Quarantine in with a Ghost?

Who have you been in quarantine with?  I know that ends in a preposition, BTW. 

I was quarantined with my husband and three cats.  I know, you’ve seen plenty of their pictures on this site.

Now, my question is, have you been quarantined with someone you never knew lived with you?  A ghost maybe?

Speaking with my sister this week, she mentioned (as she’s reading The Haunting of Hill House, I might add) that she has heard that people have been in lock-down with ghosts.  Oh, do tell!  You know, more than anything, I just love haunted talk, so I did a little Google investigation.  Sure enough, there are articles out there describing this phenomenon. 

A 2015 Pew Research article cites that 18% of Americans believe they have seen a ghost.  Maybe after this quarantine, that number will be higher!

A New York Times article features several people who are experiencing footsteps from people who don’t exist, lost and found items, and lights mysteriously turning off and on.  Now, for people my age, you can bet it’s not really a ghost, just cannot remember WHERE I PUT MY DANG PHONE.  But the people interviewed in this article are in their 20s and 30s!  This is not old age kicking in.

There are actually plenty of articles I found about now that people are home day and night, they are experiencing visits from the other side. 

A DF of mine (will remain nameless because I did not get permission to share her story) let me know that she had a visitation one afternoon, just out of the blue.  I never thought about it being connected to the quarantine, but now, I have my curiosity WAY UP!

I’ve had a little experience down this path, and I recommended she nip that right in the bud.  I let her know what I have done when uninvited have shown up in my space.  It involves salt and binding prayers.  And it works. 

I’m not saying every unexplained spirit is a ghost, but when something presents itself that doesn’t belong in our realm, I say, “it needs to go!”  Casper the Friendly Ghost, sorry, bud, you’re going to the Light.

Here’s something a bit amusing.  I posed the question to my co-workers at the hospital (none of whom I have known for more than two weeks, so pretty gutsy of me).  “Has anyone experienced any ghost visitations during lock-down?”  I got masked faces staring at me with blank eyes.  “Nope.”  And then….. the ghost stories started.  They were unrelated to quarantine, but everyone has an experience or knows someone who does.

Sorry if you think I’ve gone off the deep end repeating fairy tales as if they’re real.  I haven’t actually seen a ghost, but I have experienced some things I cannot explain.  My mom was sensitive and had many experiences. 

In one home she lived, there was a bedroom that smelled of flowers even during the dead of winter when no windows were open and nothing was blooming. The dog wouldn’t enter that room either. She was afraid. The people who lived in that house previously reported other-worldly beings as well.

I really love this subject, but find it hard to take on-demand pics to share, so sorry about lots of reading and less glancing.

What I’m Reading

My DF Jill recommended the first of a trilogy, The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronice Blook 1) by Patrick Rothfuss.  Wow, that’s quite a mouthful.  It must be a pretty long book, because I’ve been reading it daily and I’m not even half way finished.  Very good though.  I’ll give a more comprehensive review if and when I ever finish it.  So far, it reminds me of a grown-up Harry Potter.

On audio I’m listening to Death Benefits by Thomas Perry. Perry is one of my very favorite suspense authors, but I have to admit this one is taking a very circuitous route to whatever its going to end up.  Of course, I’m not going to stop listening, but not sure this is one of my favorites.

What I’m Eating

Hubby surprised me with fried chicken and mashed potatoes one night.  Since I’ve been commuting to work, I haven’t had much time or energy to make anything special so we’ve been feasting on leftovers this week.  My DF Chris made the shepherd’s pie recipe I posted and reported back with good results.  Here’s her pic.

Chris and I also discussed using up her supply of sour cream and her strawberries.  We came up with a Sour Cream Fruit Dip recipe on Food. Com.  It is rated five stars, has three ingredients and used up her existing supplies.  Perfect!  She loved it and said it was “sooooo good with strawberries.”

I have twice had a green spinach smoothie from the hospital coffee shop that is so good and seems super healthy.  Here’s what is in it:

Green Spinach Smoothie

• 1-2 cups baby spinach leaves
• ½ banana
• 1 1/2 cup chopped pineapple
• 1 cup coconut milk

Blend well and top with a bit of whipped cream for panache.

What I’m Doing

Instead of laying in bed lamenting my lack of exercise before work, I got up at 4 or 4:30 each morning and either worked out in my office or went for a run just as it is starting to get light.  Oh, my what a difference that exercise makes in my day.  Grateful!

Arizona is off lockdown and I am so happy to report my gym and pool are reopened.  As it heats back up into the 100s next week, I’m happy to think I’ll be spending some pool time.  Other than that, I don’t have anything I’ve been dying to do, so I’m still laying low and plan to spend some time with friends!

Here’s to a wonderful weekend.