Saturday, February 16, 2008 - approximately 4:30PM - My friends Elizabeth and Joe and I have called it quits for the day - enough renovation work. Joe is sitting on the couch in the Family room. I'm standing about 5-feet away and Elizabeth is next to me. She asks, "Can you smell it?" and I ask, "smell what?". Elizabeth states, "flowers, like lilies". At first I don't notice the scent but then it becomes gently apparent and lasts for about 30-seconds. Did Lily come downstairs for a brief visit?
Saturday, February 16, 2008 - approximately 8:30PM - Joe and I have returned from supper at the Yellow Creek Inn. We're going to watch a DVD before he heads home. I'm complaining about how quiet it's been over the past 3-4 weeks at the "Haunted Mansion". He agrees and says, "I haven't even heard those small noises coming from rooms where we're not working". Joe's talking about those noises that can't be attributed to plumbing, the house settling, a tree branch scraping against a window or some small animal etc. Good! I've never told him that in the past when we were working I heard those noises too. I feel vindicated! But what's up with my "family"? - months of craziness and now complete calm.
Tuesday, Feburary 19, 2008 - approximately 8:00PM - I'm talking on the phone with my friend Susan and yet again complaining about the lack of recent activity at the "Haunted Mansion". I like consistency in my life and my "family" is not being consistent. Susan has no explanation. My job has taken me out of town and I retire to bed at 9:30PM. At approximately 12:30AM I'm startled and abruptly awakened from a deep sleep by a loud bang like a rubber mallet on sheet metal ductwork near the ceiling and door to the bedroom. I immediately say out loud, "Well Mike (the reported name of one of the spirits in my house), it's about time you did something. I'm tired of not interacting with you." I turn and look at the alarm clock thinking that I'm home in my bedroom but quickly realize that I'm not. Was that loud noise created in my dream (although I don't remember dreaming) or did one of my family travel to let me know they're still around? They've been known to travel. I guess it's just another one of those paranormal experiences. There really are no answers beyond a reasonable doubt.
Friday, February 29, 2008 – 6:30PM to 9:00PM - I went to a workshop held at a New Age store in Rockford, IL. The workshop, presented by a medium, was about expanding personal psychic ability. I talked with the medium before the workshop began and told him that the “Haunted Mansion” has been incredibly quiet. I stated that it will be embarrassing for me if the group investigating on March 15 doesn’t encounter anything especially after all my talk about how my house, buildings and property are so haunted. He told me that a member of my “family” (Sara) said it’s been quiet because they are saving their energy for the investigation. He also told me Sara informed him that I would be at the workshop and she also visited the investigative group’s co-founder to be certain that the investigation will happen.
I sat and waited for the workshop to begin after talking with the medium. I started to go into a mild hypnotic-like state. This has happened to me before and from what I know it seems to be when my “family” is trying to communicate with me. The group practiced clairvoyance and clairsentience towards the end of the workshop. We were told to focus on a subject and then observe what we sensed. I focused on Sara. First, I heard over and over in my head, “I’m your friend”. Then, I visualized female breasts. OK, I know that’s weird but I’ve been told that part of Sara’s role in my life is to spiritually nurture me. I spoke with the medium after the workshop about my experiences during the work session. He agreed with my interpretations and said, “Sara was next to you and behind you during part of the workshop”.
Sunday, March 2, 2008 – approximately 9:00PM - I was watching TV in the Family room. The weather forecast predicted rain, sleet and wind gusts. It was accurate. First, I heard noises coming from the basement under the Family room. The stairwell to that basement (there are 2-basements in the house) is open to the Family room. The noises sounded like wooden furniture being moved and banging together as it was placed. There is no furniture in the basement but there is a wooden hollow core door and wood 2x4s from demolition. I haven’t checked to see if they’re been moved but the sounds were from something heavier anyway. The event lasted between 15-30 seconds. I called out and asked, “Hey Joe is everything OK?” Almost immediately thereafter, I heard a very loud rustling like sound coming from the Kitchen, almost as if large trash bags filled with shredded newspaper were thrown from a shelf to the floor and someone was squashing them. The event lasted for at least one minute. I then heard Tyvek house wrap (I’ve removed siding and replaced sheathing for new siding to be installed this year) rustling from a gust of wind at the exterior of the Family room. So, I thought that the rustling in the Kitchen was probably caused by the wind. But I’m fairly certain that the Kitchen noise was coming from within the house and it was probably too loud and too long to be caused by a single, powerful gust of wind. Also, it was much louder than the noise from outside the Family room and lasted much longer. After this loud rustling from the Kitchen, I heard more rustling but it wasn’t nearly as loud and was clearly the sound of Tyvek coming from outside and the result of wind gusts. I stayed-up for another 1 ½ hours and never heard anything further like the loud rustling from the Kitchen.
I’m comfortable with black and white but this is all so gray. Has my “family” really been in-active and quiet or is the above evidence that they’re just as active as ever?
Thursday, March 13, 2008 - W.I.P.S. investigation Saturday, March 15 @ 10:00PM until Sunday, March 16 @ 3:00AM. Will it be a bust or will my "family" engage? 
Saturday, March 15, 2008 -Tonight is the investigation. I wonder about the outcome. It should be interesting regardless of what takes place or doesn't. The reality is that I know what I've experienced here over the past 15 months and I know what others have experienced! Let's see what happens!
Sunday, March 16, 2008 - Success! The investigation went well. Personal experiences of individuals from the investigative group confirmed that Willow Creek Farm is haunted. Technical recordings will take time to analyze and I hope that positive, substantiating information is gained through those. Although my first investigation, W.I.P.S. proved itself to be courteous, professional and thorough in every respect. Thanks to Ann, Chris and the investigative team for the long trek to Willow Creek Farm and the hours spent in preparation and execution of the investigation! 
Good Friday, March 21, 2008 - As time marches forward my experiences and the experiences of others with my “family” become even more fascinating. Here’s the most recent development.
Several “sensitives” over the past year have reported a little girl in the NW 2nd Floor bedroom who is blond and 3-4 years old. Two of these “sensitives” agreed that her name is Lilly. All “sensitives” agree that she is Sara’s daughter who is another member of my “family”.
During the round-table discussion after the recent investigation by W.I.P.S. its medium reported that a young girl between 9-10 years of age resided in the NW 2nd Floor bedroom and she is Sara’s daughter. He also reported that her name is Emily or something similar.
I was allowed to have two (2) guests attend the W.I.P.S. investigation. One of the guests is a teenage woman who is a “sensitive”. In the past when visting with her parents she has had contact with “Lilly” and she did as well during the investigation. This morning I received an e-mail from her mother which immediately prompted my phone call and in summary her mother said, “Ever since my daughter came back from your house I have had two dreams that were at your house. I don't normally dream or remember them because I generally don’t reach REM as a result of my health. But the dreams were about Lilly. Her name is actually Amelia and her nickname is Lilly because she would always bring her mom lilies in the spring. My daughter told me that the medium believes Lilly’s name is Emily but from my dreams I think it’s really Amelia although “Emily” is close.”
About three months ago another sensitive told me that Lilly and Sara loved to walk through the fields in the spring and Lilly would pick flowers for her mother. 
Friday, March 28, 2008 - Mike and Michelle are close friends of mine. They have three (3) daughters ranging in age from 10 to 16. The family helped me move in December ’06 and have visited the house multiple times since. On each visit, all have had paranormal experiences except Mike. Amanda is the eldest and is clairvoyant. Michelle is “sensitive”. (See the Good Friday, March 21 blog above).
Michelle does not sleep well or for extended periods because of a long term illness and seldom, if ever, remembers her dreams. Recently, she’s been having intense dreams about Sara and Amelia (see above). Today she e-mailed me with the following.
Amelia loves butterflies...she has the "kitten" the furry one [my comment – I had a furry 6-month old female kitten that ate poison and died 4-months ago. Michelle didn’t know about the kitten but accurately described her in a phone conversation yesterday] with her and often they play with the kitten at your house. Her mom Sara loves lavender...not sure if it is the smell or the color. Amelia was the youngest child [my comment – same reported by other mediums] and was with her mom a lot as the others did chores or were at least gone. She loves being with her mom. Sara said Amanda [my comment – Mike and Michelle’s 16-year old psychic daughter] looks like a family member and Amelia is fascinated with Amanda’s clothes and makeup. Sara watches over you just as she does others in the house. I saw a lot in my head tonight and plan on going back to sleep now to see if I wake up with more thoughts about them. Update: In a phone conversation today Michelle told me that very recently Amanda has been missing jewelry and small articles of clothing that turn-up several days later in places other than where she remembers leaving them. Amelia are you playing?
Thursday, April 4, 2008 - Tonight I had a phone conversation with a friend and he described his dream from the prior night. In the dream he turned right onto a country road from a main road. He crested a hill, saw a farm, then turned into a dirt path (my driveway?). In the front of the white farmhouse there were some trees and also woods in the back. There was a creek too. He knew the name of my farm (Willow Creek) but has never visited it or seen pictures of it until after he had the dream and visited a site where I've posted pictures. The house is a typical white Midwest farmhouse from the mid 1800s, there are trees in the front, woods 1/2 mile at the back of the fields and a creek that is to the left of the house and drive. He does not claim to be psychic. Is this simply coincidence?
Friday, April 4, 2008 - The house is a construction zone and very dusty. Tonight I noticed "Hi" written twice on top of a very dusty two tier bookcase. There are also finger prints, adult size. Each "Hi" isn't neatly printed but they're unmistakably "Hi". Two weeks ago I noticed the same type "Hi" written in the dust on my computer screen. I asked three people on separate occasions if they saw anything written in the dust on the monitor and without missing a beat each said, 'I see "Hi" written in the dust". Hmm, is it Mike, Sara or a guest? It's not Amelia based upon the fingerprints I observed tonight.
Sunday, April 6, 2008 (afternoon – time not noted) - I was walking from the Dining room into the Living room and felt something like a light breeze pass by me. But it wasn’t a breeze it was more like electrical energy. I really can’t describe the feeling. All of a sudden, after taking several steps in the Living room, my right ear felt as though I had blockage from a head cold. This was accompanied by a high-pitched buzzing sound. My ear then popped and the sound stopped. I walked several feet further and the ear occurrence repeated itself. Sylvia Browne, in her book Contacting Your Spirit Guide, describes the sensations when spirits talk to you. What she describes is nearly identical to what I experienced. I really didn't give the experience much thought until I talked with a friend last evening who has also read Sylvia Browne’s book. My friend stated that my experience was exactly what she’d read in the book too. Was one of my family or a guest trying to communicate with me? My friend thinks it was Sara? Perhaps, or maybe I simply had a brief body malfunction. What do you think?
Saturday, April 26, 2008 (6:13AM)
My cat has recently begun spending the night sleeping on the foot of my bed. Occasionally, I’ll wake to find him alongside me near my chest. That was the case when I went downstairs and used the bathroom at approximately 5:45AM and returned to bed drifting off into a semi-conscious relaxed state with my eyes half closed. I was suddenly jolted by a huge bang coming from downstairs. It sounded something like a large Armoire that had been pushed over. The cat, curled up next to me with eyes closed, jumped and immediately awoke. He sat-up on his haunches with his back stiff and front legs in locked position. I stroked his back and wondered out loud, “Hey Mr. P, who do you think that was?” He looked at me then went back to staring with alarm and intensity past the bedroom door, through the nursery out to the hallway. It was nearly time to arise anyway so I got out of bed and threw on some sweats. Only then did Mr. P relax his stance and stop staring towards the hallway. We headed downstairs. A quick 1st floor investigation yielded no clues. Nothing had fallen, nothing was turned-over.
Saturday, May 3, 2008 (8:00PM to 1:00AM approx.)
Certainly I'm biased but look at the photos labeled May 3, 2008. Feel free to comment. My friend Steve, and friends Mike his wife Shell with their three (3) daughters visited yesterday and took the photos in my gallery. Now I have a comment for those of you who think Willow Creek Farm is a rather typical haunting. Oh really?!
Friday, May 9, 2008 (10:00PM)
There is a child's rocker in Lily's room. It was given to me by my parents when I was about five years old. It is now Lily's. I arrived home and walked into her room before retiring to bed. I noticed that her ball and stuffed bunny were behind the two adult rocking chairs within two feet of one another and adjacent to the east window. The bunny was face down. I moved the adult rocking chairs from the Nursery to Lily's room last week because I'm beginning renovations in the Nursery and needed uncluttered space to work. Earlier in the week, the ball was next to the children's rocker and the bunny was in the it. The two rocking chairs are approximately 4-5 feet from the child's rocker. Perhaps my kitten Mr. P moved them.
Sunday, May 10, 2008 (approx. 6:30AM)
I was awakened this morning by what sounded like loud rattling. We had a strong storm last evening that lasted into early afternoon today. There were gusts over 40 mph. I thought that the rattling was from 145+ year old windows being buffeted by wind. But I know better because I heard that too and the rattling that woke me was different. It was louder and came from downstairs. It also didn't correspond to the increase in wind speed and it was ongoing for well over one minute.
Same day (4:00PM)
A friend stopped for a short visit today. He too is a believer. I described the Friday (May 9) incident and showed him Lily’s ball. He thought it highly likely that Mr. P (my kitten) moved the ball but he wondered why there were no kitten paws in the heavy dust on the child's rocking chair. Mr. P would have had to stand with front paws on the chair to reach the bunny. This is curious!
Also I wiped clean, dust from the 2-tier bookcase at the front door last weekend (see related story above dated Friday, April 4). Today I noticed that there are more fingerprints - no messages just fingerprints. My friend also pointed out that they are fresh prints. Hmmm? I wonder?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
This evening I was having supper with my friends Ross and Carol. We were talking about the May 3 photos. Carol reminded me that when they visited last September (2007) with their three daughters, the middle daughter age 4 at the time, told her the next morning that she couldn’t sleep the evening they visited because there was a lady in her room. Carol asked her daughter to describe the lady; she couldn’t. Sara travels. I wonder?
Friday, May 16, 2008
I arrived home and the radio was playing loudly in the Family room. I swear I turned it off when I left. It’s part of my house-check routine – stove off, lights out, doors locked, radio off etc. Did I forget to turn it off? Nah.
Sunday, May 25, 2008 (6:20AM)
Here we go again, a repeat of Saturday, April 26. I was suddenly jolted awake from a deep, sound sleep by a huge bang coming from downstairs somewhere between the Dining and Family rooms. It was the same sound that woke me and Mr. P on April 26; something like a large very heavy (Oak) Armoire that had been pushed over onto a wood floor. I guess Mike wants me to get-up and out of bed. There are things to do and no time to waste. But this time I fell back asleep and got out of bed around 8:30AM. A quick 1st floor investigation proved that nothing had fallen, nothing was turned-over.
Early June 2008
Faith is
the 14 year-old daughter of the farmer who farms on my property. She was required to give a seven-minute oral
presentation to her 8th grade class on a topic of her choice. I was honored to hear that her topic was the
history of Willow Creek Farm but also its haunting. Her teacher commended Faith’s
presentation. But here’s what’s really
interesting. She also stated that one of
her students several years prior had given a report about the Haunted House on Spring Valley Road
in Shannon.
It was the same house – my house.
Creepy!
Sometime in June 2008 on a Friday
evening.
I went
downstairs to the basement under the Family room. I haven’t spoken with Joe recently. As I stood on the north side of the basement
I had a subtle but distinct feeling that I was being approached by a presence
from across the room that came and stood immediately to my right within one
foot of me. Yes Joe, I’m glad to see you
too and I’ve been neglecting you recently.
Thursday, July 10 (approx. 9:00 PM)
The
Family room drywall is being taped. I’ve
gotten rid of the Wood burning stove and will replace it with a replica Pot
belly stove. The metal flue for the wood
burning stove is leaning against a wall at the bottom of the Basement
stairs. I was laying on the couch watching
TV and Mr. P was resting on my stomach.
We were interrupted by a huge sound of sheet metal being dragged or
moved that came from the basement. It
startled and scared me – Mr. P even more so.
He jumped up and stared towards the stairs. I got up, investigated and found the flue in
its same spot. Explain that one. It’s been so quiet here for nearly a month; no unusual sounds, no “feelings” -
nothing. Earlier that evening I’d gone
down in the Family room basement to visit with Joe. I told him everyone has been very quiet for
awhile and that they should let me know they’re around.
The Trip West
I live in Brooklyn, NY
– the Big Apple and have for nearly 25 years.
I need to move. It’s been a bad
year for me. Friends have died very
unexpectedly, I’ve had one life-threatening injury (hit and run), and a serious
accident where I could have lost some fingers, 9/11, my father’s death one
month later and now I’m unemployed. The
city isn’t exhilarating anymore. If
anything, it’s aggravating and annoying.
I have family who farm in the Midwest. I’m divorced and estranged from my son. Perhaps, I’m entering a new phase in my life
and it’s time to move west. My friend
Terry has offered to rent an extra room in her apartment to me. She lives in Rockford, Illinois. I give serious consideration to a move and
Terry’s offer. Within one week I’ve made
my decision. I’m moving to Rockford, Illinois. It’s a city of approximately 150,000 located
90 miles west of Chicago.
Rockford (the
beginning)
It’s early in October 2002
and I’ve arrived in Rockford. I’m settling-in and feel good about my decision. I’m making friends and besides the daily job
hunt, I’ve established a regular routine, including working-out at the gym, volunteering
and other activities to remain active.
But, there’s bad news. I find out
through a routine check-up that I have a serious health problem.
Rockford (the
conclusion)
I’ve landed a job with a
local company after nearly one year of unemployment. My health problem continues but is finally eradicated. The year-long treatment was brutal. I receive a “Friends” request on MySpace from
Susan and I approve it. Susan, who lives
in another state, and I begin corresponding and exchange phone numbers. She will soon become a very significant part
of my life in a most unusual way. A
former employer calls me and I’m re-hired.
Employment with them is considerably more beneficial than my current
employment. I’d like to fulfill my life
long dream of owning a farmette. I’m in
the perfect place to realize that dream.
Some of the best agricultural land in the world is just five minutes
outside of Rockford! I make some contacts with local realtors and
explain my financial situation and vision.
I’m assured that I can realize my dream over time. Only one realtor actively responds and she sends
me several listings. My friend Heidi and
I spend a Saturday afternoon visiting the potential properties that the realtor
has suggested. They’re close to my dream
but for one reason or another they’re not quite right. Little do I know that I will soon be leaving Rockford and will have
what are perhaps, some of the most incredible experiences in my life’s journey?
The Search
Eric’s parents know the Northwestern Illinois area well. I’m developing a good friendship with Eric,
his wife, their children and his parents because of a mutual interest. Eric’s parents farmed Dairy here for many
years. Shortly after my property visits
with Heidi, Eric’s parents offer to take me on a road trip so that I can become
more familiar with the region. It’s
Sunday in late September 2006 and we’re traveling back roads. The countryside is beautiful! I notice a number of properties with “For
Sale” signs that are listed by one particular agency. The agency has a website and I visit it that
same evening. Another possibility is to
buy some raw land to build a house and out buildings. There’s one listing that catches my eye. Monday morning and I’m at work. I call Katie, the listing agent of the
property, and explain my situation. She also
assures me that I can realize my dream.
Monday evening I return home from work and have an e-mail from her with
two listings attached. Heidi and I had
seen one of the listings but the other is new.
I will visit the new property on Saturday.
The Property
It’s a typical cold, damp
late Fall day in NW Illinois yet the nearly 60 mile drive from Rockford to
Cherry Grove Township is rather pleasant probably because I’m feeling
optimistic and enjoying the huge, wide-open, rolling farm country with fields
to the horizon. For once, Mapquest’s
directions were accurate. It was easy
enough to find the property. I enter the
drive and hesitate. There doesn’t appear
to be anyone home. Should I wander the
property by myself? Why not, there’s no
one here what harm would it be? For the
next 20-30 minutes I walk portions of the property. It’s nearly 28 acres with a wonderful old
farm house, barn, out buildings and structures, rolling pastures, creek and
large Willow
tree. Unfortunately, it’s all too
apparent that everything has been neglected for years. But dreams can be realized! By the time I leave I know that this is it –
I have to own this property!
The Offer and Acceptance
I visit my mortgage banker
on Monday, October 30 and receive pre-approval.
This is too easy. I call Katie
and she makes an offer through the seller’s agent on my behalf. It’s Tuesday, October 31, 2006 - Halloween! I accept the seller’s counter offer on
Thursday. This is really happening. I’m going to realize my nearly lifelong dream
of owning a farmette.
The Closing
It’s 11:00AM, Wednesday,
December 20, 2006. I meet my realtor Katie
at the house. The Seller is doing some
last minute packing. We exchange brief
greetings as they’re leaving and we enter the house. I’ve never been in the house. Isn’t that odd? I make the biggest financial investment in my
life yet I never entered the house until the day of closing yet. I was obsessed with making the purchase – I
had to own this property! We enter the
kitchen through the attached garage at the rear of the house. It’s dark and the air is heavy. We begin our exploration of the fist
floor. I don’t like the Parlor off the
Living room. The hair on my neck
stands-up when I enter that room. My
immediate feeling and thought is that the room is evil. How odd that I should have this thought. I think it’s because of the color, a hideous
bright blue with overspray on the windows.
I’m in a mild state of shock because as we continue our exploration, it
becomes all too apparent that the house is more of a “fixer-upper” than I had anticipated. But it will soon be mine! I’m filled with a combination of anxiety,
excitement and elation!
The closing consists mainly
of me signing lots of documents for over an hour. I try to make light of the situation because
this should be an happy time. It’s
nearly Christmas, my dream is being realized and I assume that the Sellers are
making money – some extra cash for those holiday gifts. But it isn’t happy for the Sellers. They’re weekenders from the Chicago suburbs. They’re selling because the husband has
serious health problems. This is
significant to the story as it unfolds.
The husband isn’t at the closing.
Only his wife, daughter and their son-in-law attend. At one point, I ask in a light-hearted manner
if the house is haunted. Donna (the
wife) looks up and says, “It’s interesting that you should ask because we were
just talking about that this weekend. In
fact, it is”. I ask her to describe
events. She tells about Kitchen cabinet
doors and the microwave door opening by themselves. The CD player turns-on by itself when she
lays down to rest in the Family room and it always skips disks going to her
favorite CD. I think this is exciting
and in an update e-mail to family and friends after the closing paragraph I type,
“It’s haunted. Woohoo”! Little do I know that what I think is cute
will become my worst nightmare and turn my life upside down within the next
three short days. We’re done with the
closing. The property is now mine!
The Move – December 23, 2006
I asked one friend to help
me move and others called to help.
Eventually twelve helped including their children helped with the move. I’m fortunate to have such good friends. It’s a typical late December day in Illinois; cold and sunny with clouds. The sun is setting as we arrive at the
property – my dream come true. I still
marvel at the beauty of the area and what a beautiful sunset.
I back the U-Haul up to the
attached garage. I open the garage door
and we enter the house into the kitchen.
In hindsight, I chuckle because we didn’t “enter” we “barged” into the
house like an army on a mission.
Everyone walks through all the levels and rooms of the house before we
begin to unload. Naturally, they want to
explore Al’s new house. The house is
dark, dank, the air is thick. It gives
the house a heavy, uneasy feeling. The
house has a very serious “creep” factor to it.
I attribute this to a combination of things: the sun has nearly set, the house hasn’t been
aired, it’s old, it’s drafty and it’s in a state of disrepair. Also, the former
owners had cats that they left here all week without attendance and there’s the
smell of cat urine. As I walk through
the different levels I’m uneasy. I’m
upstairs investigating. The air is
especially heavy here. It’s almost hard
to breath in the front bedrooms. I’m a
little angry. “How can people neglect such
a wonderful place”? I ask Amanda, if she
feels anything? Amanda is Mike and
Shell’s 14 year old daughter. She is
able to feel and see things. She tells
me that the house is definitely haunted.
She is with her boyfriend Brandon.
He feels “odd” too. They point to
a cold spot between the Nursery and Master bedroom. I investigate and respond, “Of course it’s
cold Amanda. There is gap in the wood
plank flooring”. Later, Shell tells me
that she feels very uneasy in the house.
Shell is sensitive, but not fully aware nor has she pursued her
abilities. Elizabeth comes upstairs and explores. I ask her about the house and she tells me
that it definitely has intense energy. Elizabeth has the gift
but her husband Shay is a skeptic. Elizabeth is
wide-eyed. She tells me that when she
entered the house through the kitchen she went to the Living room and
immediately felt intense energy in that room and the adjoining Parlor. She’s not comfortable with either of the
smaller bedrooms upstairs at the front of the house. She’s particularly concerned about the NE
(green) bedroom. The nursery and master
bedroom are comfortable and inviting. We
all head downstairs and the offloading begins.
I don’t know what I was
thinking; me and one other person to
move my belongings? I didn’t have much in
the way of possessions because I’d either sold or given away most when I left New York. I’m blessed with good friends and they came
to the rescue without my asking. In all
there were six adults not including me, four teenagers and two children. The march of helpers began - bringing boxes,
furniture and other items into the house through the garage while I tried to
keep up with their rapid progress and provide directions, “that goes in the
Living room, please take those upstairs to the front bedroom.” A neighbor and his wife arrived shortly after
the offloading began. I spent time
visiting with them and when they left nearly everything had been offloaded and
placed. I felt guilty because I did very
little to help but nobody seemed to mind.
Afterwards, my friends found a place to rest or continued their
investigation of the house. Eric, Lisa
and they’re two children were the first to leave. There were moments to talk with my friends
who remained and the reports came in rapid succession. Some of the teens felt really cold spots
especially upstairs. “Of course they did;
the house is very old and drafty.” They also felt like they were being
watched. Teens can have vivid imaginations. Besides, I told everyone that the house was
supposed to be haunted. Three adults,
Eric, Lisa and Shell’s husband Mike didn’t sense or voluntarily report anything
other than the obvious, a cold, run-down, drafty old farmhouse. On the other hand, Elizabeth’s husband Shay thought that he saw
a small boy crouching in the corner of the NW bedroom at the second floor. He also saw an African American male peering
from the basement stairs (under the Family room) of the 1976 addition and throughout
the house he felt as though he were being watched and never alone. He heard noises from the barn when he took a
smoke break and stood outside. I’m not
surprised, there’s a mild wind blowing and the barn is pretty run-down with
doors half on their hinges. I have to
admit that Shay’s comments un-nerved me because he’s a skeptic. Shell felt cold spots and felt as though she was
constantly being watched. She told me
that I needed to talk with Elizabeth. “Elizabeth
is really upset”. I finally cornered Elizabeth in the Living
room and kept pressing her. “What are
you sensing Elizabeth?” After much protest she finally responded, “This
room feels very safe and warm but the rest of the house is not good. I’ve never been in a place with so much
energy and it’s mostly very negative.
When I went into the basement under the Family room I saw a black,
shapeless figure in the corner that hissed at me. Amanda and her sisters were behind me. I turned and shoved them up the stairs. There is the presence of a huge mountain man
in the kitchen and he’s been in the parlor also. He’s curious but friendly, dressed in
overalls. I also felt multiple threatening
presences upstairs.” It was then that Elizabeth became very
emotional. “You must come back to Rockford and stay with us
tonight. I don’t want you staying
here. It’s not safe for you.” I responded that although I believed what she
told me I hadn’t felt anything other than the major creep factor the house
possessed and that having this farmette was my lifelong dream. It was mine and I needed to be here to
live-out whatever may happen. We went
into the Family room where everyone remaining had congregated. Mike scoffed while Shell and her daughters
repeated what they’d felt. It was time
for them to leave so we walked outside and wished them “good night” as they got
in their car. Shay and Elizabeth stayed behind; they were concerned for me and didn’t want me
to be alone. As we entered the house through
the garage I asked Elizabeth
if the big Mountain man farmer was in the kitchen. She said that he’d gone outside because of
all the commotion and told me to invite him into the house. “He already likes you.” “OK”, I thought. “I’ll play along.” So, I stood at kitchen door peering into the
darkness of the night through the garage and feeling very foolish said, “It’s
OK Ralph. You’re welcome here. Come on back in and visit with us”. At
some point during the course of the evening we’d given the farmer ghost the name
of “Ralph”. I don’t know why, it just seemed
appropriate in the moment. We returned
to the Family room and sat down where we talked about the evening. Both recounted their experiences. I have to admit that I was becoming more and
more unglued. The final straw was when Elizabeth went into the
Kitchen and exclaimed, “Oh my God, come here quickly. There’s a really cold spot right here and it’s
Ralph.” I jumped up and went to where Elizabeth was
standing. Sure enough as I extended my
right arm I felt a spot with definable boundaries that was much colder than the
surrounding area. But then it dissipated. I said, “It’s gone.” Elizabeth responded, “Of course it is, he’s
moved.” She directed me to the area
where she saw Ralph and I’d move with arm extended to that area. I’ll be damned if I didn’t feel the cold spot
again. This happened three times as I
followed Ralph around the Kitchen. “OK
this is pretty bizarre” I thought. “If I
didn’t know better I’d say this is proof that I have a ghost in my house.” I was both excited and unnerved. Shay felt it too. We returned to the Family room and sat back
down to continue our discussion of the evening’s events. Shay thought that the spirits would become
quieter the longer I lived here and as I completed renovation work. His belief proves to be prophetic. But I had to admit that I was becoming very
uncomfortable as both Shay and Elizabeth
discussed their experiences from earlier in the evening. In fact, I was becoming frightened. Oh yes, the little bumps and noises we heard
as we talked, they had to be the wind, plumbing or a branch scraping against a
window didn’t they? The final straw was
an unexplainable, rapid temperature drop of 15-20 degrees throughout the entire
first floor of the house (I didn’t bother to check the second floor). Rapid drop translates to less than five minutes. How do I know estimate that it was 15-20
degrees? Because we were all grabbing
for our coats and then the temperature began to rise rapidly – within several
minutes or less to its normal (65 degree) temperature. Besides the unmistakable physical sensations,
I was even more alarmed when I checked the thermostat and thermometer three
times. The thermostat was set at 65
degrees and the thermostat read 65 degrees!
What is going on here? How do you
explain that event? It was now
approximately 10:30PM. We were tired and
hungry so I suggested a burger the Yellow Creek Inn. We drove eight miles to town and enjoyed a
warm meal. I thanked Shay and Elizabeth for all their
help while reassuring them that I’d be fine this evening staying at my dream
farmette. But, as they got into their
car and drove off I wasn’t sure that I would be fine. In fact, as I drove to my new home I began to
wonder if I’d made a mistake and should have taken them up on their offer to
stay in Rockford. It’s too late now. I entered the dark drive and parked my car in
the garage. I’ll never forget the
feeling that I had as I turned the handle on the back door. It was terror! And, that feeling continued for months. Entering this dark, foreboding house through
the garage, turning the handle on the back door as I frantically fumbled for
the light switch represented an unknown and inconceivable danger to me. I guess that I’ve watched too many Hollywood ghost movies.
From December 2006 until May 2007 I slept on my box spring and mattress
in the Dining room (which is located between the Kitchen and Family
rooms). It wasn’t until late February
2006 that I stopped blocking the door to the upstairs and would finally sleep
without lights and music playing throughout the night into the morning. In hindsight, I laugh at my feeble attempts
to create levels of safety. But I can
still feel the sheer terror that I experienced at Willow Creek Farm for the
first 4 plus months of my residency.
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