Saturday, February 28, 2009

Do You See Her?


Our son, home from college for the weekend, was awakened at 4:00
A.M. with the intense feeling that someone was in the room. He
quickly grabbed his cell phone and started taking pictures in the
dark. There are large framed prints on opposite walls in the newly
redecorated "bat cave". One is of the Titanic, which you can see
reflected from the flash in the glass of the larger, revolutionary ship
print. Do you see the image captured between the reflections? One
little piece of history you might want to know, is there was a black
maid, named Cleo, who lived at the manor in the 1940's.

My stack of Charles Simic books were waiting for me at the library
yesterday. I am thoroughly enjoying a leisurely browse today.
I thought this one paired nicely with our ghostly visit.



Mirrors at 4 A.M.

You must come to them sideways
In rooms webbed in shadow,
Sneak a view of their emptiness
Without them catching
A glimpse of you in return.

The secret is,
Even the empty bed is a burden to them,
A pretense.
They are more themselves keeping
The company of a blank wall,
The company of time and eternity

Which, begging your pardon,
Cast no image
As they admire themselves in the mirror,
While you stand to the side
Pulling a hanky out
To wipe your brow surreptitiously.

Charles Simic

If you are interested in previous ghost happenings at the manor,
click on "ghosts" in the labels section of my sidebar.

Okay, here's some help. Look just right of the Titanic reflection, in
the center of the large print. She's angled, facing right. I think it even
looks like she is wearing a kerchief.



86 comments:

  1. Thats creepy and very exciting. I wonder what she was doing? The poem suits the image.

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  2. The room was a mess. We teased our son, saying she was in there trying to clean it up!

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  3. Goodness! Yes!...Her head is tilted back a bit...Very interesting house history...

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  4. It's always surprising what comes to visit. So smart of your son to get a pic.
    My son, in LA, also sleeps in a bat cave. What gives with these guys?

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  5. You think ghosts, I think insomnia... This poem was included in the book "Acquainted with the Night," a collection of verse on the subject of insomnia.

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  6. Oh..I love ghosts! We have one, maybe two here and they are 'friendly', so I welcome them.
    I love your reasoning for the visit to your son!

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  7. "Sneak a view of their emptiness" I love these words and the whole poem.
    Ghosts are a given, I love them.
    Wonderful choice.

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  8. Willow - there are many a true ghost stories out here in remote Alaska. I get emotional just retelling them. Silly I know - but you must check this out from my friend Steve and his experience.

    http://isqueezefish.blogspot.com/2009/02/auditorium-of-damned.html

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  9. That is really something. Very astute of your son to use his cell phone. Are all the ghosts in your house friendly? The poem is apropos.

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  10. Truly incrediable ! You must tell us the history of this woman!
    Carol

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  11. I only had to see the title question and the hair stood up all over......yes I see her and have read all your ghost posts. Maybe she knew the poem was on your desk. And they do like to "tidy-up"

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  12. I got my "knowing" goose bumps in seeing the young? woman there. Very interesting and I enjoyed reading your other postings about your "house guests." Well, maybe you guys are the house guests...LOL

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  13. Oh , I love this - we borrow our time just for a while and if we leave a mark in the future then so much more interesting are our lives in the present.
    I'm due to stay at a reputedly haunted castle for a week at the end of March and am so looking forward to it

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  14. gosh... i don't even know what to say... what is the story of this woman, do you know?

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  15. Dang right I can see her, that's a spectacular capture by your son. GREAT POST Willow!

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  16. I never was any good at the Rorschach test so I think I need you to draw a circle... That in itself is odd since I usually see faces etc. in wood, trees et al. Also, I'm not afraid of ghosts (because I've never seen one) but I will post a ghostly 'happening' soon since you brought it up.

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  17. I see her. I am immediately returning to two films: The Others and The Woman in Black. A chill ran down my spine as I read the telling and the poem.

    Kat

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  18. P.S. We have a cat (the pure white one, coincidentally) who keeps an eye out for poltergeists at our place. She can often be found staring into space, seemingly at nothing, but we know better.

    Kat

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  19. I can't see the ghost, Willow, but I am very moved by the Beattie piece on gratitude.

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  20. what an exciting story, and great that he took a pic! I read all your previous ghosts posts.. ooooh!

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  21. I could see her right away and she just became more and more clear the more I looked.

    Wonder if she knows she "showed" up in the picture? Wonder if she stayed in the bat cave or looked after someone in it...

    Cool and interesting...can't believe how that picture came out!

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  22. Gee those crazy phone cameras. I don't usually validate this kind of stuff but the more I look the picture just won't stand still for me.

    Apart from Cleo, I see E.A. Poe just to the North-east of her. I see half of Samuel Beckett's head on the inside of the frame and I also see something in the bottom left corner.

    It's probably a reflection of something on your son's window ledge, but at first I thought I saw a women dressed in clothing from about 1918. Kind of an Edna St. Vincent Millay type of girl and she seems to be taking your son's picture.

    This is crazy. I hate this kind of talk.

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  23. Gee those crazy phone cameras. I don't usually validate this kind of stuff but the more I look the picture just won't stand still for me.

    Apart from Cleo, I see E.A. Poe just to the North-east of her. I see half of Samuel Beckett's head on the inside of the frame and I also see something in the bottom left corner.

    It's probably a reflection of something on your son's window ledge, but at first I thought I saw a women dressed in clothing from about 1918. Kind of an Edna St. Vincent Millay type of girl and she seems to be taking your son's picture.

    This is crazy. I hate this kind of talk.

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  24. Clever Pup, yes, I noticed all those, too, but wanted to keep it simple. ;^)

    I think the Edna St. Vee looking woman, holding up the camera is very intriguing, don't you?!

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  25. Wills,
    That is VERY scary.
    One of my co-workers swears that a ghost actually sleeps under her bed.

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  26. Yes! I saw her straightaway. Hub. couldn't for the life of him! So glad you got a picture of her. Coolest thing I've seen in blogland.:D

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  27. Hello Cleo!

    Clever chap, your son...

    Perfect poem.

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  28. Willow

    How fasinating! I read your previous posts about your resident "Lady" Ghost; it does seem she wants to communicate with you and your family, desperately

    Lately, more and more local people I know are sharing ghost stories which got me looking up people who communicate with the ghost using the electronic devices like you mentioned -- it would be wonderful if you could possibly do that... it would make a fascinating account and story for a book waiting to be written..

    And I bet you could tell it well … even as a historic fiction with elements of the truth woven in it…. About Willow Manor ….

    Keep us posted…

    Joanny

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  29. Yikes! very not of this world thingy! I love how casual you all are about it! - or maybe not.

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  30. i love ghosts! tell us more!!

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  31. Bob, thanks for the link. His stories are spine tingling! I need to set up a tape recorder like he did, and see what happens.

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  32. Very clear image - Very strange! A friend of mine has a strong feeling that rooms and buildings sometimes hold sort of magnetic memories of the past, and they are replayed from time to time like film...

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  33. Fascinating! I love old houses and the history/mystery that they hold. I have had the same feeling before in an old house. It is a very strong sensation and very convicing.

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  34. WOW! I did see her right away...lovely face. So, he felt her presence in the room but neither bad nor good?

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  35. I'm jealous! A soulful haunting during the night. All I got recently was a crazed viking standing at the foot of my bed making faces at nothingness in the next room. And no, there's no chance a viking ever lived on this property. I think he was lost, but I refused to talk to him, and just pulled the covers back over my head. Of course, it could have just been the Ambien.

    Nice catch for your son.

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  36. Lots of fun: This lady has a nurturing nature. She wants to be seen. What is with the Titanic picture? There may be something to that as she is protecting the ship's influence or something? Time to call ghost busters and get
    thee lady to the light"!

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  37. Very interseting. I am so glad he thought to snap the photos (obviously your son ( :)
    I definently believe and have ran into a few spirits myself.
    Please give us more details on what you know ah=bout the maid. What made you think of her? Resemblence in the image?
    Do tell!

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  38. I love ghost stories especially REAL ones! I see her! what a clever son you have Willow. I havent checked out the ghost section yet so excuse the question.Have you seen any? Do you feel a presence at the Manor?

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  39. Perfect pairing for such a post. Lots of P's there, I know.
    Great post, willow.

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  40. I see it..wow. Good shot. We live in a century (plus a few years) old house, and my husband says he's seen a ghost of an old woman. Even though I personally haven't seen any, there's too much unexplained activity not to believe in the paranormal. By the way, I enjoy checking in on your blog from time to time. Very entertaining.

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  41. Has she come 'back to the future ' I wonder or perhaps never left...

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  42. Too creepy for my jumpy nerves. You guys are welcome to keep her there. hehe

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  43. This is so amazing!! I think it made my Saturday, along with a new stack of books!! I think it's so cool you know the background of your house, so you can actually call her by name.

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  44. Willow, look a little nore closely, there is a second face there next to the one you have marked and a little lower, stil mainly in your little circle.

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  45. Serindipitous image & poem pairing. Aloha

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  46. Oh, I like this one Willow! Good poem, as well. I have had things happen round the house I used to live in, that defied explanation. But no ghostly visions, like this.

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  47. How cool! I can definitely see her. I've lived with a number of people from the Other Side. How wonderful that your son caught the image of she with whom you live!

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  48. That is simply amazing! I've only encountered a ghost once, face-to-face and that was Steph's mother, not too long after she died. It truly is an experience I'll never forget!

    "I do believe in ghosts, I do believe in ghosts, I do, I do, I do, I do..."

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  49. I see her.
    I'm going to clean my room now.

    btw...The Triplets of Belleville is wonderful.

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  50. Hi Willow - from warm and windy Cape Town. Just want to say that your Blog is such a pleasure to read. You send me scurrying all over the internet eager to learn more about the things you talk about.

    BTW - I see the lovely, wistful young girl in the picture but there is also a more prominent face that fills the entire space next the Titanic image. Curiouser and Curiouser.

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  51. Hello Willow,

    I'm happy to say I saw the image all by myself! The poem does suit it too. I like this one more than the first that you posted.

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  52. I just read your old posts as well. Im always am interested in ghost stories. Your house looks so inviting I can understand why a spirit would like to stay there.

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  53. Oh I wish I could see her - I've tried but I can't. I know she was there though.

    It must be nice to have your son around. Have a lovely family Sunday.

    Incidentally there is an award for you at my place

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  54. I saw her right away, how amazing that your son was able to capture this image! At first I thought she had tight, blonde curls, but maybe she IS wearing a kerchief... I went back and read all of your other ghost stories about the Manor... spooky!

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  55. I think she has her hair in short pigtails, cut just above her shoulder. She is happy and glad to be seen.

    My mom had a ghost in her house that she moved from. Many people saw her. She was always taking care of babies. Years after we knew about the ghost, the daughter of the lady who had died in the house told the story of her death. It was a terrible death. My mom sold the house and different people have lived there. They have had exorcisms with priests and others cannot seem to live there for long. We like you had no problems living there. I think she misses my mom.

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  56. Willow, I saw her right away...are you comfortable (or your son)living with a ghost? I guess she must not be too disruptive because your willow manor life seems "enchanted"...I'm thinking about the meaning of that word...hum...does she come around for you, too? Maybe she likes your son. I think I will read your ghost-post to see what happened! <3

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  57. Yikes! Yes, you're right! That's spooky. And at 4am I would have probably left the room altogether and gone to the barn. Your son's brave. And the poem is beautiful.

    Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  58. Love ghost stories! And very appropriate for an old manor house, must say.

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  59. OOoh, I got goosebumps! Yikes...

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  60. Spooky! I think I would have p*&? my lace panties!

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  61. Oh my gosh! What a great post! I often feel from time to time "presents" around me. In my mind, I believe these are relatives who passed on...

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  62. Wonderful picture. Well done on your son for capturing her.

    CJ xx

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  63. Wow! - I'm off to read the ghost posts...

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  64. Yes I see her too,how great.Of course they often stay where they have lived.That's her house too :)
    How cool is that?sublime and your poem is sublime too.I have never managed to capture them on photographies but I'm always surrounded.My friends will agree to say that I was bringing them with me cause everywhere I have lived,well things were happening,They following me or the way around I don't know.Have a nice day!:)

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  65. I saw her immediately, what an incredible shot. Does anyone see another, larger face, or is it my imagination? Looks like an eye to the right of her then that whole area looks like a full frontal smiling face.

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  66. Eek I can't see her but just the fact that everyone else can is freaking me out!

    -J

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  67. Hi Willow,

    In honor of Paul Harvey, I posted the rest of the ghost story in my Saturday's Post comments. Someone inquired and so I answered. I hope you enjoy it.

    God Bless.

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  68. I see a couple of faces. Does any one else see them too? A man, two women and a girl.
    Spooky!

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  69. Okay everybody,
    TONITE I AM SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS TURNED ON.

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  70. Creepy.

    It is said that if you leave a tape recorder on when you go to sleep you can hear voices from the "other side" the next day (like in the movie The Sixth Sense)

    I'm intrigued but i think i'm not brave enough :P

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  71. Oh Willow, that's wonderful! I saw her right away but thought my eyes were tricking me! Tell your son congratulations on catching that.
    I would be very interested to hear some more of your manor ghost stories, they're so interesting. Do you know the history of more people who have died in the manor?

    ~TARA

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  72. "Bat Cave" ...I loooove it...lol... I might borrow the name for my son's room. So far, I labeled the bottomless pitt under his bed-"The Dungeon". I swear he "sequesters" socks under there.
    What great history your Manor has.

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  73. Ooooooh, yes--I see it! I saw it before I saw your photo with the circle. (The other day, Joe and I were watching TV and some goofy slasher movie ad was on, with a dark, eerie silhouette in a doorway. I must've looked scared, 'cause Joe squeezed my arm and whispered: "Candygram.") Remember SNL? ;D

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  74. ps
    Meant to say--love that poem, Willow!

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  75. Yes, I see it. WOW! I think it's great to have ghost visitors - exciting. Kim

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  76. You know I love a good ghost story. And a great ghost poem!

    Great pics, too.

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  77. Well, I am glad that "snooping on this blog is greatly encouraged" because that was exactly what I was doing when I came to find this particular post. My name is Tea and I have always been very curious about spirits and the sightings of spirits that have occurred. It always sends a nice shiver down my back. I am glad your son thought so quickly to reach for his phone and take pictures. I think that it is very clear to see her. Thanks for sharing and giving me a nice shiver down my back!

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  78. I was so confused. I saw her right away..then I saw your circle and went "what?" that's not what I saw..I see a larger face to the right of that one with a big smile..I get a 1920's feeling from it. I also see your woman now..great picture!

    Breeze

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  79. Hi Willow!

    My other half and I toured a late 1800s era plantation style house a few months ago, and every hair on my body stood on end and my stomach hurt from the second we walked in. You could feel a presence EVERYWHERE. I decided to write a letter to the historical society in that town when we left. Nathan and I found out that that home was a hospital from about 1930-1950; many folks had died there.

    Needless to say, we are closing on a different house the end of next month. I prefer to live with people I can see, thank you. :)

    Thanks for sharing! (hugs)

    Sarah

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  80. I love ghosts as well. I'm actually writing a ghost story at the moment and there's nothing finer to me than sitting down reading M R James or other good story tellers of the macabre. I could see a figure as well but I'm the sort of person that tends to see ghosts, fairies and all that is fantastical in specks of dust or drops of rain!

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  81. The poor woman's work is never done. Great post and photo, Willow.

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  82. I saw the woman in the picture even before I read the text. Your blog is wonderful!

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  83. frankly I thought I saw a young white child with curly blonde hair standing in a crib...and I can't see the titanic either...mmm...!

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)