Must-Read Halloween Books- True Hauntings and Ghost Encounters

Since today is my birthday and Halloween is coming up in 2 weeks, I thought I would promote my books on GHOSTS and SPIRITS, in case you're looking for some interesting reads about TRUE ghost encounters.  (I think I can plug my own books!)  There are 6 of them (the other 4 of my 10 books are about Pets and the Afterlife).   All are available on Amazon, and all are under $10...  CLICK HERE to Order any of them. 

GHOSTS AND SPIRITS SERIES

Case Files of Inspired Ghost Tracking

by Rob Gutro

When earth bound ghosts have traumatized families in their own homes, Inspired Ghost Tracking (IGT) of Maryland has gone in to cross them over. In this collection of IGT cases, you’ll read about a very haunted Maryland mansion, many ghosts of Baltimore’s Federal Hill, the Burned Ghost, ghosts of two different time periods in one building, the dark things Ouija boards brought into homes, a ghostly attachment, a Steelworker’s ghost, poltergeist activity, the famous IGT “Double Murder Ghost Investigation” and many more. You’ll also learn about ghosts vs. spirits, energy and lots of Q&A. So, come along with us on these IGT investigations and learn that the paranormal is quite active!

Kindred Spirits: When a Medium Befriends a Spirit

by Rob Gutro

It's uncommon for a medium really get know a spirit so well that the living person considers the spirit a best friend. But that's exactly what happened to medium and paranormal investigator Rob Gutro. When Rob met his partner Tom in 2005, Ed's spirit came along for the ride. Rob never knew Ed in life, but Tom did. Now, Ed often communicates to Rob and has revealed his sense of humor, his heart, and helped solved the mystery of his passing. Ed's "Spirit Treasure Hunt" showed his family he's with them, too. Ed even sent a look-alike to rescue Rob during a vacation in England. As you read about this special spirit named Ed and his sometimes funny communications, you'll learn signs your loved ones send. This book will teach you how to be more aware of messages from your loved ones in spirit. .

Ghosts and Spirits Explained: Similarities and Differences 

by Rob Gutro

Rob Gutro is a medium on the Inspired Ghost Tracking Team. He has been able to sketch ghosts and   cross ghosts over into the light.  The author explains, based on his communications with the dead, what happens after we die and the differences and similarities between a ghost and a spirit. Using energy as the foundation (and as a scientist in his career) he explains how they use physical and emotional energy to communicate with the living.

   You’ll learn how Rob's father in spirit helped prove to his family his dad was at his wake and funeral, get a brief understanding of animal spirits and how they communicate. Read about Rob's life in a haunted house, and learn about different levels of the afterlife.  This is a good foundational introduction to the afterlife and will help readers learn to recognize signs from spirit.  

 Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead: Answer Guide to the Paranormal 

by Rob Gutro

Medium Rob Gutro's second book is a reference guide to all things paranormal. Learn the difference between a ghost and a spirit, and their use of energy. Learn lessons spirits want us to know to live better on Earth.   Experience cemeteries, battlefields and historic places. Learn about spirits of suicide, murder victims, angels and demons, poltergeists, ashes, slow death experiences, how to protect yourself, reincarnation and how infants and animals pass messages to the living.  

  Experience a "Spirit Treasure Hunt" of messages that prove a spirit was with all the members of his family who solved the mystery of his death. Meet the ghost of John Wilkes Booth and see photo proof of a ghostly face from a "Double Murder Ghost Investigation." 

GHOSTS ON A MEDIUM'S VACATION (SERIES)

Ghosts of the Bird Cage Theatre on a Medium’s Vacation 

by Rob Gutro

Shot against a wall! Shot in the throat! Some resident ghosts shared their pain of violent deaths. Others revealed their lives as actors, drinkers, gamblers, prostitutes, and gunfighters to medium and paranormal investigator Rob Gutro when he joined the museum’s ghost tour. He and his friend photographed faces of 2 ghosts in a painting and a mirror. Rob also sketched some ghosts he encountered. The Bird Cage Theatre is a very haunted and historic landmark in Tombstone, Arizona. It was a big part of the wild days of the old west in the United States.  Because of the raw emotional events that occurred there, a number of people have chosen to stay behind as earth-bound ghosts.

Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation 

by Rob Gutro

Take a walk through the history of England and meet the many ghosts Rob encountered during two visits to England that may inspire a visit: *A ghostly screaming queen! *A prince's ghost who haunted Rob's room *A ghostly nobleman who acted as castle tour guide *Several ghosts shared their deathly pain *Friend's spirit sent his look-alike to help *Meet several famous historic ghosts, explore royal palaces, churches, structures, and cities. Come on this personal journey and meet some of the ghosts of England!   

A Fun Collection of 1940s Batman Stories: Batman Collection Vol. 8

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the 1940s-era Batman and Robin classic stories in The Batman Chronicles series -  volume 8. This softcover trade paperback Is number eight in the series that presents Batman stories in the exact order of publication. This volume includes the Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, and the Scarecrow in early appearances!!  I had no idea the Scarecrow made his first appearance in the early 1940s. How fun to read these, and it really gives you a sense of the 1940s. 

   What I find striking is that many gangsters and thieves wore a suit, a fedora (hat), shoes and a tie. Thieves just don't dress up nowadays. :)  

This fun collection reprints Detective comics #71-74 and Batman, #14 and #15 as well as World's Finest Comics #8 and #9 and I highly recommend it. In fact, it also makes several references to World War 2, which was happening at the time.

Idiot of the Week: Wacko NC Candidate: Lizard People rule, Beyonce is Satan, Calls Climate Change Junk Science , Denies Moon Landing

 This week's idiot is a guy who is running for the Governor in North Carolina- and the scary thing is that he's ahead in the polls. That's a REALLY BAD reflection on the voters of North Carolina. Just read how crazy Mark Robinson really is!  Here's the story of this Conspiracy Theorist with serious mental issues. 

THE UNBELIEVABLY BONKERS CONSPIRACY THEORIST RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA 

North Carolina GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson has spread virtually every conspiracy theory you can think of. 

• He says that Beyoncé is "satanic" 
• the 1969 moon landing may have been fake 
• there's a ruling class of secretive reptiles

 And yet, he is the GOP front-runner in the race, and political analysts predict he could even go on to win the seat.

North Carolina GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson has said it himself: He’s a conspiracy theorist. 

August 22, 2023 Huff Post

He didn’t specify in that March interview what that means in terms of what he believes. It turns out it means he has spread virtually every conspiracy theory you can think of.

Robinson, who is the state’s lieutenant governor, has said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the 1969 moon landing was fake and the 9/11 terrorist attacks were an “inside job.” He’s “SERIOUSLY skeptical” of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. 

He falsely accused David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, of being a paid actor. 

He’s claimed that climate change is based on “junk science.”

And those are just the dangerous theories he’s echoed that have been previously reported.

In lesser-noticed social media posts, Robinson has said that news coverage of police shootings is part of a media conspiracy “designed to push US towards their new world order.” He and his wife both liked a since-deleted Facebook comment that stated, “WWG1WGA are my ‘Identity’ letters,” a reference to the QAnon rallying cry “Where we go one, we go all.” In October 2018, on a day when authorities intercepted pipe bombs intended for President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and CNN, Robinson suggested on Facebook that they had done it to themselves. “If you can’t beat ’em, bomb yourself,” he wrote.

He followed that with another Facebook post claiming, “This entire ‘bombing’ story is faker than a $20 Rolex sold on a New York City sidewalk.” Months later, another post on his Facebook page parroted the conspiracy theory that the pipe bomb incident was “manufactured” and “fake.”

Robinson is also a regular proponent of conspiracies claiming the music industry is being run by Satan and the Illuminati. He has called Beyoncé’s music “satanic” and described Jay-Z as “demonic” and sent by Satan to turn people away from Jesus. He suggested that the 2014 Boko Haram kidnapping of schoolgirls in Nigeria was orchestrated by billionaire Democratic philanthropist George Soros, a frequent target of antisemitic attacks by Republicans.

Heroes of the Week: Maine Firefighters Rescue puppy who got stuck in toy

Firefighters to the rescue again! This time in Maine, where a puppy got his head stuck in a toy and was choking and in danger. Here's the story.

(Photo: 

north yarmouth puppy rescue 

SOURCE: Howard Palmer/North Yarmouth Fire Rescue)

Maine puppy rescued after getting head stuck in toy

Firefighters in North Yarmouth had to crawl inside the plastic tube to free the pup

WMTW-TV Sep 12, 2023

NORTH YARMOUTH, Maine —A Great Dane puppy is safe after getting his head stuck in a small hole in a plastic, serpentine toy that dogs typically run through/

Firefighters with North Yarmouth Fire Rescue were called Monday morning as the dog was starting to choke. Staff members where the puppy was were helping the puppy breathe by applying gentle pressure to his airway, keeping it open.

(Photo: Howard Palmer/North Yarmouth Fire Rescue) 

Firefighters crawled inside the plastic tube and then used a section of hose that is typically used for vehicle extraction to protect the puppy's head while they cut the plastic from around his head.

The puppy was quickly freed and had no apparent effects.

Firefighters said this was one of the biggest and most well-behaved puppies they have seen in a long time.

Fun at the Granite State Comic Con!

 One of the advantages of moving north to New England is a bunch of comic conventions in the 6 New England states, and several are close enough to drive to. One of them is the Granite State Comic Con in Manchester, New Hampshire which I recently attended. Today's blog has some of the pictures from the event.

(Photo: Rob and Princess Leia and Han Solo of Star Wars Fame at comic con)

(Photo Right: Star Wars Storm Troopers at Comic Con) 

As an avid comic book reader and collector, I love going to comic cons to buy older comics from the 1970s and 1980s. I used to have many of them but when I graduated from college and moved out of the house, I couldn't take them with me, and I was forced to give half of them away to a local comics shop (I decision I have always regretted). Now, I'm buying them back at higher prices. Oh, well. 

(Photo right: Pokemon and other characters at the Granite State Comic Con) 

(Photo right: The Ghost Busters and their inflatable, giant Stay Puff Marshmallow Man from the movie - at the Comic con.) 

One thing I usually do at Comic Cons is dress up as a superhero, but having just moved north the previous month, I wasn't prepared to go hunting for my costumes, so I went as "a civilian." :) But there were some cool costumes there, that included the mysterious 1940s DC comics hero - Dr. Fate; Star Wars' Han Solo and Princess Leia, Ghost Busters, and even Pokemon characters. 

Next year, I'll go in costume. This year, I did have fun seeing the costumes and comic book shopping. Hope you enjoy the pictures!- Rob 

WHO IS DR. FATE? - Since you're reading this, you may as well learn something about a famous comic book superhero. So, here's the background on Dr. Fate! 

(Photo: This comic con attendee had an amazing costume likeness of Dr. Fate!) 

Doctor Fate, also known as Fate is the name of several superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first version was originally created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, debuting in More Fun Comics #55 (May 1940). His alter ego was Kent Nelson whose wife, Inga, lived with him in a castle tower in Salem, Massachusetts. Fate got his mystic powers from Nabu, a cosmic entity linked to the Lords of Order and Mesopotamian deities.

   Over the decades, several other people have taken up the mantle of Dr. Fate, but  I'll always see him as Kent Nelson from the 1940s.  

Can't wait to go back NEXT YEAR: https://www.granitecon.com/ 

How to keep cut flowers looking good longer

 If you enjoy having freshly cut flowers in your home, today's blog brings you an article that gives you tips to make them thrive longer and tells where you should place them to make them last longer.

How to keep cut flowers looking good longer

By Habiba Katsha26/07/2023, Huffington Post UK

Whether you love roses, lilies, or blue orchids, flowers are a simple yet stunning way to brighten up any room. But making sure they stay fresh is easier said than done. These tips are brought to you from the flower delivery service My Flowers.

1. Avoid putting them in direct sunlight -  This is because keeping your flowers in the sunshine will speed up the blooming process and shorten their lifespan. Try keeping them in a cool shaded spot away from direct sunlight instead.

2. Put your flowers in a vase and trim the stems at a 45-degree angle - When you first bring them home, fill a vase with room temperature water and pop in the flower food. Trim each stem to a 45-degree angle and remove any leaves which will be submerged in water when in the vase. 

3. Keep your flowers away from a fruit bowl -  Why? Fruit emits gasses that can accelerate the flower’s natural blooming process and shortens its overall lifespan.

4. Replace the water every other day -- and be sure to wash the vase too – to remove any bacteria.  Also, by chopping an additional 1cm off the stem, when you replace the vase water, you can further invigorate your flowers.

And if you’re planning to be away for a few days, you can even store your flowers in the fridge to preserve their freshness and vibrancy.

5. Feed your flowers regularly - You usually get a free sachet of flower food when you buy a bouquet, but if you want your blooms to last, you might need to give them a bit more of a boost. There are also lots of household ingredients that do the job including apple cider vinegar and carbonated drinks. 

What's Splooting and Why are Animals Doing it?

Dogs, cats, squirrels, bears and other animals "Sploot" when it's too hot. Today's blog will explain what it is and why they all do it!

(Photo:  A squirrel splooting in the shade. New York City Department of Parks and Recreation)

What's Splooting and Why are Animals Doing it?

June 29, 20233:49 PM ET ,Kai McNamee

  As climate change is making extreme heat events more common, squirrels are "splooting" to cope.

Splooting is a behavior some animals use to cool their body temperature. Squirrels are finding cool surfaces and lying on their stomachs, legs spread, to cool off.

Think of it like finding the cool side of the pillow when you're trying to fall asleep. Sunny Corrao of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation says it's about transferring the heat away from their bodies: "They're trying to find a cool space, and if they can put as much of their core body onto a cool space, then the heat is going to transfer from their bodies to the other surface. So in the case of squirrels, you'll often see them maybe on a shady sidewalk, or a park path, or in the grass, just splayed out."

When humans are hot, sweating cools us down. But animals that can't sweat have to resort to other behaviors to cool off. Dogs pant. Birds dunk themselves in water. And squirrels sploot. But it's not just squirrels that sploot:

What's the big deal? Splooting squirrels are popping up all over social media. And while it may seem goofy and cute (it is), splooting can be a sign that squirrels are experiencing temperatures much higher than what they're used to. Climate change is making things worse.

Good Graphic Novel: DC Showcase Presents Strange Adventures Volume 2

I love reading older, Silver Age comics, and have been getting some 500 page black and white reprint trade paperbacks that contain many issues. One series I didn't read as a kid was "Strange Adventures" so I bought DC Showcase Presents Strange Adventures Volume 2. It's a Trade Paperback with 520 pages so there's a lot of entertainment. It contains black and white reprints of Strange Adventures #74-93, originally printed from 1956 to 1958. In today's blog you'll learn about the series over decades, and my take on this reprint collection.

(Left; cover of the 520-page DC Showcase collection. Right: One of the comic books (#88) that is reprinted inside. Credit: DC Comics)

 MY TAKE ON THIS COLLECTION - It's interesting to read the stories in this collection because they are all from 1956 to 1958, before the U.S. landed on the Moon... and when astronomy was still relatively young in the U.S. (The first U.S. satellite wasn't launched until Jan 31, 1958, the Explorer). In the 50s there was still speculation about alien races in our own solar system, and these stories use that idea. In fact, Every other story in these 500 pages seemed to be how an alien race from somewhere in the cosmos, had a plan to destroy the Earth, but it was thwarted by 1 earthman (even some who had connections to the Dept of Defense to rapidly build a rocket in a day. LOL). - Although the stories were enjoyable, and it was cool to see how writers viewed the world in the 1950s, the theme of aliens to take over the world" was way over used. Still, it was enjoyable and certainly worth the cover price of $19.99.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Strange Adventures is a series of American comic books published by DC Comics, the first of which was August–September 1950, according to the cover date, and published continuously until November 1973. Initially a science fiction anthology title with some continuing features starring science fiction protagonists, the series became a supernatural-fantasy title beginning with issue #202, for which it received a new logo. Deadman's (A murdered acrobat turned ghost who set out to avenge his murder) first appearance in Strange Adventures #205. With issue #217, the title gained another new logo and began reprinting stories of Adam Strange (an Earthman who transported light years away to the planet Rann in another solar system and became that planet's champion). and the Atomic Knights, among other stories. 

MUST WATCH: Special 30 MIn. WUSA-TV Video: Local Look: The Insurrection.

 This 30 minute special video report was compiled and produced by Washington, DC news Channel 9 about the Capitol Insurrection on January 6, 2021. WUSA-TV provides a look before, during and afterward, with interviews scattered throughout. This is something to watch.  You will be compelled to watch this horror unfold, and listen to interviews from Sgt. Fanone, Sgt. Gannell, local residents and others affected. At 14 minutes in, it will bring tears to your eyes- how this horrendous mob of Trump supporters beat Office Fanone senseless and unconscious.  This is horrifying. We must always remember this - and never, ever let it happen again.

Idiot of the Week: Man Hit By Fireworks Mortar

Here's the final fireworks fool for the idiot of the week. Even more foolish and idiotic because personal fireworks are banned in Maryland. But this idiot bought them anyway, and during an attempt to light fireworks in a mortar tube lost his life. Although I am usually sympathetic to people in accidents, when they're doing something they know is illegal, and it adversely affects them, it's hard to do that. Here's the story:

MD Man Hit By Fireworks Mortar In Chest Dies: Fire Marshal

Deb Belt,Patch Staff, Jul 6, 2023

WALDORF, MD — A man hit in the chest when fireworks detonated in a mortar tube at a Waldorf home died Wednesday night, the state fire marshal said. The fatal accident happened when a group of friends were setting off fireworks behind a residence.

Authorities have not released the name of the victim.

A deputy state fire marshal and the Charles County Sheriff's Office responded to Bannister Circle in Waldorf on the report that someone was injured by a firework detonation. The explosion happened about 9 p.m.

The victim, a 20-year-old man, suffered hand and chest injuries. He was taken to Charles Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, a news release said.

"Fireworks have been a long tradition of many celebrations. Please make safety your number one priority so everyone can go home safe. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend one of the many public fireworks displays throughout the state," said State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci.

Good News: FOUND! famous Maine painter N.C. Wyeth'S "Ramona" in a Thrift Store!

You never know what treasures you'll find in a thrift store, and if you have an eye for old furniture, old comics, or famous paintings -you may find something. Recently a painting purchased at a Thrift store in Massachusetts for just $4.00 is selling on auction for $250,000! Here's the story:

(Image: N.C. Wyeth painting, "Ramona." SOURCE: Bonhams Skinner Auction House)

N.C. Wyeth painting bought for $4 in New England thrift store to be auctioned off

The painting by the famous Maine painter is expected to fetch up to $250,000

WMTW-TV Sep 1, 2023

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — A painting by the famous Maine painter N.C. Wyeth will soon be auctioned off after it was found in an antique shop.

According to auction house Bonhams Skinner, the painting, titled "Ramona," was found "by chance" and purchased from Savers in Manchester, New Hampshire for $4.

The painting will be auctioned off on Sept. 18 and is expected to fetch between $150,000 and $250,000.

The oil-on-panel painting is 25 1/8 inches tall and 16 7/8 inches wide.

The Bonham's listing provides the following description and background: "After a published cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post at age 20, NC Wyeth forged a successful career as an illustrator, working regularly for publishers of periodicals and novels. His work was renowned for its ability to increase the drama and character development of the accompanying text, something he achieved with vibrant, action-packed scenes, vivid colors, and a skillful use of light and shadow.

For a 1939 edition of Helen Hunt Jackson's Ramona (originally published in 1884), Wyeth contributed four illustrations, only one other of which has been located. Jackson's novel tells the story of a half Scottish, half Native American orphan living in Southern California after the Mexican-American War.

In this image, Wyeth deftly portrays the tension between Ramona and her rigid and overbearing foster mother, Señora Moreno. The frame on this painting seems to be of the artist's choice, the basic molding he used to protect the edges and corners of his illustrative paintings when sent by train from his Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, studio to publishers in Philadelphia or New York. Found by chance in a New Hampshire antique shop, this work likely was gifted by Little, Brown and Company publishers to an editor or to the estate of the author."

DISCOVERY! Ruins of ancient Nero’s 1st Century Theater discovered!!

There's likely to be something underground the further you dig, and Nero's Theater from 1 A.D. was one of those things recently found in Rome, near the Vatican! Here's the story.

 

(Photo: Ruins of ancient Nero’s Theater discovered under garden. Credit: AP/Andrew Medicini) 

Ruins of ancient Nero’s Theater discovered under garden of future Four Seasons near Vatican

BY NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press, July 26, 2023

ROME (AP) — Rome’s next luxury hotel has some very good bones: Archaeologists said Wednesday that the ruins of Nero’s Theater, an imperial theater referred to in ancient Roman texts but never found, have been discovered under the garden of a future Four Seasons Hotel steps from the Vatican.

Archaeologists have excavated deep under the walled garden of the Palazzo della Rovere since 2020 as part of planned renovations on the frescoed Renaissance building. The palazzo, which takes up a city block along the broad Via della Conciliazione leading to St. Peter’s Square, is home to an ancient Vatican chivalric order that leases the space to a hotel to raise money for Christians in the Holy Land.

The governor general of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, confirmed during a news conference announcing the archaeological discovery that the incoming hotel chain was the Four Seasons. News reports have said the hotel is expected to be open in time for the Vatican’s 2025 Jubilee, when an estimated 30 million people and pilgrims are expected to flock to Rome.

Officials hailed the findings from the excavation as “exceptional,” given they provide a rare look at a stratum of Roman history from the Roman Empire through to the 15th century. Among the discoveries: 10th century glass colored goblets and pottery pieces that are unusual because so little is known about this period in Rome.

Marzia Di Mento, the site’s chief archaeologist, noted that previously only seven glass chalices of the era had been found, and that the excavations of this one site turned up seven more.

(Photo: Ruins of ancient Nero’s Theater discovered under garden. Credit: AP/Andrew Medicini)

In addition, archaeologists found marble columns and gold-leaf decorated plaster, leading them to conclude that the Nero’s Theater referred to in texts by Pliny the Elder, an ancient Roman author and philosopher, was indeed there, located at the site just off the Tiber River.

Officials said the portable antiquities would be moved to a museum, while the ruins of the theater structure itself would be covered again after all studies are completed.