Alone at store again

The wife is still unable to work, so I'm running the store alone again today. Lots of customers, this is my first break. So far all has been quiet but the business of doing business. Looks stormy outside but no precipitation so far. just cold and windy.

Strong, loud steps

Yesterday, I had to run my wife's store alone. Her bum leg was really putting on a show. The doctor ordered in some antibiotics. I sure hope they work. Anyway I was at the store by 10:15 am. The official hours are 11 am to 5 pm. Being so close to Christmas, I had a pretty steady stream of customers. So by closing time I was pretty much pooped. After 4 o'clock the customers went down to just a few. By 4:45 I finished up with the last one. I started turning off all but the main lights and brought into the store items we had displayed outside. I went back into the second show room to unplug a few items we were demonstrating back there. All of a sudden I heard s loud stomping, like someone with heavy boots or work shoes. The sound like it was in the front show room. I had locked the door after I brought in the outdoors merchandise so I couldn't imagine who could have gotten in. Naturely I rushed into the front show room to see who it was. There was absolutely no one. After checking out the store I went about finishing up closing chores. Before leaving the store I figured I'd better pay a trip to the jon which is located in the rear of the back showroom. While I was in there I again heard the sound of heavy shoes or boots stomping across a wooden floor. Only the front showroom has a wooden floor the rest are concrete. I hurriedly exited the lav and went to the front showroom. The steps sounded like they were coming directly toward me up the middle isle. As soon as I stepped into the front salesroom the steps stopped and there was no one to be seen. No way anyone could have side stepped me or hidden. These phantom foot steps appear to be harmless, but they can really be a bother. You always wonder, in the back of your mind, is there someone here, playing tricks or worse? Our store sits alone on a large parking lot. Go out the main door and look for a city block in all directions. It just does not make sense.

Door opens and closes itself.

Yesterday, after work, my wife went upstairs to unwind and I took my turn at the computer in the Library. Shadow, my dog, was dozing on her pillow not far from me. My wife came into the computer room at about 9:30pm and said, "When you were upstairs, why did you open my door and not say anything?" Whoa I replied, I've been right here since I started (about 6:30pm). "Somebody opened the bedroom door about this much (indicating 6 or 8 inches) and when I said, "Yes?". they closed it again." The bedroom door opens from the long upstairs hall. The doors in this house are original, heavy Oak or walnut construction. They do not swing freely. When opening the door it stays in place when pressure is released. It takes some force to swing these doors open or closed. The upstairs hall is pretty much enclosed and not subject to drafts unless the attic door is open and even then I doubt any draft resulting would move one of these doors. I have no idea what open the door or closed it. But I do know these doors do not open and close without some pressure being applied. Finding exterior doors that I know darn good and well were locked...open is far more common than watching a door open and close its self. My dog goes bonkers when anyone other than I or my wife enters. She was quite quiet. We keep our exterior doors locked. Including the one off the western side of the kitchen that we most commonly use. It does swing fairly freely and invites flies in when open. We also keep it locked to keep warm or cool air inside. I have no idea what opened and then closed the door to the room my wife was in. Its just one of several mysteries I'd like to solve about this old house.

What Activated the lights?

As I have mentioned before; the long upstairs hall in this house is dark. Its even dark when the sun is shinning outside. So you can imagine how dark it becomes at night. We generally keep the bedroom doors that front that hall closed so what little light that would filter in from those rooms to the hall doesn't. As a result I emplaced a strong motion light over the Master bedroom at the end of the hall. Anyone leaving the master bedroom will activate the hall light which reaches the farthest end of the hall. Anyone coming up the rear stairs, as soon as hey pass the top step will activate the hall light which lightens the hall all the way to the Master bedroom. When your eyes are adjusted to near total darkness this hall light is almost blinding. Last night my dog (Shadow) and I turned early. We had had a busy day and the pup hadn't even time for an afternoon nap; so she was ready to turn in. My wife was involved with something on the computer so she said she would be up later. Every night, Shadow and I play for a bit before turning in. We were both on the bed and I was trying to get her paws, a game she delights in. We were both facing the bedroom door when the hall light came on. We both reacted to the light. Even though the bedroom lights were on, the hall light was bright enough to be noticeable. I waited to hear my wife come down the hall but no one appeared. So we went back to play and it happened again. I got up and went to the bedroom door and looked down the hall, Shadow ran part way down the hall. There was nothing and no one in the hall but us. Going back into the bedroom we both got back up on the bed, but instead of playing we watched down the darkened hall. We must have waited 10 minutes or so and had about given up the lights coming back on. Shadow was probably asleep. But the lights come on a third time. I was up and in the hall within seconds with Shadow right behind me. There was absolutely no one or anything that could have triggered those lights. We went downstairs and into the computer room where my wife was still playing with the computer. I ask her if she had any idea what was going on? She assured me she hadn't and reminded me that she moves very slow with the her leg problems, which I realize very well. So the dog and I went back upstairs to the Master bedroom. I settled in with a book and Shadow curled up on the foot of the bed and went to sleep. I must have read nearly an hour and we had no more unexpected lights until I saw the light go on and heard my wife moving slowly down the hall. Nothing as small as a mouse will activate the light so it was activated three times by what? I knew where my wife was, I knew where my dog and I were. We didn't do it. This happened several weeks ago to my wife (An earlier entry). We didn't know then what activated the lights and we don't know now what activated them. This has only occurred twice in close to a year, so it isn't an on going thing. So I would say its unlikely to be faulty lights. So the question remains what is activating the hall lights?

A loud splash

Last night I was sitting at the computer with our dog laying in my lap. It was about 6:00 pm and had already grown dark.We hear a loud noise like something being dropped into relatively deep water. Both I and my dog heard it. She reacted, jumped up and started sniffing about the Library, I had the impression it was something metal. The thing is we don't have any standing water in the library. The nearest source of water would be the bathroom. The bathroom has a water source, of course, but not any standing water. There is the jon (commode). The water in the jon isn't deep enough to make that sound. Just another unexplained noise in an old house.

A loud bang

Last Monday, that would be Nov. 14th while I and my dog were gathering up odds and ends on the second floor of my house, we were startled by a loud crash or bang. Actually it sounded pretty much like a pistol shot very close to us. Shadow, my dog, reacted sharply, running in circles like she was either trying to determine where the noise came from or was just undecided where to run to get away from whatever. The sound was definitely inside someplace. I checked the entire house figuring anything making that much noise must have left evidence of some sort. Nothing was found. My wife was not home at the time and my dog was with me. It wasn't weather related as the skies were clear, cloudless, and the Sun shone brightly. Loud bangs and noises are not uncommon in this old structure. Usually three or four times a year, usually with the approach of the Christmas season. Sometimes we find the cause of the disturbance; but quite often we do not. Needless to say the noise was not in the area where I have the spy camera.

Rapid Season changes

It seems this location has no transition seasons. Summer heat in the high 80's goes within a couple of days to low 50's and mid 30's. We don't really have a spring or Autumn. It went from hot and humid to cold and humid within a two day span. It's cold outside now. Picked my last tomato on Nov. 4th and the garden was freeze killed a day later. I had impatiens blooming on the front stoop into November. Froze out now. Spring was the same way, we went from colder than Nanooks igloo to summer heat in less than a week. Be nice to put up Christmas decorations without freezing my fingers off but it doesn't look likely to happen. You would think these sudden temperature changes would activate the house to make spooky sounds; but things have been quiet lately. If anything occurs, I will write about it. I got new batteries for the trail camera, so I'll soon set it and the spy camera out.

Trick or Treat again

I've felt crummy for a couple days. Even though it rained adequately day before yesterday and a little again yesterday you would think the allergens would be pretty cleaned out. Not so, I'm plugged but plenty and my allergy medicine only tappers it off, it makes be groggy but doesn't really clear me out. Tonight was the villages Trick or treat. One of the city fathers decided that if trick or treat times were not published only the village children would participate. Talk about selfish simpletons. I guess what makes me peevish about the whole thing is the very same jerks that don't want countryside kids in the village on Beggars Night are the very same jerks that leave their lights off and don't participate in trick or treat anyway. I really didn't feel up to giving treats out either; but I did because I didn't want to disappoint the youngsters. Some of them had some really cute costumes this year and, low and behold, I didn't see a single political mask. Hooray. I took a few pictures when I got a minute, I haven't checked for orbs or what have you. I didn't have hardly any decorations out this year. I guess I'm getting old. I did set up Mr. Bones and he did frighten a few very young. Most now think he's just funny and want their pictures taken with him. I did give out a very large amount of treats. I started out with a table full of 200 pieces, Battery hand held pumpkins, glow wands and jewelry, glow masks and other glowing bric a brac. It was soon wiped out which put me back into left over from last year items. So I know I had over 300 tick or treators but whether or not I matched the 400 I usually have, I really don't know. I'd say the ill conceived plan to limit children from the countryside didn't work. I am glad it didn't work. Bunch of jerks. The Fire Department had their party for the children who stayed and prizes, contests, Hot Dogs and Soda Pop made for a very nice end to Halloween by 8 o'clock.

Phantom Dog ot ?

Last night I had a strange experience. I had just sit down to the computer intending to read some E mail. It must have been about 7 o'clock pm. About the time I started reading, my little schnauzer, Shadow, came into the room and wanted me to pick her up. I picked her up and she did her typical turn around on my lap before she settled down. My wife was working upstairs and we have no other animals in the house at this time. I had just resumed reading my E mail when I heard a distinctive thump like something hitting the floor behind me. Immediately I heard the jingle of what sounded like dog tags jingling on a dog collar. I turned in my seat, but saw nothing that would have made that sound , nothing out of the ordinary. Shadow did not react. I hesitate to bring this up; but I recently (about 11 months ago) lost a little male schnauzer named Rowdy. That chair in the library was his favorite. I know it seems a bit far fetched. On the other hand I have no logical explanation.

Very disappointing

The spy camera shoed no new photos attempted even though the batteries were almost exhausted. I used new, but ordinary batteries, so I guess this camera is a high drain type that will require alkaline batteries, at least. I got Alkaline batteries today and I'll try the spy camera again. The trail camera showed NO shots taken even though the screen reported a photo taken when I walked in front of it. I may have used the wrong chip in the camera. I'll trade chips and try again before I give up on this camera,

Trail Camera

I got a new (for me) second hand trail camera. Just to see if it is going to work, I sit it in the front hall, aimed up the stairs. I replaced the batteries in the spy camera and sat it in the Library. These are experiments, I really don't expect any interesting results. I have, also, an older trail camera, if I can find it and the batteries haven't corroded. I'll replace these batteries too and place it somewhere for a test.

Spy Camera and sound activated tape recorders

I have a spy camera and two sound activated recorders. Lately I have not recorded anything abnormal with any of them. The Halloween, Sowein season is rapidly approaching. In the past a few days prior to and a few days post Halloween has captured several shots of "orbs" with the digital camera. However, I have had no luck for the past 3 years. I have been using the cameras and recorders in areas where we seem to have the most activity, Granted my equipment is very basic. Does anyone have suggestions as to where or how these cameras might be placed to catch abnormal sounds or pictures. I prefer to set-up the cameras and recorders in areas less frequented by myself and my wife, Such as the upstairs short hall, tehe green room and the attic. Unfortunately mosf those areas are rather dark. I have a couple of trail cameras with flash, that perhaps I could place in the short hall and and attic stairs. Its a thought.

Spy Camera

I checked on the spy camera today. I had it aimed up the front stairs and I did leave the hallway light on. Nevertheless it was still a big disappointment. I had a total of 18 shots on it this time and nine of them were me either setting up the camera or going on the stairs to check and see if it was actually working. The other 9 shots were either totally dark or shows a very small area of the stairs. Still no clue as to what activated the camera on the other 9 shots. Halloween is upcoming. At one time I got a lot of "orbs", but that hasn't been true the past 2 or 3 years. I'll reset the camera somewhere as soon as I can get the batteries changed.

Voice

After church my wife and I decided to take a drive in the country. Our little schnauzer loves to bark at the livestock we see in fields along the way. After we returned and had supper we were kind of tired and I went upstairs to the master bed room to lay down a bit. My wife decided to catch up on her E mail on the Library computer. Our dog, who was rather barked out, I think, came up stairs with me and laid down at the foot of the bed. Keep in mind the master bed room is on the second floor in the very front of the house. The computer room is actually our Library which is on the first floor, just east of the center of the house. The walls are all brick, 3 and 4 bricks thick. Sound does not carry well in our house. I was laying on top of the covers, reading a book with my dog laying at my feet. I heard my name called. It sounded like my wife and it sounded like it came from downstairs. My dogs ears went up and she appeared to be listening. Frankly, I was not absolutely sure I heard right. Then again, I heard my name called, more clearly now. As my wife has a serious leg problem and a broken wrist I figured I'd better see what was up. She knew I was upstairs and she knew it would be difficult for me to hear from the Library. My dogs ears were erect but she hadn't reacted any further. Ordinarily she would have gone on down to see for her self. I got downstairs as quickly as possible came through the Dinning room and into the Library. My wife was sitting at the computer. She looked up and said "What's the matter?" I replied that I thought she had called me. "Nope", wasn't me, are you sure?" At that point I wasn't sure of anything. No radios or TVs were on and because the Air conditioning units were going full blast the windows were closed. It was hot and humid out side. The village playground had no one on it, not even sitting under one of the shade trees. I know what I heard and my dog obviously heard it too even if she didn't react normally. This is not the first time my name has been called while I was in this bedroom; actually its the third or fourth time over the 40 plus years we have been here. I think I'd like to know, just once, what this voice wants.

Mumbling

I have, upon several occasions remarked about nondescript mumbling driving me batty. Last night. as I was reading my E mail, voices began. Not quite like previous mumbling, these voices were a bit louder, but still not loud enough to actually tell what was being said. The mumbling was more sporatic as well. As I sat at the computer, listening all would be quiet then suddenly a sound, like a voice would mumble something. I sat there trying to determine where the sounds were coming from. The best I could determine they seemed to emanate from the big bookcase on the south wall. I really tried to concentrate, to hear what words were being used; but I could not quite make out anything clearly. Was someone talking outside? I seriously doubt it. This wall of the library has the library on one side of a thick brick wall and an open porch where I have many plants on the other. As I have said before, my wife and I have been in and out of the hospital several times this summer. Because of this vines and other obnoxious plants have taken over my porch. I'm going to have a major job cutting my citrus trees free from the invading vines before I can move them inside for the winter. I really don't believe anyone was close enough or loud enough to be heard. If I had had my tape recorder handy I would have attempted to record the sounds; I think they were loud enough to register on the recorder. Unfortunately, my recorders (both) are upstairs and I figured by the time I got them and returned the mumbling would have stopped. Besides the mumbling seemed to be coming from the westernmost most corner of the bookcase (bookcase facing south, but the westernmost corner). This corner of the bookcase also sits just east of the back stairs and rear bathroom. As my wife was not at home at the time and my dog was asleep in the dining room, they can be ruled out.

More problems

When you get old life tends to get complicated. Seems my wife and I cannot stay out of the hospital. This a.m. as my wife was leaving the house she caught her shoe on something and took a bad spill that resulted in a bruised shoulder and a broken wrist. My wife is far more knowledgeable about computers than I am. I need her to transfer photos from the camera's chip to the forum. Looks like that's not about to happen for a while. We've been in that hospital so many times over the past year or so they know us on sight. As far as happenings, that is," things that go bump in the night", the house has been rather quiet. On the other hand, we haven't been here much during the daylight hours lately. Perhaps once we can get back into some kind of routine we'll have more to report.

The camera now has 289 shots on it. A lot of black blanks. a few of me coming down the stairs. Nothing on the monitor unusual. I put a new chip in the camera and aimed it up the stairs. Anyone have any suggestions?

Spy Camera

The spy camera has 239 shots on it. Most of these pictures are solid black. So what set the camera off? I got several shots of myself (unintended) and a few shots with flashes of light. The little monitor I use to print off the chips is just too unclear with no way to lighten or enhance the shots. I reset the camera in the front hall and left a light on. I haven't checked it out yet.

Suggested solution

A suggested solution for the loud crashes I experienced a day or so ago. It has been suggested that because we were getting a light rain that day the crash and roll may have been thunder. A strike close to the residence might sound like something falling on the roof. This is plausible. But seems strange that only that one blast would occur with no others preceding it or following it. My dog who is really frightened by thunder was not reacting as she does during a thunderstorm, but, yes, she did react to the loud clap of thunder as did I. A single clap of thunder in the afternoon could explain the afternoon effect. I really do not know; but the theory is plausible and as no damage to the roof or house was detected adds plausibility to the idea.

Loud noises

Not much activity to write about until yesterday. It rained, lightly, all day yesterday. I don't know if the rain had anything to do with a couple loud noises that occurred or nor. Yesterday, at about 10 am, I was reading messages at my computer. Shadow was asleep beside my chair and my wife was out running her store. A really loud, house jarring crash got my and Shadows attention. Seemingly coming from the roof toward the rear of the house I wondered if we had lost a chimney. Shadow jumped up at the crash but remained beside my chair. A crash like that needs to be investigated and thinking something hit the roof I went outside (it was raining lightly) and walked around the house. Everything seemed ok. I then came into the house and checked it out. Nothing was found to be amiss. At about 2 pm as I was walking through the dining room a second crash occurred that shook the house. Shadow came trotting in from the kitchen. The second crash sounded like it came from the front of the house roof. Again, I went outside to check. Nothing seemed out of place. But two loud crashes just seemed a bit much for nothing to have happened; so I got in my car and drove up to the state road that runs above and behind my property. From there I got a clear view of the whole roof. Nothing appeared to be out of place. Again I checked the house interior. I found nothing wrong. Loud, unexplained noises are known to happen here. I have written about them before. But noises that actually jar the house you would think would have a source.

I'm getting back to normal. Once I quit taking most of the medicines the doctors pawned off on me I began to straighten up. Once again I must plan how I will make use of the spy camera. I never did get to aim it up the rear staircase for a period of time. That is one option. I also plan to use the sound activated recorder. probably use it in the parlor. Will report if anything unusual occurs.

Sorry about lack of posts.

While I was in the hospital I was given medicine that reacted badly. I guess if the disease doesn't kill you the medicine will. I haven't been up to posting much nor running any photographic experiments. If we can straighten out the medicines damage I may be able to resume activities.

While convalescing

After a rough hospital stay, I came home to convalesce. I was home alone quite a few hours a day as my wife has a store to run. Sitting at the computer, in the Library, I tried to catch up on correspondence. Only my dog (Shadow) and I were home. Shadow laid at my feet in the computer room. Perhaps due to the rather strong medicines I was taking (and still am, minus a couple) , I kept hearing footsteps on the backstairs leading to the second floor. I thought they were rather obvious but Shadow did not react to them. In fact, they got so obvious, to me, at least, That I finally armed myself. We keep the many outside doors to this place locked and the windows are located in such a way that it would be most difficult to enter that way. I have heard footsteps here m any times over the years; yet neither I nor my wife had heard any for several weeks. Now, all of a sudden I could hear them a bit too plain. Like I said, it may have been the medicine I was taking. The weather, here, has been cooler than normal and we have already had several thunderstorms. Perhaps I should set the spy camera up at the foot of the rear stairs but that stairwell is so blamed dark, even in the day time, I suspect the shots would be empty. Might do it anyway. Big old house are so much fun. If you ever get a chance to live in one for a few weeks, you really should give it a try.

Sorry for the long delay. I was hospitalized for a bit with a runaway heart. It is taking time to get back to normal; if I ever do. As soon as I feel able; I will again attempt to see what, if anything, can be gotten on camera.

Camera at the foot of the front stairs.

I moved the spy7 camera to the foot of the front stairs and had my fairy statue hold the camera aimed up those stairs. Then this morning, at breakfast, my wife says to me, "When I went out to get the paper I saw that you left the hall light on again". So, naturely she shut it off. It's gloomy and rainy today, so I'll just have blank pictures today. Although I will turn on the hall light again before I leave.

Camera working again

I finally got photos with the motion activated camera. Unfortunately there was nothing unusual unless you consider that most of the pictures are either black or just show an empty room. The camera ran for about 24 hours. It had about 50 shots. Many must have been taken at night when no lights were on as they were black. But if it was too dark to see anything; what activated the camera. We got lots of pictures of the front portion of the parlor but nothing that should have activated the camera. And we got a few shots of me setting up the camera or my passing through the room. I reset the camera more toward the front of the parlor; however, my wife wants me to aim the camera up the front staircase because that is where we managed to get our only "ghost" photo some months back. That staircase is rather dark so I'll have to leave the hall light on. So tomorrow I'll see if I can set the camera to keep tabs on the front stairs.

Camera is still kaput

I hadn't checked the camera in some time. I got a break tonight so I thought I"d check it out. It had obviously shut itself off, not taking any pictures but running the batteries down. So I got fresh batteries and tried again tonight. I stood and waited for the camera to activate before putting it in place in the parlor aimed toward the parlor door and front entrance steps. It actually took a picture as I observed it. Maybe next time.

Spy camera reinstated

Once again I have setup the spy camera. This time I have it on the mantle in the parlor aimed toward the hall doorway that leads immediately to the front door. I'll leave it in place for a few days and see if we get anything but empty pictures.

House is back to normal (whatever that is)

After over a month of creepy quiet the house is noisy again. Most sounds are not identifiable they just happen. The walking sounds that started this cycle, a couple of days ago, have not repeated. But bumps, bangs, and other assorted noises can be heard from time to time. Again Shadow seems oblivious to them. Might be a good time to reinstate the motion camera.

No longer quiet

Today is the first day that sounds are again be heard in this house. Frankly the extreme quiet was getting to me. It started this morning. My wife left for the store. Shadow (my surviving schnauzer) and I planned on picking up the mail and joining my wife at the store just before noon. I was reading my computer mail and everything up to that point was quiet. I distinctly heard footsteps coming through the kitchen but ending at the foot of the rear stairway. Shadow was laying on a cushion in the Dining room and I heard nothing out of her. Normally any stranger would put her into hysterics. I am in the library at the computer, just off the dining room. Nothing more was heard and either the intruder was recognized by Shadow or it was simply a sound that is common to her. I suppose I should have gone to see if anyone was there. But I didn't. I hadn't heard the west side kitchen door open nor heard the bell that rings when that door is opened. So, being busy (actually lazy) I didn't investigate. Until recently foot steps being heard in this house is not that unusual. I did note the steps sounded like hard leather shoes on a wood floor. Our kitchen has carpet. The weather has gone from cold, upper 20's daytime, around 0 at night, to 40 daytime and 34 at night. Temperature swings, I'm told, can cause noises in old houses, by I cannot figure out how the trailing sound of footsteps could be thus produced. We had 5 inches of snow, but almost all of it has melted in the higher temperatures.

House is still abnormally quiet

Temperatures are dropping rapidly and after a short warm spell (50's high) tonight we are experiencing high winds and snow. Yet, in spite of all of this; the house is abnormally quiet. We had our younger dog out today from early afternoon til dark. But since we came home, she has been sleeping. My wife went upstairs a while ago and I have sat in the Library reading my mail. Thirty five MPH wind gusts outside (according to the local weather report) plus probably about an inch of snow and yet this house is quiet as a tomb. The house has been quiet since about the 18th of last month. No cracks, snaps, bangs, clatters, nor any extraneous sounds. At the moment the only sounds to be heard are my tapping the keyboard and an occasional squeak from the office chair I use with the computer. Old houses make strange sounds; but what about old houses that make no noise at all? I cannot remember a time in the past 35 years when this house has been this silent for more than a day or two. I guess the silence is bugging me.