Thursday, July 31, 2008

Lammas


Sorry I have been so busy with my work and my husband being sick (by he way so far the prcedure he had has NOT worked), that I have not prepared anything for Lammas. This is a Repost from last year...




In am lousy at explaining Pagan holidays. I know them in my head and what they mean and why I celebrate them, but for some reason I have a hard time explaining it on paper. When I look around the net, I seem to find a lot of information, so it is just easier to pass it on here.
I thought this was an interesting article. I found it on Yahoo Answers and I wanted to share it for all of you who do not follow a Pagan path.

Question: Lammas what is it???
is it on the night of august 31 or something and is a sabbath what does it have to do with witches what sort of thing do they do on this date???

Answer

Lammas pronounced (Lah-mas) is not just related to 'Witches" it is an ancient Pagan festival (the Name Lammas came from the Saxon or Old English "hlaf," meaning "loaf" and "maesse," meaning feast.), which means loaf-mass.

It is a harvest festival, and a Fires Festival . (One of Eight Sabbat Festivals celebrated by Pagans - four major/four minor) That are still celebrated today by Pagans around the world. It is actually Celebrated on the Eve of July 31st through to the morning of August the 1st. (The Pagans celebrated a day as BEGINNING at sunset).

It is the first Festival of the waning year and celebrated the first day of Autumn. It is also sometimes called the Festival of First Fruits, and the first sheaves of grain were cut.

This festival is also called "Lughnasadh" (Loo-nah-sah), which has an entirely different meaning. The "nasadh" relates to the Gaelic, "to give in marriage," and so means the "Marriage of Lugh," basically this was the time the King of the People "Married" the "Bride of the Land" a Priestess who later during Beltaine (another of the Festivals, celebrating the "Great Rite") would consecrate the relationship making him a true King.

What Pagans generally do, differs from Coven to Coven, Tradition to Tradition............here's an example:

** An old custom that can be re-created today is the construction of the Kern-baby or corn maiden at Lammas. This figure, originally made from the first sheaf, would be saved until spring, then ploughed into the field to prepare for planting. (The Maiden thus returns to the field at Spring.)

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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

The days of August

The Days of August

August 1


On this day, the Lammas Sabbat is celebrated by Wiccans and Witches throughout the world. Lammas (which is also known as Lughnasadh, August Eve, and the First Festival of Harvest) marks the start of the harvest season and is a time when the fertility aspect of the sacred union of the Goddess and Horned God is honored. The making of corn dollies (small figures fashioned from braided straw) is a centuries-old Pagan custom which is carried on by many modern Witches as part of the Lammas Sabbat rite. The corn dollies are placed on the Sabbat altar to represent the Mother Goddess who presides over the harvest. It is customary on each Lammas to make or buy a new corn dolly and then burn the old one from the past year for good luck.


On this day in the country of Macedonia, Neo-Pagans celebrate the Day of the Dryads, an annual nature festival dedicated to the maiden spirits who inhabit and rule over forests and trees.



August 2

On this day, the Feast of Anahita is celebrated in honor of the ancient Persian goddess Anahita, a deity associated with love and lunar powers.

Lady Godiva Day is celebrated annually on this date in the village of Coventry, England, with a medieval-style parade led by a nude woman on horseback.




August 3

The harvest season begins on this date in Japan with an annual festival called the Aomori Nebuta. Bamboo effigies with grotesquely painted faces are paraded through the streets in order to drive away the spirits of sleep.



August 4

Each year on this date, it was believed that the waters of Scotland's Loch-mo-Naire became charged with miraculous magickal powers to heal all who drank it or bathed in it. For many years it was a custom for those who visited Loch-mo-Naire to toss in a coin of silver as an offering to the benevolent spirits that dwelled within the lake.




August 5

Many folks still believe in this ancient superstition: if you make a secret wish wile looking up at the new moon (which normally begins on or near this date in August), your wish will be granted before the year is through.



August 6

On this date in the year 1817, a huge creature described as a sea-serpent was spotted in the ocean near Gloucester harbor in Massachusetts. Coincidentally, on this same date in the year 1948, a similar creature was seen by the crew of the British naval frigate Daedalus.

This day is sacred to the Cherokee Earth-Goddess Elihino and her sister Igaehindvo, the sacred goddess of the Sun.



August 7

In ancient Egypt, the cow-headed goddess Hathor was honored on this day by an annual festival known as Breaking the Nile. The festival, which was also dedicated to all water and river goddesses, celebrated the rising of the fertile waters of the mystical River Nile.

In ancient Greece, the annual mourning ceremony called the Adonia was held on this date in honor of the dying hero-god Adonis.



August 8

According to the Christian Church calendar, the Virgin Mary was born on this day.

The Eve of the Festival of Venus was celebrated annually on this date by the ancient Romans. On this night, the goddess of love and beauty was honored and invoked with prayers, love songs, libations, and passionate lovemaking. It was also a time when sorceresses performed all forms of love magick and marriage-mate divinations.



August 9

On this date, many Wiccans from around the world celebrate the annual Feast of the Fire Spirits. Dried mandrake root or yarrow herb is cast into fires as offerings to the Salamanders.


August 10

A centuries-old festival called Ghanta Karna Day is celebrated annually around this time of August in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. The event celebrates the death of Ghanta Karna, a blood thirsty Hindu demon who haunts crossroads and is the sworn enemy of the god Vishnu.



August 11

On this day, an Irish fertility festival known as the Puck Fair begins. The medieval-style festival, which pays homage to the mischievous sprite Robin Goodfellow, continues for three consecutive days.

Oddudua, the "Mother of all Gods", is honored on this day by followers of the Santeria religion in Africa and South America.



August 12

The goddess Isis and her search for Osiris (her brother and consort) is commemorated on this day by the Lychnapsia (Festival of the Lights of Isis). Dried rose petals and vervain are burned in small cauldron pots or incense burners as offerings to Isis, and green candles are lit in her honor.



August 13

On this date, the major Pagan festival of Hecate is traditionally held at moonrise. Hecate, the mysterious goddess of darkness and protectress of all Witches, is a personification of the Moon and the dark side of the female principle.




August 14

Every year on this date, a "burryman" (a man wearing a costume of thistle burrs, and representing an ancient fertility god) walks through the streets in many of the fishing villages along the coast of Scotland, collecting donations from the villagers. The origin of the burryman remains a mystery.


August 15

Festival of Vesta. The ancient Roman goddess of the hearth was honored annually on this date in ancient times. Many modern Witches light six red candles and cast herbs into hearth fires on this day to honor Vesta and to receive her blessings for family and home.



August 16

Salem Heritage Day in Massachusetts

On this date in the year 1987, the first Harmonic Convergence as observed worldwide during the Grand Trine (the alignment of all nine planets in our solar system). The event, which lasted for two consecutive days, was believed to be the beginning of five years of peace and spiritual purification. Thousands of New Age enthusiasts gathered at various sacred sites to dance, chant, meditate, and tune into the positive energies of the Earth and the universe.



August 17

Festival of Diana. Every year on this date, the goddess of chastity, hunting, and the moon was honored by the ancient Romans.

This is a special day of feasting, mirth, and magick-making for many Dianic Wiccans, since Diana is the most sacred goddess of their tradition.

On this date in the year 1950, Oglala Sioux mystic and medicine man Nicholas Black Elk died in Manderson, South Dakota. He was known for his great powers of prophecy and healing, and was an adherent of the Ghost Dance, a short-lived Native American religious movement which ended in a tragic massacre at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in 1890.




August 18

On this date, the annual Festival of Hungry Ghosts is celebrated throughout China with burnt offerings to the spirits of the dead.

On this date in the year 1634, a parish priest named Father Urbain Grandier was found guilty of bewitching a group of nuns at a convent in Loudun, France, and causing them to be possessed by demons. He was condemned to be tortured and then burned alive in the public square of Saint Croix.




August 19

In ancient Rome, a wine-harvest celebration known as the Vinalia Rustica was held each year on this date. It was dedicated to the goddess Venus of the Grape Vine and also to Minerva.

On this date in the year 1692, the Reverend George Burroughs and John Willard were put to death on Salem's infamous Gallows Hill as punishment for the crime of Witchcraft.




August 20

On this date in the year 1612, ten women and men known as the Lancashire Witches were executed on the gallows in one of England's most famous Witch trials of the seventeenth century. Ironically, the nine-year-old girl who had supplied the court with incriminating evidence against the Witches was herself found guilty of Witchcraft twenty-two years later and executed in the second great Witch trial of Lancashire.




August 21

The Consualia, a harvest festival celebrating the storing of the new crop, was held annually on this date by the ancient Romans. Also celebrated on this date was the muscular deity Hercules, who was honored with a sacrifice at one of his shrines in the city of Rome. His annual festival was called the Heraclia.




August 22

On this date in the year 1623, the Order of the Rosy Cross (a secret sect associated with alchemy and reincarnation) was established in Paris, France. The mysterious Rosicrucian brotherhood was condemned by officials of the Church as worshipers of Satan.

This day is sacred to Nu Kwa, an ancient Chinese goddess identified with the healing goddess Kuan Yin.




August 23

The Volcanalia festival was celebrated annually on this date in ancient Rome. It was dedicated to Vulcan, the god of volcanic eruptions, and celebrated by frying fish alive to ward off accidental fires.

Each year on this date in Athens, the ancient Greeks celebrated a festival dedicated to Nemesis, the goddess who presided over the fate of all men and women.




August 24

On this date (approximately), the Sun enters the astrological sign of Virgo. Persons born under the sign of the Virgin are said to be analytical, organized, meticulous, and often prone to being perfectionists. Virgo is an earth sign and is ruled by the planet Mercury.




August 25

An annual harvest festival called the Opiconsiva was celebrated on this date in ancient Rome in honor of the fertility and success goddess Ops (Rhea). Later in the year, she was honored again at the Opalia festival on December 19 (the third day of the Saturnalia).



August 26

The periodic rebirth of the Hindu god Krishna (eighth and principal avatar of Vishnu) is celebrated by his faithful worshipers at midnight services on this date.

In the country of Finland, this is the annual Feast Day of Ilmatar (or Luonnotar), known as the Water Mother. According to mythology, she created the Earth out of chaos.



August 27

Consus, the god of the grain-store, was celebrated annually on this date by the ancient Romans. Sacrifices were made in his honor, and all beasts of burden were embellished with wreaths of flowers and given a day of rest.

The Festival of Krishna is celebrated annually on this day in the country of India. It is also a sacred day dedicated to Devaki, the Mother-Goddess.




August 28

In the country of Norway, a Pagan festival celebrating the harvest is held on this date each year. Ancient Norse gods and goddesses are invoked to protect the spirit of the harvest throughout the dark half of the year.




August 29

Ancient Egyptian New Year

On this date in Nigeria, the Yoruba people celebrate the Gelede, an annual ritual of dancing and wearing of masks to drive away evil sorceresses.

In pre-Christian times, a festival called the Pardon of the Sea was celebrated annually in Britanny. It was originally dedicated to Athes, a Pagan goddess of the sea, and was later Christianized into the Feast of Saint Anne.




August 30

In Bengal, India, gruesome human sacrifices to the Indian earth-goddess Tari Pennu were made annually on this date as late as the mid-nineteenth century. After the sacrifice, a shaman would eat a bit of the victim's flesh, and then the rest of the remains would be dismembered, burned, and scattered over a plowed field to ensure the fertility of future crops




August 31

To purify the family spirits, Eyos (masqueraders wearing demon costumes concealed by white robes) walk through the streets of Lagos every year on this date. The Ritual Walk of the Eyos is a religious custom that dates back to ancient times.

On this date in the year 1934, Wiccan author Raymond Buckland was born in London, England. He founded the Seax-Wica tradition of Witchcraft, helped to introduce modern Wicca into the United States, and opened the first American Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.

In India, a women's festival of purification is held each year on this day. It is called the Anant Chaturdasi, and is dedicated to the ancient serpent-goddess Ananta, who symbolizes the female life force.

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ABC Wednesday The letter B


Wow, The letter B was a fun one for me. I kept finding all sorts of photos that started with this letter. I thought I better narrow it down to a few so here are some of my favorite ones.


B is for BARN.
I love the look of a red barn.



B is also for BUFFALO
This big guy can be found at the Virginia Safari at Natural Bridge VA.




B is for BATH
My grandson enjoyed his the day this was taken



B is also for BEACH.
Aren't the waves pretty





B is for BEAR,
and he has a BIG wave for you.



I hope you had fun looking at my photos with the letter BHere

For more great photos stop by

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

New update on the kidney stone

As you know my hubby has a kidney stone. Well the pain got worst and my hubby and I have just spent the last TWENTY HOURS at the hospital. The first FIFTEEN HOURS were spent in ER then had another FIVE hour wait in the one day surgery ward where they did something called a Lithotripsy:( A procedure to break a stone into small particles that can be passed in the urine.) I am exhausted but wanted to update..
More later

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Saturday, July 26, 2008

Photo Hunt-Hanging


I haven't play along with in a long time, but I knew when I saw the theme for this week was hanging I knew the perfect photo.

These hams are "hanging" in the smoke house at Sherwood Forest Plantation which was the home of the 10th US President John Tyler.

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Kidney Stone for sale

A couple of my blog buddies suggested I put a paypal on my blog for donations for my trip, but my husband I have figured out a way to make money to get to Gettysburg
We will raffle off his kidney stone to the highest bidder.
Of course you have to wait for him to pass the little darling, but if you would like it as a souvenir just let me know (Ha ha ha ha ha)
(Do you think this post qualifies for the Most desperate award of the year?)

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Haunted Gettysburg

My books arrived and I have already devoured the first one. Mark Nesbitt is an excellent author and the books are interesting and an easy read. I am making a list of "must see" places to visit. I know for sure that one of them will be the Farnsworth House. My friend Harry who is big into ghost hunting went there about two months ago and highly recommends visiting it. (He actually stayed there). They offer a ghost walk and tour, and I think unless something comes up to change my mind this is the one I will be taking.
Here is some information I found on the web about the place



Gettysburg - Farnsworth House Inn - Considered by many to be one of the MOST haunted houses in America! The first house in Gettysburg to be investigated by renowned psychic Carol Kirkpatrick, as well as Ghost Hunters International, a crew from Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Southern California. The crews from "Sightings" (Sci-fi Channel), "Unsolved Mysteries", and The History Channel have done filming here. Mary, a spirit from the Civil War era walks the corridors of the Inn at night. There is also a civilian man carrying a child wrapped in a quilt. You can hear him sobbing in an upstairs room. A midwife is seen watching over a young woman in labor. Three Confederate sharpshooters remain at their posts in the garret of the house. A soldier carries a wounded comrade into the cellar of the house. His voice is heard singing to comfort his dying friend, who dies in the catacombs of the cellar. Cold spots have been detected. "Balls of white energy" were photographed as white "auras" of energy throughout the house. Guests report many strange happenings on their stays here!

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Friday, July 25, 2008

Car update

Well $73.00 later my car is running. I had to have a battery put in. It is back to square one with the savings AGAIN. I am bound and determined that we are going to Gettysburg in Sept. I haven't quite figured out how yet, but I'm going. I have made up my mind to do it, and once I make up my mind come hell or high water I usually do what I have decided on. Do you think getting a big pickle jar and putting my photo on it (Like you see the local animal shelters do to raise money) with the words.
Pitiful Patty's Pennsylvania Fund on it would work? I can stand on the corner and look really hungry maybe people will take pity on me lol
Seriously I want this trip. I am going on this trip...Think positive...I am going I am going I am going..

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Just for Fun




You Are 20% Yankee, 80% Dixie



You're completely Dixie all the way. You've possibly never even met a Yankee!

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I give up

I give up. I hate my life. It seems that everything goes wrong at once. First my husband has a kidney stone, which by the way he still has not passed. Then yesterday his car dies. He is driving down the road and something snapped. He made it to work, but had to be towed home. Ok, bad but not tragic. We have been down this road before. Park the car, save the $$ get the car fixed. Only we are trying to save our $$ for this trip to Gettysburg. So we talked it over and decided that we really want to make this trip, so we will just share our other car for a few months and still try and go. Then fix his car in the fall. Like I said bad, but do-able. So this morning I get up to take him to work. Well, I noticed the car hesitated a bit when trying to crank it, but this has happened before. I am guessing (with my fingers crossed) that the battery is going bad.
I get him to work, stop off at his DR. to pick up more samples of his medicine (for the kidney stone). and notice it did the same thing. So when I got home and parked it I thought to myself that I better try and crank it again. Yep you guessed it the damn thing is DEAD. I am suppose to be at work at 1pm and stay till 10. My husband gets off at 5:30 and has to have a ride home.
GROWL!
Thankfully I live near my ex-husband and he is off work early today, so I have asked him to take me to work, and then either him or my daughter will have to go get my hubby. Then come get me at 10. Ok this takes care of today, but I have to work all weekend and next week. I am soooo broke, I have rent due and if I take this money for a battery we are screwed. All I wanted to do was go to Gettysburg. Now I have a sick husband and two broken cars. Can someone just shoot me now!

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In the Know-My Town

My blog buddy Pepper Lady does something called In The Know where she ask a question on her blog. This week it was What you like and don't like about your town.
I had to give it a bit of thought and first of all I live in a city instead of a town, but we are not a big city. We only have one shopping mall, one Target, and one Walmart and one K-mart. We do however have about a dozen 7-11 convience stores and several strip shops.
I like living here because we are close to bigger cities like Norfolk and Virginia Beach. So we have the bay and the ocean close by. We are also close to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. With all of that close by there is usually always something to do.
We are about an hour to Richmond Va. Two and a half hours to Washington DC and approximately 4 hours to the mountains. Water and mountains....the best of both worlds

On the downside
We only have one shopping mall, One walmart, one Target and one K-mart. Sometimes it is hard to find what you want because the stuff gets picked over fast.
Speaking of fast, we need more fast food restaurants.
We do have buses but no other means of public transportation (unless you count a taxi)
On the plus, we have a Amtrak Train station and a bus station for either Grey hound or Trails-way. Sorry I can't remember which one because I've never had the need to ride it.
We also have a airport and fare is usually cheaper than the one in Norfolk
There seems to be a good employment record, but I have never paid attention to the statistics. We have the shipyard here and some other industries so I think that employs a lot of people
Anyway life is good

If you do this question on your blog be sure and drop by Pepper Lady's and leave her your link

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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Sky Watch Friday



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I love this shot. Birds flying high and alone always make me feel a sense of freedom. Just think how wonderful it must be to soar along. Not a care in the world. This guy certainly seems to be enjoying his day. Do you think knew he would be shown on Sky Watch Friday and is just showing off for the camera?

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Getting the history


They say that the first step to any good investigation is getting the history of the place you are about to investigate. I thought this might be a really good way to learn the history and hear the ghost stories about Gettysburg ahead of time
The first THREE volumns in this series are in route to my house and should be arriving in a few days. Thank you amazon.com for used books! Once I get through these I will order the other two.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Some Family History

Ok, so you know how I have suddenly become obsessed with The American Civil War since deciding to go to Gettysburg. Well, let me tell you some cool stuff. I found out that THREE of my Great Great grandfathers served in the Civil War, on the side of the confederacy. That in itself is not so strange, most men of fighting age did go off to war at some point between 1861–1865, What is strange though is TWO of them lived in the same area in Georgia so they signed up and served in the same unit. Remember now these two men are NOT related to each other. One man James Paschal is my ancestor from my DAD side of the family from his dad and the other one Thomas Langley is my MOM side and is from her MOM. The third man James F. Barker is my ancestor from my mom, but on her DAD side. James Baker served in a different unit but also lived in the same area of Georgia. I find all this very interesting because if any of these men had been killed I might not be here today.
James Barker by the way missed being in Gettysburg because he was sick in the hospital in Richmond VA. The others in his unit fought there.
Grandpa Langley and Grandpa Paschal fought in Vicksburg MS. were captured and later release. All were sick

Langley, T.J. Private May 12, 1862. Captured at Vicksburg, Miss. July 4, 1863, and paroled there July 8, 1863. Pension records show he contracted measles at Chattanooga, Tenn. in spring of 1862, and typhoid fever, resulting in chronic diarrhea, in 1863, which permanently disabled him. (Born in Ga. Jan 21, 1833. Died in Heard County, Ga. Sept. 12, 1900.)



James F, Barker
Pvt Co D, 35th Georgia Calvary
Enlisted on 28 Aug 1862 in Decatur, Georgia

14 Nov 1862: paid $74.28 for Aug 28-Oct 31, 1862

Jun-Aug 1863 Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Va with pneumonia and furloughed 30 days on
13 Aug, 1863
(The battle in Gettysburg was JULY 1-3)

May/July 1864 Danville, Va Hospital : Chronic Diarrhea
Sep/Oct 1864 Danville, Va Hospital : Chronic Diarrhea
Nov/Dec 1864 Danville, Va Hospital : Chronic Diarrhea
Jan/Feb 1865 Danville, Va Hospital : Chronic Diarrhea
(James Barker with his wife Sarah in later years)




I do not have a picture of James Paschal but this is what I know about him.

James Paschal was a member of Co. K 56th Infantry CSA and was a private in 12 May 1862. Born in Morgan County Ga. 22 Dec. 1828. He is mentioned in Dr. Peddy`s book as becoming deathly sick with pneumonia, while his unit was in Kentucky and he just barely survived. He later returned to duty and was captured and paroled at the battle of Vicksburg. He surrendered with his unit at Greensboro, NC, on 26 April 1865.

Also I have several great great uncles who served with these men on both sides of my family.

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ABC Wednesday-The letter A


It is time for round three of ABC Wednesday and it is being done a bit different this time. Mrs. Nesbitt has set up a separate blog for the post and you can find it
Here
I hope some of my regular readers enjoy my Wednesday photos, so I will post both places and leave the link to the ABC blog for anyone who wants to view other photos or join in
Here is my post

A is for Authentic
These are authentic uniforms and equipment from the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

I took the photos on a recent trip to Richmond VA. at the museum of the Confederacy. If your a Civil War buff and ever get a chance to go please do so.






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strange photo

Click on photo to enlarge it




I normally save these kind of post for my paranormal blog but I am curious as to what everyone thinks. So tell me if this is my imagination or do you see the back of a Revolutionary War soldier. I see the back of shoulders/or possibly a backpack the head /is that a ponytail? A hat Revolutionary style and a musket gun. It looks to me as if they were crouched down or perhaps had been hiding behind something that is no longer there. I see it/them just to the right of the slabs that are leaning up against the tree (those slabs by the way are a grave stone). This picture was taken at the same children's farm that my grandson first saw "The Lady". I took it on a recent trip there when I was trying to find the area of the first photo. Where I took this photo is almost if not the exact spot where the first one was taken last summer. Could this be one of the "shadow" people we hear about?
Let me know what you think.

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Something Strange in this photo

Click on photo to enlarge



Ok tell me if this is my imagination or do you see the back of a Revolutionary War soldier. I see the back of shoulders/backpack, the head and hat and a musket gun. It looks to me as if they were crouched down or perhaps had been hiding behind something that is no longer there. I see it/them just to the right of the slabs that are leaning up against the tree (those slabs by the way are a grave stone). This picture was taken at the same children's farm that my grandson first saw "The Lady". I took it on a recent trip there when I was trying to find the area of the first photo. Where I took this photo is almost if not the exact spot where the first one was taken last summer. Could this be one of the "shadow" people we hear about?
Let me know what you think.

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Monday, July 21, 2008

Just because



No reason for this photo other than I just like it. This birdcage was sitting in the window of the basement when we toured Berkley Plantation. I really liked the way the light hit it.

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nothing is happening here

Still no stone...
My hubby is still in pain, missing day 4 of work. Keep sending those happy thoughts to him. This darn thing needs to GO AWAY.
as for me, I am off to work..more later

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Ghost of Gettysburg

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WteXzuyBE5g&hl=en&fs=1]

Sneak Peek

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Sunday, July 20, 2008

I thought you might like to see the mask my daughter has hanging as you go up her stairs.

Yes, I know we are a strange family



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Saturday, July 19, 2008

Strange, really strange.

Ok, so I want to know what you think of this. You know how I am obsessing about this trip to Gettysburg right. Well all of last week I searched high and low trying to find a copy of the moive (Which by the way I highly recommend for you Civil War buffs out there). I finally found a copy of the movie at my local Blockbuster and we watched it. Tonight I mentioned to my husband I wanted to see it again, but my grandson was here so we decided instead to find a movie for him. I opened the drawer on my entertainment center that holds my tapes and guess what was there. A tape of none other than GETTYSBURG. Ok your thinking so what is strange about that.
Well, believe it or not, the writting on the tape over is my dad's handwritting.
My dad has been dead three years.
Now don't freak out. I have other tapes that belonged to my dad in there. but I swear I do not remember EVER seeing GETTYSBURG. It wasn't in the back, it was the third one in.I have to ask myself did he put it there, as a way of saying to me on some level. GO, no matter what Go.

Strange I say...Really really strange.

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Friday, July 18, 2008

update on the hubby

My poor husband is not a happy camper. He has a kidney stone almost 5 cm (or maybe it is mm...anyway it is a large one) and right now it is lodged in the tube. I have had him in ER twice and the DR office once, and the DR gave him some medicine today to help open the tube and hopefully it will pass. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. If it doesn't pass he may have to have either sound waves to break it up or laser surgery. Both at the cost of somewhere around 4- 8 THOUSAND dollars. We have no insurance so this is frightening.

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Thursday, July 17, 2008

darn the bad luck

I just watched my first $20.00 saving for Gettysburg go straight down the toilet. My husband has a kidney stone and I had to buy pain meds for him yesterday. Of course it is two days before payday, so guess where the money came from. Yep, my vacation funds jar. Of course I know he needed the meds, he is has not passed the stone yet and is still not feeling well.
Have you ever noticed that as soon as you stick a little money aside something always takes it.
Damn the bad luck.
Oh well back to square one. I still have 9 weeks to save.

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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Just because


Random photo

I have decided that once in a while (hopefully once a week) I am going to post a random photo. No reason other than I hope someone will enjoy it.
These are guns used in the Revolutionary War battle at Yorktown VA.

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Saturday, July 12, 2008

A bargin for you.

For sale. CHEAP
One husband who calls me while I am sleeping in on my morning off and wakes me up to tell me he is working a half hour later than he thought he was.
I very calmly told him I didn't care, because I wasn't going to off work until 11 p.m. tonight and was sleeping.
I've tired to make it a rule not to cuss and rant and rave BEFORE my feet hit the floor ON MY MORNING OFF.
Now answer me this. Does anyone care that he is working an extra half hour? I didn't. I won't be here.

I am taking the best offer for him. If you take him, I will throw in the dog!

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Friday, July 11, 2008

Sky Watch


This was taken in Richmond VA. about two weeks ago while sitting at a red light. I thought the church against the blue sky would make a great Sky Watch Friday photo.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.

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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Planning some activities

Yes, I know it is still 2 1/2 months away, and yes, I know your going to get sick of clicking on this blog and seeing me rattling on and on about Gettysburg, but I am psyched!
If you've ever read my paranormal blog then you know I love anything to do with ghost hunting, ghost stories, etc. My husband and I have already decided which Ghost Tour to take. We know we want to go on the one sponsered by Mark Nesbitt. I also have ordered this book.
I think it will be a lot of fun to plan out my trip using his guilde.

The Ghost Hunter's Field Guide: Gettysburg & Beyond"
Mark Nesbitt

In The Ghost Hunter’s Field Guide: Gettysburg & Beyond, renowned ghost story author,
historian, and paranormal investigator, Mark Nesbitt, explores the world of the paranormal,
focusing on the town of Gettysburg and the infamous battlefields that surround it.
The first half of the book delves into the history and phenomena of “ghosts,” reviews generally
accepted paranormal theories, discusses best “ghost hunting” practices, and presents the reader
with plausible explanations as to why paranormal activity is so prevalent in Gettysburg.
The second half of the book addresses the actual paranormal investigation. Designed to be used in
the field, the town of Gettysburg and the battlefield are divided into six sections. The reader is
provided with historical information, photos, maps, driving directions, and paranormal
investigative tips and techniques unique to each geographic area. Experienced and amateur “ghost
hunters” alike will profit from the advice and guidance offered in this one-of-a-kind book.

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Saving some dollars

Ok, now the reality is setting in. I booked a trip to Gettysburg!. Now I have to pay for it. I don't know what it is like in your house, but we live penny to penny. Between my husbands child support and the bills, we do good to eat and buy gas. (Which by the way neither of our cars have seen a full tank of in months)

So with this in mind I know I have to cut somewhere just to come up with a few hundred bucks. Since I work retail and the store I am at is in a large mall I usually grab something quick. I admit it, I love the convience of fast food. However I started thinking about how much money I can save taking from home.
On the average I spend (including a drink) $5.00 a day. Multiply that times 5 days and I just spent $25.00. Take that and multiply it times 10 weeks (until the trip) and I just save TWO-HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS! Now I know there will be some days that I spend the money. One can only go so long not buying Diet Dr. Pepper of sweet tea from Chic fil a. But even if I save 2.50 cents a day, that is a big chunk of money.
Ok, now encourage me. I really want to have some money for this trip

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Wednesday, July 9, 2008

What a bargin

Look at the bargin I found over the weekend


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Would you believe I only paid THREE dollars for this table at a junk store. The only thing wrong with it s the bottom leg (turned towards the wall) has been repaired and needs to be stained. I cleaned it up and put this lovely cloth on it. It makes a great place for my family photos.

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Gettysburg Dreaming

My husband and I are totally psyched about our trip to Gettysburg. It is still ten weeks away, but we have our entire trip planned in our heads. Of course you know that 99% of it will include ghost hunting In anticipation of that I ordered this book today. In The Ghost Hunter’s Field Guide: Gettysburg & Beyond by Mark Nesbitt.

In The Ghost Hunter’s Field Guide: Gettysburg & Beyond, renowned ghost story author,
historian, and paranormal investigator, Mark Nesbitt, explores the world of the paranormal,
focusing on the town of Gettysburg and the infamous battlefields that surround it.
The first half of the book delves into the history and phenomena of “ghosts,” reviews generally
accepted paranormal theories, discusses best “ghost hunting” practices, and presents the reader
with plausible explanations as to why paranormal activity is so prevalent in Gettysburg.
The second half of the book addresses the actual paranormal investigation. Designed to be used in
the field, the town of Gettysburg and the battlefield are divided into six sections. The reader is
provided with historical information, photos, maps, driving directions, and paranormal
investigative tips and techniques unique to each geographic area. Experienced and amateur “ghost
hunters” alike will profit from the advice and guidance offered in this one-of-a-kind book.



We also plan on taking his ghost tour. It has been voted the best ghost tour in America

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Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Planning ahead

The Fall Solstic this year is on September 22nd and the equinoxes and solstices every year have been through history very conducive to supernatural occurrences. This year I will be in Gettysburg PA. Camping just 1/2 mile from the haunted battlefields. I am sooo ready!

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Making It a reality

I spent a good part of my afternoon looking on line for the best deals for camping in Gettysburg. Several places offered a book a night get a night free special, but they want the money up front a long with a huge deposit and you have to forfeit a certain percent if you don't come etc. ect. Finally I ran across this one At just $57 a night and a $30. deposit I jumped on it. The best part is, it is only 1/2 mile from the battlefield. This was a big perk since gas is so high.

Oh I forgot to mention...My husband and I are planning this trip ALONE. As much as I would like my daughter and grandson to come we really wanted to take a few days for ourselves. She really isn't into the history or the ghost as much as I am so I think she would be bored. Besides in early Oct. she has a trip planned with her dad and his girlfriend to go to the mountains here in Virginia, so she doesn't mind.

Anyway I am really excited and September can't come fast enough for me. If anyone knows of anything free/cheap to do in the area other than the battlefields let me know. I'm sure you all will be hearing more about this trip both on this blog and on my paranormal blog as the time gets closer.

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Monday, July 7, 2008

Plotting

Gettysburg campgrounds have cabins.
Now all I have to do is figure out when to make the reservation. I don't want to jump to soon, because to be honest I don't have one nickel saved up for this trip. Even with the cabins averaging about $55.00 a night, it is going to take some planning. If I reserve to soon and can't go I lose the deposit. If I don't then they may be booked. Decisions , decisions.

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Saturday, July 5, 2008

Dreaming

I have been dreaming of going to Gettysburg Pennsylvania for awhile now, so tonight I map quested it. Did you know I can be there in 4.0 hours 28 minutes It is only 257.60 miles away. I have another vacation coming up in September. My husband says no camping, but It is cheap to camp....
The plot thickens....

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Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy Birthday America

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Sky Watch-7-4








The first three photos are from my trip our local beach last week. The sky is pretty but it sure looks boring compared to this beautiful sunset my sister took a picture of (See previous post to view photos of her wedding in Jamaica)

For more sky watch photos visit Tom

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Recommending a book

You may or may not know that I love walking around a battlefield almost as much as I love walking through a cemetery, so when I saw this book on a recent trip to the book store I had to take a closer look.



Although I didn't get the book yesterday because I had already committed my money to others I had wanted for awhile, this book is now on my "Must Have" list.
I did however jot down her web page and if you get a chance drop in and view her photos. Also there are a couple of really good EVP's there.

* Update
I received a very nice letter from Ms. Brown letting me know she now has a blog, go check it out HERE
She has some really great articles on the paranormal there.

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Thursday, July 3, 2008

word verification

I hate that little feature on blog called word verification. I can never get the letters right and usually have to do it two or three times before I can post a comment. Unfortunatly I know most people use it to keep down the spam. I had it awhile and then took it off. I am sorry to say I have to put it back on awhile. I seem to be getting some spam comments. I don't know if it will help or not, but I will keep it and see. Maybe I can take it back off again soon

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A Wedding

My Baby sister got married over the weekend (They went to Jamaica!) I wish I could have been there.

Look how beautiful she looks...


Look how happy they are


Did I mention they are both crazy




If I didn't I should have.....
Awww LOVE...Ain't it grand




CONGRAULATIONS MICHELLE AND TIM!!

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Pretty as a peacock



I am sure we have all heard the expression pretty as a peacock. Well, this one is pretty for sure. It is our white peacock that lives at the children's farm. Yesterday while I was there this beautiful fellow followed me around...Come to think of it maybe he was hoping I would drop some of those berries I talked about in the previous post.

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Berry picking time.

Yesterday I took my grandson to the children's farm and while we were there look what we found growing wild




Yummy blackberries. I was so excited. it was the first time my grandson had tasted them. Only a handful were ripe, but it was so much fun to watch him pick them and pop them into his mouth. After about the third one I had to laugh, he was chewing and saying yummy at the same time.
I was especially happy that I was the one who showed them to him and how to pick the ripe ones. When I was a child my grandpa use to take me out berry picking in the woods, and showing these to my own grandson gave me sweet memories. I know he is young, but I hope someday he remembers his first experience with blackberries was with me.

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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Something To Ponder

Look what I saw yesterday.



I was waiting in the car to meet up with the paranormal group when this huge crow landed on the fence about 15 ft away from me. I am not usually superstitious, but I knew a crow can have several different meanings when seen. Some folklore say they are good luck, some bad, so I thought it was interesting when I found this:


Ravens, and to a lesser degree Crows, are very magickal creatures.

Raven with her plumage as dark as the void between the stars, is a citizen of the afterworld. She travels between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Being native to both worlds, Raven naturally has great knowledge and Power to effect transformations.

Raven is associated as a Wicca symbol because of this power to move between the worlds, and create new realities as she chooses.

According to the Medicine Cards "If Raven appears . . . you are about to experience a change in consciousness. ... Raven is the messenger that carries all energy flows of ceremonial magic between the ceremony itself and the intended destination."


Do you think he might have been traveling from one world to the next? It does seem kind of interesting that there was a cemetery on the property doesn't it.
It gives me something to think about.

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2nd ghost hunt

Well the second ghost hunt with my grandson went about the way I expected. Nothing happened. If you remember back last Feb. we visited a local children's farm, and while there visited the graves of the last owners. While at that small cemetery my grandson who was two at the time told us he saw a lady in the woods. We saw no on but when I took a photo of the area this is what I got.

Since then this photo has been shown to anyone who will listen to me talk about it, including a local paranormal group. (Not the one that I went out with over the weekend) This group has shown some interest in my grandson (although they feel the photo is matricking). After several months we finally set up a time for them to meet with him at the same farm in hopes of him seeing something again. It didn't happen this time. I was pretty sure it wouldn't because he seems to have slowed down on these "sightings" of his. I think he is being influenced by his mom (and perhaps others) who are telling him that there are no ghost. Although my daughter is ok with me taking him out ghost hunting, she really and truly does not believe in it. (She thinks it is fun, she just draws the line in agreeing there might be something there)
Anyway, we have been back to this farm several times over the last few months and he has not talked about anything being there. I don't know if what ever he saw has moved on, or simply choosing not to show itself. Others have had personal experiences at this farm and there is talk of it being haunted, but yesterday it was just a quiet place for my grandson to play. (We went in after hours which was great for him, he loved it the cows loved it, everyone loved it but those of us wanting him to see the ghost ha ha). One of the investigators from the group did take lots of photos and those will be analysed in a few days so who knows maybe something will show up, who know. Oh well on to the next hunt....I am thinking about going back to Richmond on Sunday. They have some cool battlefields there and there is a lot more of Hollywood Cemetery I want to see

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