My Grandfather's Sighting in the 1930s

Just today, January 30, 2010, when I was talking on the phone with my elderly mother, she told me something about my grandfather that I had never heard before.
Earlier this summer, when I was finishing up my book, my mother told me about my grandfather's encounter with an apparition that became a solid form. Today, she told me that when her family was living in Massachusetts in the early 1930s, her father (my grandfather) went down into the basement of their 3 decker home (they lived on one level) and saw a bright light in one corner.
She said that when her father looked at the light and focused on it, it took the appearance of the Virgin Mary!
Mary, mother of Jesus is usually referred to by Christians as the Virgin Mary or Saint Mary. She was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee, identified in the New Testament as the mother of Jesus Christ. My mom doesn't know how long the apparition lingered in front of her father, as she was a toddler at the time. (Image: the Virgin Mary)

Another Review of the Book

I received the following review of the book "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium" by email this week.

> Hi Rob -- I finished reading your book, which I found extremely
> interesting. You do a great job in describing the differences between
> ghosts and spirits and in explaining your experiences in a touching
> but straightforward manner, without excess 'preaching' or hype. Some
> of those experiences are sure convincing (e.g., your mother's license
> on the yellow bench and Edward's instructing you to call Tom a "MOT").
> And I like your gentle statements on the importance of some things
> that actually are quite valid whether a person believes in ghosts and
> spirits or not, e.g., the need to let go of grudges.
>
> Much as I don't like headaches, I can see that in your case, the tell-
> tale headache that you develop in one specific location is hugely
> valuable by alerting you to a presence that you might not have
> recognized otherwise or as quickly.
>
> Although some of what you experience seems unpleasant (like the ghost
> at the bar), it is unquestionably wonderful that you have been able to
> use your abilities to help both yourself and others. And it is
> wonderful that you are continuing to grow and refine your abilities.
> Five or ten years from now it would be neat if you write either a
> second edition or a new volume, providing updates and new experiences.
> That could be quite valuable and fascinating as well.

Book Signing in Annapolis: February 21

You're invited to my first book signing!
I'll be joining a number of other local authors there, so there will be plenty of new books to check out.
WHERE: It's going to take place at the BARNES AND NOBLE in Annapolis, Maryland.
WHEN: Sunday, February 21, from 2-4 p.m. ET
ADDRESS: 2516 Solomon's Island Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401, Tel. 410-573-1115
Come out and say hello! After all, you never know who may also be there that you can't see. :)
DIRECTIONS: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2516+Solomon%27s+Island+Rd.+Annapolis,+MD+21401&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=2516+Solomons+Island+Rd,+Edgewater,+MD+21037&gl=us&ei=AVtkS6epEtCklAfW_K2UCg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAA

A review of the book on Amazon.com!

A review of the book "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium" on Amazon.com!
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and enjoyable, January 15, 2010
By Samantha Realynn Deshong "wolf maiden" (Pennsylvania)
I've read plenty of books dealing with spirits, ghosts and the like while experimenting and exploring my own gifts. I have to say that none of them ever really delved into the detail and personal level that this books does. It offers a more distinctual look at the supernatural elements around us and how they work. The scientific aspect of it was insightful and answered a lot of questions that I had that other books could not. I give this one 5 stars! A must-read for budding mediums and other psychics, or even if you just want a good source of info about the supernatural!

The Residual Haunting at Pres. Lincoln's Summer Home

LINCOLN'S SUMMER HOME IN WASHINGTON, DC -
Recently, we went to visit "Lincoln's Summer Home, in Washington, D.C. It was a summer home originally built by George Washington Riggs, born 1813. Riggs had the home built north of Washington, DC to get away from the downtown area (at the time). Now the city has swallowed the area around it. Riggs was a co-founder of Riggs Bank, member of the board of aldermen of the District of Columbia, and a board member of the Corcoran Gallery. When William Wilson Corcoran retired in 1854 and Riggs bought his interest and, under the firm name of Riggs & Company (since 1896 Riggs Bank), directed the business until his death in 1881.
Riggs was the original owner of a 34 room cottage on a hilltop overlooking downtown Washington, D.C. The Gothic-Revival style cottage was built for Mr. Riggs in 1842 on a large estate that served as his "country seat." In 1851, the U.S. government purchased the property to establish quarters for disabled war veterans (a purpose the property serves to this day).

Now known as "President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home," it is a National Trust Historic Site, and a private, non-profit organization. The Cottage is the most significant historic site directly associated with Lincoln’s presidency aside from the White House. During the Civil War, Lincoln resided seasonally at the Soldiers’ Home, just over three miles north of the Capitol. He lived at the Soldiers’ Home for a quarter of his presidency. Here he thought through the course of the war, re-election, and emancipation. We learned a lot about how President Lincoln used the home to get away from the union soldiers who were lined up and drilling outside the White House. Lincoln and his family enjoyed summers at this home.

While we were touring the house, I got a dull headache in the back of my head, indicating that there was a ghost or spirit there. When we went into the lefthand living room (where there is a fireplace) I immediately got stomach pains, indicating that there was a ghost there that was conveying to me how they passed. I couldn't tell if it was male or female. When I left that room, I didn't feel the stomach pains anymore. I didn't feel the ghost anywhere else in the house but sensed that it was residual energy of a person that passed there from stomach problems. It was not an intelligent haunting.
At the end of the tour, I asked the docent about anyone passing while living in the house. She mentioned that one of George Riggs' daughter's had passed in the home, but couldn't tell me what she died from. I think it may have been one of the wounded civil war soldiers that were living in the adjacent soldier's home. I'm waiting to hear back from the docent to find out who may have died from stomach-related issues.
For the President Lincoln’s Cottage official website, go to http://www.lincolncottage.org/

Updates from my Ghosts and Spirits book now on Twitter!

Updates and Tweets on my book "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium" are now available on Twitter.com! You can find the account at:
http://twitter.com/GhostMediumBook

Ed's Spirit Joins us for Lunch

Tom's late partner Ed joined us for lunch today in Washington, DC. Ed passed 12 years ago, and he and Tom were together for many years. Today, Robert L., a friend that Tom knew when Ed was alive, came to Washington, DC for an event, and we met him for lunch.
Robert relayed several stories of Ed's spirit visiting him in his house in central Virginia over the last 12 years, and today was the first time that Robert and Tom were physically in the same room since Ed's services 12 years ago.

(PHOTO: L to R: Robert L., Rob (me), Tom)
After picking Robert up at the hotel where he was staying, we went to lunch at a Ruby Tuesdays restaurant. After ordering, Robert and Tom started talking about Ed. Then I started getting my tell-tale headache in the back left part of my head- which indicates a ghost or spirit is around. It was Ed and he let me know. Ed's spirit suddenly filled me with feelings of his love and friendship for Tom and Robert. Although I couldn't see him, I sensed him sitting in the chair right next to Robert (Tom and I were sitting on the other side of the table facing Robert and the empty chair that now had Ed's spirit in it).
Ed conveyed a couple of messages to me. He said that he "screwed up," and did something that led to his passing in his 30s. He also said to tell Robert and Tom to stop talking about the funeral and wake and talk about the "funny things" they used to do together. Ed filled me with so much emotion while I was sitting there, that I teared up.
As Robert conveyed some of the stories about Ed, I sensed him sitting in the chair, sometimes I had to "check with him" to make sure he was still there - he was. As we were served lunch, Ed said "Tell them I love 'em" and then he told me to ask them about a "small silver car." I had no idea what that meant.
When I mentioned it, Tom recalled that Ed had a small silver car that he used to put his landscaping tools and even a lawnmower in! That silver car was Ed's way of proving to all of us that he was indeed sitting with us over lunch today.

Spirit of a Dachshund Says Hello!

Earlier this week, Tom and I picked up a couple of things in the supermarket for a friend of ours who lives nearby because he's dealing with some health issues and couldn't drive. Once we got what he requested, we drove over to his house and went inside for a couple of minutes to check out the renovations he had done in his home.
Last month, his 14 year old dachshund companion, "Rusty" had passed away.
When Tom and I were standing in our friend's hallway and peering into the renovated bathroom, I was startled by a rustling sound right down the hall from where we were standing. It was little Rusty's spirit who came back to check in on his dad, and Rusty was playing with a toy or some paper (like a newspaper). I couldn't see Rusty, but I certainly heard him and immediately sensed him (I got my tell-tale headache in the back of my head). The noise he was making on the floor was about 10 feet from where I was standing!
It's a common occurrence for our pets to come back and keep us company from time to time once they've crossed over.

Hello and an Introduction to this blog

Hello - My name is Rob, and I consider myself an average middle-aged guy. I'm a scientist and scientific writer by trade, but since I was a teenager I've had the ability to see, sense and communicate with ghosts and Earth-bound spirits.
For decades I haven't paid much attention to my abilities, because I didn't understand them, and I wasn't spiritually or emotionally mature enough to do so. Years ago I fell in love and now I'm happily married. Since I met my partner, my abilities increased a hundred-fold. That was when I decided to learn much more about those who have passed, those who have crossed over into the light (spirits) and those who remain Earth-bound (ghosts). I've discovered a lot of information that has helped clarify questions I've had.

There is a difference between Earth-bound ghosts and spirits, and the methods they utilize to communicate with the living. It's important to maintain an open mind to things we don't understand. Our souls are living energy, and we are all connected while we are alive and even after we pass.
This Web site is connected to a book I've written ("Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium" - now available on Amazon.com, Virtualbookworm.com and BarnesandNoble.com!) to help explain the who, what, where, when and whys, and difference between ghosts and spirits. There are a lot of books out there on the topic, but not one that I've found that distinguishes between the two entities.
I've had a lot of personal experiences, and will be writing about them here from time to time.
If you have questions or stories, please feel free to write me at Rgutro@gmail.com, or write on this blog. I look forward to hearing from you!

List of Paranormal TV Shows

Here are the paranormal TV shows preceded by the Channels they're on:
SyFy: Ghost Hunters, GHI and Ghost Hunters Academy,
A&E:Paranormal State, Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal, Extreme Paranormal. Debuting at 9:30 p.m. Jan. 19, Paranormal Cops.
Discovery Channel: Ghost Lab, A Haunting
Travel Channel: Ghost Adventures, Most Haunted
Animal Planet: The Haunted
Biography: Celebrity Ghost Stories, Ghostly Encounters, Haunted History, Psychic Investigators