Will not publish

Spiritual Visitations will not be published. Zumaya took too long and more than a handful of authors have pulled their submissions. The entire book is being scrapped at this point. I'm very sorry but there was nothing I could do. My editing business www.Quilldipper.com is folding as well. As a single mom I cannot keep up the business and work my full time job at the Roanoke Times newspaper where I am the Books page editor. Stop by and see me there, www.roanoke.com or drop me a line at heather39@embarqmail.com. See you around.

Guest Blogger - Her Haunted Apartment

Her Haunted Apartment
Guest Blogger Jozette Aaron wrote up some happenings for me. I think readers will find them hauntingly interesting! To find out more about Jozette, check out her homepage at: http://www.theauthorsdesk.net

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I haven't really spoken much about the spirit I used to have living with me. I moved before I could really get to know her. I thought she would follow me but she didn't.

I don't know why I thought it was a she; I guess it was just the feeling of it being female. She would appear in the doorway to my bedroom. She floated about 12 inches off of the floor and looked like a gossamer column standing there. I couldn't really make out facial features although I do know that the deeper into a meditative state I allowed myself to get, the clearer she became but, I am terrible at meditation. I can't shut off the mind chatter to retain the state long enough to do any good.

This went on for months before I moved. I lived in that apartment for 12 years yet she appeared only months before I left there. She wasn't the only spirit in the apartment and those others were mischief makers. We had several incidents that made me feel as though I had ticked them off and I don't know how. There were also the playful ones.

In one incident...I was sitting in a chair, reading and all of a sudden the hall light started to flicker. I assumed it was the bulb about to go out so I got up and went to change it. I had to stand on a step-stool to reach the socket so I switched the light off before I climbed up the three steps. The light went out and I unscrewed the bulb. I put in the new bulb and it came on. I knew I had turned the switch to the off position beforehand but I reached down to make sure and sure enough the switch was still in the off position. Thinking there was a problem with the outlet; I took out the new bulb and replaced it with the old one. It did not come on. I turned the switch to the on position and it still didn't come on so I left it as is and decided to call the super to check the outlet in the morning. I returned to my book.

I no sooner got into the story again when the light came on! As I got up to check the switch, it went off again. When I started back to my seat, the light came on one more time. Finally, I yelled "Go to God and let me finish my book!" The light went out one last time, the spirit was gone.

The next morning, the super said there was nothing wrong with the outlet and the bulb was a good one. It went out when switched off and came on when switched on. The bulb worked in that socket for several months after that.

In yet another incident, I was washing dishes...my two youngest sons were in the back bedroom. All of a sudden, the glass mug I was washing exploded in my hand...and I mean exploded into a million pieces. The sound was so loud, my boys came running to see what had happened and found me standing there with a bloodied hand, glass everywhere. They asked if I had hit my hand against something while holding the mug and I knew I hadn't. I was holding a sponge in one hand and the mug in another and was just about to turn on the tap to rinse when it happened.

There was one time when I could smell pipe tobacco, cherrywood to be precise because it is what my father smoked. We never got along; I hadn't seen him in close to 30 years before he died. I felt that it was him and all I could think to say was, "You didn't bother to seek me out when you were live so don't come looking for me now!" Lord...what did I say that for? True to his nature, the evil thing filled my lungs with that smoke so much so that I had to run from the apartment into the hall to breathe. I found myself choking and then gasping for air, the scent of that pipe tobacco was so heavy. I stayed in the hall for a good ten minutes. When I returned, he was gone and so was the scent. He has never come back and if he has, it was without his pipe and without me knowing about it.

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Thanks Jay! Spooky stuff!

Soul Poetry

Certainly, poetry about the spirit world is prevalent. One of my favorites follows. Debate over whether this poem is actually about a ghost upon the stair or not is just as popular as the poem itself. For your consideration...


Antigonish

Yesterday upon the stair
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today
Oh how I wish he'd go away.

William Hughes Mearns (1875-1965)

Reviews of Non-Fiction Spirit Communication Books

Books that share messages from spirits...here are two reviews to consider.
Enjoy!

Messages From the Other Side
by Joseph Tittel
ISBN-10: 1419666452
Review by Heather Froeschl

How does a psychic develop their gifts? Is it actually something that can be developed in all of us or is it a talent you must be born with? Many believe that we all have psychic ability to tap into. Joseph Tittel shares his life story as a medium in his book, “Messages From the Other Side.”

When he was just four years old, Joseph was aware of spiritual energy watching over him at the foot of his bed. This book chronicles how he grew up being psychic and shares his experiences of helping others as a medium. With his mother’s passing, Joseph was expecting a big sign from the other side, all the while he was telling clients to be aware of the smallest thing being a message. This is the reminder that we all need, because often the signs go unnoticed. Spirit may guide us to glance at the clock and see significant numbers, or change the radio station to one where their favorite song is playing, but they probably are not going to physically tap you on the shoulder and announce their presence, although I know this does happen too. Sharing his realization that he wasn’t taking his own advice, Joseph shows his humanity to readers. Even a psychic sometimes needs to pay closer attention.

Giving readings, Joseph has helped bring messages to loved ones from the other side. This allows some closure and validation and ultimately peace of mind. The book shares some of his more intense experiences and explains how this interaction with spirit can be healing for those left on the earth plane. Joseph goes on to help readers to tap into their own psychic abilities using detailed meditation techniques. Yes, we are all born with ability.

A compelling read, “Messages From the Other Side” addresses the questions many have sought the answers to. Joseph Tittel reaches out to readers in a friendly, easy going tone. Much like chatting over coffee with a good friend, the visit passes all too quickly. This book is an excellent introduction to the spirit world and a comfort to those who are grieving.

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What They Want You to Know!
Messages from beyond the grave
by Carter Shepard and Carolyn Cummings
ISBN:0-9767063-1-8
Review by Heather Froeschl

If we could speak once more with some of the great minds of our time, the icons of civilization to some, what would they tell us? What would we ask them? Is communication with the dead actually possible? In “What They Want You to Know!” by Carter Shepard and Carolyn Cummings, it does seem possible, and the examples given just might shatter the reader’s preconceptions of the afterlife.

Carolyn, a professional medium for twenty years, and Carter, a student of metaphysics for thirty years, interviewed eighteen well known people, from the other side. It may seem like star gazing but the list of interviewees is what it is: astounding. Starting with Albert Einstein, some of those included are Benjamin Franklin, John Kennedy Jr., his mother, Jackie Kennedy, Howard Hughes, and Steve Irwin. These souls were very much a part of what our civilization is today, so going to them for some answers does make sense. What would you ask intelligent spirits who now have the ability to see much more than we here on the earth plane? What is our purpose here on earth? What is death like? Is there a heaven or hell?

The answers to these are not all that surprising for anyone who has been a student of the metaphysical. However the questions and answers about the current situation in Iraq, the current president and race for office, and other political ponderings were a little more shocking to me. I wasn’t able to wholeheartedly believe that the answers weren’t what the questioner wanted to “hear.” The subject of religion too, was a little overpowering to me. I got the sense that the authors had certain messages that they wanted to portray. My opinion, of course, and perhaps not what the authors had in mind after all. Their disclaimer is that those who can believe will, and those that can’t, simply won’t.

These “messages” from beyond the grave are sometimes funny, often touching, and are certainly thought-provoking. Opening the mind to the continuance of the spirit is a purposeful goal that this book leads to. “What They Want You to Know!” is an interesting project indeed.

Illuminated by Headlights

Illuminated by Headlights
by Heather Froeschl

Several years back, my husband was a police officer for two small towns in Vermont; we lived in an even smaller town between the two. This made for a lot of hours working, but also a lot of hours driving. One night, he had worked the evening shift, and was driving home at about 2a.m. on an empty highway. Vermont doesn’t have many streetlights, even on the biggest highways, except around Burlington, and this stretch of road was only illuminated by your own vehicle’s headlights.

Chris was driving his pickup truck at a steady clip, anxious to get home and get to bed. He was tired, but alert, and still in “cop” mode, having just gotten off duty. So when he saw a car up ahead, pulled over with its lights on, he let his foot off the accelerator a bit. As he got closer he could make out that it was an older Reliant K and that there was a man in a trenchcoat, or overcoat, leaning on a cane at the trunk of the car. Chris was still traveling at a good pace, not intending to stop unless he was flagged down, but cautious enough to be watchful as he was trained to look for citizens in distress. As he got closer, the older man stepped out, intentionally, right in front on the truck. Chris should have hit him as there should have been no possible way not to; the man stepped right into Chris’ path. Slamming on the brakes and sliding past the Reliant, Chris realized there had been no sound, or feel, of impact. He pulled over to the side of the highway and was scared of what he would find. Stepping out of the truck, he turned to find nothing at all. There was no sign of the old man, no sign of the car. Chris was completely alone on the side of the road.

Arriving home, shaken, he told me the story. My first thought, and to this day still is, is that this was a spiritual event, a replay of what may have happened on this stretch of road at some time in the past. Had the old man meant to step into the path of an approaching vehicle? Had he simply been confused and not realized another car was coming at him? How many others has this image appeared to and spooked? Is the spirit at rest or is he set on repeating his final fatal moments? I don’t think we’ll ever know. Chris tried to find any reported traffic fatalities at the mile marker on highway 89, but couldn’t find anything. With nothing but headlights to illuminate this mystery, it appears the facts of this event, just as the vision of the car and its driver, have disappeared into the night.

Soul Seeking in Bedford, VA

I was followed by a ghost. Soul seeking in Bedford, Virginia, at the famous Avenel House, was a fantastic day. I was there in support of my friend Amy, who is writing a regional ghost story book, but I was also there because I love ghost hunting! We were allowed free access to the house, which stands alone and is renovated beautifully. For history of the place, go here: http://www.historicavenel.com/


Upon entering, we were given a tour but I asked initially that any ghost stories be kept from me. I wanted to pick up what I felt on my own without any prior knowledge of the activity there. Apparently there has been quite a lot of activity too! This house has been investigated several times by professional psychics, including local Deborah Carvelli, http://www.deborahcarvelli.com/. I have heard a television paranormal show did a taping there though I haven’t seen that yet.


After our tour, Amy went downstairs to get her camera to set up in a bedroom, and I wandered around upstairs waiting for her. I felt drawn to a door in the one bedroom and wanted to feel what I could, hands on. This door leads to a covered porch on the second floor and was locked, but I felt there was something important about that area. Then I was drawn to leave that bedroom and enter another across a foyer. There, I felt an energy near one window; it felt positive and friendly. From that room I entered another hallway and hesitated by a window that overlooks the front walkway. It was there that I felt a presence behind me. I always get this pulling sensation on the back of my neck when I am near spirits, and this time it was very intense. I debated going toward the main stairway but felt I shouldn’t for some reason and yet I hesitated going down the back stair. The spirit was still with me, tapping into my energy at my neck and seemingly getting a piggyback ride down the stairs and through to the main entryway of the house right to the front door. I felt I needed to peek out the window on the side of the door, and the spirit was with me yet. Everyone asked if I was okay; I suppose I looked a bit shaken and I was holding the back of my neck. I let them know I was being followed and asked the spirit to leave me alone just then. We went back upstairs then to set the camera and the bedroom was lighter feeling. Amy joked that I had led the ghost out. Well, maybe so!


We wandered around more and for a little while we were standing outside the prep kitchen listening to our guide tell us more about the house. I was on the grass looking up at the covered porch I’d felt there was something to and I felt a gentle touch on the top of my head, like a grandmother caressing a child’s hair. It happened just twice but it was distinct. There was no wind to speak of. We went back inside.


In an upstairs bedroom I sensed a strong energy by a window. My hand on the sill tingled with energy and I had Amy stand there to see what she could feel. Later I took a photo that shows a light form standing in that same spot. There is a large wardrobe in the room, blocking a back window and I felt the spirit really didn’t like it there. I felt she was asking us to please move it so she could look out the window. Of course we couldn’t. This same room has a small bathroom which is closed in from a portion of that covered porch. I couldn’t go into it at first; I felt a negativity about it that made me want to run away. Again, there has to be something about that porch.


Winding down, three of us sat in a lower room for a bit. This would have been an important, well used room in the house, with a family feel. The hearth was well worn and had obviously been an integral part of the room for warmth and gathering. A small door in this room leads to a closet under the back stairway, and shows some smoke damage inside. There was another door out of the closet at the other end but was barred shut with a wooden closure. On the outside of this “door” it was all sealed up as to not indicate a door at all. I feel the children must surely have played there and I wondered if one child hadn’t been trapped. Back in the room, I sat on the hearth with hands on to feel any energy I could pick up. We spoke for a while and then were silent, and I distinctly heard a rustling of fabric to my right. I turned around to see if the drapes were moving and they were not. It was as clear as anything, right in my ear. No one was sitting to that side of me, as they were on the other side of the room. I looked at Amy and asked if she heard anything, and she responded yes, she heard fabric moving but thought it was me. Later on I read an old newspaper article of a reporter who had heard the rustling of hoop skirts there.

Looking at my digital photos back at home, I was surprised to find the faces of children in the one window where I felt I had "picked up" my ghost. Amy had an experience in that same spot as well. It was an eventful investigation and one that I hope to continue on an evening visit sometime soon.

More on reincarnation

Having recently reviewed a book that I just didn’t want to put down, I sought out an interview with the author, M.J. Rose (it wasn't enough to have her guest blog here!). The following is from M.J.’s webpage, www.MJRose.com, and nicely sums up “The Reincarnationist” experience,

“Writing a suspense novel is very much like uncovering gardens that have been hidden and secreted away. The secrets in my newest novel, THE REINCARNATIONIST, revolve around a subject that has deep significance for many people --- reincarnation. My fascination with this topic began when I was a child and it's a book that I’ve been working on for more than nine years.

“In my research I discovered I was in good company: Believers in Reincarnation throughout history include Carl Jung, Rudyard Kipling, Einstein, Ben Franklin, Napoleon, Mark Twain, General George Patton, Louisa May Alcott, Tolstoy, Henry Ford, Goethe, the Baal Shem Tov, Nietzsche, Gandhi, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Albert Schweitzer, Walt Whitman, Wordsworth, Levi ibn Habib (the Ralbah), Rumi, Thoreau, Socrates, Jesus Christ in the Gnostic Gospels, Voltaire, Josephus, Balzac, Gauguin, Pythagoras, Kabbalists, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.

“I've learned that there currently are over 26 million people who are believers in reincarnation --- and I've created a blog as a hub for "reincarnationists" (http://www.reincarnationist.org/wordpress/ ) where you can find news related to reincarnation, read reviews of books on the subject, and discover links to other blogs and websites on reincarnation and related intriguing topics.

“I love reading page turners that give you something to think about, something that resonates and matters. I hope that’s what this novel does for you.”

It absolutely does. And if you'd like to read my interview with M.J., click here.