Haunted Houston

Halloween is approaching us soon and I don't know about you but I love a good ghost story or to go visit an alledged haunted spot. Doing some research over the last couple of years while investigating the paranormal I came across some pretty cool places to visit.

Im going to start of with one of my favorite places Galveston, Ashton Villa is has been reported being haunted by the former resident Betty Brown, [www.galvestonhistory.org] 2328 Broadway Street. Her ghost has been seen standing at the top of the staircase, and heard playing the piano as though she were playing at one of her famous music recitals.

The Bishop's Palace Galveston, Texas, 1402 Broadway Street It is said that the former owner Walter Gresham's ghost has been seen, checking on thethe exterior of the building when Hurricanes are threatening town.

The Bolivar Lighthouse, Bolivar Penninsula in Galveston as said to be haunted by a young boy that killed his parents, the boy is seen thru the windows of the old lighthouse.

The Flying Dutchman Galveston Bay, Texas. a ghost ship has been seen sailing in Galveston Bay.

Michel B Menard House In Galveston, Texas [www.galvestonhistory.org] 1604 33rd Street, is said to be haunted Mr. Menards wife, Clara Menard she haunts the house where she died from a broken neck occurring while she fell down the stairs.

The Battleship Texas located in LaPorte Texas, 3527 Battleground Road is said to be haunted by a red-haired, sailor who was said to have died while on duty, occasionally appears on the second deck.[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/battleship_texas/

The Civil War Museum, Sprin, Texas [www.oldtownspring.com] 200 Noble Street the ghosts of Civil War soldiers are said to appear among the actors during civil war battle reenactments.

Bowden Road or "Demon Road" as locals call it, Huntsville, Texas Phantom handprints will show up on cars. It is just a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. Noone knows why this place may be haunted, but supposedly lots of satanic rituals have occured here. It is a very dark and scary place.

Houston Library ( the Julie Ideson Building ) [www.houstonlibrary.org] in Houston, Texas, 500 McKinney, is said to be haunted by a former janitor and his dog, you can hear him playing his violin late at night.

Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville, Texas 9th Street and Avenue I, there is a statue of Jesus that reported has been slowly closing his hands over a period of several years.

Sam Houston Memorial Museum [www.shsu.edu] Huntsville, Texas 1402 19th Street people have reported handprints showing up at the Steamboat house.
(I think this was debunked, just tourist touching the glass) hello?! :)

Spaghetti Warehouse, Houston, Texas [www.meatballs.com] 901 Commerce Street, is said to be haunted by a former warehouse owner that had died when he fell down the elevator shaft.

Zwink House, Spring Texas, 100 Main Street, said to be haunted by a woman who was killed by her jealous husband on their own front porch steps of there home.

Galveston, Texas. Sept 8th 1900. A night of horrors

Galveston, Texas today is a beautiful place to go, the beaches, the entertainment, the history, one can go and relax and forget about their problems for awhile. But on Sept 8th 1900, that was not the case for Galvestonians, that night the worst hurricane ever to hit the gulf coast tore apart a thriving town and killed thousands of people, it is one of the most important meteorological events in history.



The day started out as any other day in Galveston, it was warm and sunny, people walking the streets taking on their every day duties, kids and adults soaking the sun in the warm ocean, Isaac Cline the local meterologist even stated it was "one of the most beautiful days the island has ever seen". Unfortunatley, it was also one of the most tragic.



The islanders had gotten word of a storm coming, most didn't think anything of it they had gotten storm warnings before and nothing more but a few high tides came through, they had been through this before they would do it again, but that afternoon, the rain really began to fall heavily, the ocean started to come into the town up into peoples hard, The water rose at a steady rate from 3pm-7pm, the wind was snapping the trees, debrie was flying everywhere, the winds were lastly noted at 145mph before the weather barometer was blown off the Levy Building, 20 ft waves came over the island swallowing everything in its path, houses were town town, buildings were destroyed, families torn from each other swept away by the flood waters.



St Marys Orphanage right on the beach was destroyed and ten nuns and 90 children were killed when the orphanage collapsed.



By the end of the night, the storm had passed leaving a trail of death and destruction, About 3000 which was almost half of the residence of Galveston had been swept completely away. The storm of 1900 literally demolished the town of Galveston, after all said and done, 8000 people were killed.



The clean up was almost just as terrible as the hurricane itself, men of the town were forced to go through town and look for bodies, of course they could not bury them in the grave yards so they would take them far out to sea, just to realize a couple of days later bodies were washing back up on the shore, the men had to pile bodies up were they found them and burn them.



Galveston came back strong, they built a 15 ft hight seawall to protect the island from something like this ever happening again, in 1915 a hurricane with almost the same force of the 1900 storm came through, the seawall protected Galveston this time.



Another closet corrects the cry.

Thinking of becoming a Ghost Hunter?

I love the paranormal, things that go bump in the night scare me, but I also have to know what it was...as a kid I always loved spooky movies, ghost shows, things like that.. As I grew up it never left me, my fascination grew stronger and I wanted to know more.


When I was in my 20's, having my first experience, I wanted then to "track ghosts" but there was nothing like that online for me to read or study into.. so now I am going to write a few things everyone should know if wanting to get into Paranormal Investigating. There are hundreds of articles out there, so I am going to add one more.



By definition, Paranormal indicates phenomena that are understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure.



Investigator, A detailed inquiry or systematic examination, or somebody who seeks facts about somebody or something on a professional basis



Paranormal Investigator, Someone who examines or investigates the phenomena that is outside of science's current ability to explain or measure.(sounds good to me )



So first let me tell you that yes, all the shows on TV are awesome to watch, I love most of all of them, each shows team brings something different and has a different approach to the field, but its not all what it seems on TV, They show the highlights usually, like some shows seem to always have activity going on which is NOT usually the case, sometimes it is boring, and you sit around waiting all night and you think the night is never going to end, and then again you do have the nights when you remember yeah, this is why I do this!! That is why you have to really love what you do to be able to get through the long nights.



Get online look up all you can on Ghost Hunting, read what other people do and you can also find some cool places to go.



Never go on your own, remember there is safety in numbers, going alone can be dangerous make sure you have at least one person with you, not just because of ghosts per say, but doing this can be dangerous, if your in a cemetery at night, sometimes the grounds are usually unkept and you could fall. If you go into an abandoned house, it could be unsturdy, plus you never know who hangs out at these places, so always take a friend, someone with the same interest as you.



Now that you have your friend what do you take, well I can tell you it is not like the movie Ghostbusters, you do not need big expensive equipment, if you find this is something you really like to do more in the future, then you can go and get a few small things to help in your investigation, but for now, grab a digital recorder these are used to record EVP's (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) Most often, voices are difficult to understand with the human ear, a digital recorder purchased at Radio Shack or some other electronics store will work well. A flashlight, A digital camera, extra batteries and a pen and paper to write anything down you might come across, also later, if you do join a team there will be people there that will have equipment also.



Where do you investigate?, Well ask around your town, ask about peoples experiences, every town has a couple of ghost stories, local haunted house or spooky old cemetery. Try these first, but make sure you get permission before just going on or around private property you don't want to get the cops out there, most of the time owners or people in charge will have no problem with you going in to investigate.



~Last but not least, here are a couple of Do's and Don'ts you may want to follow:



If you are going ghost hunting, don't drink, you must have a clear head.



If you think you hear or see something, Don't jump to conclusions. You always want to make sure to consider all possible explanations.



Where ever you go, make sure to do some history on the place so you know where and what you are walking into.



Walk around and talk to the spirits, tell them you want to talk with them or take their picture, make sure you tell them you mean no disrespect and that you are there to understand them.



Have fun, but be respectful, no running around loud and obnoxious or making fun.. remember this is not your place.



No Ouija boards.



This is just a guide a few tips and pointers, so go on have fun, be safe and remember if you think you are hearing bumps in the night, go see!! It just might be a ghost!

Grooming your Shih Tzu

If you are lucky enough to own one of these sweet dogs, then you know that the grooming can sometimes be brutal especially if it has not been kept on a regular basis. This type of dog has a very extensive grooming ritual, their coats if unkept and long will be prone to mats and tangles, although when this coat is kept groomed regularly these dogs can be one of the most beautiful dogs out there.




You will need to wash your Shih Tzu at least once every two weeks, more so if they are going outside alot and in the hotter weather, also the longer the hair the more washing they will need.



You will need to get a good doggie shampoo and conditioner, conditioner is really important, just like with us humans, conditioner keeps our hair soft and easier to deal with tangles, this will go for the long hair Shih Tzu also, put the conditioner in and it wouldn't hurt to leave it in a few minutes and comb it thru to help tangles. Make sure to rinse both shampoo and conditioner out really good cause sometimes these little guys are prone to skin irritations.



Make sure you brush your Shih Tzu everyday, make sure to get out all tangles, tangles can make skin irritations also, along with parasites that can grow on the skin around the mats and tangles.



Clip your doggies nails once a month, if you do this after a bath the nails are softer, make sure you watch for the quick of the nail, if this is cut it will bleed.



Check your Shih Tzus eyes often, this breed of dog is prone to eye irritations .. keep the eyes wiped clean everyday, sometimes their eyes run and if not keep clean will smell and mat the hair around the eyes.





Check your doggie's ears for swelling or redness, Shih Tzus can get ear infections. easily, gently clean the outer part of the ear with a warm cloth during bath





Finally, make sure you clean your little ones booty with a warm cloth every two weeks or so, sometimes fecal matter often can attach to the hair around the anus, and canb cause discomfort for your dog. Remove dried fecal matter with a warm, damp cloth.



These doggies are a joy to have around and are very sweet lap dogs. if you have one enjoy and love them as much as they will love you.

Cryptozoology, Big foot, Loc Ness and Chupacabras. Oh my!

Cryptozoology, Some people might not even know what that word means, I really didn't either until I got involved with studying the paranormal, I guess they are close in nature, the belief in something that most people find skeptical.




If you look up Cryptozoology it is the study of "imaginary creatures".

I know everyone has heard of Big Foot, the Loc Ness monster, the Jersey Devil and the Chupacabra.



Just as recently has this week here in Texas, a man claimed to have ran into what he recalls as "the most ugliest creature he has ever seen" and claimed it to be a Chupacabra. The Chupacabra is described as a big ugly dog, with no hair and teeth that protrude from it's mouth.



Texas is big on these things, We're constantly looking for Big Foot and the Chupacabra.



Big Foot is highly popular in Texas the creature has been reported being seen from New York to California, Big Foot is described as a huge overgrown ape-like creature, very hairy light to dark hair has been reported, thick chested with a huge neck, they usually move about in a crouched or stooped position. just like in the paranormal, there are teams that go and look for creatures in the night. Big Foot was supposedly sighted here in Tx back in February, A group of teens heard grunting and rustling noises in the woods, they said that the screams of this creature was nothing like they had ever heard before.



Loc Ness or Nessy as some call it, described as having a very long neck with a horse-like head, humped back and the color of an elephant, she was most recently spotted in a part of England. A couple on a honeymoon caught a picture of nessy in the water, they said it was huge and you could see the huge waves as it moved through the water.



The Jersey Devil has got to be the ugliest thing I have ever seen, it is drawn and described as about three feet tall, with a head like a collie dog and

a face like a horse. It has a long neck, with wings about two feet long, and

its back legs were like those of a crane and it had horse's hooves that walked on it's back legs, the story of this guy is a NJ lady who didn't want anymore children made a vow outloud that if she ever had another child she wanted it to be the devil, the child she had was born deformed and she kept it hidden away in a barn. One night the child supposedly grew wings and flew threw the chimney never to be seen by the mother again. The most recent report of the devil was on March 18th when strange screeches were heard and a singular hoofprintwas found by a resident in NJ..



This is just an example of what Cryptozoology is and some of the sightings that have been reported... I myself, not sure, I have seen what some called the footprints of bigfoot, but I cannot draw a conclusion from that. So, anyone out there that has proof or comes across one of these creatures.. let me know. :)

My favorite Antique Stores

I live in Willis, Texas.. there are alot of great little Antique stores near me in this town, my favs tho are in a town down the road called Montgomery. If your into Antiques and make it down this way.. make sure to stop in. :) All these listed in Montgomery are all in old historic homes from 1860 on..


Garrett House Antiques - 
The Garrett House  is a quaint antique shop in the heart of historic Montgomery, Texas, Home of the Texas Flag.  You will find fine antique furniture from 1800's to 1940's, Roseville pottery, art glass, netsuke, coins, antique button jewelry, antique china wear and other nice antique pieces
http://garretthouseantiques.com/home.php

Liberty Bell Antiques ~ (936) 597-4606, 207 Liberty St, Montgomery, TX 77356 

Antiques & Collectibles, Antique Appraisals, Jewelry Appraisers

Branding Iron Gifts 

http://www.brandingiron-schoolhouse.com/ 

212 Liberty Street
Montgomery Texas 
 
wonderful selection of unique gifts, decoratives, art, clothing, souvenirs and so much more--even computer repair, office services and an old-fashioned barber shop at the Branding Iron.

The Old Schoolhouse

http://www.brandingiron-schoolhouse.com/155825.html

306 E. Eva Street

Montgomery, Texas

Yesterdays Treasures Antiques

115 N Danville St, Willis, TX 77378

Thomason House (I wish I could get a pic of this place, it is one of the oldest houses in Willis, love it) great place and now full of Antiques, nice people too.)

303 N Danville St, Willis, TX 77378

ENJOY! 

 

 

My interest in the paranormal, a not so new hobby...

You see it all over the TV now days, GHOST HUNTING! you know, some people are ask me if I started doing this because of Ghost Hunters, No, .. although I love that show, along with all the others, Ghost Adventures, Paranormal State, Ghost Lab (shout out to my fellow Texans), I have actually been interested in this for a long time but before all the new shows that came out, I was kind of embarrassed to say I wanted to try something like this, and of course at the time there was not much about it on the internet and I just had no idea how to get started, I wanted to start finding out about the paranormal because even tho in my beliefs I know there is a place we all can go when we die, you either go to heaven or hell period. .. I knew that ghosts existed, because I have had a few experiences in my life, not many but enough to make me want to know more..

When I was in my 20's, I had just moved back from Los Angeles after living there for 4 yrs, my grandma had died right after I moved to LA and I was not able to make it back for her funeral, after she died my parents moved into my grandparents house along with my grandfather, so when I came home I had no room of my own and slept on a mattress in the living room for awhile, one night I was sleeping with our dog next to me and both of us woke up at the same time, I had heard a noise in the kitchen thought it was my mom since she got up in the middle of the night regularly, when I noticed that the kitchen light was off, I knew it wasn't my mom, I heard the footsteps again this time sounded like they were walking through the kitchen this time, and kind of heavy, I didn't get up to see what it was, I just laid there and listened, after our dog started barking they faded away. so I know I wasn't crazy :)

Then in 2007, my brother in law was killed on his motorcycle, during the first week, my hubby, daughter and I went to stay with my sister - in - law in Deer Park, We stayed with her for a week so she would have some company and not be alone, her and I were sitting on the couch, I was facing the computer/guitar room where he spent most of his time, I kept seeing something shadowy and black out of the corner of my eye over and over a really dark shadow, all I could see was like from the waste up, you could tell it was a person/man a large person, I knew it was Jerry, my sister - in - law asked me if I was seeing something and I said yes, I didn't want to say anything at first, I didn't want to upset her, but she told me she knew what I was looking at and she knew it was Jerry,she started telling me some thing that had been happening to her all week after his death she knew that he was always in the house with her...a couple of nights later... I was sleeping in that same computer room (well trying to sleep) I heard footsteps like you would hear on a hardwood floor, and the computer that was off.. kept turning on and off.. I didn't sleep all night. and the next night my daughter who was 4 at the time was in one of the bedrooms playing with a Monopoly game, my niece watched her get up on top of a step stool and try to give one of the pieces to someone and then said "Ok I will" (noone was there)... after we asked her what she was doing .. said she was giving the piece to uncle nono, but he told her NO NO and to get off the stool because she would get hurt if she fell and that is what she was saying ok I will too, Uncle NONO, was Uncle Jerry.

I continued to read about it and after the ghost shows started popping up on the TV, there was more access to books and stuff on the internet and I found that there were teams actually paranormal teams with people that did think the same as me!! So, I went and bought me a few pieces of equipment and decided to find and join a paranormal team here in Texas, turned out, that team was not for me, So, a few of the members of the same team left and started another team of their own.
I am now with a group of people who are awesome, I have had the best time with them so far, we have gone on 2 investigations so far, both cemeteries, Beeler Cemetery in Houston, which we didn't think was active until one of my team members went through her photos and had caught both an apparition of a girl and a man, (the apparition of the man we did see in the cemetery walking around) pretty exciting when you find something like that.

Free Stuff!!!

You like Free stuff? Coupons and free samples? yeah me too! :)

Sea World San Antonio, Texas

My family and I went to Sea World San Antonio this summer for vacation, we had so much fun, the place was amazing, a must for all families at least once. We got there and was a little surprise at the price of admission, it was a little under $200 for me, my husband and daughter to get in, but once there you see it is all worth it. This place has something for everyone. If you love animals of the sea, you will love this place, On top of having Shamu ( which is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen) They have walk-through habitats where you can watch all the animals do what they do on a daily basis , the penquin habitat actually has falling snow from the ceiling and stays a good 23 degrees in there, great for you if it is a hot day :) There is the Dolphin-Cove, where you can actually feed and pet the dolphins and for the ones that love rollercoasters, and water rides there is plenty for you too.. there area few rides for the adults and plenty for the kiddos, along with a water area for the kids (and parents too) to run around in. Be sure to check out the water skiing shows and the end of the night Shamu show. A day you will always remember.

http://www.seaworld.com/sanantonio/ http://www.themeparkcodes.com/sea_world_san_antonio.html

Summertime fun.

Sometimes kids can get bored in the Summertime, I know mine does, Here are ten things that we have done, or plan on doing this Summer to have some fun.

1) Throw a pj party with her friends

2) Plant some easy to grow veggies.

3) Take a hike.

4) Swimming in the Lake

5) Get out the slip and slide

6) We have been doing some summer reading programs at the local library.

7) Get out the crafts, glitter, glue, playdough, clay, construction paper, see what fun things you can make.

8) Water guns.. get outside and play hide and seek, when you find the person hiding blast them with the watergun.

9) My family loves to go fishing, its fun and kids love to see what they can catch

10) Last, try and take a vacation, it is something that you and your kids will remember.



Another closet corrects the cry.

Ghosts of the Alamo

From what I have read the first experience with ghosts happened a few days after the last battle. A Mexican Army contingent went to destroy the Alamo because of disease caused by the carnage. The men fled when they saw six spectral Diablos guarding the fort who screamed at them while waving flaming sabers. When General Andrade investigated the incident, he also saw the Diablos. Other ghostly experiences include:

•Guests at nearby hotels see bizarre specters emanating from the Alamo’s walls. They also report hearing screams, explosions and faint trumpet notes of El Deguello, a melody.

•A cowboy’s apparition, believed to be a courier, is seen wandering the Alamo’s gardens.

•A ghost puts his head and shoulders outside a window, then leans back and vanishes.

•A little blonde boy is seen in an upstairs window and walking on the grounds.

•A woman’s misty apparition appears next to a well on the site.

•An AmerIndian’s phantom is seen in the basement, abruptly vanishing or walking through a wall.

•A mournful Mexican officer’s phantom wanders on the grounds. Many believe he’s the shade of General Manuel Fernandez de Castrillon, one of Santa Anna's regimental commanders who was against the Alamo’s final attack.

•Davy Crockett’s ghost, dressed in buckskins and a coonskin cap, stands at attention.

•Ghosts of a man with a toddler on the roof are seen during the daily sunrise. Mexican officers saw a man, child in his arms, leap to the ground during the final siege.

•Two ghostly boys follow tour groups and vanish when the group reaches the sacristy room. They’re thought be the phantasms of Artilleryman Anthony Wolfe’s sons who were killed during the battle.

•In March of each year, a few days after the anniversary of Alamo’s demise, many people are awakened by the sound of a horse galloping on the pavement. Many believe the unseen rider is James Allen’s ghost. He was the last courier to leave the fortress on the evening before its last battle.

•John Wayne’s ghost is said to haunt the Alamo. When he directed and started in The Alamo, he was obsessed with its history. Shortly after his death, visitors and staff reported seeing his ghost conversing with specters of the fort’s soldiers.

The Alamo is an awesome place to visit and expierience, when you are there you can for sure feel the presence of something around.