….For every person who shops at a home improvement store holds the possibility of stirring up much more than dust within their home during any type of repair or improvement which may change the original state of the structure in question.

Activity whether it be of a physical or emotional variety releases a form of kinetic energy which radiates outwards and is subsequently absorbed by any natural material within the immediate vicinity.

Have an argument or make love and some part of that particular moment will find its way resonating into history by way of becoming stored within the earthen material of the average home and building.

But don’t concern yourself over privacy. For should anyone ever manage to trigger a release of your “special moment” either won’t comprehend what it is they are experiencing or if they do you will most likely had already long ago expired from this earthly plane.

So changing anything within a home or building can and has been known to trigger what is first described as a “sporadic haunting” mainly because your dealing with a recently disturbed emanation which is most likely experiencing reorientation as opposed to originally remaining quietly dormant.

Change the original wallpaper and you might disturb a residential ghost.

Replace a door here and there and you may soon begin experiencing those very same doors opening and closing on their own.

Replace or paint a window frame and soon find yourself wondering who was the lady you just observed walk into your kitchen when no one else was home but you.

by J. Burhart & Cindy Lee, Beyond The Normal

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Beyond The Normal – October 30, 2010

Fall is upon us. Now is the time to think about getting your home ready for the winter months. So, before you look for your woolies, mukluks, and flannel sheets, here’s your ‘to do’ list

One of the most important jobs to attack is cleaning the gutters and downspouts. It is the messiest, but most important, job on your to do list. If left full of debris, gutters can freeze up causing structural damage, leaving you with a bigger mess to deal with in the spring.

It is obvious to put all your flower pots and garden furniture away. If you don’t have room in your garage, clean the furniture with a pressure washer, let dry, then cover with a tarp and tie down with bungee cords. When storing flower pots, empty all the soil, and place plastic bags between them when stacking. Clay pots will crack if left filled with soil, and they are so expensive these days to replace. Drain your hose, coil it up and store it inside too. Push your garden tools into a bucket of sand and they retain their sharpness, and will be rust free in the spring.

Here’s a little hint, if you wish to winter over your geraniums. Remove the plants from their pots and shake all the soil off the roots. Bring the plants to your dark basement and hang them upside down. They will remain dormant until spring, then you can bring them out and replant with fresh soil.

If you use rock salt on your walk or driveway, now is the time to buy a couple of 50 pound bags. Empty one bag into a large bucket and buy a large scoop at the dollar store. You will kiss yourself when the cold January winds are blowing and you prepared.

The obvious prep is to check for insulation in your attic space. Go to a big box store, or ask a professional. When your home has proper insulation, you will save many dollars. When at the store, check out kits that utilize plastic window film insulation. These kits are very inexpensive and it’s so easy to apply the film {usually using a blow dryer}. Remember, most heat is lost through the window glass.

Have a professional check your chimney. Purchase a chimney cap to keep critters out. Have debris and nests removed so you are perfectly ready for that holiday fire, contained in the firebox.

Have your furnace cleaned every year and replace the filter. And while you are in the basement, check out your ductwork. Are all connections in tact? Do your ducts need to be vacuumed?

Here is a short list of jobs to do before winter.

Replace smoke detector batteries.

Place an insulation strip under your door.

Wrap your hot water heater in an insulation blanket.

Install a programmable thermostat and keep it set at 68.

Find your holiday lights extension cords and spotlights.

Reverse your ceiling fan’s direction- when the blades turn clockwise, you are forcing the warm air down into your room.

You are now armed and ready for the cold weather. Replace your doormat with a fresh, new one that greets “Welcome… Winter”

Didn’t catch the live show? Listen to the show online.
Lana Torre – October 23, 2010

The Landmark Society is an advocate for historic preservation in Rochester and the surrounding area of Monroe, Orleans, Wayne, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Wyoming, Yates, and Seneca Counties. They educate residents of our area about historic resources in the region, promote the revitalization of historic communities, and assist homeowners, neighborhood organizations, and municipalities in their efforts to ensure that historic properties continue to play a vital role in the future of western New York.

The Landmark Society Ghost Walk 2010
Rumor has it that Rochester’s most infamous resident will be returning from the grave to once again protest his innocence – along with other ghosts making the journey from Mt Hope Cemetery, Holy Sepulcher, or other “final” resting places in our community.

They will have plenty to share, as they relive true history-based tales from the less-rosy side of Rochester’s past at The Landmark Society Ghost Walk on Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30.

• Ponder what escaped from that ominous box – you might want to watch where you step.
• Experience the horror of the flames of hell licking at your face – in the High Falls neighborhood!
•She looked so young and sweet – what was she hiding? Everything was so peaceful – until his brother’s terrible scream.

Yes, it’s all real Rochester history … just the darker side.
http://www.landmarksociety.org/

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