Every year around this time, my name has started being invoked in print. I mean, I'm not mad about it, but it's been nine years, so I think I can say "invoked" and be happy about it. I am honored, I am smilingly proud, and I am a hometown girl.
I am the Charlotte ghost lady, such as it is.
Ok. It's true that I have moved on personally -- there is no "Williams" any more, but I've also moved on professionally. I've quit writing so much about the subject of ghosts and moved to the more universal subject of food (we all love food!!), but I remember that time long ago when I wanted to be remembered for something. Well, now it looks like I am remembered for documenting that weird shadow on the stairs ... or that stale scent of cigar smoke.
If that's how it is, ok.
It's that time of year, so I am happy to report my little book, Ghost Stories of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County: Remnants of the Past in a New South is once again in the slick pages. Thanks to Charlotte Magazine for your kind inclusion of three of my stories and multiple quotes. There ARE ghosts afoot to be sure this time o' year -- I just hope they are interested in reading about pickles, cause that's what is hot in 2012. Well, that and pimento cheese. So I hope they're hungry.
Showing posts with label ghost stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ghost stories. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Post-Halloween ghosts
Yes, Halloween is the coming out party for many a ghost story, but the people who like to research ghost stories like to do so all year. Like, for instance, Michael Renegar and Amy Spease, authors of Ghost Stories of the Triad.
It might be a sunny Saturday, their only day off, but they're tucked up in a dusty corner of a library floor, researching the death toll of a long-forgotten structure fire. Or it might be a cool evening, better suited to homemade chili and a Monday night football game on TV, and instead, they're beaming flashlights onto uneven graveyard turf.
So just because Halloween is past, don't forget the hardworking ghost hunters who work all year to make your Halloween extra special ... and bring you special ghost stories about places you know, stories that are special any time of year.
It might be a sunny Saturday, their only day off, but they're tucked up in a dusty corner of a library floor, researching the death toll of a long-forgotten structure fire. Or it might be a cool evening, better suited to homemade chili and a Monday night football game on TV, and instead, they're beaming flashlights onto uneven graveyard turf.
So just because Halloween is past, don't forget the hardworking ghost hunters who work all year to make your Halloween extra special ... and bring you special ghost stories about places you know, stories that are special any time of year.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Lifelike
Sometimes things are just creepy. Like dusk in an old barn. Or blurry pictures of a dead relative.
Since it's October and I'm the author of two books of ghost stories (they are listed on the column to the right), I thought I'd jump on that bandwagon a bit and share some things that make my spine tingle a bit. Here is the first: lifelike dolls.
Exhibit A is a perfect example, complete with those special effect "go to black" eyes in this photo. I took this photo at 11 p.m. at night in Hot Springs, Ark. Little Western Farmer was all lit up in his store window, shining like a creepy beacon on the dark, deserted street back to my hotel. His little feet dangle, his haircut is Damien in its perfection, and his little mouth is open in glee, revealing the hint of milk teeth.
I didn't get to sleep quickly that night, but that wouldn't have been the first time dolls haunted me. Dolls have been featured in many of my b&b rooms, so much so that during one visit to Newton, N.C., I had to sit them all outside my door, hoping I could wake up and return them to their set ups on the fireplace mantel before the owner awoke.
Antique dolls, with their too-heavy China heads attached to soft bodies in christening dresses have leaned brokenly against many a night stand, and even the Sunday advertising inserts often feature weird renditions of little girls that look ready for their closeup on Toddlers & Tiaras.
So watch out for dolls this Halloween season, especially if their eyes seem to follow you about a room ... and if they're riding tractors in Arkansas, it's a no brainer -- stay away from them!
Since it's October and I'm the author of two books of ghost stories (they are listed on the column to the right), I thought I'd jump on that bandwagon a bit and share some things that make my spine tingle a bit. Here is the first: lifelike dolls.
 |
| Exhibit A |
Exhibit A is a perfect example, complete with those special effect "go to black" eyes in this photo. I took this photo at 11 p.m. at night in Hot Springs, Ark. Little Western Farmer was all lit up in his store window, shining like a creepy beacon on the dark, deserted street back to my hotel. His little feet dangle, his haircut is Damien in its perfection, and his little mouth is open in glee, revealing the hint of milk teeth.
I didn't get to sleep quickly that night, but that wouldn't have been the first time dolls haunted me. Dolls have been featured in many of my b&b rooms, so much so that during one visit to Newton, N.C., I had to sit them all outside my door, hoping I could wake up and return them to their set ups on the fireplace mantel before the owner awoke.
Antique dolls, with their too-heavy China heads attached to soft bodies in christening dresses have leaned brokenly against many a night stand, and even the Sunday advertising inserts often feature weird renditions of little girls that look ready for their closeup on Toddlers & Tiaras.
So watch out for dolls this Halloween season, especially if their eyes seem to follow you about a room ... and if they're riding tractors in Arkansas, it's a no brainer -- stay away from them!
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