Fair Use of Clip Art Image is Claimed

The Averting Doll

There are some things we have to live with – not always of our own choosing. Some of these things are alive (friends, relatives, the people you work with) and some not alive (objects, concepts, the dead). Oh, don’t get that wrong – some people live with the dead only in a figurative sense. Some folks continue to live with the dead because they share their houses, their living quarters and even some of the inanimate objects they have left behind. Our mother passed away just over 4 years ago – it was the day after her seventieth birthday. Even so, her passing still hurts and affects some of us even now. One object she left behind I have named “The Averting Doll”.







She left behind a large array of ordinary things and some that are a little special to her and her family. She really got into handcrafts in the last couple of decades of her life. She became quite good with crocheting and other needlework. She was very good with a sewing machine and other forms of stitchery, too. She even built a 1/10th scale scratch-built doll house on her own – and painted it too. She became good enough to stitch and crochet doll’s clothes that would fit dolls of her selection exactly. Of the room full’s of stuff she left behind, one particularly good example is a doll of about 18” in height in a white crochet wedding dress.






The doll stands on an étagère in the most remote corner of my (current) bedroom and is near the head of my bed. Even so, the doll is in such a remote location that it is difficult for anybody to access. That is until just last week or so. This week, realizing my mother had not left me anything in her will, I uttered some oaths about it. Well, the doll turned its head 180° to face the corner – on its own. No strangers or service people had been in the house. I asked my family if they had touched the doll – knowing that most of them would have been unable – of course they had not. Now, I still go to sleep in that same room, with chills running up and down my back.






I have never touched the doll myself, except to knock off a cobweb now and then. And I have never touched the head of the doll – never. The averting doll’s face and head remain turned to face the corner – forever…

07112010/1

The Phantom Visitor or The Bedside Ghost

As some of you know, we've made "reports" of strange visitors before. Like our Ghost Kitty, Casper. Unfortunately, this took place after viewing our favorite Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Episode, "The Cardboard Box". But, we viewed a few other programs after "The Box", so our memory should have been clear. As always, no alcohol nor controlled substances were involved. Except some acetaminophen. The thing about "The Box" is that it was so wickedly clever on many levels (especially for its time) and a great story of the supernatural...

But we digress, our senior editor went to sleep around 11pm and found himself soundly asleep when he was awoken by someone else checking the thermostat (it was in the single digits last night, outside...). So, it must have been cold enough to drive ghosts and other things-that-go-bump-in-the-night indoors... He managed to go back to a sound sleep in short time.

Later, even later, he was awoke in the dead of the night by somebody tugging at his right elbow. The significance of the elbow being that it was swollen and smarting with pain near the outside of the joint for the past several days. Also, his elbow was in the opposite direction of the light from the thermostat's location. So it wasn't another visit to that...but something else.

When he awoke, he opened his eyes to see a pale, shining white, human-shaped form standing between his bedside and the wall opposite. It seemed to be retreating from him. He could not make out any "facial features". But it seemed to have a body, a head and possibly arms. The thing was retreating from him and seemed to disappear or dematerialize out of the wall behind him. Too tired and too sleepy to be startled by this thing, he whispered "Mother" (she passed away 4 years ago) and went back to sleep. We told him today that he should have jumped up to the window to see if he could see it outside. He said he guessed he didn't want to - he just wanted his sleep!

Strangely, his elbow was no longer swollen and smarting with pain. Just a little tender to the touch. He wished the thing had touched his thigh...and his empty wallet pocket... He didn't believe it was a dream...but it could have been some kind of hallucination, or illusion...or...

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/94V4vn

Image licensed under Creative Commons by Sapphireblue

Ghost Kitty: Updated: Casper (What our senior editor is calling his ghost cat, for now...) is, apparently, back. He felt it batting at his feet during the night last night, Wednesday, December 2, 2009, but never saw the thing...

We know - this is nuts. But, our senior editor claims to have a new pet. He saw it in his bedroom Tuesday night (Nov 17). He claims he saw the tail of a black cat (erect) pass quickly by the foot of his bed - and there has never been a cat in his place... When he saw it he said "What the Hell!" in his Walter/Jeff Dunham voice. He has not seen it since. But later Tuesday night, he could feel it pawing the hell out of his foot, just the way a live cat would in play. No, no...he wasn't drinking...

He can only guess that it might be the ghost of one of the twin black cats that used to hang around his front porch. They disappeared just about a year ago. Sigh, just when we thought things might get back to normal.

FOM: Wikipedia page on Ghost. "Real Ghost Cat" image link on flickr.

Men In Black: Having viewed episode # 310 ("The Silencers") of The History Channel's UFO Hunters, we felt mildly inspired in writing our own hypothesis on the infamous "Men In Black". Not fans of the mildly popular film series (nor of Will Smith...please TBS...no more reruns...) and having had our own UFO encounters, we feel quite confident in saying that we've never had an encounter with these Men In Black. At least, that we know of... But, we asked ourselves, what motivates someone to come into their employ? That is, what psychological profile would you need to match in order to become such an employee?


Well, first of all, we think you would have to have a slightly investigatory personality. And, you would need an interest in compelling persons (that is "witnesses") to remain silent. In other words, you would need a person who is in direct opposition to doing standard police work. You would need to meet the psychological profile of a secret police person(nel)...


In other words, you would need personnel who enjoy/need the feeling of personal power and control over others in a totalitarian state. If you believe any of this, then you might also feel that despite playing a role as a democracy, the USA is (secretly) a totalitarian state. Especially when it comes to matters concerning extraterrestrials. You would need to be a person willing to accept these matters as one of fact. If indeed the "Men In Black" really do exist...then perhaps so do the extraterrestrials...and that this country we spoke of is really a totalitarian one.

Please note: This posting appears simultaneously on our sister publication, The Anti-Zen Dictionary.


Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/2XPeL7


Hmmm, look for this website to suddenly and mysteriously disap...

Halloween Video Suggestions II: These movies may have redefined (your) Halloween Holiday. The list has been revised, updated and categorized (Midnight Viewing, Well After Midnight, Before Midnight and Classic TV Programs...). OK, its still incomplete, but we can't include everything... Now includes mini-reviews...

To Be Viewed At Midnight…

Black Sabbath (1963, Mario Bava, Boris Karloff) Our favorite vignette – “The Drop of Water”…you may let loose some liquids with this one… Even we don't own a copy of this film - and we refuse to.  It is just that scary.

The Haunting (1963, Robert Wise, Julie Harris, Claire Bloom…) Unsurpassed eeriness and low-budget special effects and elegant filmwork… Its almost as if Shirley Jackson was right there with you…

Dead of Night (1945, Several directors, Michael Redgrave) Have you seen this?

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, Jack Arnold, Richard Carlson) Classic monster.

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957, Jack Arnold, Grant Williams) Still a mind-bender, even today.

Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchcock, Janet Leigh) Classic Hitchcock.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956, Don Siegel, Kevin McCarthy) Camp classic.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978, Philip Kaufman, Donald Sutherland, and more…) Though a “remake”, its really more than the sum of its parts…Great cast…

The Blob (1958, Irvin Yeaworth, Steve McQueen) Love the cheap, but horrific special effects.

The Blob (1988, Chuck Russell, Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith) Love Shawnee Smith and some of the devouring scenes!

Night of the Living Dead (1968, George A. Romero, Duane Jones) Keep a bucket handy!

The Thing (1982, John Carpenter, Kurt Russell) Absolute classic. Love this. It’s a nightmare captured on film.

They Live (1988, John Carpenter, Roddy Piper...) Sometimes an absolute hoot. More famous lines in horror movies came out of Roddy Piper than in all the others combined..."I am here to chew bubble-gum and kick ass. And, I am all out of bubble-gum!". "Life's a b****, and she's in heat!" to Keith David. And, "Your face looks like it fell in guacamole in 1957!" to one of the aliens. Meg Foster's character is marvellously treacherous.

Prince of Darkness (1987, John Carpenter, Donald Pleasance) A real "sleeper". And, the late, great Donald Pleasance is in this one - always a pleasure.

The Mothman Prophecies (2002, Mark Pellington, Richard Gere...) A great Richard Gere movie? Yes, this one is great and sometimes based on real-life experiences and disasters connected in some way or another to The Mothman. Note: The Mothman features only briefly in a few scenes - its said - but we've never been able to identify him. The ending is, though, more than a little unbelievable. But, do you want to meet Indrid Cold?

Interview with the Vampire (1994, Neil Jordan, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt...) This really was a masterpiece of the macabre, with a Gran Guignol (literally and misspelling intended...) placed within a Gran Guignol. Cruise was inspirational as Lestat. Featuring Antonio Banderas and a very young (and exceptionally gifted) Kirsten Dunst. Ce fantastique!

Trilogy of Terror (1975, Dan Curtis, Karen Black) Have you seen this? A forgotten ‘classic’. Karen Black is morbidly great.

The Funhouse (1981, Tobe Hooper, Elizabeth Berridge) A small gem of small town terror.

Poltergeist (1982, Tobe Hooper, Heather O’Rourke…) Love the kitchen chairs scene…

Jeepers Creepers (1981, Victor Salva, Gina Phillips) Oh, Hi!!

The Thing from Another World (1951, Howard Hawks, Christian Nyby, James Arness – as the Monster) The original classic.

Sleepy Hollow (1999, Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci…) Tim Burton at his maniacal, inspired best!

The Serpent and The Rainbow (1988, Wes Craven, Bill Pullman) The zombie bride and the “hand in the soup” scenes are the tops!

The Exorcist (1973, William Friedkin, Ellen Burstyn…) Unsurpassed. To Be Viewed Well After Midnight…

The Mummy (1932, Karl Freund, Boris Karloff) Classic.

Frankenstein (1931, James Whale, Boris Karloff) Classic.

The Wolfman (1941, George Waggner, Lon Chaney, Jr.) Classic.

The Body Snatcher (1944, Robert Wise, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi) Creepy.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956, Don Siegel, Kevin McCarthy) See it again.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978, Philip Kaufman, Donald Sutherland, and more…) See it again.

X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963, Roger Corman, Ray Milland) Still a mind-bender, at times, unforgettable…

It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958, Edward L. Cahn, Marshall Thompson) A fun ride for all.

Fiend Without A Face (1958, Arthur Crabtree, Marshall Thompson) Very grotesque climax.

The Blob (1958, Irvin Yeaworth, Steve McQueen) Love the cheap, but horrific special effects.

The Blob (1988, Chuck Russell, Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith) Love Shawnee Smith and some of the devouring scenes!

Night of the Living Dead (1968, George A. Romero, Duane Jones) Keep a bucket handy!

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975, Jim Sharman, Sorry, Tim Curry stole this one…) (?)

Forbidden Planet (1956, Fred M. Wilcox, Leslie Nielsen) Great film…the murder and monster scenes might qualify this for Halloween viewing…

The Sixth Sense (1999, M. Night Shyamalan, Bruce Willis) Just superb. A wonder for Night.

Trilogy of Terror (1975, Dan Curtis, Karen Black) Great…

Godzilla “King of the Monsters!” (1956, Ishiro Honda,Terry Morse , Raymond Burr) Classic…

Invaders from Mars (1953, William Cameron Menzies, Jimmy Hunt…) Classic…we believe you, Jimmy!

Invaders from Mars (1986, Tobe Hooper, Karen Black…) Best Line: “They understand! They understand!...”

The Funhouse (1981, Tobe Hooper, Elizabeth Berridge) Best Line: “Blood is thicker than water”.

Poltergeist (1982, Tobe Hooper, Heather O’Rourke…) See it again.

Jeepers Creepers (2001, Victor Salva, Gina Phillips) Hi again!  The sequel: Jeepers Creepers 2  Is a low-rated sequel but you shouldn't miss it.  The last 20 - 30 minutes are action-packed in a way you haven't seen since the climax of "Jaws".

The Howling (1981, Joe Dante, Dee Wallace-Stone) A sexy horror movie?

An American Werewolf in London (1981, John Landis, David Naughton)

The Fly (1958, Kurt Neumann, Vincent Price) Macabre science fiction.

The Fly (1986, David Cronenberg, Jeff Goldblum) Nauseatingly good at times.

Arachnophobia (1990, Frank Marshall, Jeff Daniels) Funny yet deadly?

The Exorcist (1973, William Friedkin, Ellen Burstyn…) You are compelled to watch this one.

The Body Snatcher (1944, Robert Wise, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi) Fun with creeps. How'd that corpse get there...?

The Relic (1997, Peter Hyams, Penelope Ann Miller...) This film transforms itself from a terrible B-movie to a rather terrifying monster movie. The special effects used to create the 'Kothoga' are convincing and terrifying. Put the little ones to bed before putting this one on...

To Be Viewed Before Midnight…

The Shining (1980, Stanley Kubrick, Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall) Genius.

Alien (1979, Ridley Scott, Sigourney Weaver) Modern classic genius.

Predator (1987, John McTiernan, Arthur Schwarzenegger) A great Arnold film?

The Birds (1963, Alfred Hitchcock, Tippi Hendren…) A little dated, but still a good ride…

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975, Jim Sharman, Sorry, Tim Curry stole this one…) Tim Curry anyone?

The Thing (1982, John Carpenter, Kurt Russell) See it again. A genius nightmare caught on film. Masterpiece.

The Thing from Another World (1951, Howard Hawks, Christian Nyby, James Arness – as the Monster) Camp classic.

Sleepy Hollow (1999, Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci…) Christina Ricci at her finest.

The Others (2001, Alejandro Amenabar, Nicole Kidman) So who knew Nicole Kidman could act?...no, seriously, she is just great in this thriller.

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992, Francis Ford Coppola, Gary Oldman, Winona...oh, forget it...) As always, Gary Oldman brings that extra something to the screen, whereas Winona...oh, forget it...(?)

Forbidden Planet (1956, Fred M. Wilcox, Leslie Nielsen) Does this fit the list?

The Sixth Sense (1999, M. Night Shyamalan, Bruce Willis) See it again.

Young Frankenstein (1974, Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle…) Still great. The cameo of Gene Hackman still provokes wild laughter.

Invaders from Mars (1953, William Cameron Menzies, Jimmy Hunt…)

Invaders from Mars (1986, Tobe Hooper, Karen Black…)

Mars Attacks! (1996, Tim Burton, Jack Nicholson...) Martin Short and Glenn Close and many others make up inspired casting in this one. Strange how we almost forgot this one...

The Howling (1981, Joe Dante, Dee Wallace-Stone) An American Werewolf in London (1981, John Landis, David Naughton)

Cujo (1983, Lewis Teague, Dee Wallace-Stone) Keep your shots up to date!!

The Dead Zone (1983, David Cronenberg, Christopher Walken) Drop dead brilliant.

Arachnophobia (1990, Frank Marshall, Jeff Daniels)

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996, John Frankenheimer, Marlon Brando…) 2 words: Fairuza Balk. Oh, you need more? How about a way-over-the-top Marlon Brando as the gloriously *M*A*D* Dr. Moreau, Val Kilmer's character loses his sanity just before the climax and is David Thewlis's character human or ...? Kind of like Doctor Doolittle meets Apocalyspe Now. A tribute to the late, great Marlon Brando's screen presence is the way he stole the scene where he initially appears amidst a throng of half-crazed, mutant, hybrid, half-human beast animals.

The Addams Family (1991, Barry Sonnenfeld, Raul Julia…) The whole cast is a hoot.

Addams Family Values (1993, Barry Sonnenfeld, Raul Julia…) Better than the first?

The Twilight Zone (1983 Various Directors, Various Actors…) Kevin McCarthy is a cult favorite in this film version and John Lithgow is a hoot.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, Henry Selick, William Hickey…) The Tim Burton modern classic.

Classic Television Programs

The Outer Limits (the classic series from the '60's, not the later version...)

The Twilight Zone (including the later version from the '80's...) Amazing that a half-century old program still has this much impact...

One Step Beyond (featuring the great and largely forgotten John Newland...) All right, it never had quite the polish of The T-Zone, but almost always based on factual tales of the paranormal right out of everyday life. Catch it if you can. The most "Fortean" of these television shows. Best line? "I'm so tired I wish I was dead...".

Alfred Hitchcock Presents (featuring The Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock...)

And at least two episodes from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (starring the late, great Jeremy Brett). Those being The Cardboard Box and The Hound of the Baskervilles. Not to be missed. We suppose it was fitting that The Hound was feature-length and The Box was the series finale. We know, we know...we left out some or all of your favorites. You know what they are...Halloween, Friday the 13th, Scream, Texas Chainsaw, Saw, Hostel...the list goes on...we just can't cover them all. Updated/Revised: Friday, October 16, 2009. Saturday, October 17, 2009. Sunday, October 18, 2009. Wednesday, October 21, 2009. Monday, October 26, 2009.

With apologies, we are back. We apologize to the people who have provided us with information for our most recent posting, in case we don't seem sincere or get the facts wrong. But we are sincere.

Seems our senior editor was manning his post at the Museum yesterday (Tuesday, August 4, 2009) when he answered an incoming phone call. The call came from a lady in the next town over who was looking up information on an 'unwelcome visitor' who had taken up residence in her daughter's apartment in Canton. Not being the most gullible type, the editor at first that the unwelcome visitor was of the living type. That assumption was wrong.

Always charitable to patrons and passers-by, our editor took notes and information from the lady on the other end of the phone. The lady (who we shall identify as JB) went on to say that the visitor's name was Arthur or McAarthur or something like that. He was from Reading, PA.. He was possibly a magistrate or judge. He was also relating what happened to him as being around the Truman era. The man appeared to be very confused.

At first, our editor thought - a little slow on the uptake we might add - is this some man claiming to be some sort of long-lost relative taking up residence in her daughter's apartment (whom whe shall call TB)? Turns out he was wrong - dead wrong. The gentleman - errr, spirit - turns out to be a spirit... At this point he told the lady that this raised her case from the interesting to the singular (shades of Sherlock Holmes)...

Also, there was some sort of association with a woman named "Joan". Though Joan is a familiar name, we told JB that it really is an uncommon name around here. She remarked that yes it is. Regarding the demise of the 'visitor', all he would say to TB in response to questioning was the short phrase "Lights Out". (We did not discuss, nor were aware of any connection to the old radio program Lights Out - which show appears to be contiguous with the Truman era). Apparently, the gentleman had met with a sudden, violent end. Suicide? Murder? The place was in the Joy Road and Haggerty Road area.

As a result of the persistence of her visitor in seeking her attention, TB has been spending some nights on JB's couch. We must say that JB repeated these many elements to the story many times. Which gives us reason to believe in her version of this. Further, he (the editor) did not feel (using whatever empathic abilities he may have) any intent to deceive on the part of JB. We have not spoken to TB. Our editor remarked that he was not aware of any family by that name in the Canton area. But, checking the white pages, there may be.

JB also remarked about her brother, JS, who has psychic abilities - as apparently does TB. TB appears to be an 'empath'. Our editor remarked at one point that he has had at least one similar experience with his niece. See our previous postings.

Of further interest, JS (the brother) had been called upon to 'send over' the deceased spirit of one Jim Hunt. Apparently, Jim Hunt worked as an informant/mole inside the infamous Purple Gang and paid for it with his life. Seems that Mr. Hunt went to a meeting with the gang in a nearby town (with bad feelings) and against the warnings of his boss. That was the last of the mortal Jim Hunt. And, yes, JS had successfully found a way to 'send over' (to the other side) Mr. Hunt. Mr. Hunt's spirit no longer haunts these environs.

Apparently TB's visitor is remarkably attached to her. He has touched her garment (without permission). He has yelled at her when upset. Though we find these phenomena of great interest, there is a problem with all this. TB appears to be the only person that can see and hear 'Arthur'. Further, he appears to fear contact with the living and 'hides' (which reminds us of 'Tony' in Steven King's 'The Shining'...) This does appear to stretch credulity. Further there is more than one spirit haunting TB and her apartment. But, JB's sincerity tempers our incredulity - as well as our experience with the other world. We understand the very real fear and concerns the living have in dealing with the dead.

TB is 22 years of age at this writing. She had confessed to having this disturbing...ability...since she was 12 years of age. Which, curiously, may overlap with the release of M. Nignt Shyamalan's 'The Sixth Sense'. Do we have a case of life imitating art? (We know, some of you might disagree with calling this or other Shyamalan's films as art). Or is it something more?

Our senior editor, however, had decided to take a more scientific approach and offered to do some research for JB in the archives to see if he could find information on this poor spirit. He did this and spoke to one of the senior curators of the Museum - who is also a long-time resident of Canton. The curator knew of no such person nor violent incident when he recounted the tale of TB and 'Arthur'. The archivist suggested that such a thing may have been covered up. The editor (thinking of this previously) agreed and then recalled the infamous case of Leonard Tyburski and furthered his discussion with the curator and the archivist.

In 1989, Mr. Tyburski was arrested and convicted for the murder of his wife. Seems that (one of them) his daughter (or both) had been having nightmarish visions of their mother who had gone missing for some years. Seems that the (deceased) mother had been relaying information that she had been murdered by her/the husband. After which, he had deposited her remains in the basement freezer - and had sealed it with a padlock. Concerned by this disturbing vision and the disappearance of the mother, the girl(s ?) checked the freezer. And, yes, there she lay. It was quite a sensational story in the local news at the time. Our editor recounted this story to JB in a follow-up phone call to her.

JB seemed greatly appreciative of the return call and remarked on that several times. Her gratitude and interest and the almost-hour long conversation indicated the depth of her sincerity. He did get some more detail out of JB - which she remarked as having forgotten (apparently, 'Joan' has a last name and/or middle name). He reported that his research turned up nothing on 'Arthur', McArthur, McAarthur and Joan and all the variations on the names. There was no record, no notes, no death certificates, nothing that he could find in the archives. He did not mention that news articles from that period of time were rare. But, we expect he will check back on that... After all, Henry Ford passed away about that time, and there are newspapers still available on the topic. (Ford, too, passed away suddenly - and unexpectedly - due to an accident - though you won't find the details in the Wikipedia...).

He did report on similar local family names (particularly those that start with the letter 'A'), and some who had perished around the same time. One named 'Frank' who passed away on Oct. 24, 1952. Also, that Haggerty Road (mentioned above) had been renamed - it had been previously named for the same family name that 'Frank' belonged to. We gave JB a list of questions to ask this spirit:

1) When and where was he born? (JB suspects he will answer Reading, PA.).
2) That he has a friend here from Pennsylvania (the editor's mother was from Wilkes-Barre).
3) 'Joan''s last name?
4) Was he in love with/marrying Joan - was it a love triangle?
5) Where is his physical body (in case it had never been found)?
6) Was he visiting a particular farm/family/piece of property at the time?
And many other questions...

Eventually, (it took about an hour) the conversation ended and JB thanked our editor again.

And our editor returned to work he had planned to do for the remaining 2 hours of the day (the case had so far taken 4 hours...by the way it is Case # 01_111_2009...we'll correct that later if it is in error...)

That night, our editor, still intrigued, took it upon himself to search for more clues in his own historical resources on Canton. He may have found 'Arthur' and 'Joan', he thinks, but requires further investigation. He hopes to hear back from JB or to speak to her again. Also, he thinks he needs to talk to one of his other associates at the Museum...JT.

To be continued?...