Many years ago I agreed to go to a work party at the church. It was one of those work parties where many little things needed to be looked after and all could be done by some work and effort. No special skills were needed.
Since I was one of the younger men I agreed to climb the stepladder and replace bulbs in the lights. The lights were about 4 or 5 m (15 ft) from the floor. If I'd seen the step ladder before I opened my big mouth I would not have volunteered. The step ladder was an ancient rickety wood model and it was about 4 or 5 m ( 15 ft), but when it was opened it wasn't that high. So you had to stand on the second step from the top and balance. I had a nice fellow hold the step ladder for all the good that would do. There were only oak pews below me.
The changing of the bulbs went slowly and gradually we got to the last set of lights at the front right side of the church. As I was going up the ladder I heard a rustling sound in the corner. The rustling noise seemed to be moving in a circular pattern. The noise went up and down. All the time I was up there the rustling was continuous. Sometimes it was quieter and some times louder. Sometimes rapid and other times slow. Whatever was making the noise knew I was there and didn't like me very much. I think as I moved from the back of the church to the front I chased the whatever to the front and it was cornered and didn't like me one bit.
I have always wondered about this event. If I went back would I still hear the noise? What was really there?
I like ghost stories but they are always somebody else's story and it's enjoyable to read or hear the story.
This is the first time I've ever told this story and it happened in the early 1970's.
Have you ever encountered something that was strange and eerie?
Very eerie indeed.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt and uncle lived for years in a farmhouse with one of their daughters and a pair of grandsons, with no neighbour for a long, long way off. My aunt would occasionally hear the voice of what sounded like a little girl somewhere in the house, when she knew she was alone. She thought she was going bonkers until her daughter said she'd heard that voice too.
I've had it once while walking through a park here on a quiet day. I stopped when I felt a tug at my pant leg, just in the same way as a small child would touch an adult to get their attention. I turned, and there was no one there, and nothing that could account for the feeling.
My flatmate and I have a third roommate in our apartment. The spectral presence turns on a radio from time to time when we're not near it... and appears to like the sound of blues.
Every time ghosts are mentioned there are many stories. So you have some blog topics for the future.
DeleteYou tell wonderful stories. We often have interesting smells around here. When mom thinks the house needed cleaning, we smell the smell of cleaning products! When she was happy with us, we'd smell pine needles, as she loved Christmas!
ReplyDeleteEverybody has an original story.
DeleteYours, my dear, are inspirational, quirky, and divine. You are a cut above!
DeleteThe Museum had a resident ghost. So yes I have had a number of eerie situations:)
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember a post you did on this guy and you went into detail.
DeleteFor a horrible minute I thought you were going to tumble off that rickety ladder. If I'd heard that rustling I probably would have. Or maybe not. I lived quite happy with a mischivious spirit who turned the TV on and off and liked to touch me on the shoulder when I was sound asleep (and sleeping alone). Rustling in a church, though, that is spooky.
ReplyDeleteNow the TV going on and of would be eerie.
DeleteI have had a few scares, and laugh at myself each time.
ReplyDeleteOne must not let these episodes get out of control.
DeleteI believe in ghosts but I've never seen or heard one. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteI've only run into the one that I know of.
DeleteInteresting story, I always like these stories to read, but have never experienced something like that myself.
ReplyDeleteI lived in the Arctic for 5 years and it's full of ghost stories.
DeleteMy Mom taps her cane on the floor upstairs in what we have always called "Mom's Bedroom", as she always stayed in the little yellow bedroom, her favourite. Then Jack will sit at the bottom of the stairs and go near foolish like she always did when Mom came down in the morning. Jack will sit at bottom of stairs and stare at landing and cock her head from side to side and make noises like she wants to play, never taking her eyes off whatever she sees - I just ask Mom to come and play with Jack. Kinda kool. Your story is great Red and a real good one. Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteI like your story that includes the dog. Animals have much keener senses than we have.
DeleteGreat story. I'm sure it would be fun to go back and witness that again. Yes, I've had some eerie experiences. Perhaps I should write about them some time.
ReplyDeleteI would be disappointed if it wasn't there.
DeleteI think it was a ghost all right. The only other explanation is a critter that wasn't happy about you bothering it. But I like the ghost theory the best. You do spin a good yarn, Red. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I have no other explanation!
Deleteooh, i don't like scary, eerie stuff at all!
ReplyDeleteYou would be a mark for people telling stories.
DeleteLittle animals can make very large noises...even small rats.
ReplyDeleteI know what you're saying. You're looking for a rational cause for what I heard. There are many explanations.
DeleteSo funny, thanks for the laughs. Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Hiawatha House.
DeleteNothing like you describe. Quite eerie!
ReplyDeleteI maintained my composure during this event!
DeleteI like your tales, Red. I can't say that I've had any similar experiences but a few people I know have. I wonder why some and not others?
ReplyDeleteIt has to do with how sensitive people are!!!! I'm only bragging.
DeleteI thought too you were gong to fall off the ladder while reading your story. My son heard noises in his attic last year. He went up it was squirrels. Then this year again louder noises. He went up. It is mice. He has not any idea where they get in. Thank goodness they don't come running in the rec room he said. We had two mice in the place ourselves out all the time we lived here but our neighbor had 10. Apparently this year because of mild and yucky spring and summer in Canada. People are getting mice in houses early August. We only had two . I an sort of scared of mice silly me as they are more scared of me I bet. I know they love peanut butter then cheese. They got caught in ten minutes in mouse trap. I enjoy your tales on your blogs.
ReplyDeleteI watch my yard for evidence of mice and catch them outside before they get a chance to come in. they usually show up in August.
DeleteRed that's an interesting story. I've got a few stories but I don't believe in ghosts, I believe in energies and I'll just leave it at that. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Okay I get energies. With the above zero weather it will be a good week.
DeleteBack in the early 80's we rented a house out in the country, There were several strange happenings there. There was a doorknob that would turn slightly late at night. Seriously! We found lots of Indian arrowheads there and wondered if the house was built over an old burial ground. Scary stuff.
ReplyDeleteCool and interesting. Don't let it scare you.
DeleteSo did the person at the bottom of the ladder hear anything too? I'm so glad you didn't fall off. Eeeeerie!
ReplyDelete