The Journal of the Maine Paranormal Society

I  look back over our latest road trip and debate if I should write two speparate blogs. But that little voice says. “Its  not the same.”  So I will tell it to you as it unfolded….. I will give you a hint. Its all begins with a Ford Focus. (offical car of the Maine Paranormal Society)

     We gather around Jim’s car. For me, this is the first time in two months I have seen my team members. It feels good to be headed off on another adventure. The mood is light and festive.

     “Does the client know its a drive-by?” Jason asks about the reveal we are headed to.

     We all look at each other. “Paranormal drive-by?” Holly asks. And the laughter begins. We pile into the car and I proudly hand out flyers for the next public relations presentation. Jim’s little red Focus rockets off to Benton. Jim and Jason roll down their windows and I watch as my flyer frantically flaps and flutters free from the visor and flys out the window. * Note to self…….add e-mail address to the flyers. So when it sails out the window at 70 miles per hour. It stands a chance at one last act of PR.

     I see Jason shrink down in his seat as Holly’s head pops up and she chirps. “What was that?”

     “All my hard work.” I answer, trying to sound put out. The seconds tick by and finally laughter erupts.

     “What are the chances it landed on someone’s windshield?”  Holly giggles.

     Topics of discussion ranged from cases to members to applicants and finally settled on “So you want to be a Case Manager.”  I knew who it was directed to. But I let Jim repeat himself just for fun.

     “Ummm, I said I would give it a try.” I finally answer.

     A defeated voice from the front says. “You can chew our asses.”

     “Sorry….I didn’t hear you. Can you repeat that?” I give Holly a sideways glance and see her smirking.

     “You can chew our asses as you need to.” Jim repeats.

     Even though I understand how hard this statement is for Jim. I still write it down and forever lock it safely into this blog. (8/8/09) Muahahahahahahhhahahah! So I confirm with Holly that this is indeed her wishes. She needs a change. Her heart is in the traveling. (our lil TAPS guru) She offers to help me so the transition is smooth. I offer to hand it back if she ever wants it back.

     The road to Benton flashed by in no time. We arrived and presented the evidence we had. A few audio clips sent different expressions across the homeowner’s face. A discussion followed. Touching on a revisit and further research. Once we were sure she was comfortable. We were off again.

     Back in the car we had a reveal of our own. The real face of Tom tom. *Note to manufacturer…..please include a warning label. “May cause heart palpatations and nausea. Barf bags not included.” We did make good time on those back roads. (Not all of them paved.) The little mouse mobile bobbing and weaving through the narrow roads. The foliage so dense, sun glasses were not needed. Jim crested a hill and the road dropped out from under us. The car plunged and an audible “ooomph!” was heard from all. Followed by Jim’s little giggle. You just know the doggie grin is there.

     When the car finally broke through the foliage and came to rest at a local gas station. We all stumbled out of the car blinking and rubbing our eyes like disaster victums. We were ahead of schedule and were able to sit at a picnic table to stretch and enjoy the pleasant company.

     “Alright, lets go meet the applicant and have some dinner.” Jim herded us into the car. A trip to Walmart and a few extra spins around the same block brought us to Rockland Cafe. Fastest Cafe in the Northeast. Jason had two bites of his salad and the waitress was back with piping hot, tasty food. The team chatted with the applicant. Questions fired back and forth. We thanked her for her recomendation for the Cafe and were off again.

     A very short trip to Thomaston and we found ourselves met in the driveway. We were welcomed into the house like we were family and the introductions began. The homeowner knew Holly as Case Manager and greeted her first through the door. Then she reached for my hand and said “I know you!”

     The rollerdex in my head whirled. I met so many people in my past career. But she wasn’t matching up with that. “From where?” I asked.

     “Dyer Library last year.” She answers.

     My mind drifts off to a chance meeting. A purposeful coincidence. A last minute decision carried Jamie’s feet to the Dyer Library for a presentation on the paranormal. She stood at the back of the room. Shifting from foot to foot, feeling the rough edges of her life rubbing against a tired soul. I watched her, knowing she was at a point in her life where she had to recreate herself. Searching for meaning and comfort in an otherwise impersonal world.

     She listened to the presentation ‘wobbling’ between “I belong here.” and “What am I crazy?”. When questions and answers came up she stepped forward. Her clear, direct questions, sharp, intent eyes and impeccable exterior didn’t match the wobbling inside. She had tenants in her family owned home. They were having some negative experiences. She personally had lived in the house and never had these herself.

     The scientific answer, the correct answer came out first. “Without an investigation, its impossible to tell what, if anything, is going on.” Then came the unofficial question. “Are they respectful of the house, property, and yourself?”

     She didn’t answer.

     I knew at this point the answer was no. I also knew there was a message for this person. I wondered if the opportunity would ever present itself. My reply was “We do alot to create our environment. Positive or negative, we leave our energy imprint on our surroundings. That can either comfort or stir up the spirits around us.”

     After answering a few more questions. I realized she was gone.

     My mind came back to the present. I realized I had been talking out loud the entire time. Jaws were slack and everyone was quiet. “I can’t believe you remembered all that.” she exclaims with a hand to her chest.

     “You were looking for something. You still are.” I answered simply.

     A bit speachless, she took us on a tour. The history of the house as familiar and comforting to her as a favorite bedtime story. We found ourselves back in the kitchen. Her ‘wobble’ was obvious. I told her my feelings about the house already. This was her ‘pantry of energy’. She agreed, saying this was her safe haven. The place where she recharges.

     She not only opened her home to us. But also shared her whole family history. The corridor to the past was wide open and pulling us in. “She even walked around the house telling the spirits you were coming.” a family member reported. Our team stood humbled and in awe. Jason asked if this is one story that might be told on a larger scale. Jamie easily agreed. Before they departed for the night. Will decided to stay in the house with us. His easy going nature blended with the team instantly. His hands were busy before the rest of the family was out the door.

     Set up was quick and soon Holly, Will and myself were upstairs in the master bedroom. Holly and I sat at oposite ends of the room. Will took the bed. A white fluttering near the floor. A quick black shadow in the same area had Holly and I switching places to see if she could see it too. The guys called upstairs. ” You guys walking around up there?”

     “Lightly, we switched chairs.” I reply.

     A series of debunking exercises brought us to the point of not being able to recreate the foot steps Jim and Jason heard.  As I sat in the chair with my hand out. All the hair stood on my arm. It felt like someone was brushing their fingertips across the tops of the hairs. I asked Holly to come sit beside me.

     “Oh the hair just stood on the back of my neck.” She says halfway across the room.

    I flipped my hand over and asked for a touch. On my pinkie and ring finger I felt cool elderly skin, ever so briefly, across the tips.  I have to say, at this point, I am at a disadvantage. I have no experience with being touched by spirit. I sat calmly and waited. But no other ‘touches’ were felt. I did however, get a heavy tingling on my right arm. This I have felt before when spirit was around. Its persistance a little unsettling as I rub and shake my hand. Trying to free it from the heaviness.

     We pass the night in much the same way. Little hints and teases of spirits present. At the bottom of the stairs  Jim stopped. “What the…….” Hes bent forward brushing at his leg. “Something just touched my leg.”

     We watch as Jim and Jason walk in circles at the bottom of the stairs. Holly looks to me, shrugs, and snaps a few pictures of them. Once of the shots shows a huge orb in the vicinity  of Jason’s rump and Jim looking right at it. We giggle at the potential of that picture.

     “Orb butt.” Holly snickers

     “Glad that orb was there. Otherwise Jim would have some explaining to do.” I add

     We realize the boys are now staring at us. We scurry off to a far corner that we assure them needs sudden scrutiny.

     As the investigation progressed. We all gravitated to the upstairs master bedroom. Some of the same sensations were felt. A few pictures taken spurred a discussion. Over all a sense of well being settled on us. The house was so beautiful. The connection to the past so vibrant and alive. The feeling of being awe struck never left us. To be trusted in this space by the unseen caretakers of this house. To sit in quiet peace and tranquility, overwhelmed each and every one of us. The gift of communication given to us as precious as unconditional love. In this house, there is no separation between past, present, and future.

     With the experience of being uninvited into people’s lives. I can safely say…..these are troubled times. Dispite our best efforts, life has a way of scattering the pieces. Like fall leaves crushed in the biting winds of the changing seasons.

     On the surface of this team you will see a few ripples. But the under current runs deep and strong. No one deems their story important enough to tell. But the many faces I have seen. The triumphs, losses……the peaceful times. All come together in one story line. Even the most mundane  of lives is a story begging to be told. So it is with great protest that I delve into some personal aspects of this team of yours.

     Our fearless leader Jim is a Firefighter/EMT. Dispite what you think. He would be the first to say his  life is not exciting. As every public safety professional will tell you. “Its just my job.”

     Jim, I watched grow up. I worked with him in what seems now a past life. He was a goofy kid with a doggie grin. Always happy to be where he was. Having been in his shoes. I know what those eyes have seen. I know what they have yet to see with each passing day. But the great thing about Jim is. The sun is always shining in his world. He is now a man with a wide stance and a buzz cut. His presence is solid and unwavering.

     He is currently taking a class to advance his career. Its a fun, exciting class EMT-Intermediate. But at the end of class (130hrs) starts the clinical time (150hrs).  At that point your strung out. Literally eat, sleep, work, and play emergency medicine. Although he would never complain. His ‘wobble’ is a little stronger as he enters clinical time.

     Ok ok………a ‘wobble’ is what I feel when someone is stressed, distressed, or ill. But we will get to that later.

     Jim’s lifelong interest in the paranormal began with childhood fears and the heros of Ghost Busters. It progressed to talking with friends who were investigators. Then in 2007 he saw Ghosthunters and decided to join a team. Central Maine Researchers and Investigators of the Paranormal. (Our original team)

     Deep down Jim is a believer. He approaches investigations knowing “There is something there worth studying.” But maintains a ‘show me’ attitude. His feet are firmly planted on the scientific side of the fence. Even in the absence of a personal experience. He works diligently at gathering and documenting evidence of the paranormal.

     Holly our case manager has got to be the most curious on the team. She is a mother of two, daughter of a rawkin cool mom, a homemaker, and a full-time emloyee. She maintains a professional exterior, always impeccably turned out. When she thinks no one is looking. You can see the weight of the world on her shoulders. Turn and peer at her and your greeted with a generous smile and a twinkle in the eye. Don’t let that librarian facade fool you. She can raise the roof like the rest of us. She is one of the few I can say has a real zest for life.

     Holly has had a lifelong interest in the paranormal. Starting with the Hardy Boys, Big foot, and now actual investigating. She has been an investigator for 3 years now. Starting with a trip to the Borden house when the opportunity presented itself. She has traveled and spent time investigating with our own trusted Jason and Grant.

     She recently stepped down as Case Manager. We all know her heart is in the traveling. Its the overwhelming curiosity of hers. Like a quick little chipmunk skittering across the surface of every unknown object she finds. Even when still, that lil nose is still going.

     She claims to never have had a personal experience. But when the circumstances line up a certain way. She does hear and feel things others don’t. A passion, a lifelong search for what she hopes is out there. Garantees you will see her curious head pop up anywhere in the paranormal world.

     “Although we have a good time. This is serious. I want people to be comfortable in their homes” She loves to debunk. While at the same time loves it when we get something we can’t debunk. “I like never being satisfied with whats on the surface.”

     Jason our mysterous Tech Manager, likes to think hes shrouded in a mist of the unknown. Hidden from mere mortal eyes. Truth is hes one of the most sensitive of our team members. Even now I can feel his ‘inner’ eyes upon  me as I write. That calm, passive exterior….a brave face to a turbulent world.

     He recently came to our beautiful, rugged state. Hes found a place to live, a  new love, and a family. Expecting late this summer. He will certainly have his hands full. A first time mother, two infant sons. His exterior will look haggard. But the inside is beaming sunshine.

     The job front still eludes him. Like many others in these lean times. But Jason, like few others, will work anywhere. Piecing together what he needs to keep moving forward in his life.

     He has a deep seated belief that your still here after you pass. Existing in another plane. While still able to interact with this one. He searches for the truth about how and why it exists. Extending that belief to UFOs and connections to technology beyond our current reach or understanding. “I know there is something out there beyond our normal state of reality.”

     Like a snow globe shaken. Our lives swirl around us in frantic pieces. What surfaces each and every time is passion. Every member of this team is passionate about paranormal research. We all have deep seated, personal reasons to drive hours in the dark of night to walk the rooms of a stranger’s house insearch of the unknown.

     I want to hang a sign that says “under construction”. But we all know it would be permanent. We don’t move as fast as other teams. But we do thoroughly investigate every nook, cranny and aspect of your case. As a team we agree we are building our own personality. We also agree the priority is educating and empowering our clients so they are comfortable in their own homes.

     I leave you now. Knowing there are still three more team members to profile. Kelly and Jamie have hit some rapids in their lives too. As soon as I can chat with them. They will be solid forms to you like the others. As for me….. I am happiest as a shadow. But in my new role as Case Manager/Pulic Relations. I know I can’t hide. I promise to solidify in the near future.

Sorry girls……I know. A long time in coming. But here it is.

     Our journey to Cutler begins with a Ford Focus, ok two actually. Jim’s little red car full to capacity with audio/video equipment  only left enough room for Jim and Jason. Holly’s little silver car took the overflow of my equipment and chairs. Holly and I hopped into the car and peered into the back seat.

     “Prime real estate.” I comment.

     “Hope they don’t have alot of stuff. ” Holly giggled.

     The caravan headed out to Augusta where we would meet “the boys”. Two high school seniors doing a project on the paranormal. The boys, Keith and Michael ,  tall, polite, with firm handshakes, added their bags to the trunk and we were off again.

     With the back seat strangely quiet. Holly and I chatted non-stop. (Gotta catch up with the latest TAPS adventures). After a few hours we could hear the gentle rappings of our students singing show tunes. Keith singing and Michael providing the “music”. They progressed from the 60s to today. As we wound our way through the empty streets of Bah  Habah…….yes we know its not how you get to Cutler. The rapping in the back gets to ” I Kissed a Girl and I Liked it” then to Britney Spears?!  The rapping Stopped and the boys looked at each other in silent agreement to never speak of this again.

     Jim’s car turns left and Holly says out loud “Why is he turning here?”

     We all look forward and see the road ends at a body of water. “Huh.” we all say in union. We pull into a gas station to re-orientate the guys to a map. Just as the home owner calls Holly and confirms the 18 miles we just traveled will need to be retraced. The phrase “You can’t get there from he-ah” comes to mind. Cheesey and over done….but still true.

     You always know your in a great place when you can see both snow covered mountains and the misty ocean. The rugged coast line in sharp contrast to the soft blanket of snow. The contrast of the land matched the contrast between members. Different ages and experience levels blended effortlessly.

     Another hour and a ShamWOW discussion later and we neared Michias. The boys sat forward in their seats and started firing the questions at Holly and I. In a good cop bad cop routine I asked if they had brought a change of pants. Holly just smiled and reassured them they would not be alone at any point in the investigation. A general run down of the events ensued as Holly’s car ‘the silver bullet’ caught some air the frost heaves. She glanced at me and eased off the gas letting Jim’s car speed ahead and disapear into the darkness.

     We slowly cruised into the Subway parking lot, Jim already out of his car sporting his doggie grin. “Whats that all about?”  he playfully demands.

     “I was losing parts!” Holly replies with a gentle pat to her car. “She’s not as young as she used to be.”

     ” Come on…….thats half the fun.” Jim laughs as we walk into the resturant.

     Jason looks back and says ” I was scared!”

     Inside the resturant we meet the home owner Darcy and her sister Tracy. They were very pleasant with inviting smiles. The group chatted about the hopping town of michias, seems the biggest excitement in town is a rabid cyote. Darcy casually looks at the chip pyramid her daughter had created on the table and in a perfect Maine accent says,

“Carry a stick to the cah……as my grandmothah used to say.”

     After supper we made our way to the home. Darcy and Tracy gave the team a tour of the home. Then we got down to setting up the “com” center and audio/video equipment. In true teenage style the boys waited for direction on camera angles. The team watched as they did the ‘robot’ dance, their first lesson on the DVR system. The team laughed and cheered. Red faced boys appeared on the stairs….”Cameras are on?”

     The investigation progressed in much the same way. Discussion started on getting some still shots made from the vidoe footage. Keith was asleep within 20 minutes of the first EVP session starting. Michael followed Jim and Jason around till he found Keith sleeping.  Like the pull an old cat has to a kitten Michael couldn’t resist. He crept up the stairs and taunted Keith with a green pool noodle, finally in frustration at the lack of reaction, he whomped him with the noodle. Still Keith dozed on.

     Losing interest in his sleeping friend, Michael wandered down and did EMF sweeps with the boys outside. Holly and I in the play room trying to debunk the gentle music we heard waffering through the air. 4am came quickly and the team members started to find their sleeping corners. Mike and Keith already fast asleep in the mater bedroom.

     I awoke to a ticking sound behind me. I flipped over quickly…..just to find a bored siames kitten looking at me. With a sigh I realize its morning already. I started coffee and as the smell drifted through the home a wonderful sense of well-being envelops me. Although the house is not and older house, the land it sits on fortifies it. Giving the feeling that it will be here long after we have gone.

     With an upside down kitten batting at my pen I start to wrtite this journal. I look out over the calm waters of Little Machias Bay. I try to imagine tall ships with sails gliding in or men with red coats walking the land. Such a rich history just out of our grasp. Whether the feet were marching, dancing, or just passing through. They left their print. I wonder if we will be blessed enough to hear their voices.