As you may (or, may not) already know, my parents were born in Hungary and are more than happy to assist my husband and me in raising our children to appreciate their heritage - it?s a family tradition.
My grandmother was a wonderful storyteller, who also believed that the happiness of future generations is largely dependent upon reflecting on those who have gone before us and often times would send her grandchildren off to bed with some warm milk (ick!) and a good ghost story!
I guess that sort of explains my latest television crush - Ghost Hunters!
As a parent, I do NOT condone scaring a child half-to-death ? especially before tucking them in and wishing them, sleep tight ? because, you know, being frightened of something (monsters, flying in planes, falling, etc?) or someone (clowns??nuf said!) well, it is NOT a pleasant feeling.
But, the thought of walking through a house, in the middle of the night, with no lights, lots of tapping, creaking, banging about and, by the way, it?s supposed to be haunted.
[shiver]
Sounds like a terrific way to spend an evening, to me - especially, since I?m probably wrapped in a blanket and watching from the comfort (and safety) of my oversized sofa.
[nudging the dog]
Move over, Rover - we?ve got some ghostbusting to do!
There was a ghost hunt at a local mansion (now, museum) back in October investigated by the New Jersey Ghost Hunters Society, who held a lecture and reported the findings, last night.
Hell, yes - after I begged my inlaws to come along because, you know, they are professional genealogists and my couch probably wouldn?t fit through the door - I went!
Apparently, I?m not the only one - interested to learn about ghosties, I mean - because, last night was one of the largest groups in attendance and the historical society had to split us up into two rooms (the dining room and parlor, I think) with the hunters lecturing in the center of the hallway.
Hysterical!
To make a long story, short (I know, too late!) it was a fun evening, although my mother-in-law (a.k.a. Queen Genie) agreed that it would have been interesting if they had presented us with, you know, slides or developed full-sized pictures of actual ghosts.
My father-in-law sort of just, you know, sat and snickered - WEIRD! - it was like my husband was sitting there, right next to me!
Nope - no weird happenings reported by the docents - just a couple of orbs (which typically means there?s, you know, something, maybe) caught in the main bedroom (above where we were sitting) and flashy blurbs in the basement, below?um?where?we?were?okay, so I thought if anything was going to happen, I was perhaps finally in the right place, at the right time, for once!
Of course, the NJGHS conducts their investigations free of charge and most of the equipment those guys use - like, my other favorite show, Most Haunted - is, you know, mostly expensive.
Although, one of the team leaders explained that catching anomolies (if any are present, that is) is easily done and a simple 35 mm or digital camera, will do - the proof is in the putting the thumb away from the lens, first - and that certain objects can sometimes be haunted.
And I immediately thought about my possessed clock.
Not that it?s evil-looking, or anything - I know it hasn?t been wound, because the thing scares me half to death - but, the pendulum has two vials filled with mercury (ick!) so, we keep it in the dining room, out of the kids reach and away from the animals and basically, forget about it.
Until, someone dies, or is about to go into the hospital - sadly, it never ticks out a lick of good news - and the thing starts to ringing its chimes off.
Weird.
But, not as freaky as this picture taken of my oldest daughter - blowing out 13 birthday candles, last year - looks cool though, huh!?! Although, it does bring back the fact that my grandmother had a terrible fear of the number 13.
?It is very, very unlucky number!?
I believe her concern over the number of people attending the last supper is not as scary as my recently becoming a parent?GULP!?to a teenager?
[takes closer look at picture]
Heh, you decide - cool camera trick (or) a ghostly reminder of what?s to come? - perhaps you?ll understand I?ve already sprinkled some salt on our doorsteps, my fascination with the past and how I am beginning look at pictures in a whole new way.
Oh, and I am so glad that the clock?s is NOT ticking, for once!
[knocking on wood until knuckles bleed, just in case]
Sleep tight!
http://www.thisfullhouse.com/?p=148
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