People Who Don't Know They're Dead

This book was written by Gary Leon Hill. It was given to me a few days ago by a friend who, a few years ago, attended a presentation given by him. She was at the presentation with a friend, and they both bought his book and had him sign it. Her friend is currently moving and had a few things she was giving away to avoid moving them. This book was among those things, and since she already had this book, my friend gave it to me.

Being the ghost-whisperer of the Haunted History after Dark team, I often 'feel' books before I buy or read them to see if I really need or want to read them. This one felt solid. :) "Solid" meaning, to me, it seemed well worth my time. It has proven to be that, too.

I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting information about the way the non-physical world works. I found no contradictions in this book to all the info I have gathered in my years of doing Light Work. In fact, I learned a thing or two - which for me, was very exciting. :) I LOVE learning new info and techniques in Light Work that work for me. Everyone has their own techniques and has gathered their own info. It is always important to gauge how you feel about new info like this. Does it ring true? Does it feel right for you? This book definitely felt right. :)

I define "Light Work" as everything we ghost-whisperer/medium/psychic types do. The definition covers everything from doing psychic readings for clients to clearing buildings that are in dire need on-the-fly as I walk past while out running errands, to channeling energy/light through my hands and body to assist someone in their self-healing (b/c all healing is self-healing - Light Workers just provide a boost sometimes - a path for them to follow).

Another great thing about this book:  the wonderful bibliography at the end! Wow, there are some amazing books listed! I've read some of them in my quest for knowledge over the years and love many of those, and I am already gathering up some of the others to read. I can't wait to dive into them. :)

Gary writes about his aunt and uncle and how they learned to clear entities (ghosts) from people and places. The book contains some of the transcripts from a few sessions they had with clients, and they are fascinating to read. I really like the stance he takes too - the voice - he uses in writing this book, b/c I tend to take the same stance.

Even though I'm a psychic/medium/ghost-whisperer/healer type, I still, sometimes, am not sure whether I believe what seems to be happening during sessions. I sometimes reach a point where I am thinking along the lines of:  "This is WAY too far out there for even ME to believe." :)  So I like to read that he and his aunt and uncle were also that way.

From this, they also did something that I do:  They just proceed with the session as if that were what is really happening. Sometimes you just have to let go and fly by the proverbial seat of your pants. If the client feels better, confirms that you are channeling correct information for them that you couldn't otherwise know and their energy feels better afterward, does it matter that a 'sane' definition can't be found for what happened? :) 

This is exactly how my guides taught me to teach others to do what I do. They told me to tell students to suspend their 'adult' judgements and proceed on into the imaginary world of make-believe. It is only from this stance of "anything is possible" that lightwork can be done. They told me to explain that, "IF this were possible, then THIS would follow..." and so on - right into the world of intention and imagination. As Gary wrote, none of this would stand up on court - can't prove a thing. But does the client feel better? Yes. Is their life working better? Yes. Then that's what matters. "Needing proof leads to doubt. And doubt is a wall."

Yet one more great thing about this book:  He tells you how to clear yourself and your space. How great is that? There is a step-by-step guide that I really like. It varies a bit from my own protocol - which is not unusual, b/c all Lightworkers have to do what works best for them, but it's gonna work. It's a good guide, I think.  I have, in fact, made some adjustments in my own protocol, drawing on the info in the book.  It helped me look at the usual information I get in a reading/clearing in a different way, so that I can see more than I could before.

But really, the most amazing thing about this book? It was given to me at very crucial point in my life - right when I was asking some of the questions, to apply to myself, that are answered in the book. I LOVE the way the Universe does that! :) Ask and you shall receive! :) I have marked it up and dog-eared the pages and am already re-reading it. I'm sure at some point I will put it down for a while, but right now it is what I need. One thing is for sure:  It's a keeper - and I don't keep many books; I give them away, usually, once I've read them. :)

On our tours, the wonderful tour-goers always ask questions that take us into the non-physical world, how it works and how to navigate it. As questions come up and answers are given, we start getting into wide open, non-physical areas that probably validate beliefs for some, and I'm sure, also strain the tolerance of others. :) I'm just happy that they are there letting me do what I absolutely love more than anything in this world (physical or otherwise :) to do. Thanks so much to all our clients who join us so that Suzy and I can play at what we love to do!! :)

For those interested in the book, here's some info (and as always - take what works for you and discard the rest):

Title:  People Who Don't Know They're Dead

ISBN:  1-57863-297-8

Author:  Gary Leon Hill

Publisher:  WeiserBooks, 2005

It seems the spectral guests on our tour are getting more courageous, and more eager to tell their stories and make their presence known.





Maurice (center)



What an amazing

 and diverse crowd of brave Saturday night ghostbusters we had on the Haunted History After Dark tour Oct. 1, 2011! Before each of our ghostly Old Town adventures each week, Grace and I talk about the many different ethnicities, backgrounds, and geographical locations that the early residents came from, and which make up its very colorful past. Residents today, tourists, and out-of towners who come to take our tour are all a part of that special history of Fort Collins.



Joe Mason

 Without even being aware of it, all of you continue that legacy and that color and the diversity that make Fort Collins what it is today. One of those was very enthusiastic tour participant Maurice, who has a French background. Unknown to Maurice, early Fort Collins and surrounding areas such as La Porte, were founded on the resourcefulness and courage of early French residents such as Antoine Janis (pronounced Jhonee), John Provost (pronounced Provo) and my own personal favorite Joseph Mason who Mason Street is named after. Joe's french name was Messier. Joe Mason not only helped choose the location of the new "fort" but was also the first sheriff, postmaster, and sutler owner. Grace and I couldn't help but notice a distinct resemblance between these two handsome French men. Another handsome Haunted History After Dark guest was John, who traveled from Denver with his equally beautiful wife Cathy, just to take our tour.

John, Rose, Cathy, Kathleen

John and Cathy were joined by two friends from Cheyenne, Rose and Kathleen. Interestingly enough, one of the haunted sites on our tour is a location where many early visitors actively frequented from both Cheyenne and Denver to "conduct business". Kathleen, at far right in the photo above is currently the Dean of Arts and Humanities at Laramie County Community College (LCCC). After taking our tour she can now count herself as Dean of Haunted History After Dark (HHAD). Very prestige.

On our Haunted History After Dark tours, while talking about the diversity of the characters that made up early Fort Collins, we also mention that because of all those cultural, social, economic differences combined in such a small area, "...crime, conflict, persecution, and often times death occurred as a result." But, fortunately, on this night, even with all the diversity on our tour, no crime, no persecution, no conflict or deaths occurred even with all the enormous Homecoming activity in Old Town tonight...whew! But...we were met by many victims of that early history in a supernatural form. It seems the spectral guests on our tour are getting more courageous, and more eager to tell their stories and make their presence known. At one very haunted location on our tour, as Grace was talking about a spirit that decided to come amongst our visitors, these orbs appeared on camera. This particular ghostly presence was a young Cavalryman. Normally, the orbs we catch at this location appear around the doors and windows of this haunted site. On this evening, Grace mentioned that he was standing in a semi circle space that our guests had conciously or unconciously created. I decided to take a few photos of the spot where Grace said an entity was located and this is what I caught.

The one above is at the direct spot where Grace said and young Cavalryman entity was standing among our guests. The photo is untouched. It's hard to make out, but "something" is definitely there. I am going back to the location to make sure it wasn't a discoloration in the bricks. I'll update you soon. Because we have been to this location often though and are very familiar with it, I'm thinking it's genuine.

I also caught two orbs in a second and third story window at one of our locations at the exact spot where Grace said that entities were looking at our group down below. To protect the business owners at this particular location, I won't publish these until I get permission. But, they are very clear. Atleast two other participants tonight indicated they had received blue colored orbs on their camera's tonight.

As always, our human guests, as well as more ghostly ones always fascinate us and make our nights so fun and memorable. The stories of our tour participants are just as extraordinary as our early residents and we are all a part of Fort Collins special history. Check out the photos of some awesome tour guests making history tonight below. Thanks so much to everyone who bravely participated in our tour tonight!

John from Denver City

Cute Nathan and Sue Ellen

If you have questions regarding the paranormal history in Old Town Fort Collins and would like to take a Haunted History After Dark tour please contact us at hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com. The cost is 10 clams per individual brave ghost buster or 35 big ones for an extra courageous group of 4. Cash only please.



Stephen Stills begged Suite Judy Blue Eyes long ago, “Will you come see me…Thursdays and Saturdays…” What a coincidence! That’s when our tours are.  Will you come see us…Thursdays and Saturdays.  Or by reservation. 7:30 p.m.  Tours start at 136 W. Mountain Avenue home of Boutique Bravo and Mother Lode Gallery where owner Kate has been in business for a whopping 33 years! Check her out.

And remember...YOUR HAUNTED JOURNEY STARTS AT DUSK!









Another Orb caught on film on Haunted History After Dark tour 9/29/11

Enlarged "orb" from a haunted location on the Haunted History After Dark tour. 

As the All-Hallows Eve approaches the Haunted History After Dark tours are getting even more exciting and increasing in activity. Grace and I are always so happy to welcome our human guests as well as the more spectral ones which seem to be multiplying on our tours.
Thursday, September 29th, we were joined by a very enthusiastic human crowd. Some were very knowledgeable Old Town Fort Collins history buffs, others were looking for alternative fun on a Thursday night, and some were more serious about this venture like the great group from the In-Sight Paranormal organization out of Loveland, Colorado. In-Sight members had brought along EMF (Electro-Magnetic Field) detectors and digital cameras for tonights outing. These guys are professionals. But, they may need new batteris for their equipment after tonights tour!

In-Sight Paranormal organizer Karen (center)

At one of our locations, In-Sight organizer Karen, who is also an intuitive, said that each time local ghost whisperer and tour guide Grace, talked about a specific individual spirit that she connected with, her  EMF detector would light up in a reverberation of colors on her equipment. Karen also said she sensed a spirit man standing near us at an adjacent structure. Grace and I both immediately recognized who this ghostly man was. With the urging of awesome and knowledgeable guest, Woodard, we related for the group the tragic tale of this more contemporary spirit. This apparitional being is extremely benign and protective. He was actually one of the first entities Grace and I had an encountered with while developing the Haunted History After Dark tour.

While I told his story, Grace connected with this ghost and had brief conversation with him, expressing much gratitude for letting us tell his tale. "Thank you sir", Grace said, nodding her head.
Because his death is more recent, (minus 50 years) we normally don't talk about it as to not to bring up too much emotion in some of our guests. But, he does exist. He is active not only in the location where he died, but also in his former place of employment. Many myths and legends surround this particular spirit in Old Town. We have had several people ask about him on our tours. He seems to be okay with the attention.

Very early resident Willaim Trimble

Witnessing the very obvious paranormal activity that was occuring around us on our tour tonight, one of the guests expressed a slight anxiety regarding attachment ( a spirit or entity attaching itself to a human and going home with them). I completely understand this. As an Old Town Fort Collins historian, I spend most of my time resurrecting early residents through my writing and research. My job is to research stories and people and events of early Fort Collins. Sometimes my job requires me to go into places that are off limits. Fort Collins has a very layered history. Structures that may have been present in 1873 may have been torn down and replaced by a completely new structure less than ten years later, and again by the turn of the century. In all of those layers exist stories and people. In the basements as well as the upper levels of these structures, some now non existent, the spirits still remain. When I venture out without Grace, occassionally, I bring "things" home. I know this when the energy in my house changes. Sometimes, I may see a shadow in front of a door. Sometimes I'll hear a knocking sound in a wall, when I know I am the only one home. Grace says that these may all be signs of an "attachment" from some of the places I've visited, or most likely from early residents I've researched and  decided to include on our tour. The many hours of intense energy I put toward them attracts them and brings them from the afterlife.  They come to life. This is an increasingly fascinating issue for me. I'm a historian and writer. I've never thought of myself as a person involved with "ghost hunting" or "ghost busting". But, because of the nature of our tours, I have occassionally and unintentionally picked up unwanted entities and brought them home with me. When I realize this, I give a call to Grace and she immediately and energetically identifies that entity and removes them. She sends them to the "other side".

Psychic Grace Cooley

Grace is one of the most talented, professional and genuine mediums in the nation. She is also the ghost whisperer and tour guide on the Haunted History After Dark tours. Before and after each tour, fortunately for our anxious guest tonight, Grace clears each participant of not only any entity that may have attached themselves on our tour, but of any negativity energy that preceeded our guests even before the tour. 

Regarding the "orb" I caught on my camera tonight, ghoststudy.com says that, "Ghostly orbs are the most photographed anomalies caught on film by ghost hunters and are quite photogenic (when they want to be). They can be completely transparent or display themselves in a bright solid form. It is not hard to capture them on film in their circular form. It is theorized that ghosts prefer the form of an Orb (ball of light) because it takes less energy thus being the mode of choice among the ghosts."

So, who is this? What is this? I've enlarged the orb for clarity in the subject line above, but also included the original photograph taken tonight during the tour. The "orb" has a chaos or dark spot in the middle. What is this void?

If you would like to visit the location where this orb was taken, or learn more about the haunted history of Old Town Fort Collins please visit us at http://hauntedhistoryafterdark.blogspot.com/ or email us for a tour at hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com. Below are more photos of courageous Haunted History After Dark guests on the Sept. 29th tour. Thank you so much to all of our very brave and awesome guests tonight! Please email us with any questions regarding the paranormal or history of Old Town Fort Collins.

I absolutely love this one of Grace. She is seeing spirits that are guests are  picking up on camera. You rock Grace!

Contact Hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com for more information. Cost is 10 big ones per courageous ghost buster or 35 clams for an extra brave group of four. Cash only please.

 Stephen Stills begged Suite Judy Blue Eyes long ago, “Will you come see me…Thursdays and Saturdays…” What a coincidence! That’s when our tours are.  Will you come see us…Thursdays and Saturdays.  Or by reservation. 7:30 p.m.  Tours start at 136 W. Mountain Avenue home of Boutique Bravo and Mother Lode Gallery where owner Kate has been in business for a whopping 33 years! Check her out. And remember...YOUR HAUNTED JOURNEY STARTS AT DUSK!

 

Orb caught on camera during a Haunted History After Dark tour tonight 9/24/2011!

Haunted History After Dark hosted a great crowd tonight for our Saturday tour.  This enthusiastic group asked very many awesome questions regarding both the haunted and the history of Old Town Fort Collins.

Now that's scary! A guest and his son.

Grace picked up on some new entities at our locations on our route, as well as other spirits lurking inside other establishments that are not typical on our route, including two early mortuaries. Both are now very busy restaurants.

As our tours pick up speed, so seems the activity of the spirits. Recently, we have had guests witness a mist or fog emerge from a second floor window, which they pointed out before Grace and I even saw it. We have had a recent and brave participant from California be told to “Go away” directly to his face as we were in the middle of conducting a tour. We have even had a “goosing” experience at our starting location before the tour had even begun! One awesome guest on our tour tonight, after hearing that said, “Well, I’m not getting goosed by anyone in the physical, so that’s fine with me!” Before our tours we provide information about many of the extraordinary early residents that made Fort Collins what it is. All of those we talk about lived here, most died here, and some still walk the streets today. The early residents we talk about were a very colorful, ambitious crowd, and some of them very handsome. Another recent guest, a very attractive female, said, “Well, if he’s cute…he can come home with me!” Unfortunately for her, as pretty as she was, Grace clears all of our tour guests from any entities that may want to attach themselves to our courageous participants. I’m certain both our beautiful guest tonight and the latter participant won’t have any trouble finding suitable human companions. But, its intriguing.

Another phenomenon that has been increasing on our tours is genuine photographic evidence of spirits through “orbs”. According to ghoststudy.com “orbs” are believed (by many) to be ghosts in the form of balls of light. They are life forms that travel in groups and are believed to be the human soul or life force of those that once inhabited a physical body here on earth.”





Tour guests Laura and Nikki



This would make sense, as the orb caught by my own simple camera tonight, was at a location where Grace said a large spirit party was currently congregating as we were giving our tour. I had intended to just take photos of our wonderful guests while Grace spoke, but I got more. After the tour, a participant, Nikki, asked, “Did you get anything on your camera?” She added, “I felt like maybe you did.”  So, her and I flipped through my photos and there, lo and behold, was an orb! The photo above is completely untouched and was first seen by Nikki and myself immediately after the tour. In an earlier blog, a recent Haunted History After Dark tour guest also caught an orb at a rumored haunted Old Town location.

Check out photos of other awesome guests tonight below!

As spirit activity in Old Town is abundant, please feel free to bring any equipment you feel comfortable using such as digital recorders, EMF detectors, etc. on our tours. I’m just a historian, so I don’t know about the technicalities of equipment yet, and Grace obviously doesn’t need it. But, feel free. I’m certain orbs are a-plenty in Old Town.

Thank you so much to all of our very courageous and enthusiastic guest tonight! You were amazing!

If you would like to catch evidence of spirits in Old Town or learn about the haunted history of Fort Collins contact hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com Cost is 10 big ones per courageous ghost buster or 35 clams for an extra brave group of four. Cash only please.

 Stephen Stills begged Suite Judy Blue Eyes long ago, “Will you come see me…Thursdays and Saturdays…” What a coincidence! That’s when our tours are.  Will you come see us…Thursdays and Saturdays.  Or by reservation. 7:30 p.m.  Tours start at 136 W. Mountain Avenue home of Boutique Bravo and Mother Lode Gallery where owner Kate has been in business for a whopping 33 years! Check her out.

And remember...YOUR HAUNTED JOURNEY STARTS AT DUSK!

Fearful spirits that may have been lying dormant for over a hundred years emerge to talk and communicate with our guests.

*Correction to September 23, 2011 blog.  Meet-Ups Mingles, thanks for your observation and  understanding.
Haunted History After Dark wants to give a huge thank you to the great group we hosted tonight on our Thursday night tour. Meet-Ups Mingles organizer, Christina, brought an enthusiastic crowd for our outing tonight. We were also joined by three very lovely and talented Silver Grill waitresses.

Tour guests learned about the most haunted and most historic locales in our Old Town area, which there are many. Several of our participants asked awesome and insightful question about the early history of Fort Collins. We love your enthusiasm and interest.  There is a lot to know and a lot to yet discover. As an early frontier town, Fort Collins has an extraordinary past. The people and past spirits who created this town are an amazing, resourceful group, and many still walk our streets today. Several are embedded within the walls of the structures whiles other walk freely among us wanting to communicate. Grace and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to bring to life those stories and spirits that are crucial to this towns early history.

Each time we give a tour, or write about it, or discover a new location, we feel an awakening and awareness of the souls in this town that were once hidden behind concrete, cement and plaster. There is an excitement. Fearful spirits that may have been lying dormant for over a hundred years emerge to talk and communicate with our guests. They hold the key to our understanding of Fort Collins early years.  It is an amazing experience to listen and watch our guests become aware of, communicate with, and connect with the spirits of long ago.

Christina showing her orb to other guests

At one of our locations tonight, brave tour participant Christina, caught an orb on her camera. This site was an early fire house, town hall, jail, and drunk tank. It has a very haunted past and present. Who is this orb who hovered over our guests this night? An early brothel worker? A bootlegger? Benign or malevolent?  Employee or prisoner? Many spent time behind the walls of this structure.

At our last location, and the conclusion of our tour, Grace cleared all of our participants from any negative energy or attachments, past and present.  Grace is increasingly gaining ground as one of the most talented ghost whisperers in our area as well as nationwide. Her growth as a medium and genuine psychic in the community is multiplying daily.

Haunted History After Dark guests

If you would like a past life reading, psychic evaluation, house or personal cleansing, or have any questions regarding Fort Collins early history please contact hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com.

As the streets of Old Town are abundant with spirits of the past, please feel free to bring any ghost hunting equipment such as EMF detectors, EVP recorders or digital recorders on our tour.

 Cost is 10 big ones per courageous ghost buster or 35 clams for an extra brave group of four. Cash only please.

 Stephen Stills begged Suite Judy Blue Eyes long ago, “Will you come see me…Thursdays and Saturdays…” What a coincidence! That’s when our tours are.  Will you come see us…Thursdays and Saturdays.  Or by reservation. 7:30 p.m.  Tours start at 136 W. Mountain Avenue home of Boutique Bravo and Mother Lode Gallery where owner Kate has been in business for a whopping 33 years! Check her out.

And remember...YOUR HAUNTED JOURNEY STARTS AT DUSK!

Dog gone cute!

Haunted History After Dark hosted an awesome and very courageous crowd of 15 for our Saturday night tour. We also welcomed our very first canine. This little pooch was very brave! Thank you so much to his owners who decided to include this cute friend on our outing. We want to give a huge Bravo and thanks to all of our guests for their enthusiasm and wonderful and insightful questions. Remember, if you have any inquiries regarding the history of Fort Collins or questions concerning ghosts, spirituality, hauntings, reincarnations, or anything paranormal contact hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com . We will love to give you answers.

Ghost Whisperer Grace Cooley

Ghost whisperer and medium, Grace, was on her game this night, as usual. Many spirits lurked about the streets of Old Town on our tour which, Grace picked up on. At our first location she not only connected with spirits who normally meet our guests, but identified at least seven others that inhabit this location. She said that two stood next to us while talking about this specific site, but the others were not so welcoming and decided to remain inside the walls of the structure.  

At our second haunted location, where we learned about ghost signs, Grace picked up on 3 spirits inside an establishment that once was a mortuary (It is now a very popular restaurant).

A presence greeted our guests at a south Old Town location that Grace said was not good. She indicated that it was not even from this world, and would have definitely attempted to attach itself without her intervention. She stayed behind to do “some work” while the group continued to the next haunted site.

Grace picked up with us at our last two sites, and we concluded our tour at a location on Old Town Square at a structure that was completed in 1897 by an early and prominent citizen.

Jason and Chrissy

These two gorgeous guests to Haunted History After Dark were celebrating their 11^th wedding Anniversary!  Jason and Chrissy both attended Colorado State University, but met after graduating. Congratulations Jason and Chrissy. And thanks so much for celebrating by taking the Haunted History After Dark tour.Chrissy took a brief moment after the tour to talk to Grace about a very close family member who had passed away. Grace reassured her that her that this person was in a good place.

Grace had picked up on so many entities on our tour this night. Some were familiar spirits on our tours, others were just making their presence known, but had been at several locations for a long time. Grace said that some were from early Fort Collins, and some were more contemporary or had died more recently and had attached themselves to a location that they felt familiar and were residing with older spirits to Old Town.

In my education and my life I’ve primarily been a historian and a journalist. In my new venture as a tour guide with Haunted History After Dark, I absolutely love what I am experiencing with our human guests and now with our many ghostly guests. But, I am in a little bit of unfamiliar territory. I am not afraid, but more fascinated by all of it, thanks to Grace.

After all of our tours Grace takes a moment to clear any entities that may have tried to attach themselves to our guests or ourselves while en route. She leaves all of our tour guests more spiritually cleansed than they were before they arrived on our tour. Grace always tells all of our tour guests that they contact her through hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com if they have questions regarding spirits in Old Town or any inquiries regarding the paranormal.

While walking to our cars, after the tour Saturday night, I hugged Grace and said, “What would I do without you, what would our tour guests do?” And without missing a beat she said, “You would go home with ghosts. Like others might.”

 Take the Haunted History After Dark tour to learn more about Old Town Fort Collins haunted and historical past.

Contact Hauntedhistoryafterdark@yahoo.com for more information. Cost is 10 big ones per courageous ghost buster or 35 clams for an extra brave group of four. Cash only please.

 Stephen Stills begged Suite Judy Blue Eyes long ago, “Will you come see me…Thursdays and Saturdays…” What a coincidence! That’s when our tours are.  Will you come see us…Thursdays and Saturdays.  Or by reservation. 7:30 p.m.  Tours start at 136 W. Mountain Avenue home of Boutique Bravo and Mother Lode Gallery where owner Kate has been in business for a whopping 33 years! Check her out. And remember...YOUR HAUNTED JOURNEY STARTS AT DUSK!