Fun at the Bowie Senior Center -Speaking Event and Great Questions!

Today I had the wonderful opportunity (thanks, Jenny) to speak about my experiences with Ghosts and Spirits at the Bowie Senior Center in Maryland. There were about 20 people in attendance, and I received great questions. I thought I would share some of the questions and experiences while they're fresh in my mind.
1) SPIRIT AT A GRAVESITE - One person told me that she laid flowers at her son's grave (he was killed in the military) and she took several photos of the gravestone all newly decorated. She said that in one of the photos there appeared to be two pole-like white mists. She realized that they were her the legs of her son, who was standing there watching her.
- Ghosts and spirits don't continually haunt cemeteries. However, when a person goes to a cemetary to honor their loved one, they are filled with love and hope that their loved one is in the light. That love is the energy needed to power a spirit up to appear or give a sign at the cemetary, while their loved one is there. I would love to see that photo.
2) SUICIDES -I was asked about suicides. Yes, people who commit suicides do pass into the light. Some take longer than others to move into the light, but its all about when the develop that awareness that it was wrong to take their own lives. Once they realize that (just like people who experience sudden death in an accident need to realize they're dead), then they can move into the light. People who commit suicide do not go to "hell." That's a religious fallacy.
3) ANIMALS AND GHOSTS- One man mentioned that his cat would often stare at an area in his basement. He said one time a white mist (ectoplasm, apparently) came from the corner and the cat ran. Yes, cats and dogs have a higher sensitivity to movement, and can see ghosts and spirits. In that case, even the owner could see the ghost!

Photos of Ghostly Orbs at the Thomas Wolfe House/Museum

During a recent visit to Asheville, North Carolina we took the "Ghost and Haunt Tours" (Tel. 828-355-5855) and got a great look and history of buildings in downtown. The tourguide was incredible, and the information about the buildings and the ghost stories were great. The day following the ghost tour, we took a tour of Author Thomas Wolfe's house to get an inside look at it, and where Thomas Wolfe's brother passed away. You'll see why in the photos below.

About the Thomas Wolfe House/Museum from http://www.wolfememorial.com/: Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th Century American Literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe's colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, and the Old Kentucky Home boarding house earned the historic Victorian home a place as one of American Literature's most famous landmarks.

This is a window on the 2nd floor on the left side of the
Thomas Wolfe House. We approached it from the left side of
the house on the tour and I sensed something up there in that room.

Here's the front of the Thomas Wolfe House.
The room I sensed something in is on the 2nd floor -right side
of this photo. Note there was no orb in this photo, but one
appeared immediately in the next photo.

Notice the Ghostly ORB in this photo in front of the 2nd floor
window of the home. Turned out that that was the room where
Tom's brother died in bed and Tom was sitting beside him.

Here's a close up of the ghostly orb. You can tell it's an orb
and not a speck of dust or a bug because it has colors
and designs in it..

WHAT ARE ORBS? - Per GhostStudy.com: Orbs are believed (by many) to be ghosts in the form of balls of light. They are life forms that travel in groups and are believed to be the human soul or life force of those that once inhabited a physical body here on earth. It is theorized that ghosts prefer the form of an Orb (ball of light) because it takes less energy thus being the mode of choice among the ghosts. The consensus is that small orbs take up the least amount of energy and apparitions and other fuller shapes take up the most. MORE INFO: http://ghoststudy.com/a_what_are_orbs.html

This is the room where Thomas Wolfe's brother passed away,
and is the room that is haunted by the brother.

The ghostly orb was seen floating directly outside in my other photos.

A Close Sister's Message to Me at a Convention

During the new life convention, a woman came to me at my table and explained that her sister passed recently. Her sister was a teen who was troubled. She mentioned a couple of other things, and her sister came through to me! She told me to tell her living sibling that it wasn't her fault (the woman before me said she did feel guilt and thought she should've helped her sister more). The sister who passed was very forceful in trying to have me convince her living sister that the one who passed knew it was her time. She chose to ignore the outreach of her sister, and knew her sister was a "rock" for her, but she had to make her own mistakes (that took her life). At the end of this brief, emotional reading the late sister told me to hug her living sister, which I did. We both cried. The woman knew that she was supposed to come to my table for some reason, and that's why. Her late sister had a message.
The message for anyone who knows a friend or loved one that takes their own life is that YOU should never feel guilty. That person chose to do that act. They do regret it in the afterlife, and always try to assure the living that they're okay and are watching over the living.
I was so emotionally drained afterward I had to sit down. It was unexpected (as they usually are) and wonderful, that it brought some peace to the woman who stopped by

Military Devotion in Ghosts / Poltergiests

When I was at the New Life convention I met a lot of fascinating people, and many of them had stories of their own encounters. One woman's story struck me. She is married to a military man who came back from Iraq, when some of the men in his company did not come back. In fact, they passed when they were there, but they've come back to be around him now that he's retired. His wife explained to me that he's very skeptical that they're there, but they've broken many of their glasses. They're still loyal to their commander, even in death.
- She said that she senses the men are around him all the time. She mentioned a daughter, and I asked if she was a teenager... why? because ghosts can sometimes enhance the energy of a teen dealing with conflicting emotions, stress or angst, and the teen can spark poltergiest activities, like breaking glasses. In fact, she mentioned that when her daughter wasn't there in the house, the activity had ceased.
- Meanwhile, I explained that she needs to "take command" and tell the soldiers' ghosts that she and her husband rule this "outpost" and they need to march into the light and leave.

TONIGHT! Speaking at the Annual Autumn Bacon Ball

Tonight, October 5th I'll be doing a talk at the Scarborough Fair Bed & Breakfast

**There may still be a couple of tickets left!

EVENT: , Annual Autumn Bacon Ball; A Spirited Event Benefiting Equality Maryland

WHERE: in the Federal Hill Neighborhood of Baltimore., MD

WHEN: Tuesday, October 5^th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM

Features a seasonal breakfast-inspired hors d’oeuvres menu, freshly prepared by the Innkeepers of the most award-winning Bed & Breakfast in Baltimore; speakers and more!

TEL: 410-837-0010

COST: $50 (Not available at the door) WEBSITE: http://www.scarboroughfairbandb.com/

Great Time w/Medium Barb Mallon @ the New Life Expo!

 Yesterday, I joined Medium extraordinaire Barb Mallon (www.barbmallon.com) at the Natural Living Expo at the University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Ctr in Adelphi, Maryland. There were 110 Exhibitors who heal, entertain, enlighten and offer products *56 Dynamic, Creative Mind, Body and Spirit Workshops.


Barb and I shared a table/booth where she informed people of her services as a Medium (she's amazing- she's read for my mother and my partner and told them of things only THEY knew of!), while I spoke with people about my developing mediumistic abilities and signed copies of my book "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium."

Barb Mallon and Rob Gutro enjoying the day

 

 

Barb getting some computer help from her son at the table

Rob's friend Troy (who also has the gift) stops by to say hello.

  It was a fun time, but a long day. Talking from 9am to almost 5 pm with a 5 minute break led to hoarseness! However, I met some wonderful people who had many interesting questions. I'll post several of those in the coming days.
  Near the end of the day, one woman who came to our table was someone I won't soon forget. Her late sister's spirit came to me and filled me up with a lot of emotion, and shared important messages through me to her sister (standing at our table). It was a wonderful experience for both myself and the woman, and I had to give her a big hug. Afterward, I was totally exhausted and emotional.
It was quite a day!
  *Tomorrow night in Baltimore, I'm speaking at a fundraiser for Equality Maryland at a Bed and Breakfast. More details on my blog*

Visit Me @ Natural Living Expo - Oct. 3, College Park, MD

If you're near Washington, DC this Sunday, come visit me on OCTOBER 3 at the Natural Living Expo
LOCATION: University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Ctr by Marriott, 3501 University Blvd East, Adelphi, MD
Booth #26 Sharing with Awesome Medium BARB MALLON!
WHEN: Sunday, October 3, 2010 TIME: 10am-7pm EDT
...WHAT: 110 Exhibitors who heal, entertain, enlighten and offer products *56 Dynamic, Creative Mind, Body and Spirit Workshops
ADMISSION: $10 (includes all exhibits and workshops!) MORE INFORMATION: http://www.naturallivingexpo.com/

Debunking a Frightening Alarm

The most important thing when dealing with ghosts and spirits is making sure that they're ACTUALLY communicating with you. This week I had to do some debunking.
We had recently installed a new digital alarm clock in our guest room (the floor over our bedroom). It was plugged in around 11:41 a.m. and we set the proper time on it.
We didn't read the directions (yes, I know I should have!) and didn't note the 4 settings on it, one of which was "alarm off." On this clock, if you leave the setting on "set time" the alarm automatically goes off at "12 a.m." (after about 15 minutes it stops itself). Well, last Sunday and Monday we were so tired we slept through the alarm going off at 11:41 p.m. (which is 12 hours from the time we originally set it).
Last Tuesday, however, I was awakened by it, and ran upstairs wondering if a ghost followed me home and was playing with things in the house. I immediately unplugged it and didn't sense anything.
It was plugged back in the next morning (and we overlooked the alarm off switch again). Of course, it rang again while we were sleeping and startled me! So I ran upstairs and unplugged it... wondering again if there was an entity in the house playing with the electricity. I picked it up and looked closely at the alarm and that's when I saw the "alarm off" setting. DOH!
So, this was a good experience in debunking communications from the other side. It could be a ghost, or it could be your own stupidity with alarms, as it was in my case!

Baltimore's Mt. Vernon Ghost Tour!

On Saturday night, as a last minute idea, we decided to take the Mt. Vernon Ghost Walk in Baltimore, and it was very enjoyable!
SUMMARY: Mount Vernon, Baltimore's cultural center may be more "spirited" than you think. Admire the architecture while guides regale you with the history and haunted lore of this striking neighborhood that was home to many of Baltimore's leading citizens. Hear about those who have never checked out of the Belvedere, a séance gone wrong, and more than one grand dame who still oversees the activities of her home. Join us to pull back the curtain and peer into the other side. MORE INFO: http://www.fellspointghost.com/mtvernon.html

The Brass Elephant restaurant has closed now. It sits empty at 924 N Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201. The building was built in the early 1800s and was a home where there was a "hidden" 4th floor where servants lived. The restaurant is known to have many ghosts.

Fireplace Dweller - This innocent looking apartment had a female ghost who dwelled inside and lingered by the fireplace. When a new tenant moved in, she was haunted by this ghost until she talked with her and convinced her to move on.

Haunting Face- This grotesque face was on one of the buildings in Mt. Vernon, next to a woman's club that had some hauntings.
ROB'S ENCOUNTERS - The ghost tour met in the "Owl Bar" of the famous Belvedere Hotel. I immediately got a headache inside. Turns out a woman haunts the bar. We learned that after the tour walked out of the bar. A couple who came out of the woman's club and who stopped to listen to part of the ghost tour guide had an older spirit of a man named "Arthur" attached to her that was watching over her (no, I didn't get to tell her). A woman in our tour group had the spirit of an elderly woman following her and kept calling her "cupcake."

4 Good Books: "The Haunting of Derek Stone" Series

I recently read 4 Scholastic novels (written for teens) by Tony Abbott. The books are in a series called "The Haunting of Derek Stone" and are well-written and hold your interest. You have to read them in order, however, or you could get somewhat lost. They premise is of a 14 year old, out of shape boy (Derek Stone) and his older teen brother and father take a train ride in Oregon, and the train goes off a bridge, killing people. All of the family seem to survive the accident. However, it turns out that an accident that occurred in that same spot, in that same manner in 1938 that was carrying prisoners - allowed the souls of the dead prisoners to linger and reanimate the newly dead victims (they refer to it as "translation of spirits" of the present day train accident.
The books build up the mystery, and I won't give it away. One of the reanimated dead, however is a prisoner who was a pyromaniac in 1938, and who leads the army of reanimated dead against Derek Stone (because he's "special"). Derek's brother Ronnie is reanimated by a good soul of a former prison security guard, and helps Derek and another train passenger. Again, I won't give away any more.
-I've noticed that you can find these as used books very cheaply, and they're worth the read. Enjoy them then give them to your teenager to enjoy. :)
THE BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
City of the Dead (The Haunting of Derek Stone, Book 1)
Bayou Dogs (The Haunting of Derek Stone, Book 2)
The Red House (The Haunting of Derek Stone Series 3)
The Ghost Road (The Haunting of Derek Stone Series 4)