Yesterday I went to Steep Rock twice. In the morning, I took Mark. It was sunny and so chilly that I had to wear gloves. Perfect riding weather. We came across my friend Helen and her son Rowan on the trail.
Helen competes in triathlons, and her son is obviously a swift little fellow. Mark is still on the tubby side and we were left in their dust. My friend Leah started jogging past and we kept pace with her for awhile because Leah and I needed to chat. Eventually, I said goodbye to her and I steered Mark over to the old railroad bed that runs along the road.
The footing is excellent there and I thought it would be very cool for Leah to see us gallop off. So I urged Mark forward and as he struck a canter, my camera bounced from my pocket and landed in a giant puddle. All my foul language brought Leah over to investigate and she kindly dried off the camera and handed it to me. It still takes pictures but it makes very strange grinding noises when you turn it on and off and I’m afraid it’s not long for this world. We’re going on a trip next week and I’ll need a camera, so I might have to get a new one. Love my camera. It’s a Canon PowerShot SX100. Almost every photo on this blog was shot with the camera.
Then yesterday afternoon, I went back to Steep Rock to meet with Bruce, the cool rocker guy, and his friend Rachel. Bruce had told me, when we first met, that he had some very interesting stories about strange, sort of supernatural incidents at Steep Rock, so of course I wanted to hear about them. As I have blogged here, in the past, I believe in paranormal experiences, but have a bit of a grudge against ghosts, because they usually ignore me. I hate being snubbed by the supernatural.
But I do feel that Steep Rock is a magical place. I’m drawn to it so often because I feel renewed by the energy there. And there are certain places along the trail where Mark always stops and spooks and carries on, where I imagine there’s some kind of ghost or spirit that is, of course, not interested in me, but focuses all its wickedness on Mark.
Yesterday morning, I was riding along the river thinking that if we are allowed to come back and haunt places after death, I will choose this place, and haunt the riverside. So imagine my amazement when Bruce told me that he has encountered ghostly female presences in Steep Rock! He believes these spirits are similar to the Cailleach spirits found in Scotland and Ireland. Click on the link if you want to find out more. I think I share some traits with these Cailleach hags, and I’m not the only one I know. They are believed to herd deer, Sandy! Anyway, we spent hours talking about Native American and Druid spirits. I was interested in his experiences for my book, but I was also just interested in hearing his experiences in a place I find so compelling. Bruce is VERY in tune with and interested in the spirit world. I told him that I was surprised, when I moved to Connecticut by the fact that virtually everybody I know here believes in ghosts.
The same is true in rural Ireland, where Denis’s relatives live. A person can have multiple PhDs and still talk very seriously about the ghosts that they see and hear all the time. In New York, if you tell a person you believe in ghosts, they will very likely assume you’re insane. Bruce lives in the city and we discussed the possibility that all the worldly noise and energy in the city creates a sort of static that drowns out the ghostly vibes that people in the country see and feel.
I also shared with him my only experience with paranormal goings-on in my house. That would be the toast ghost. I mentioned this in a recent comment. Every afternoon, around 4:00, my house is filled with the smell of toast. It smells like somebody is toasting bread in the toaster. BUT THERE”S NOBODY HOME BUT ME!
Hope you can sleep tonight after hearing about the toast ghost. I know it’s frightfully weird and scary but I swear it’s true.
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Ann, a ghost story.. or Yin and yang {complementary opposites within a greater whole}
This house in Santa Clara County, California was built around the 1950’s. A married couple used to live here. The wife developed a terminal case of cancer. The husband had a new relationship ‘hapening’ at the same time. They were selling this house, as the lady of the house needed to go to a hospice facility. The husband had the gall to bring the new girlfriend to the sign-off which was done at this very house, with the very ill and STILL his wife present. The husband and the new girlfriend, once the event was over, got in their car to drive to the airport: they had a fatal car accident on 101 North on the way to the airport. Both perished.
Imagine that.
For Ylena: here is DL getting makeup put on AND trying to make sense to a puppet. There are NO secrets in this world!!.
http://www.cbs.com/late_late_show/video/video.php?cid=1015770088&pid=ZIywEWowH7j_m4iZJ8NksI1y3JndPM6G&category=recent&play=true
Ok, now I really need to get myself out to Steep Rock! I’m so fascinated by the supernatural. We’ve had some experiences in my house that are so strange and unexplainable.
Perhaps one of these days you’ll see me and my son walking down the trail!
Sorry, sorry, sorry to all—I have been so very busy with end of the school year things that I haven’t posted lately….I’m definitely in for NY whenever it gets arranged. I expect to be away the middle weeks in August ( 9 & 16th), but any other time is great. I am getting a group together for a Watson adventure–my friends want a Murder at the Met—I’ll keep you all posted. I’m so excited about all of this–I love planning and getting together with friends- and you’ve become friends here!
As for the ghost stuff–I don’t think I’ve experienced one, but my mother-in-law seems to still inhabit the house my husband grew up in. Turns out,we sold the house ( years ago ) to the sister of a woman who became a friend of mine. And she told me that her sister had a visitor in the house who was sensitive to these things, and the visitor said that the house was still inhabited by the spirit of the woman who first lived there and had an accident there. Well–my father in law built the house, raised my husband there, and my mother in law fell down the basement stairs in the house; she hit her head and that’s how she died. I told my husband about it, and he fully believes in ghosts, and he said he isn’t surprised, his mother loved the house and her death was sudden.
So–I’ve rambled on and confused everyone enough….my email is barbsgems@aol.com, let me know about NY…I finish school June 25th..free days or eves after that…talk to you all soon
Hi Ann-
Loved your books & am enjoying the blog…you should do a signing/reading in boston!!
c
Cool Ann! Can’t wait to play the game. A friend of mine is a pilot for a charter company, & he gives me clues on our facebook chats about where he is, & I have to guess. It usually takes me @ least 3 clues, because his clues are really tough!
Glad about the warranty, that’s great.
Don’t worry, I’ll be blogging from our destination next week. I thought I might take some photos and give you all little clues and see if you can guess where we are.
I found out that I had purchased a warranty for my camera and am having it fixed. In the meantime, I bought a tiny little camera, which I’ve always wanted so that I can take it out at night and stick it in a little clutch. I’m going to try it out today and post some photos later.
Great Kristin, so we’ll see who else wants to join us & which day is best! Yeah!!!!
I understand your wanting to stay @ a fancy NYC hotel, I’m jealous.
Lupe, I was wondering the same thing about when Ann is away. I was getting a little panicky! You’re right, we’ll just keep posting, & she’ll have to catch up to us. There will be a post of hers that has 4 million comments on it! hehehe And please, you DO NOT post too much. I love reading your posts, they are always on such varied topics & you are so knowledgeable, please keep them coming!
Courtney, you’re too funny, but don’t even say that about dying during childbirth!!! You’re right, Ann & her blog are better than Oprah! lolol
Rose, what a beautiful story about your Mom & the Monarch butterflies. Amazing, butterflies in MA in Feb. It really was her. I had to laugh @ your description of her ‘FUGLY’ purse. I can only imagine what it looked like.
Ann,
A signing/reading in New York would be PERFECT for me. I too will be away most of June (still debating as to whether I should take my computer to keep up with the blog, of go cold turkey, as it is supposed to be a vacation).
You name the time and place and I’ll be there!!
Ann,
Wow, what an interesting post…the toast ghost,hmmm.Don’t know what to make out of that. Never heard of seizures etc. As some of you know, I work at a Long Term Care Facility, known to us normal folks as a nursing home. I’ve witnessed residents talking to love ones that have since passed. We pass it off as dementia. The Nurses laugh at me ‘cuz I have a thing about leaving someone alone when you know the end is near. I leave the light on. I know it sounds silly, but that’s me. When I see an Orange Monarch butterfly, I say it’s my Mom. She had this FUGLY purse with orange Monarchs on it…When she passed 2 orange butterflies fluttered by…It was Feb. in MA (in the snow belt as Ann calls it). Sorry to hear about the camera, it takes nice pics. I agree, maybe Steep Rock may have a little paranormal activity associated with it.
Ann – your such a card. You really are hilariously funny. When did WE say you should start the stand up routine?
I am so glad you didn’t smell toast while in Target today.
One night I drove my husband crazy with “Do you smell toast? I smell toast. Why do I smell toast, do you think I’m having a stroke?” lol! Remember I’m the one who thinks I will die during child birth! Consider the source. 
Also glad to see that Target will have your paperback book on display for the summer reads! That’s perfect! I’m excited you’ll be coming to L.A. for a signing sometime at the end of summer/early fall. I will have to bring Shanti dog for you to meet!
Once again, I have to say I just love your blog and all the people I’ve met and I’ve also been exposed to so many cool facts and books and poems. You’re better than Oprah!!!
So glad you are not giving up on writing. You can’t. We won’t let you.
Hi Ann!
Sorry about the dentist. Yet, they have meds these days that would allow you not to even remember the experience (thanks God and sciences).
And yeap, this is a great blog. Now, what are WE going to DO when Ann is gone???
Okay, we will post stuff anyway and she will be the ONE behind then.
Something I read today about Spector. He is selling the house where the crime occurred, to pay for that thing/process that attorneys use, after a sentence (they want to be heard again).
Funny that the judge at the sentence summarized that a woman does not go buy SHOES and then shots herself in the mouth… which apparently was one of the arguments from the defense (who was obviously OUT to LUNCH).
I still think Spector was wonderful… as before him, we just danced the two-step.
“…basically a formula. You’re going to have four or five guitars line up, gut-string guitars, and they’re going to follow the chords…two basses in fifths, with the same type of line, and strings…six or seven horns, adding the little punches…formula percussion instruments — the little bells, the shakers, the tambourines. Phil used his own formula for echo, and some overtone arrangements with the strings. But by and large there was a formula arrangement
Spector envisioned and created this. From Dickipedia..
And, Comcast did show the History program last night, and I got to see the Massai who seemed to be wearing outfits, rather than clothing they usually wear… and the program involved people, who are supposed to be in an arid and dangerous environment, arguing, bickering and acting unprofessional. I wonder what is the point!. You do not need to go to Africa for that one.. And all that money spent in advertising.. I dunno…
Gute Nacht!
And to share that I shall be working soon, and I promise I will not send so many posts….:}
Oh, also, Ann–thanks for finding my comment from earlier today. I appreciate it.
Judith S.: “stuff that I never knew I wanted to know”. Perfectly said!
Alan: The question about what kind of toast was clever!! (Wish I’d thought of it…)
Ann: Sorry you were insulted and upset for even a second at your local Target. But happy that it will all work out in the end, with your book being stocked in the middle of this month. Please, please don’t stop writing books, ok?
It’s time to watch “Rescue Me”.
Alan, that’s funny. But toast types do smell different. What a yummy thing to smell everyday. Tracy, we arrive at 6:30 am. Sunday and staying at a Soho hotel one night. Then up to NYU/Washington Square Monday. Sunday is fine and Monday we are totally free. We wanted to experience a fancy hotel for one night. My son says I am lame. My choice was based on room colors, rooftop lounge and 24 hr. room service. Easiest if we plan around your or others schedule. Soda or tea sounds good, being from Seattle, coffee is permanently in my brain. Just let me know, I’ll google it for directions and be there.
Steep Rock is a pretty amazing place to have so close. If there is an old rail bed could ghosts have something to do with trains/travel? Is this the norm for parks in your area? Yes Ann, please keep writing. Oh-I almost forgot, I broke down and gave a Kindle to my nephew for college graduation. He’s a tech kid and a reader.
Oh sure Ann, get my hopes up & then dash them! Oh, the heartbreak! Oh well, we’ll do another one when you’re available, maybe we can even tempt you w/ 1 of the scavenger hunts??? Can’t wait to hear about your trips, but I’m sorry to hear about your dental surgery.
I was going to post about that, & then I see your post saying the very same thing.
So Paula, you’d be up for a coffee meet up when Kristin is in town? This is going to be fun! Where’s Barbara???? I know she gets into the city pretty often. What about Janet & Lisa? I know you’re about the same distance as me, willing to go to the city for the day?
Judith S, I know, isn’t this a wonderful place? I found it about 6 weeks ago, & immediately felt at home. I’ve read a number of different blogs in the last couple of years, but never found a community like I have here. Everyone is so friendly. I’m emailing w/ a few of the girls, Courtney & I are now friends on facebook, & then of course there is Ann. Ann is the best!
I was just thinking today that I’ve learned about so many different things on this blog, things I’ve never even thought about, and feel so well rounded now.
Alan, you made me spit iced tea onto my laptop!
Ann again: I can imagine it was disappointing to go into Target expecting to see your book & not finding it. Too funny about the guy realizing what he had said. Again, tea on the lap top. (I think I’m going to have to keep the cat proofing wood cutting board ON the keyboard while reading the blog comments while drinking!) Glad to hear that it will be on a special display, but reading that it was in an email from a few weeks ago, that you either didn’t read, or maybe skimmed, reminded me of your posts about mishearing people! I’m sorry, but that was pretty funny. Hope you’re not offended, but I feel like maybe I know enough about you now that I think you won’t be.
Good question Al. It’s just plain old toast. White I guess.
Also, must add that today, at 4:00, I was in Target, and there was no smell of toast. I realized then, that I only smell the toast smell in my house so I don’t think it’s the stroke/heart attack thing. I met the nicest people working in Target today. I was asking them if they had my book. No they did not. I timidly told them that I’m the author and that my publishers had made a big deal about my paperback being in Target. They were so sweet. They kept looking on computers and checking lists. AT one point I said, “Maybe you had the book and they all sold out.” The really nice manager guy said, “No, no THAT didn’t happen,” and then he realized what he said and followed it with, “I’m sure it WOULD sell out if it was here, but we haven’t stocked it at all.”
I returned home totally exasperated with my publishers, with the book industry, with writing. I will never write another book, thought I. What’s the point when your local Target can’t be bothered to stock it. Then I read the email from my publisher, from several weeks ago, explaining that my book won’t be in Target stores until mid-June. Then it will be in a special summer reading display.
Oh. That’s different. Publishing is good. I will write.
Re the toast ghost: white, wheat, or rye?
Elizabeth, I found your post and I believe it’s up now. My blog is about to be “upgraded.” I think it’ll look pretty much the same but will be easier for me to load photos and approve comments and hopefully I won’t lose a bunch, like I did when we were in DC. I’d like to have it set so that regular bloggers are automatically approved. I don’t see any of my faithful bloggers suddenly going rogue and spouting profanities or saying nasty things about me, so it seems silly for me to have to keep approving comments. Plus, recently, on a few occasions, I have been told that I’ve posted too many comments in too short a timeframe, so my comment was not posted. I was cursing at the computer, trying to make it understand that this is MY blog. I can post as many comments as I wish! Have any of you had that happen? I’m so sorry. I don’t care if you post 20 comments a day.
Dear Ann, Loved your blog and the pictures. Then, if that wasn’t good enough, I read all your fans’ blogs…..laughed, cried and learned stuff about boarding a horse onto a trailer….stuff that I never knew I wanted to
know! What a wonderful site this is!!! (And I, too, am SO sorry about your camera. I hate to have to learn new technology even though it might even be better than the old one)
I’ve been so busy with this pesky thing I like to call “work”, that I am just catching up on all this news of gardens, haunting and toast. In my opinion, there is nothing better than channeling my frustration into pulling weeds. There is also great satisfaction in seeing the fruits of your labor flower and even fade, with a promise for reunion again next year. I keep a little book with photos of plants and their habits, reminders about things like banana peels, etc. and I wear a really ridiculous crushable bright blue hat and matching garden clogs. That is one of the great things about turning 60. You really do not care if people think you are “weird” (my daughters’ word) or “eccentric” (my word).
Here’s hoping the Great Coffee Meetup happens. Sounds like fun!
I must say the first time I heard of “Toast Ghost” I was going to mention the relationship to seizures and strokes,but as my mother has about 3 seizures in a year and has yet to smell toast,I am alittle “leary” on this statement now strokes I have yet to ask someone but maybe your “Toast ghost” was epaleptic or had a stoke or they just like toast I know it is my favorite way to fill the belly quick….I do however very much so believe in ghost A family just moved into our little town and my son befriended thier son he said his little brother wakes each morning and thereis a little boy standing at the end of his bed with a big round hat on his head and he has curls like a girl by his ears(the little brother is 6)the mom has gone now to the library to find out info on families in the home will let you know
I’ve always believed in ghosts, but I think I would pee my pants if I actually saw one. I’ve had weird dreams that have actually “predicted” a couple incidents, but that only happened a few times.
I really, really hope you have a toast ghost and not a terrifying medical condition! I would bet that all along, the ghosts weren’t snubbing you like you thought. You just smell them instead of see them! I’d definitely prefer it that way!
Sent my husband out to handle the underground bees today while I watched from the window. It was totally anticlimactic. He never found anything, except for one lone yellowjacket who kept flying aimlessly back to the area in which my husband was digging. I’m still scared to go by the flowers.
Ann:
I wrote a post early this afternoon, but it hasn’t shown up yet. Do you think I did something wrong while writing it or trying to submit it? Did you ever figure out what was happening to all of those lost messages written during your weekend in D.C.?
No, I know Tracy. I’m going to be out of town for most of June and then I have some dental surgery planned and then we are away until the second week of August so I really couldn’t do it until later in August, or more likely September. Thanks for doing all that checking bookstores for me!
Ann, of course we would love to have you, I just figured you wouldn’t want to hang w/ us, that you would be too busy!!!! My gosh, are you kidding????? I told you, & others told you when you posted about meeting Rocker Dude the 1st time that we’d love to run into you, that it would be a mutual fawn fest!
Please do join us, now you have my hopes up! We’ll see what Kristin has to say to my reply, & if Barbara & anyone else nearby can make it, & if you can, that would be so wonderful! Heck, I’ll rearrange things to make it any day that week.
I was working on bookstores in the Philly area, & after checking through the online Yellow Pages list of 154 bookstores & rooting out all the Christian, childrens, cookbook, nationality specific, & the gay/lesbian/trans/gender bookstore, found 1 independent store that looks promising. Expanded my search to the suburbs, got 1 more, but then got busy. Just found out about 1 in Chester County last night, have to google it. Will email you the results when I finalize my list. Very sad to see how few independent stores there are left!
Okay, I can’t stand people making plans to meet up in NY and not including me! I’m going to schedule some kind of reading or signing for the end of the summer/early fall for both NY and LA and maybe other areas that are within driving distance. That is, if I’m not toast by then.
Ann,
I too live in Ct and in 3 weeks moving into a big ole farmhouse, I am interested to see if we have any Ghosts I will keep you informed! My great grandma was a gypsy in Ireland and read the palms as it were…. and I am too a little “sensitive” I am also a realtor and one house here in CT terrified me, I was alone upstairs, the feeling I had was a fear I have never felt in my life……. I ran out of that house and never went back.
Anyhow the toast thing….. Normally they say the smell of toast is normal just before a heart attack..I wonder if there is a lil ghost in your house if he had a heart attack? hmm just a thought….
ps..
Sorry about your camera, that blows!
Bev
My family and I are always looking for a new hike. We haven’t stumbled upon Steep Rock in any of our CT walk books…I think we will try it this weekend! I am looking forward to it. Do you see a lot of wildlife around there? I mapquested it and it should take us about an hour and a half. Maybe we’ll see ya there!
Hi Ann, your last few blogs were wonderful. I hadn’t checked in a few days. Wanted to let you know I started reading An Innocent, A Broad yesterday and love it already! I also won a Beauty Bag from Courtney’s website which is so exciting since I found her through your blog.
Love your clematis! I have to sad looking stems growing, I think they are even sadder now after seeing yours. My family says I have a Black Thumb. But I do aspire to garden but feel the same way that you do about it!
I wanted to clarify my post to Kristin about meeting for coffee when she’s in NY, lest you all think I’m nuts for traveling 2 hours each way just to meet for coffee. hehehe I would meet for coffee(actually tea or soda, not a coffee drinker), & spend the day in the city, maybe w/ some of you wonderful blogger friends, or on my own as I usually do. I’ve been trying to figure out when the next time I could get in to the city would be, & this would be a great excuse.
Another fascinating topic!! Like D, I am on the fence concerning ghosts as I have no personal experience with them. But it is a terrifically interesting subject, and one I always enjoy discussing and thinking about. Ann, it sounds like you had a great time with Bruce and Rachel. Steep Rock is obviously a mystical place. Wish I could experience it for myself.
Kim, your stories about Gunnar had me weeping. My devoted cat, Buster, had to be put to sleep in early January 2008 due to rapidly-growing stomach cancer. I miss him each and every day. He was more like a dog than a cat. He sat on my lap every night while I read or watched TV. My lap still feels horribly empty every time I sit down. I envy you the communication and visitation you received from Gunnar.
Ann, I don’t own horses, but I find your observations, tricks, and bonds with your horses interesting and lovely. As long as you own animals and write as intelligently and emotionally as you do, this blog will never be dull–or unread. The toast smell every day at 4:00 p.m. is fascinating. It’s such a specific “haunting” and occurs at the same time each day. Spooky…..
Mary L., your encounter with a ghostly presence is certainly strange, as you wrote. And the fact that your husband felt the house was eerie, too, is wonderful.
Okay, now, thanks to Courtney, I have Googled the toast smell phenomenon and it looks like I have a bit of a situation. People reportedly think they smell toast before seizures or strokes. Could it be that every afternoon, my brain starts to misfire, then recovers? Will have to see if my kids smell it today. I know the dogs don’t smell it because they would be drooling. My dogs love toast more than meat.
Please let it just be a toast ghost.
I’m jealous of Rocker Dude, getting to meet you twice, & getting to spend the afternoon with you. I’d love to have heard of his experiences with the spirits there.
Also, maybe you need to take out the batteries & leave it open, & use a compressed air can to blow out any dried dirt that may be caked in.
About your camera, maybe it was one of the spirits who made it bounce from your pocket?
Keep forgetting to ask, did you ever straighten things out w/ your friend Marina about her saying you looked beautiful up on Mark @ Steep Rock?
Kim, your post made me very emotional, & I actually got goosebumps when I read about the cards & your seeing Gunnar outside.
If I wasn’t a semi-hypochondriac and if your toast ghost didn’t come everyday, I would say go to the dr. because I saw on some show that when someone smells toast, they are having something, either a stroke or a brain tumor! I can’t remember which one, but my family and friends tease me because I absorb those sorts of facts. lol!
Steep Rock looks beautiful! And your camera is the best, my best friend has the same camera and I can’t get over how great every picture comes out from her camera, same with yours.
I’ve had a couple encounters with ghosts. The 1st time I was making breakfast, thinking of my grandma who had passed a few years earlier. For a few minutes I was engulfed by her smell. so much so, it was breathtaking. I went out to the living room and was fine, when I went back into the kitchen, I became engulfed again. It was weird, but comforting. Or I was having some sort of health issue.
Second time was my dearest friend of 12 years was dying and had gone home to die at home. He had aids and it was to the point where his liver was shutting down. The morning I was planning to go see him, he called me and said that he wanted to be sure I knew how much he loved and cared for me. I took this in and knew it was a sign he was going to take his own life, so he would not suffer any longer. He had a copy of “Final Exit” and I knew he and his family had decided when the time came, this is the way he would go. Anyway, he said that I should not visit that day, he wasn’t feeling up to visitors. Around noon that day, I saw my cat cowering in the corner with ears back staring up at the ceiling. I tried to calm her down, but she stared intently at this one spot. I went to the couch and she jumped on my lap, staring at the same spot. I had a feeling that it was Todd in spirit form, visiting me before he went on. Later that night, I received the phone call that Todd had died around noon. Sorry for the long post…but paranormal things are awesome and scary, but I mostly find them fascinating and awesome.
Or I need to make a dr.’s appointment…;)
Ann I too believe in ghosts and have had some strange encounters, most recently, my best friend bought a new home.. I was in the kitchen stirring the pan on the stove when I felt a brush across my shoulders and saw the window curtain blow out. I turned around to see if it was my husband and there was no one in the room but me.. everyone else was outside and the window was painted shut. When we left for the evening my husband said, well what did you think of their new house? and before I could responsd, he said,there was an eerie feeling about it wouldn’t you say? I just smiled. I wonder what the toast is about at your house, did you ever ask anyone?
Gosh Ann,
Toast in the afternoon! Too bad it isn’t cinnamon toast – who wouldn’t like a house filled with that scent!
I’m on the fence about ghosts – but not having any experience in that area, I’m open to all information! It would be fascinating!
Ann,
Being the horsewoman you are, you probably already know about this book—Broken: A Love Story—but I’ve just read it. It’s a wonderful and powerful story about a woman, Lisa Jones, who befriends Stanford, a Native American quadriplegic with supernatural powers who “gentles” horses and people. Before Stan’s accident he was a wild child, living on a reservation in Wyoming. After his accident, he began to have a more connected relationship with the spirit world that gave him an ability to “talk to” animals and understand people. The book explores her relationship with Stanford and Stanford’s relationships with everything in this world and the spirit world.
Yes, my horses walk willingly onto the trailer, but they didn’t always. Many people lead their horses onto the trailer, but I think this is quite dangerous, as you are in a very confined space with a large, unpredictable animal. Plus, you then have to run around and close the back before they decide to back down the ramp. Many horses don’t like to get on trailers. This is because they are claustrophobic creatures who are also herd-bound by nature. WHen You take them from their buddies and try to put them in a tiny space that moves, it’s very frightening for them at first. Also, people usually just trailer to shows and other events that horses find stressful, so they learn to associate the trailer with stress. You can tell your friend my secrets if you wish. I learned them all from other horse people. First, try feeding the horse all its meals in the trailer for a week or so. Load the horse, give grain, then unload. I still will sometimes do this, just to keep my guys eager to get on the trailer. When Snoopy gets loose, sometimes he’ll wander onto the trailer if the ramp is down, just looking for a snack, but Snoopy always loved the trailer. Then, teach the horse to self-load. Tie a bucket of grain to the trailer tie at the front of the trailer and after having its meals there, the horse should want to walk right on. Just lead the horse up to the bottom of the ramp and when he steps into the trailer, throw the lead rope over his back, so he doesn’t step on it. Then, when he is on, you can just close the ramp behind him. It’s the only way for me, as I often trailer alone. Sometimes my horses will still balk and I could write pages about theories on how to deal with this. The basic thing is that the horse has to be made to do something very taxing, like when they start backing off, you make them keep backing up really fast, then make them turn in circles. Then you lead them to the ramp again. Eventually they learn that walking onto the ramp is always the easy way out. They get to rest, and they get a treat. Finally, take the horse to places for relaxing trail rides, not only to shows or clinics where they will be stressed. This makes them have nice associations with the trailer.
Ann – Steep Rock could very well be a novel in the making. How fascinating. I tend to take the paranormal for granted since my mom has always been quite psychic and kept tarot cards wrapped in silk and velvet. I have had many, many experiences and believe it or not so has my husband who is very in tune to the “other side”. I must tell you this story – Five years ago I had to put my beloved white shepherd “Gunnar” down due to bone cancer which rifled through him rather quickly. He was only eight. We had that once in a lifetime special relationship. We always knew what each other was thinking. It was that scary. I was devastated. I emotionally fell apart for a long time. I’m crying as I’m writing this. About a month after he passed – I was in CVS at the card aisle (I hate buying cards) – as I walked by various cards there was one card that was hanging on another card and about to fall onto the carpet. It was a blank card of a white shepherd close up laying down with his face on the ground staring straight at you and he was on a porch. My heart stopped because everything about this card was Gunnar. His paws, his nails, the same exact pigment and the pink color around his eyes. I knew instinctively it was him sending me a message. As if to say “I’m ok mom, stop feeling so bad”. I looked around and saw there were 8 of those cards in the slot. I purchased all of them. They are scattered throughout my home. You know when you know what you know. It hit me like bricks. It was him. I felt a little relief too. Hold on – this next one is a doozie – About 4 months after this incident I woke up around 3 am. Our bed was butt up against a window at the time. Something told me to look through the blinds and when I did – there he was. Sitting in his favorite place in the yard on top of “Gunnar’s hill”. I remember him getting up and prancing back and forth, tail wagging. I woke my husband up to look but Gunnar had gone. This was no dream. Pretty much from that day on, I missed him terribly but a great weight lifted. I knew he was ok and through my intense grief I think he had to come through to ease my pain. Maybe you might need to spend some more time at Steep Rock for the spirits to become more familiar to you since now you “know about them”. Perhaps they will reveal themselves to you. Something is definitely going on in your house with the toast thing going on. I have also found that individuals who have worked with hospice patients (including myself) have a slew of stories as the patient gets closer to passing. Did not mean for this to be so long. Just wanted to share a few experiences. My heart is so wide open when dealing with the spiritual. I don’t know if anyone has seen or heard of George Anderson. He is the most unbelievable psychic. I was lucky enough to have been read by him. His website is beautiful. If interested just type in psychic after his name. He amazed me. He named names and told me things about myself only I knew. I have NEVER met anyone like him. EVER. Sorry, went off the track here – this is a subject close to my heart and I excitement took me over.
Ann, a question about your horses. Do they go willingly into the trailer? The reason I ask is because yesterday I was walking by my neighbor’s farm and she was trying to get one of her horses into the trailer with some difficulty. That horse would step one foot in and rear up and back out, this went on for twenty minutes or so, all the while with gentle switches on the rear end of the horse. Finally he did get in. I suspect this horse doesn’t go out much in the trailer. I picture your guys hopping right in.
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Ann, love the ghost stories, yikes! Also, sorry about the camera, hope you find another that you like as well.
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Candy, twenty minutes with horse trailer. Ten or fifteen otherwise.
Ann, how far did you say steep rock is from your house? Great you can go twice in one day. I can see how all this ghost talk with Bruce will have you thinking about your book. Good luck with the camera.