Last night was just really strange. We took the kids out to Wendy's to eat. And it was seemingly a "normal" evening out, for times that we go out, that is.
As we stood in line to get our order taken, Skyler, who is my youngest of three kids, at the cute age of six years old, said something that just completely took me by surprise.
"Mama is that man dead?" is what came out her mouth as she viewed a picture of the Wendy's franchise's Founder, Dave Thomas from the back hall, near the restrooms.
Of course, I answered that yes he was deceased. The she proceeded to ask me WHY he "die-ded".
This is NOT the first time that my child has shown me evidence of possessing a gift of "sensitivity" and "seeing". It has happened at the Cemetery where some of my husband's family is also buried.
The more I witness her being "drawn" to certain things like graves and pictures of dead people, the more I believe she is intuitive to another realm of being.
And I don't know how she does it, but many times in the Cemetery, she "hones in" on to grave sites that are of CHILDREN. She can barely read! How can she just "pick up" where to go?
Yes, I believe she has a gift that has been passed down from the females on my side through the generations. But her "intuitions" are clearly more prominent than mine have ever proven to be.
If you steal from me, I will HAUNT you down!
What is written in this blog, is of the author's own originality. It is the sole views, thoughts, and stories of this blog's author.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
It's Comment Love Day!..Come Link Up With Me.
Good Sunday to everyone! I'm participating in For The Love Of Blog's "Comment Love Day", where you go and click on other blogs and leave GENUINE comments. Not just copy/pastes of "Nice blog." or "I'm following you, please follow me back.". It is a chance to REALLY know the writers and get a good chance to REALLY read what is on their mind or important to them.
But before you go over there, be sure to also leave your link here as well. And feel free to also check out the links to my other two blogs.
If you wish to be a *FEATURED* Blogger, CLICK HERE.
If you want to see my (former) *haunted* home, where I grew up, CLICK HERE.
If you wish to see about the new group and chat area for parents of Special Needs children, CLICK HERE.
But before you go over there, be sure to also leave your link here as well. And feel free to also check out the links to my other two blogs.
If you wish to be a *FEATURED* Blogger, CLICK HERE.
If you want to see my (former) *haunted* home, where I grew up, CLICK HERE.
If you wish to see about the new group and chat area for parents of Special Needs children, CLICK HERE.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
My Old Hometown Haunts
...And not just as in where I used to roam when I lived in the area. These are some of the most popular areas of Fremont, California that are supposedly haunted.
The following sites that I am doing to list are from the website Strange USA
One area being Niles Canyon. Whenever I would ride through the area with my parents as a child, I never felt "easy" as we went down the road. I never could explain my feelings of dread...
When you go down The Canyon road you will find an off ramp that will lead you down to a creek... That is if you can drive all the way down the road... As you go down the road you begin to hear knocking and at about half way down the road you will start to hear a small boy laughing... Story tells that a young boy was killed in the basement of a cottage at the end of the road...he was found by his parents hanging from the rafters, when his parents called the cops they told them that there was no body in the house but mass amounts of blood washing up at the creek banks... Legend tells that if you make it down the canyon you can still see blood washing up on the creek banks and hear a young boy laughing...No Trespassing
Where I used to live was a part of the Mission area. In fact, I attended Mission San Jose High School back in the day....
Built in the late 1700`s, Mission San Jose has had a lot of curious history. A fire destroyed the original Mission, and the 1906 earthquake leveled the old church. Both have been rebuilt, the church about 12 years ago and the mission in the 1800`s. There are cold spots and mists in the mission itself, uncanny feelings and mists in the courtyard by the fountain. An old cemetery adjacent to the church is the site of many disturbances, including unexplained whispers and crying (several Fremont pioneers are buried here, as well as countless Natives). Also in the church itself, where there are graves in the floor in the Sanctuary and in front of the altar. Severe cold spits are felt near the graves. Across the street from the mission sits an historic tavern, where witnesses say they have seen several Native looking people in old clothing cross the street and disappear as soon as they enter the courtyard of the mission.
Now, as for my old home, it had changed a bit apparently. But not too much over the years.
Yes, that IS my former home. The one I'd primarily grew up in. And the one that gave me some memorable "moments" that I would much rather forget. There were one too many creeks, bangs, footsteps that were not "living"-made, voices and "gas"-like apparitions for my taste. Especially after seeing my (then two weeks post death) deceased mother walk past me as I glanced up in the hallway's bathroom mirror as I was brushing my teeth. Oh, and did I mention that I was home alone at the time, being that my father was at work already?
The following sites that I am doing to list are from the website Strange USA
One area being Niles Canyon. Whenever I would ride through the area with my parents as a child, I never felt "easy" as we went down the road. I never could explain my feelings of dread...
When you go down The Canyon road you will find an off ramp that will lead you down to a creek... That is if you can drive all the way down the road... As you go down the road you begin to hear knocking and at about half way down the road you will start to hear a small boy laughing... Story tells that a young boy was killed in the basement of a cottage at the end of the road...he was found by his parents hanging from the rafters, when his parents called the cops they told them that there was no body in the house but mass amounts of blood washing up at the creek banks... Legend tells that if you make it down the canyon you can still see blood washing up on the creek banks and hear a young boy laughing...No Trespassing
Where I used to live was a part of the Mission area. In fact, I attended Mission San Jose High School back in the day....
Built in the late 1700`s, Mission San Jose has had a lot of curious history. A fire destroyed the original Mission, and the 1906 earthquake leveled the old church. Both have been rebuilt, the church about 12 years ago and the mission in the 1800`s. There are cold spots and mists in the mission itself, uncanny feelings and mists in the courtyard by the fountain. An old cemetery adjacent to the church is the site of many disturbances, including unexplained whispers and crying (several Fremont pioneers are buried here, as well as countless Natives). Also in the church itself, where there are graves in the floor in the Sanctuary and in front of the altar. Severe cold spits are felt near the graves. Across the street from the mission sits an historic tavern, where witnesses say they have seen several Native looking people in old clothing cross the street and disappear as soon as they enter the courtyard of the mission.
Now, as for my old home, it had changed a bit apparently. But not too much over the years.
Yes, that IS my former home. The one I'd primarily grew up in. And the one that gave me some memorable "moments" that I would much rather forget. There were one too many creeks, bangs, footsteps that were not "living"-made, voices and "gas"-like apparitions for my taste. Especially after seeing my (then two weeks post death) deceased mother walk past me as I glanced up in the hallway's bathroom mirror as I was brushing my teeth. Oh, and did I mention that I was home alone at the time, being that my father was at work already?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Are They Building On HAUNTED Grounds?
In my local news paper, there is talk of a court hearing that is to happen sometime today over the wold-wide known retail chain, WalMart and it's wanting to build "near" a National landmark from the Civil War.
Read the full article HERE...
As most of us know, the Civil War ended up being one of our nation's most bloodiest battles, with hundreds of thousands dead. And this site that the WalMart wishes to build on is certainly one of the bloodiest areas. And to many of us that wish to preserve history, one that should remain untouched and kept as a place of remembrance. Of our history, and of those that fought and died.
It is said that sometimes, when you build on grounds such as this, that you may unintentionally "awaken" the spirits of those that had lost their lives on the grounds some years before.
Take for instance, the infamous story of the haunting of Toys 'R' Us in Sunnyvale, California.
To read in detail about Johnny Johnson, who reportedly haunts the famous toy store and why, READ THIS ARTICLE. And be sure to read BOTH pages, being that the second page speaks of the types of things that happen at the store.
Personally, I do believe that building on ANY kind of "sacred" grounds can have ill effects. For both the living and for those that are still here after their worldly passing.
My family has strong ties to the Civil War, as well as to World War 2, when we went to war with Germany. In both cases, I say leave alone which is to not be touched. To infringe upon THEIR grounds where they fought, suffered and died to me is a disservice to them and to our country as a whole. And it is asking for those that are still restless to come and make their uneasiness well known to the living.
And I'm not one for having a can of peas thrown at me by unseen hands and forces.
*NOTE/DISCLAIMER*... I in no way endorse the Psychic featured here in the following video, Sylvia Browne. I myself even question her authenticity. But this is the best video I can find to at least explain the haunting's history and of what seemingly happens as reported by the (at least then) employees of the store in question. This video, remember is circa 1991.
Read the full article HERE...
As most of us know, the Civil War ended up being one of our nation's most bloodiest battles, with hundreds of thousands dead. And this site that the WalMart wishes to build on is certainly one of the bloodiest areas. And to many of us that wish to preserve history, one that should remain untouched and kept as a place of remembrance. Of our history, and of those that fought and died.
It is said that sometimes, when you build on grounds such as this, that you may unintentionally "awaken" the spirits of those that had lost their lives on the grounds some years before.
Take for instance, the infamous story of the haunting of Toys 'R' Us in Sunnyvale, California.
To read in detail about Johnny Johnson, who reportedly haunts the famous toy store and why, READ THIS ARTICLE. And be sure to read BOTH pages, being that the second page speaks of the types of things that happen at the store.
Personally, I do believe that building on ANY kind of "sacred" grounds can have ill effects. For both the living and for those that are still here after their worldly passing.
My family has strong ties to the Civil War, as well as to World War 2, when we went to war with Germany. In both cases, I say leave alone which is to not be touched. To infringe upon THEIR grounds where they fought, suffered and died to me is a disservice to them and to our country as a whole. And it is asking for those that are still restless to come and make their uneasiness well known to the living.
And I'm not one for having a can of peas thrown at me by unseen hands and forces.
*NOTE/DISCLAIMER*... I in no way endorse the Psychic featured here in the following video, Sylvia Browne. I myself even question her authenticity. But this is the best video I can find to at least explain the haunting's history and of what seemingly happens as reported by the (at least then) employees of the store in question. This video, remember is circa 1991.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Haunting Blogs...Add yours today!
Another week has started. What better way to kick it off on a Monday that to participate in the Magical Monday blog hop, courtesy of For The Love Of Blogs!
But before you run over there and see who all is participating, feel free to also ADD YOUR LINK HERE! But please limit the blog links to PARANORMAL blogs *only*. Thank you.
Now, be sure that BEFORE you head over to..
...to add your link (below) in my link-up tool area!
Have a great Monday, everyone.
But before you run over there and see who all is participating, feel free to also ADD YOUR LINK HERE! But please limit the blog links to PARANORMAL blogs *only*. Thank you.
Now, be sure that BEFORE you head over to..
...to add your link (below) in my link-up tool area!
Have a great Monday, everyone.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Come Haunt With Me! (blog hop,link up!)
Just to let you know, I'm not blogging a whole lot at this time, due to not being in a "good" place right now, where family is concerned. We have an impending death looming upon us and I'm the so-called glue trying to hold my family (in my house) together. Though I *know* in my mind that this is not the end of the proverbial road, my heart is breaking at the thought of the impending loss and what it's doing to my husband and my two of three kids.
With that said...
Another week has started. What better way to kick it off on a Monday that to participate in the Magical Monday blog hop, courtesy of For The Love Of Blogs!
But before you run over there and see who all is participating, feel free to also ADD YOUR LINK HERE! But please limit the blog links to PARANORMAL blogs *only*. Thank you.
Now, be sure that BEFORE you head over to..
...to add your link (below) in my link-up tool area! Have a great Monday, everyone.
With that said...
Another week has started. What better way to kick it off on a Monday that to participate in the Magical Monday blog hop, courtesy of For The Love Of Blogs!
But before you run over there and see who all is participating, feel free to also ADD YOUR LINK HERE! But please limit the blog links to PARANORMAL blogs *only*. Thank you.
Now, be sure that BEFORE you head over to..
...to add your link (below) in my link-up tool area! Have a great Monday, everyone.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Haunt Around Monday! (blog hop)
Another week has started. What better way to kick it off on a Monday that to participate in the Magical Monday blog hop, courtesy of For The Love Of Blogs!
But before you run over there and see who all is participating, feel free to also ADD YOUR LINK HERE! But please limit the blog links to PARANORMAL blogs *only*. Thank you.
But, before you do...
please LEAVE A *GENUINE* COMMENT here on my page to show that you have read it. Not a copy/paste thing or a "I followed you/follow me back" comment... I am okay with people stating if they came from another blog hop and found me. But I don't play the "followed you/follow me back" game.
**If you cannot abide by that one simple rule for linking on my page, I wish for you to NOT link it at all, nor even leave a COMMENT on my page.**
Now, be sure that BEFORE you head over to..
...to add your link (below) in my link-up tool area! Have a great Monday, everyone.
But before you run over there and see who all is participating, feel free to also ADD YOUR LINK HERE! But please limit the blog links to PARANORMAL blogs *only*. Thank you.
But, before you do...
please LEAVE A *GENUINE* COMMENT here on my page to show that you have read it. Not a copy/paste thing or a "I followed you/follow me back" comment... I am okay with people stating if they came from another blog hop and found me. But I don't play the "followed you/follow me back" game.
**If you cannot abide by that one simple rule for linking on my page, I wish for you to NOT link it at all, nor even leave a COMMENT on my page.**
Now, be sure that BEFORE you head over to..
...to add your link (below) in my link-up tool area! Have a great Monday, everyone.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Turning the Tables... Your turn to talk.
Let's do a little "getting to know you" post, shall we? I want to know more about the readers/followers that I have here. I'm always telling you all things about myself. Now, it's YOUR turn! (=
**Copy and paste the questions in to the COMMENTS area and answer them.**
1. Do you believe in ghosts, aliens, or mythical creatures?
2. Have you ever had an experience with of a spiritual nature?
3. Do you currently live in a haunted home, or have you done so in the past?
4. What are some of your more favorite ghostly legends/stories?
5. Have your kids claimed to hear or see something that they cannot easily explain away?
6. What do you think of Chip Coffey, Sylvia Browne, James van Praagh, or John Edwards?
7. What topics would you be interested to read about here at ParanorMel?
**************************************************************
A1) I believe in ghosts for certain. But will not discount the existence of aliens or paranormal creatures.
A2) I've had many run-ins with ghostly activity. I've blogged about it here and there on this page. And will continue to do so in the future as it happens or I recount past experiences.
A3)Yes, my home in my firm belief is haunted by at least three spirits. One being a cat that is a replica of my (living) cat, Shadow. And I have lived in at least one other (highly) haunted residence.
A4) For one, the legend of Resurrection Mary. And the Ammityville home case. The story of the Headless Horseman always gets me.
A5) Indeed at least two of my three children have claimed hearing sounds, seeing fleeting images and feeling cold spots that were all unexplainable to obvious logic. Even my six-year-old has claimed to play with someone that I cannot see.
A6) I believe in Chip Coffey. Otherwise, the others listed, I wouldn't give the time of day to. Chip is genuine. And he doesn't set out to "read minds" like the others do. He stays more with conveying messages of those who've departed this world. And he actually HELPS others with his gifts..Mainly kids that are struggling with their psychic abilities.
A7) I cannot answer from the topics point of the question. But I will say that I hope to see more activity within the posting's comment areas. I love interacting with my readers. I love knowing what they too think, feel and how they view the world around them.
**Copy and paste the questions in to the COMMENTS area and answer them.**
1. Do you believe in ghosts, aliens, or mythical creatures?
2. Have you ever had an experience with of a spiritual nature?
3. Do you currently live in a haunted home, or have you done so in the past?
4. What are some of your more favorite ghostly legends/stories?
5. Have your kids claimed to hear or see something that they cannot easily explain away?
6. What do you think of Chip Coffey, Sylvia Browne, James van Praagh, or John Edwards?
7. What topics would you be interested to read about here at ParanorMel?
**************************************************************
A1) I believe in ghosts for certain. But will not discount the existence of aliens or paranormal creatures.
A2) I've had many run-ins with ghostly activity. I've blogged about it here and there on this page. And will continue to do so in the future as it happens or I recount past experiences.
A3)Yes, my home in my firm belief is haunted by at least three spirits. One being a cat that is a replica of my (living) cat, Shadow. And I have lived in at least one other (highly) haunted residence.
A4) For one, the legend of Resurrection Mary. And the Ammityville home case. The story of the Headless Horseman always gets me.
A5) Indeed at least two of my three children have claimed hearing sounds, seeing fleeting images and feeling cold spots that were all unexplainable to obvious logic. Even my six-year-old has claimed to play with someone that I cannot see.
A6) I believe in Chip Coffey. Otherwise, the others listed, I wouldn't give the time of day to. Chip is genuine. And he doesn't set out to "read minds" like the others do. He stays more with conveying messages of those who've departed this world. And he actually HELPS others with his gifts..Mainly kids that are struggling with their psychic abilities.
A7) I cannot answer from the topics point of the question. But I will say that I hope to see more activity within the posting's comment areas. I love interacting with my readers. I love knowing what they too think, feel and how they view the world around them.
Friday, January 7, 2011
About following THIS page...
I love having followers, just like any other writer/blogger. But I want not just "followers", but READERS who are not only willing to read or even (with luck) glance at my pages, but are willing to say something constructive about the piece.
If you notice on the left of my page, you will see that my FOLLOWERS/Google Reader list's numbers have dropped DRAMATICALLY.
Why?
Because I went on and removed all those "followers" that were using me as a "look at how many I follow" tool, and those that spammed my pages with "I followed, now follow me back" BS.
If you are going to REALLY read my stuff and at least make an EFFORT to comment here and there, then by all means join my page! But if I'm just a tool or "numbers game" to you, then really, I do NOT want you to click the "Follow" button.
On ANY of my three blogs...
Here.
The (Not Always Happy Homemaker Diary.
Or on my newest creation, The "Mental"-ist Mom.
If you know me well, then you know me well enough to get it that I am not in to FAKE people, users or SPAMMERS.
So, if you are one of those three kinds, then please, don't bother my page, get my hopes up or waste my precious time.
OBEs
In 2003, I suffered what is called a "missed" miscarriage. This means that the baby had died (at about 12 weeks gestation), but did not abort its self, which in most cases, happens after an embryo or very early-stage fetus passes from within the womb.
I did not find this out until my 16-week check up. So the baby's remains were just sitting there.
A few days later, I had to succumb to a D&C procedure to extract the baby, as I was getting sick from the toxins that started going in to my system.
Later on that night, after the procedure was done, I just laid there. Mourning for my baby, who I *knew* was to be a boy. I even named him, seeing as I didn't want his "life" (what tiny bit there was of it) to be "meaningless". And after all, he was still MY child. He was still a HUMAN BEING. And I lost not only him, but my future as his mother, and a piece of my heart along with him.
Finally, after some "quiet" crying, I had fallen asleep. Sick to the fact that I had done what no mother would think possible to have to do.
Next thing that I remember, I was in this beautiful wheat field. The sun shone extremely bright. But I was not wearing sunglasses and the light NEVER once bothered my eyes. There was a smell of jasmine in the breeze as it ran through my hair. Then I heard a little boy's voice calling "Mommy! Moooomy!! Over here". As I'd turned around, I knew instinctively it was him. It was my Michael.
We ran to one another. He was about six to nine years of age. We hugged. Then talked a while. Suddenly, he said it was time for him to go. That Grandma (my mom) was waiting for him. Then he told me it's okay and not to feel bad because he was happy and he knows he was loved. He also told me to go ahead and have another baby because he will look out for his little brother or sister.
Then, it was time for him to go. If only you knew just how badly I too wanted to go with him. So many people from my life were where he was returning to. I could feel their love beating down on me. I wasn't one time scared. I was at peace. REAL peace. For perhaps the first time in my life.
But, suddenly, the sun's light got blindingly bright. My breathing got labored and my chest felt extremely heavy as I bolted upright in bed. It was almost like I was having a panic attack.
It was then that I realized that I had separated from my own body, spiritually and had traveled to not Heaven, but somewhere in between there and here. Like a half-way meeting place. Not "Purgatory" per say. I felt the wheat under my finger tips. I could smell the air and the flowers that were carried in from a distance. I felt my son's touch. I could feel the warmth of the sun beating on me...So how could this NOT have been real?
The definition of Out Of Body Experience (OBEs) is defined by Wikipedia as this...
"An out-of-body experience (OBE or sometimes OOBE), is an experience that typically involves a sensation of floating outside of one's body and, in some cases, perceiving one's physical body from a place outside one's body (autoscopy).
The term out-of-body experience was introduced in 1943 by G.N.M Tyrrell in his book Apparitions, and adopted by, for example, Celia Green and Robert Monroe as a bias-free alternative to belief-centric labels such as "astral projection" or "spirit walking". Though the term usefully distances researchers from scientifically problematic concepts such as the soul, scientists still know little about the phenomenon.
Some researchers have managed to recreate OBE in a laboratory setup by stimulating a part in the human brain. One in ten people has an out-of-body experience once or more commonly several times in their life. OBEs are often part of the near-death experience. Those who have experienced OBEs sometimes claim to have observed details which were unknown to them beforehand.
In some cases the phenomenon appears to occur spontaneously; in others it is associated with a physical or mental trauma, use of psychedelic drugs, dissociative drugs, or a dream-like state. Many techniques aiming to induce the experience deliberately have been developed, for example visualization while in a relaxed, meditative state.
Recent (2007) studies have shown that experiences somewhat similar to OBEs can be induced by direct brain stimulation. Some of those who experience OBEs claimed to have willed themselves out of their bodies, while others report having found themselves being pulled from their bodies (usually preceded by a feeling of paralysis). In other accounts, the feeling of being outside the body was suddenly realized after the fact, and the experiencers saw their own bodies almost by accident.
OBEs often occur during the borderline stage between REM sleep and arousal when sleep paralysis may persist and dream imagery may mingle with sensory input.
Some neurologists have suspected that the event is triggered by a mismatch between visual and tactile signals. They used a virtual reality setup to recreate an OBE. The subject looked through goggles and saw his own body as it would appear to an outside observer standing behind him. The experimenter then touched the subject at the same time as a rod appeared to touch the virtual image. The experiment created an illusion of being behind and outside one's body. However, both critics and the experimenter himself note that the study fell short of replicating "full-blown" OBEs."
In a nutshell, I say interpretation and belief in this phenomenon and it's validity. In my mind, you can't really get the true nature of this paranormal experience in it's raw definition unless you yourself experience it. I know that I indeed believe in Out of Body Experiences (OBEs). Mainly because I know after really thinking back, I have had this happen to me at least three times in the past. With the loss of my baby. With the loss of the grandmother who raised me after my mother's passing. And my mother herself.
I did not find this out until my 16-week check up. So the baby's remains were just sitting there.
A few days later, I had to succumb to a D&C procedure to extract the baby, as I was getting sick from the toxins that started going in to my system.
Later on that night, after the procedure was done, I just laid there. Mourning for my baby, who I *knew* was to be a boy. I even named him, seeing as I didn't want his "life" (what tiny bit there was of it) to be "meaningless". And after all, he was still MY child. He was still a HUMAN BEING. And I lost not only him, but my future as his mother, and a piece of my heart along with him.
Finally, after some "quiet" crying, I had fallen asleep. Sick to the fact that I had done what no mother would think possible to have to do.
Next thing that I remember, I was in this beautiful wheat field. The sun shone extremely bright. But I was not wearing sunglasses and the light NEVER once bothered my eyes. There was a smell of jasmine in the breeze as it ran through my hair. Then I heard a little boy's voice calling "Mommy! Moooomy!! Over here". As I'd turned around, I knew instinctively it was him. It was my Michael.
We ran to one another. He was about six to nine years of age. We hugged. Then talked a while. Suddenly, he said it was time for him to go. That Grandma (my mom) was waiting for him. Then he told me it's okay and not to feel bad because he was happy and he knows he was loved. He also told me to go ahead and have another baby because he will look out for his little brother or sister.
Then, it was time for him to go. If only you knew just how badly I too wanted to go with him. So many people from my life were where he was returning to. I could feel their love beating down on me. I wasn't one time scared. I was at peace. REAL peace. For perhaps the first time in my life.
But, suddenly, the sun's light got blindingly bright. My breathing got labored and my chest felt extremely heavy as I bolted upright in bed. It was almost like I was having a panic attack.
It was then that I realized that I had separated from my own body, spiritually and had traveled to not Heaven, but somewhere in between there and here. Like a half-way meeting place. Not "Purgatory" per say. I felt the wheat under my finger tips. I could smell the air and the flowers that were carried in from a distance. I felt my son's touch. I could feel the warmth of the sun beating on me...So how could this NOT have been real?
The definition of Out Of Body Experience (OBEs) is defined by Wikipedia as this...
"An out-of-body experience (OBE or sometimes OOBE), is an experience that typically involves a sensation of floating outside of one's body and, in some cases, perceiving one's physical body from a place outside one's body (autoscopy).
The term out-of-body experience was introduced in 1943 by G.N.M Tyrrell in his book Apparitions, and adopted by, for example, Celia Green and Robert Monroe as a bias-free alternative to belief-centric labels such as "astral projection" or "spirit walking". Though the term usefully distances researchers from scientifically problematic concepts such as the soul, scientists still know little about the phenomenon.
Some researchers have managed to recreate OBE in a laboratory setup by stimulating a part in the human brain. One in ten people has an out-of-body experience once or more commonly several times in their life. OBEs are often part of the near-death experience. Those who have experienced OBEs sometimes claim to have observed details which were unknown to them beforehand.
In some cases the phenomenon appears to occur spontaneously; in others it is associated with a physical or mental trauma, use of psychedelic drugs, dissociative drugs, or a dream-like state. Many techniques aiming to induce the experience deliberately have been developed, for example visualization while in a relaxed, meditative state.
Recent (2007) studies have shown that experiences somewhat similar to OBEs can be induced by direct brain stimulation. Some of those who experience OBEs claimed to have willed themselves out of their bodies, while others report having found themselves being pulled from their bodies (usually preceded by a feeling of paralysis). In other accounts, the feeling of being outside the body was suddenly realized after the fact, and the experiencers saw their own bodies almost by accident.
OBEs often occur during the borderline stage between REM sleep and arousal when sleep paralysis may persist and dream imagery may mingle with sensory input.
Some neurologists have suspected that the event is triggered by a mismatch between visual and tactile signals. They used a virtual reality setup to recreate an OBE. The subject looked through goggles and saw his own body as it would appear to an outside observer standing behind him. The experimenter then touched the subject at the same time as a rod appeared to touch the virtual image. The experiment created an illusion of being behind and outside one's body. However, both critics and the experimenter himself note that the study fell short of replicating "full-blown" OBEs."
In a nutshell, I say interpretation and belief in this phenomenon and it's validity. In my mind, you can't really get the true nature of this paranormal experience in it's raw definition unless you yourself experience it. I know that I indeed believe in Out of Body Experiences (OBEs). Mainly because I know after really thinking back, I have had this happen to me at least three times in the past. With the loss of my baby. With the loss of the grandmother who raised me after my mother's passing. And my mother herself.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Miracles
Miracles... They happen everyday according to those that believe in them. Primarily by those of the Christian faith.
I myself am a Christian. But I don't go to church or fall to my knees in prayer at the drop of a hat for every little thing. I also question the Bible and it's texts. But that is all for another post, on another day, in a different blogging area. Not for here.
Let's get back to the original topic of this post. Miracles.
Miracles are from the hand of God. They can occure in subtle ways, or "larger than life" ways.
For all technological and medical purposes (of the late 70's era) I should NOT have lived past my first twenty four hours after my birth. I'd had so many problems at birth, that they even told my father that I would *most likely not* live long enough to even make it by air to another hospital that was waiting on my for life-saving surgery, let alone make it through the surgery its self. Or the first few days after that.
But here I am standing today. Thirty four years later. Walking, talking, I have had kids (biologically), I can eat and drink independently. I am doing EVERYTHING that the doctors and "Specialists" all claimed I would *NEVER* do in my "short" life.
Most would say that it is all a miracle. I pulled off the impossible (for their time of technological and medical knowledge) and was deemed a "miracle child" that was placed in medical magazines, medical journals and dictionaries, and featured in news papers.
"Miracle" is defined by Wikipedia as this..
"A miracle is an unexpected event attributed to divine intervention. Sometimes an event is also attributed (in part) to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that God may work with the laws of nature to perform what people perceive as miracles. Theologians say that, with divine providence, God regularly works through created nature yet is free to work without, above, or against it as well.
A miracle is often considered a fortuitous event: compare with an Act of God.
In casual usage, "miracle" may also refer to any statistically unlikely but beneficial event, (such as surviving a natural disaster), or simply a "wonderful" occurrence, regardless of likelihood, such as a birth. Other miracles might be: survival of a terminal illness, escaping a life threatening situation or 'beating the odds.' Some coincidences may be perceived to be miracles."
Now would I consider having my children as miracles? Yes, indeed. Seeing as honestly, my overall health was in jeopardy with each pregnancy (five of them that resulted in three babies). Also add in the fact that my chances were even more greatly slimmed by the fact I have a severe case of Ovarian Cystitis, mainly on one side, but both have them. So really, I should not have even gotten pregnant in the first place, let alone five times (where I lost two of them).
Would I attribute my survival to God performing a miracle? Yes... And no. God, I feel decided my overall fate (seeing as my heart stopped about four times during my 18-hour surgery as a newborn). But it was the doctors and nurses who treated me during the surgery and at birth that used all of their medical skills and knowledge to repair the damage within my body.
Do I feel that those in a career of religion (clergy, priests) have the "right" to deem/state that something that happened to a parishioner of their church outright a "miracle"? No. I feel that this kind of decision is a PERSONAL-based decision between you and God/Jesus Christ.
Do YOU believe in miracles? Why or why not?
Has something you feel is "miraculous" in your life happened? Feel free to share it.
I myself am a Christian. But I don't go to church or fall to my knees in prayer at the drop of a hat for every little thing. I also question the Bible and it's texts. But that is all for another post, on another day, in a different blogging area. Not for here.
Let's get back to the original topic of this post. Miracles.
Miracles are from the hand of God. They can occure in subtle ways, or "larger than life" ways.
For all technological and medical purposes (of the late 70's era) I should NOT have lived past my first twenty four hours after my birth. I'd had so many problems at birth, that they even told my father that I would *most likely not* live long enough to even make it by air to another hospital that was waiting on my for life-saving surgery, let alone make it through the surgery its self. Or the first few days after that.
But here I am standing today. Thirty four years later. Walking, talking, I have had kids (biologically), I can eat and drink independently. I am doing EVERYTHING that the doctors and "Specialists" all claimed I would *NEVER* do in my "short" life.
Most would say that it is all a miracle. I pulled off the impossible (for their time of technological and medical knowledge) and was deemed a "miracle child" that was placed in medical magazines, medical journals and dictionaries, and featured in news papers.
"Miracle" is defined by Wikipedia as this..
"A miracle is an unexpected event attributed to divine intervention. Sometimes an event is also attributed (in part) to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that God may work with the laws of nature to perform what people perceive as miracles. Theologians say that, with divine providence, God regularly works through created nature yet is free to work without, above, or against it as well.
A miracle is often considered a fortuitous event: compare with an Act of God.
In casual usage, "miracle" may also refer to any statistically unlikely but beneficial event, (such as surviving a natural disaster), or simply a "wonderful" occurrence, regardless of likelihood, such as a birth. Other miracles might be: survival of a terminal illness, escaping a life threatening situation or 'beating the odds.' Some coincidences may be perceived to be miracles."
Now would I consider having my children as miracles? Yes, indeed. Seeing as honestly, my overall health was in jeopardy with each pregnancy (five of them that resulted in three babies). Also add in the fact that my chances were even more greatly slimmed by the fact I have a severe case of Ovarian Cystitis, mainly on one side, but both have them. So really, I should not have even gotten pregnant in the first place, let alone five times (where I lost two of them).
Would I attribute my survival to God performing a miracle? Yes... And no. God, I feel decided my overall fate (seeing as my heart stopped about four times during my 18-hour surgery as a newborn). But it was the doctors and nurses who treated me during the surgery and at birth that used all of their medical skills and knowledge to repair the damage within my body.
Do I feel that those in a career of religion (clergy, priests) have the "right" to deem/state that something that happened to a parishioner of their church outright a "miracle"? No. I feel that this kind of decision is a PERSONAL-based decision between you and God/Jesus Christ.
Do YOU believe in miracles? Why or why not?
Has something you feel is "miraculous" in your life happened? Feel free to share it.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Vampirism
The following is provided by... Wikipedia.
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence (generally in the form of blood) of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person. Although vampiric entities have been recorded in many cultures and in spite of speculation by literary historian Brian Frost that the "belief in vampires and bloodsucking demons is as old as man himself", and may go back to "prehistoric times", the term vampire was not popularized until the early 18th century, after an influx of vampire superstition into Western Europe from areas where vampire legends were frequent, such as the Balkans and Eastern Europe, although local variants were also known by different names, such as vrykolakas in Greece and strigoi in Romania. This increased level of vampire superstition in Europe led to mass hysteria and in some cases resulted in corpses actually being staked and people being accused of vampirism.
While even folkloric vampires of the Balkans and Eastern Europe had a wide range of appearance ranging from nearly human to bloated rotting corpses, it was the success of John Polidori's 1819 novella The Vampyre that established the archetype of charismatic and sophisticated vampire; it is arguably the most influential vampire work of the early 19th century, inspiring such works as Varney the Vampire and eventually Dracula.
However, it is Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula that is remembered as the quintessential vampire novel and which provided the basis of modern vampire fiction. Dracula drew on earlier mythologies of werewolves and similar legendary demons and "was to voice the anxieties of an age", and the "fears of late Victorian patriarchy". The success of this book spawned a distinctive vampire genre, still popular in the 21st century, with books, films, video games, and television shows. The vampire is such a dominant figure in the horror genre that literary historian Susan Sellers places the current vampire myth in the "comparative safety of nightmare fantasy".
*****************************************
Personally, I have always been fascinated by the subject of Vampirism. There is something truly magical and tantalizing about the possibility of ever-lasting immortality, such as is portrayed by Bram Stoker's novel.
But also, let's not forget where Mr. Stoker had originated his idea of a "walking dead guy" that had the need to feed off of the blood of the living...
And that would be in regards to Vlad The Impaler (Vlad's Story). He was a ruthless, dark, murderous ruler who had those he had captured staked *ALIVE* and then captured their blood in a cup and drank of it. Hence the true origin of Stoker's 'Dracula' character.
Although Vlad The Impaler dies, his alter ego, Dracula lives on in novels, movies, cartoons and even in CEREAL (Count Chocula).
Mr. Bram Stoker, author of "Dracula" (1897)
One of the most modern Television shows of my generation, "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" (based off of movie of the same name, featuring Kristy Swanson)
The most infamous "Dracula" portrayal of all time.. Bella Lugosi.
Vlad The Impaler, original ideal for Stoker's novel.
Depiction of impaling prisoners of Vlad's. As you can see, Vlad would DINE at the impalings of his victims and drink of their blood that is collected.
Personally, I have never tried this cereal. Surprising, I know (lol)! But maybe one day I will. After all, I would kill for chocolate. (=
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence (generally in the form of blood) of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person. Although vampiric entities have been recorded in many cultures and in spite of speculation by literary historian Brian Frost that the "belief in vampires and bloodsucking demons is as old as man himself", and may go back to "prehistoric times", the term vampire was not popularized until the early 18th century, after an influx of vampire superstition into Western Europe from areas where vampire legends were frequent, such as the Balkans and Eastern Europe, although local variants were also known by different names, such as vrykolakas in Greece and strigoi in Romania. This increased level of vampire superstition in Europe led to mass hysteria and in some cases resulted in corpses actually being staked and people being accused of vampirism.
While even folkloric vampires of the Balkans and Eastern Europe had a wide range of appearance ranging from nearly human to bloated rotting corpses, it was the success of John Polidori's 1819 novella The Vampyre that established the archetype of charismatic and sophisticated vampire; it is arguably the most influential vampire work of the early 19th century, inspiring such works as Varney the Vampire and eventually Dracula.
However, it is Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula that is remembered as the quintessential vampire novel and which provided the basis of modern vampire fiction. Dracula drew on earlier mythologies of werewolves and similar legendary demons and "was to voice the anxieties of an age", and the "fears of late Victorian patriarchy". The success of this book spawned a distinctive vampire genre, still popular in the 21st century, with books, films, video games, and television shows. The vampire is such a dominant figure in the horror genre that literary historian Susan Sellers places the current vampire myth in the "comparative safety of nightmare fantasy".
*****************************************
Personally, I have always been fascinated by the subject of Vampirism. There is something truly magical and tantalizing about the possibility of ever-lasting immortality, such as is portrayed by Bram Stoker's novel.
But also, let's not forget where Mr. Stoker had originated his idea of a "walking dead guy" that had the need to feed off of the blood of the living...
And that would be in regards to Vlad The Impaler (Vlad's Story). He was a ruthless, dark, murderous ruler who had those he had captured staked *ALIVE* and then captured their blood in a cup and drank of it. Hence the true origin of Stoker's 'Dracula' character.
Although Vlad The Impaler dies, his alter ego, Dracula lives on in novels, movies, cartoons and even in CEREAL (Count Chocula).
Depiction of impaling prisoners of Vlad's. As you can see, Vlad would DINE at the impalings of his victims and drink of their blood that is collected.
Personally, I have never tried this cereal. Surprising, I know (lol)! But maybe one day I will. After all, I would kill for chocolate. (=
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year BLOG HOP/LINK UP Weekend! Come & add YOUR Paranormal blog.
Happy New Years to all my readers. And also, welcome to our NEWEST followers here at ParanorMel. Thanks for joining the page.
To kick off the New Year, I thought I would supply a Blog Linking Tool. Please feel free to add YOUR *paranormal* blog to my listing. I will also add it to my page of fellow Paranormal Bloggers list.
But also check out For The Love Of Blogs as well after you leave my place! They are a GREAT community for Blog readers and writers alike.
If you don't write a blog regarding the Paranormal, but know those that do, please by all means, bring them over here and let them add their link to the Blog Hop.
Below I will be placing a LINKY TOOL for others that write about the Paranormal *ONLY*, as to gain exposure, readers/followers and to add to our reading lists.
As long as it is Paranormal in nature, you can add your link to the link up tool (below).
If I see a NON-Paranormal blog linked up, it will be DELETED from the blog roll. Only PARANORMAL blogs are permitted for this blog linking.
To kick off the New Year, I thought I would supply a Blog Linking Tool. Please feel free to add YOUR *paranormal* blog to my listing. I will also add it to my page of fellow Paranormal Bloggers list.
But also check out For The Love Of Blogs as well after you leave my place! They are a GREAT community for Blog readers and writers alike.
If you don't write a blog regarding the Paranormal, but know those that do, please by all means, bring them over here and let them add their link to the Blog Hop.
Below I will be placing a LINKY TOOL for others that write about the Paranormal *ONLY*, as to gain exposure, readers/followers and to add to our reading lists.
As long as it is Paranormal in nature, you can add your link to the link up tool (below).
If I see a NON-Paranormal blog linked up, it will be DELETED from the blog roll. Only PARANORMAL blogs are permitted for this blog linking.
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