16 - Ghosts and Family Legends: My Friend's Story

“We’ll never find a ghost in this bar - it’s too loud,” Marty whispers to me, not trying to attract the bartender. Our group has already drawn enough attention with our K2 EMF meters, flashing green-yellow-red in response to any enigmas.“I know where we can find one!” I breathe excitedly. “Come with me!” We brush swiftly past the bustling bar and through the wooden door in the back of the pub.We emerge into a dim hallway and the energy immediately shifts. It’s quiet back here. Liminal.We creep slowly down the hallway, our anticipation building in tandem with the blinking lights on the K2’s. We reach the ancient bathrooms and peek our head in to make sure they aren’t occupied by the living.Heaviness settles over the tiny room despite the cheerful glowing lights. We step into the darkest biggest stall and feel the unmistakable melancholy of another presence. We place our meters in between us as we take a seat on the somber floor.“Is anybody here with us?”Hello and welcome to your weekend hauntwith Spook Lit, an audiobook club by dreary dendrophileI’m your host Lyns, and I’ll be reading aloud our spooky stories. Thank you so much for being here. I hope you enjoy.This week, in Ghosts and Family Legends, we’re reading “My Friend’s Story.” Our very last chapter of the book!Our haunting heroine this week is a powerful manifestation of a woman spirit with her faithful greyhounds, loyal even in death. There are several reasons why a spirit might linger, but often heavy emotion seems to be a contributing factor. These could be negative or positive emotions. I believe that we ourselves can engage with the hauntings in times of overwhelming feelings and nostalgia.On a cold, rainy weekend, I was invited to join a ghost hunting collaboration in Seaview, Washington, only 10 miles up the coast from Oregon. We rented out the Shelburne hotel, allegedly the oldest hotel in the state of Washington.The group was led by Signe and Nat of Ghostoria. Ghostoria is a ghost hunting team in Astoria, Oregon who frequently lead public investigations. But this time, Signe was inviting ghost hunters from all over the PNW to investigate together, a savvy and generous way to build community and share the expense.On several occasions throughout the night, we felt a heavy feminine presence throughout the hotel. I was certain someone was with us in the restroom each time we went back there. Dead bells chimed regularly, as did the standard concierge bell at the checkin desk. EMF readings skyrocketed in the antique phone booth, but I couldn’t locate any source of electricity.The woman finally made herself known through spirit box sessions and through our medium as the entire group gathered in a circle around the massive dining room table. She was the prominent spirit of the house, rightfully insisting on patience and respect.Flashlights blinked on and off as one by one additional spirits made themselves known. We ramped up additional spirit box sessions and at one point the spirits started talking to each other during an Estes method session, using our voices and the radio frequencies through noise cancelling headphones.“Hold onto me,” our medium said, blindfolded and unable to hear anything but her headphones and static, repeating whatever voices she hears.“I’ve got you,” I responded eerily, also oblivious to what she had said, also deprived of all ability to see or hear my surroundings.Towards the end of the night, exhaustion led to emotions running high and the spirits running quiet. I went outside to the courtyard to get some air and a few moments of solitude. I sat down in one of the lawn chairs and looked up at the dark glossy magnolia leaves glinting in the sparkling patio lights. I marveled at the snowy white blossoms cascading over the porch, overflowing into the night.I felt an inexplicable sense of pride wash over me, mixed with overwhelming tranquility. I knew I wasn’t alone under the stars. I sat in comfortable silence with my hidden companion, closed my eyes and breathed deeply. Right there, just for that moment, we were comrades. In that moment we were kindred.What’s Lurking on Spook Lit:When I started the first season of SpookLit, my objective was to read more books and establish audiobooks that don’t exist but are desperately needed, all while building community and telling ghost stories. I got to learn how to edit audio and more importantly, to choose books with shorter chapters and a little less French. Thank you for your patience during this craggy sharp learning curve. I’ve been having a blast exploring these new methods of media.Over the next month, I’ll be releasing the episodes of Ghosts and Family Legends on Spotify and other podcast platforms. I may also release stand-alone recordings of the book for those who just want to read the audiobook without all the extras.I’ll be reaching out sometime in January with options for book two. Feel free to send me any suggestions - the only requirement is public domain.Until then, thank you for listening to Spook Lit. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.Want to join the book club?Support Spook Lit for just $2.50/month* Get full access to all audiobook chapters* Receive new episodes with original text photos* Help keep independent media hauntingCan’t swing a paid subscription?Recommend dreary dendrophile on Substack or send a one-time donation to support the podcast and join the club!Credits:* Special thanks to the Shelburne Hotel for opening up your beautiful inn to a gaggle of ghost hunters. I will absolutely be back.* As always, a gigantic thank you to Ghostoria for coordinating and hosting an awesome investigation and for always being so collaborative and supportive of fellow investigators in the PNW.* To Ghostoria and 6Point Paranormal: I truly appreciate you inviting me to this event, and for always welcoming me into your investigations and treating me like a part of the team.Audiobook: Ghosts and Family Legends by Catherine CroweChapter: “My Friend’s Story”Music: “Horror Spooky Piano” by Nikita Kondrashev on PixabayArtwork: Jeff BentLinktree: https://linktr.ee/drearydendrophileAll Spook Lit Audiobooks are public domain.Hauntingly yours,dreary dendrophile Get full access to dreary dendrophile at drearydendrophile.substack.com/subscribe