taken refuge, I looked around the room. It hadn’t been packed up yet. It looked like “the owner” still lived there. I felt bad that we were in her bedroom like that. And I wondered what her name was.
Just then I heard a female voice in my head—not my own voice but a very different voice, as clear as a bell, say “Janice.”
Janice? Nah, that doesn’t make any sense, I thought. That’s my brain pulling a name out of the ether and playing games with me.
Finally, Mr. Weebles wrestled our new Weeblette into the carrier and we got ready to leave. The sister was crying. As she said goodbye to the kitty she said, “Janice would be so happy to know her cat is getting a nice new home.”
Janice. I felt all the blood rush out of my head.
They hadn’t said her name before then. Not once. I kept going back to all the conversations—maybe they had mentioned it and I had just forgotten. But no, they hadn’t. I’m sure of it.
I like to think that Janice knew we’d be good kitty parents and chose us to take care of her girl. And I’m happy she introduced herself to me.
If you’re still with me, stay tuned for Part II . . .
still with you
I’m so glad! Stay tuned!
Spooky and cool. I’m with you all the way, Weebs. You’re not gonna lose me. In fact, now that I see you’re a believer, I’m gonna double up on my subscription to your blog so I’ll get 2 notifications.
Dear Gripping,
My thoughts exactly!
Lisa
hahaha!
SWEET! Yes, I’m a believer. Too many weird things happen out there for me NOT to be one.
“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy” Shakespeare.
And if nothing else, you believe it, and I have no reason to think you’re crazy.
Well, no medical reason anyway…
That’s what my doctor said too, Guap. So I’ll go with that.
Dear MW,
I,m not only WITH you….I,m on the edge of my seat!!!! I love stories like these…cuz I have some,too!!
I know Janice was in that room with you. She told you her name!
Omg!
How exciting!
Not to be pushy….but…when are you telling us the rest?
I cannot wait!!!!
Love,
Lisa
Xoxoxo
There are several more tales, Lisa! This was just Story #1.
I will post the next one either tomorrow or Friday. And now I want to hear your stories too……
Dear Madame,
Yay!!!
I love stories about the other world.
It’s totally there.
And so many pretend it’s not.
I promise to tell some stories!!!
Love, Lis
xooxox
When I was a kid, I was staying at my Dad’s place one weekend. Late in the evening there were several frantic calls to my Dad’s place looking for my mom. It was time for me to go to bed but I was energized by a driving curiosity about who and why they were looking for my mom. I went into my room and the window was frosted up. “Etched” into the frost was a picture of a man with glasses. In my head I said something like “Oh, mom’s brother died”. I’ve never met or seen photos of any of her family so I have no idea why I thought that. I went to bed at peace and fell instantly asleep. Next morning I asked my dad if he found out what was up. He said my Mom’s brother died. I told my Dad my story and described the frost picture (which was gone by then) and he said it sounded like the brother.
One time I was in my car grieving my dead grandmother. I was sitting at a stop light having a great ol’ cry. I felt these arms reach through the window and hug me. No one was there but I felt comforted. I believe she sent an angel down to give me a hug.
Those are good ‘uns, Wanda. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if your uncle and your grandmother were behind the scenes sending hugs to you.
I can’t sleep after I watch movies like the Exorcist, Blair Witch, or anything with voodoo. I think deep down I might actually believe in otherworldly beings. That said, I’ve never had an “encounter” of any sort.
I have done a ghost tour before, and if you haven’t done one, you would love it! They’re basically history tours with a little town folklore and gossip tossed in. Plus, I learned about fan flirting, and fan flirting is fascinating!
Fan flirting! Now THAT sounds like fun. I bet you were good at that, Lovely. I’ve been on several ghost tours and they’re a lot of fun, provided the tour guide is really good. And you get to hear all kinds of creepy true stories (or at least allegedly true).
I believe I shall remain a follower. Do go on, Ms. Weebles. Do go on.
Why thank you, writerfellow. More will be forthcoming shortly.
I’m waiting for the weird part…
HA! Now THAT’S a good response.
oooooohhh….I’ve got chills.
Believe me, Robin, I had them myself when it happened!!
I’ll bet!
Waiting….
Very soon, Meizac, very soon.
Very cool story, MW. Can’t wait for part two!
Thanks, B–next part coming soon!
Still here, too. (But you knew I would be…) Oh yes, and fresh summer peaches – the ultimate pickker-upper!
Somehow I knew this story wouldn’t put you off, Cathy.
Now tell me, is it true that Colorado peaches are the most delicious thing ever? I’ve never had one because they don’t ship well, but I hear tell.
Yes they are! And that testament is coming from a Georgia native…You’ll just have to come out here and visit – honestly, they’re worth the trip.
Cool story, I love when things like this happen!!!
Me too! I was excited and freaked out at the same time!
I’m still with you, too.
It might not be to do with the dead, though. Might be something to do with the living. I had a similar experience many years ago when I was listening to some music through the headphones and clearly heard the voice of a friend I’d not been in touch with for quite a while, and she seemed to be in distress. I turned off the music and phoned her and her mum answered and said I wasn’t the only person who’d phoned out of the blue about her but that my friend (her daughter) was in a coma in hospital! Eek!
There’s a lot of stuff that we don’t know about, but one day in the future, maybe these ‘extra senses’ will be proven by science.
Good point, Val. I’ve heard stories similar to yours, hearing someone’s name or voice out of nowhere and then finding out that the person was in trouble, etc. There’s definitely a lot out there that we just can’t prove scientifically at the moment but that certainly doesn’t prove it’s not true.
That is pretty spooky! Can’t wait for part ll…
Stand by, whitelady! Or may I call you Chica Blanca like Smak does? I like that.
Sure, you can call me Chica Blanca (that makes me laugh so hard)…
Madame Weebles,
You have taken the blue pill, haven’t you? Janice IS your name… Think about that one.
Le Clown
I definitely took the blue pill. I’m too much of a chicken shit to take the red pill. But in the Matrix, I’m pretty sure my name is the Oracle.
Madame Weebles,
Can I quote you? Thank you, that’s very kind of you:
“It took you all day to come up with this one, right?”
Le Clown
Of course. Why do you think I’m so late in replying to comments?
Madame Weebles,
I’m bored with this thread. Later.
Le Clown
Whatev.
I sense a twist…like an old woman trapped in a ventilation system.
Good lord, man, you’re funny.
I’m still here and impatiently waiting for part deux. I love that you cured what ailed you with Haagen Daz. I wish you were my doctor.
Take two pints and call me in the morning, Fish.
Awesome! I’m a believer, too. Though you’re right about those ghost shows on TV — I hear voices in my white noise machine all the time, that doesn’t make it haunted. Those shows are nonsense. And yet … if there’s nothing else on, I’ve been know to watch them ALL. DAY. LONG. Anywho, I think I’ll remain a faithful follower.
Right? Some of those “EVP recordings” are laughable. They’re like ink blots, you can interpret them in any number of ways. But I’m with you on watching those shows all day, I’ve done it too.
Cooooolllll…
Wayyyyyy coooollll, Calahan.
Spooky! Maybe the cat had been named Janice as well and she was just letting you know. Has she been to visit it since or should I wait for part 2?
I don’t know why I’m asking but which flavour Haagen Dazs?
The cat was actually named Princess Mia. We didn’t think she seemed like a Princess Mia, though, so now she goes by the much more regal name of Jellybean. Janice has not been to visit since, though. Part II is for another spooky tale altogether…
Sorry, just realized that I forgot to answer your very important question: vanilla. It went well with the peaches.
MW,
Maybe she wants to make your Hot Dead Chicks list. I bet you have a cool rep on the Other Side.
Oooh, I hadn’t thought of that, DV. That’s a possibility. I don’t know what she looked like, but maybe I’ll nominate her anyway.
I’m still with you…only 2 parts?
At least 3 parts, Margarita!
Yyaaayyy!
I love ghost stories! Can’t wait for the next one!
Part II coming very soon, Nancy–glad you’re sticking around!
I am looking forward to part 2 and the continuation of this tale. It is ultimately about you having a talking cat, right?
That WOULD be a good ending, LA. Alas, no talking/ventriloquist cat. This tale is already finished–sorry for the anticlimax there. Parts II and III are entirely different stories. But just as odd.
Wow, this is better than a Stephen King novel. Can’t wait for part 2–the cynic in me will be there.
High praise indeed! I’m not sure my tales are better than his but I’m not quite as peculiar looking as he is, at least.
Yes, Daniel Craig he isn’t.
Just because we can’t explain it doesn’t mean it can’t happen. I kinda like the idea that there’s more in the world than we see every day.
Me too, Diane. I think there’s a lot of weird stuff out there that we can’t prove scientifically at the moment, but that doesn’t mean it ain’t happening.
I drew a deep breath at the end of this! Creeeeepy — wowww… Part 2, part 2, part 2, part 2!!
It was very creepy, Sandee—part of me STILL doesn’t believe it to this day, even though I know it did. Parts II and III will have different stories but they’re just as eerie.
I’m totally creeped out… totally. But, by george, I believe.
It was a totally creepy experience, andi—but yup, there was Janice, saying hi. Be prepared for creepier stories to come…
A lot of people have seen an apparition where I work. Alas, I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m hopeful. I can’t wait for the next episode.
Ooooh, an apparition! Now that’s good stuff. What sort of apparition? Too bad you haven’t seen it but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you!
He wears a black coat and hat. Supposedly, he haunts the stairway of our old building – built in 1892.
You aren’t nutso — I’m a believer. We are all beings made up of energy and if school taught me anything, it was that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. So, logically and scientifically speaking — it would be ignorant for us to think that these things do not or cannot happen. Spiritually speaking, it’s comforting to think that loved ones who have passed on can still be as close to us and surround us in death just as they did in life. It would be a pretty sad existence if we thought this world was it and nothing more! Can’t wait for part 2!
Totally agree, dockfam. Who’s to say that science has already proven all the ways in which energy can manifest itself?? And it’s nice to think that death isn’t the end—I find it comforting. It would be a bummer if we just got these few years on earth and then game over.
Oo-We-Oo!
I’ve seen too much strange stuff and know so little about the universe to doubt someone else. Someday I’ll tell the story of the time I thought the devil was in my computer. It doesn’t portray me in a very flattering light, as you might imagine.
And no, mostly sober. Because that was the next question, right?
Okay, I’m going to be on pins and needles waiting for the story about the devil in your computer, Smak. That’s a must-tell story, for sure. Whether you were stone-cold sober or not, that’s got to be a good one.
So cool. Sorry if you were trying to weed through the lot of us; don’t think it worked. You’ll have to come up with another strategy
I’ve been trying for months to sell String Theory/ Parallel Universes. I thought for sure that the god particle thing was going to tip the scales? Here’s my screwy reasoning: I can’t see sound waves or the wind, but I know they exist and we now have instruments to verify their existence. An instrument to measure parallel universes in our future? Jules Verne wouldn’t scoff at it. Janice may be strumming your strings.
Well, I was hoping I wouldn’t scare anyone off or have anyone think, “Oh, so she’s a crackpot!” so I’m glad you’re still here, Nikki. It’s very interesting that you mention sound waves—I use a very similar example with radio waves—if you have a radio, you can hear the waves but just because you don’t have a radio doesn’t mean the waves aren’t passing all around you. Jules Verne would dig it.
spookilicious…keep it going
Heh, “spookilicious” — I like that word.
Spooky. But I’m still with you darlin’
Yay! I’m very glad you are, Robin!
I’m still here, too! I love good ghost stories.
I do too, JM. That was always my favorite part of sleepovers when I was a kid. Except now I get to tell REAL ghost stories!
Janice just told me to give you the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award: http://bringingeuropehome.com/2012/07/18/is-there-an-award-for-procrastination/
Okay, she didn’t really. I did it all on my own, ’cause I thought you might be chuffed to be a part of the Sisterhood.
You were right, I am! Thank you so much!!!
You’re welcome. I am a great admirer of your site and your wit and your writing ability…and the fact that you could teach a cat to shoot. You’re the whole enchilada, Weebles.
i’ve been told on numerous occasions that i’m “psychically deaf” — and simply can’t hear, feel, see the things that some folks encounter. turns out? i’m good with that! this shit freaks me out…
I was always sort “psychically deaf” until I turned 40. Then it was like a switch went on. I’m not sure what the heck happened. I haven’t found it freaky so far, but fortunately I’ve never had any scary experiences. Spooky, creepy, eerie ones, definitely, but not scary.
Oh what?! You go all mystic creepy weird on us and then make us wait for part two? Ok, ok, I can handle it.
Actually, I’m with daisyfae. This stuff is freaky and I’m fine with not experiencing it, but I am wondering about the part 2 reverlations…
Cheers!
That’s the essence of a good ghost story, Nigel, drawing it out…
Although Part II will be a different spooky encounter. My tale in Part I is complete. Unless Janice visits again.
Excellent story! And I totally believe you. My aunt & uncle (siblings) share a house that can be. . . peculiar. I’ve not witnessed any of the strangeness, but in order: 1) my cousin claimed he was abducted by aliens while Gramma & Auntie slept; 2) the smoke alarm went off without batteries in it; and 3) the day we found out my other uncle (older sibling) died, a plate flew off the wall.
I’ve had “communication” with spirits before, both in dreams and awake. I haven’t spoken, but I’ve gotten signs before.
If you’re nuts, then I’m riding shotgun in the crazy car.
What say we take a road trip in the crazy car, Purple? We’d have a great time. Those are some good stories your aunt and uncle have. Especially the smoke alarm going off without batteries. That’s a classic right there.
While I would’ve freaked out, I kinda wish I’d been there that night. There were several family members there at the time, so witnesses confirm it.
Crazy car road trip! Can we start by telling each other ghost stories? I have a few more.
Awesome! I’ll bring the snacks.
I’ve nominated you for the Lovely Blogger Award! You’re awesome! <3 Thank you for being a ray of sunshine in my day!
http://whoredinary.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/wow-i-was-nominated-for-an-award/
Awww, that’s so nice of you! Thank you very much!!!
You are very welcome Dear <3
OK that does sort of freak me out, but that doesn’t mean I think you’re a freak. Looking forward to hearing the rest….do you read tea leaves by chance?
I do not read tea leaves, unfortunately. But maybe I’ll start reading coffee grounds.
I believe and I am with you. looking forward to more…
Part II tomorrow, Mary!
So did you ever figure out why she was just called “the owner” cause that part is just freaking me out
I know, weird, right? That was the eeriest part of all!
I know it’s freaking me out – the rest of your story was like kind a plain in comparison.
Sorry to leave you hanging there, Merlin–I guess that will remain a mystery for the ages…
sigh
Definitely haven’t lost a reader,it’s called life, we are all living it…looking forward to part 2!!!
Hi Amethyst! Part II is tomorrow–so glad you’re still here and following!
I’ve always been a bit skeptical of shows like Ghost Hunters, too… but they still suck me in… so it goes without saying I’ll be back!!!
Excellent!!
ok, that one gave me chills! But, it makes sense because she probably loved her cat and was still somehow connected to her until she was safe.
You could be right, sweetspot—she did love her cat very much, according to her sister and neighbor. If I were her, I’d do the same thing.
I’m the same with you, normally I don’t believe in spooky stuff that you see on tv or whatever. But sometimes things happen that you just can’t explain. . . Can’t wait to read part two!
I’m so sorry, Mo, this comment seems to have gotten past me, I wasn’t trying to ignore you, of course. No, television shows are all pretty suspect to me, but as you said, there are some things that just have no rational explanation…
I am still with you. I have stories too!
Lanier, I apologize, I can’t believe I missed replying to your comment from this far back. I would love to hear your stories!!
I will tell them to you sometime…got a Ouija board?
I used to have one, but to be honest, Ouija boards creep me out a little!
Me too! I was just making a joke. But some time I will tell you my ghost stories.
I will admit I don’t believe in ghosts…but I don’t discount those that do. There are energies out there that mess with us though…karma, Déjà vu, Intuition, star signs, and such. Can’t wait to read more.
Oh, but you can read more! Read parts II and III for more ghosty stories. There are no boobs or zombies in them though, sorry.
I will.
I totally believe this happened. Very cool.
It was wild. I’m still blown away by it.
I think you’re lucky to have experienced it…made for a good story too!
Slightly freaked out but glad you were able to adopt your third Weeblette.
Weebs, that is freaky…but I so believe this could happen. Spooky for sure. Did the kitty act normal?