Interesting Story at a Fun Event!

Today I was asked to talk about ghosts and spirits, and my book (Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium) at a senior woman's meeting in Annapolis, Md. There was also another author there who spoke about her series of books and she was fascinating. It was a wonderful time! 

Rob Gutro talking to the women's club in Annapolis, Md.

   I set up a table in the back of the room and put out my books, business cards, and a sign. After about 15 minutes people started filing in. One woman was approaching my table and I started to get a headache. She told me that she has sensed her late husband around her on numerous occasions. She said that sometimes she would feel him laying next to her in bed. Other times she knew he was just standing nearby. 

  She said to me "doesn't that sound crazy?" Of course it doesn't!  People who lose loved ones often either see, hear, feel, sense or smell something that reminds them of their late loved one. She asked how I sense ghosts and spirits, and I told her that I get a headache (from electrical/energy overload). She said, "that's amazing, because I get these headaches that come and go, and I attribute them to my late husband." She went on to tell me that she was checked by doctors for a cause of the headaches. I told her that I thought her husband's checking in on her may be some of the reason she gets them. She's obviously sensitive to his spirit returning.
  As she turned around to get her seat, I told her "make sure you save a seat for your husband's spirit, too."

  

Ghost in a Virginia Bed and Breakfast!

Stairway where Ann Custis' ghost came to me

Sometimes when you have the gift of sensing spirits, vacation isn't vacation. Unless you're tuned out and not relaxed, you're bound to hear from any resident ghosts. Such was the case this past weekend when my partner and I went to a Bed and Breakfast in central Virginia. 
   As we were taking a walking tour through this incredible Bed and Breakfast, I was contacted by a female ghost as I walked up the stairway from the first floor to the second floor. The ghost actually gave me the name "Ann Custis."
  It's not often that I get a first and last name, but this time I did. I had no idea who that could be or if I even got the name right.
  When we got home we did some research and the Custis family is related to George Washington. (I had no idea). The B&B owners are checking with the local historical society to see if an Ann Custis visited. - There was an Ann Custis who lived in eastern VA and had a farm about 40 miles north of the B&B.
  Of course, it could also be Mary Ann Custis Lee wife of Robert E. Lee.  According to Wikipedia, while he was stationed at Fort Monroe, Robert E. Lee married Mary Anna Randolph Custis (1808–1873), great-granddaughter of Martha Washington by her first husband Daniel Parke Custis, and step-great-granddaughter of George Washington, the first president of the United States
  I'm not naming the Bed and Breakfast because it wouldn't be right to do that. Besides, the managers said that only once did they think they had an encounter when they heard a woman laughing and there was no one else in the entire place or outside. The B&B is also in a remote place, so they couldn't have heard a woman outside either.

  I'm now waiting to hear if the B&B and local historical society can confirm she was there, or owned the place in the 1800s.

Discrimination and the Afterlife

Discrimination and hatefulness in any form is something you WILL atone for after you pass. I bring this up because this week in Maryland churches were responsible for showing hatred and intolerance. YES, Churches!   This has totally infuriated me and sadly, these hateful people will only learn their lesson once they pass away. Once we pass, our minds become aware of hatred, intolerance and mistreatment we did unto others and we regret it (as those churchgoers will).
   Maryland legislators were trying to pass a law to allow gay couples to marry. The churches had people call to convince legislators not to pass the law. That is WRONG. If churches want to get political they need to pay taxes. Further, gay couples SHOULD be allowed to marry. They are no different from you or me. Two consenting adults who want to enter into a legal contract should be able to do so and get ALL of the same protections and benefits offered to straight married couples. Period.
   Marriage is a civil right, NOT a religious right.The argument from the "religious" side is that marriage is for procreation only. WRONG. What about elderly and infertile couples who marry? What about agnostics, aethists? Not everyone is a Christian. Therefore, the "Christian" bible should not dictate law. Period. Our country was founded on separation of church and state.

  I mentioned before that even a relative of mine was trapped on Earth for over 20 years begging for forgiveness from my own mother. For an entity to remain on Earth is indeed what hell is like for them. Think of all the ghost hunting programs that pick up audio saying "Help me." Those entities want forgiveness and help crossing into the light. The ones that don't get it are trapped here for eternity and experience a living hell. Don't let it happen to you. Don't be hateful to others, don't try to repress others or prevent them from having equal rights. WHY? It's wrong. Everyone is Equal. No one is better or worse than another.  If you believe that you are, you'll have to deal with it in the afterlife and there's nothing worse than being trapped as an Earth-bound ghost after you pass.It's difficult to get forgiveness from the living when you're dead. Trust me.

UPCOMING BOOK APPEARANCES/EVENTS

MY UPCOMING BOOK APPEARANCES/EVENTS

MARCH 29, 2011 (1-2 p.m. EST)
Speaking/book signing at Heritage Harbor Book Club (open to public-FREE)
959 River Strand Loop,
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
CONTACT INFORMATION: Email Rob at Rgutro@gmail.com
APRIL 30, 2011 7-9 p.m. EST (Admission- Open to Public)
Mediumship Demonstration with Barb Mallon
Wyngate Hotel, 3940 Centerview Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151
Barb will conduct a mini talk on her work, and then relay messages from the other side to those members of the audience she's pulled to.
I will help host the evening, and give any readings for spirits that contact me (there's always a couple everytime I'm with Barb!). Check Barb's site under "Events" to register and pay.
BARB is an AMAZING and learned Medium (we've worked together a number of times)
REGISTER ON-LINE at www.barbmallon.com
JUNE 10, 2011, FRIDAY AT 7 PM EST (FREE):
Speaking at Inspired Ghost Trackers
Odenton, Maryland (will have books to sign, too)
I'll be talking about my experiences with the Inspired trackers at Montpelier Mansion, Riversdale Mansion, and Sotterly Plantation. Includes a slideshow of pictures from all locations.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: Margaret at: inspiredghst@aol.com to reserve a seat! *FREE*
http://www.meetup.com/inspiredghosttracking/events/16748804/

To buy the book: BARNES AND NOBLE E-Book/NOOK: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ghosts-And-Spirits/Rob-Gutro/e/9781602645141/?itm=1&USRI=rob+gutro
KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Spirits-Insights-Medium-ebook/dp/B003KK57NC/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295813675&sr=1-1-catcorr
AMAZON PAPERBACK: http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Spirits-Insights-Rob-Gutro/dp/1602645132/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295813675&sr=1-1

A Message from my late Puppy - While on Vacation!

Dog walker sign in Puerto Rico

Back on February 22, 2005, my Weimaraner puppy "Buzz Wyatt" lost his life at 6 months old when his leash opened and a speeding car suddenly appeared taking his life from me in one horrible instant. Buzz Wyatt has returned to me over the last six years to let me know he's still around, and this year is no exception. 

  This year on February 22, 2011 we were vacationing in San Juan, Puerto Rico and for the first time in a long time I wasn't thinking of Buzz on that date because I decided to focus on his birthdate instead of the day he left us. 

  However, he sent an obvious sign on that date: Feb. 22, 2011 that he's still watching over us.

The Weimaraner (in front) with the Dogwalker in Condado, PR

  While on vacation, we decided to walk down a sidewalk in the Condado area of San Juan, Puerto Rico and we ran into a professional dog walker. I had never heard of a Weimaraner in Puerto Rico, but in the dog walker's pack of about 9 or 10 dogs was a Weimaraner. At the time I saw the dog I was immediately drawn to him and had to go over and pet him, and take his picture. As we were walking away, Buzz sent me a message that he brought us to that dog and dog walker to let us know he's still around and watching out of us. Amazing!  

  Remember, there are NO such things as coincidences!

Buzz Wyatt in 2005

Cape Cod and the Islands Paranormal Research

If you're lucky enough to live in southern New England, either Massachusetts, Rhode Island or even Connecticut, and you're into the paranormal, you need to explore CAIPRS.
 CAIPRS is the Cape Cod and the Islands Paranormal Research Society, Inc. It's managed by Derek Bartlett, and he's SUPER organized. He's a professional ghost hunter, lecturer, tour guide, etc. He's funny, personable, knowledgable, dynamic and a great person to contact about anything paranormal.
  Last year I had the privilege of speaking at one of CAIPRS events and doing a book signing. It was a lot of fun, and the people who attend the events are very knowledgeable in their own right!
  FOR LECTURES, TOURS, OUTINGS, HAUNTED OVERNIGHTS, go to: http://www.caiprs.com/.
Be sure to tell Derek that Rob Gutro sent you!

Q&A: How does your partner accept your abilities to communicate with entities?

Every now and then I get questions, and I enjoy providing answers because there are so many people that have same abilities I have and are still learning how to deal with them. Part of that is getting your partner to deal with your gift. Here's the question and my answer:
Q: The guy your with... how does he accept what you do? My x didnt accept me seeing things and REALLY didnt accept my son seeing them. It made things hard to deal with. My husband now, is more accepting to it. He doesnt like to hear ALL of it because it isnt someting he wants consumeing his life, so I pick and choose what I tell him. But still.... I dont have to keep it all secret and he understands the kids do it too. Its nice.
A: At first my partner didn't understand my ability. It's not that he didn't want to believe it was true he needed proof, just as I did. He knows that I've never lied to him and our relationship has always been built on 100% truth, so that laid the foundation for his believing in me. Truth is critical in any good relationship.
- So, when we went to historic mansions and I got communications, he would send me to house historians who would confirm the person who once lived there and is now entity that communicated with me. That was enough proof for both of us.
- If your partner doesn't understand your ability, try and get proof. Do research whenever you have an encounter somewhere. Ask others with your ability to confirm your encounter. I've done that several times with my friend Troy- going into places, saying nothing and comparing notes afterward. It's amazing that we get the same details.
- I have found that conservative religious people are the most difficult to convince about the existence of ghosts and spirits. It's not worth frustrating yourself to convince them- but you can bring them to a haunted house. :)  Or, just realize they'll "get it" after they pass. Sometimes it's easier to ignore stubborn people than drive yourself crazy to educate them.
- The bottom line with your partner is to get them to WORK WITH YOU and help prove what you're sensing. After all, being in love means working together as a team.

A Great book if You Visit Williamsburg, Virginia

I recently finished reading the paperback book, The Ghosts of Williamsburg...And Nearby Environs by L. B. Taylor Jr.

My brother and his wife gave me the book last month and it was really enjoyable.

All through the book the author provides pictures of the haunted places with a good amount of information. I recommend this to anyone who is visiting Williamsburg and is interested in ghosts to get this book and read the appropriate chapter before visiting each house.

For a look inside the book: http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Williamsburg-Nearby-Environs/dp/0962827134/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header#reader_0962827134

Being Distracted from Receiving Messages

If you're a sensitive person and you have the ability to receive messages from ghosts and spirits, it's very easy for the modern world and all it's craziness to interfere with your abilities. Over the months of December and January, my partner and I were dealing with a lot of stressful situations that seemed to block out my abilities - not because I didn't pay attention, but because I was pre-occupied with what was happening in the real world.
 - Of course, there was one sign I got from my Dad when he led my mother to find his wallet, so she could present it to me for a Christmas present. I understood and read that one. However, my elderly mother visited over the holidays and stayed with us, and she's dealing with dementia or some kind of memory loss illness. The illness has taken away her short term memory to the point where she asks the same question every 10 minutes sometimes. She clearly remembers things from decades past, however. She's also become more impatient and short-fused. I know it's part of the mental illness (she's in her 80s after all), so it was challenging to live around that 24/7 for a long period over the holidays. Because of the extra care and constant attention, I was unable to receive messages.

Our lovable foster dog!

- Also in December, my partner and I took in a foster dog (our 5th one in 3 years). This one came to us at age 13 (just turned 14) and needed severe dental work (lots of teeth pulling and breath improvement), neutering, and all his blood tests, shots, etc. which he hadn't had for the last 4 years. He came from an elderly couple, of which one passed away and the other went in a nursing home. So, after the 3 big surgeries that this little old dachshund had, it took many weeks for him to heal. He had to be carried outside at all times of the day and night to do his business as he couldn't walk far with stitches. I'm happy to report he's all healed, is re-house trained and happy here in his foster home -but still looking for a permanent home (although we have a feeling this is it). Needless to say, he required almost 24 hour care, and there was no time to concentrate or meditate and I was missing messages. All of these things have settled now (my mother is back in her home several states away and the foster Dachshund is re-trained and healthy) so I've been able to again get messages.
  The purpose in blogging about all of this is that LIFE is filled with distractions. It's a matter of trying to find quiet time to be aware of what else is happening around you.

Great Book: Paranormal State by Ryan Buell

As a fan of the A&E television series, I recently finished reading the new book "Paranormal State" by Ryan Buell (star of the Penn State Paranormal Research Team) and Stefan Petrucha. It's based on the A&E Series of the same name. 

- This is a well-written book and very enjoyable-especially for fans of the program. Ryan gives background on investigators and provides an intimate look into himself as well. I applaud him for his honesty and sharing personal things with his readers- It certainly made me respect him and admire him. I learned that I share a lot of similarities with Ryan: I had my first encounter with a spirit (not a ghost) when I was a teenager. I have a great partner/husband, love dogs, and try to help others as much as possible with my gift of being a developing medium.

- Ryan provides good background on many things including types of ghosts, EVPs, spirit "games," Ouija boards (Avoid them!), 

- He mentions that he'd been wary of physics and mediums but works with several talented ones now, who have proven themselves very accurate and helpful. 

- The behind the scenes look at various episodes is interesting. Viewers see 22 minutes, while filming and investigations can take days. 

  I highly recommend this book and following Ryan on his blog. I even gave this book as a Christmas present! Check it out. It's great reading.