A Spooky Spin

On By K.L. HaleIn Holiday

There’s a chill in the air. The leaves blanket the ground-the scenes are hauntingly beautiful. There’s a spooky spin with the twist of the wind. I’ve always enjoyed hearing spooky stories, especially around a bonfire with s’mores, blankets, and dramatic storytellers.

K.L. Hale

Photo by Spencer Selover on Pexels.com

In Southwest Missouri there are plenty of tales involving apparitions, orbs, ghostly figures, and other strange sightings and superstition (I’m not TOO superstitious ;-).

In Springfield, the Pythian Castle, originally built as an orphanage and retirement home for the members of the Knights of Pythias (later owned by the military and served as a prisoner of war camp), has been featured on a number of TV shows, including “Ghost Adventures” on the Travel Channel. My youngest son and I did a ghost tour one year there. It’s a beautiful castle that is also a venue for gatherings and special events.

http://pythiancastle.com (pic courtesy)

The Springfield Little Theater (also known as Landers) was built in 1909 and rumored to have several ghosts (one of whom was a janitor that died there in a fire in 1920). Fun fact-my twin sister and I performed there, with their Youth Troupe, in one musical in the mid 80’s.

Pic courtesy-https://www.springfieldmo.org/blog/post/youve-got-to-visit-these-haunted-places-around-springfield/ A special thank you to Susan Wade, Public Relations Director, Springfield CVB, for her kindness and photo permission.

Just a little over an hour south of me, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is the enchanting Crescent Hotel and Spa. Have you ever stayed there? I enjoyed my stay and visits there. It’s said to be one of the most haunted hotels in America. The history and architecture are stunningly stately!

Pic courtesty-https://crescent-hotel.com/

When I was told about the Spook Light as a child I was ready to take the drive. This dancing and spinning ball of fire has been seen for over one hundred years. The orb travels a four-mile-long gravel road in Oklahoma. It travels east to west and is “attached” to the tiny hamlet of Hornet, Missouri, and larger, better-known town of Joplin. (www.joplinmo.org)

Pic courtesy-https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-spooklight-150132/Photo by Atlas Obscura.

The Battle of Wilson’s Creek marked the beginning of the Civil War in Missouri. Over 2,500 casualties (Union and Confederate) occurred; Bloody Hill is one area that has been reported with hauntings—apparitions, noises of war, and the sounds of talking soldiers.

Pic courtesy-K.L. Hale (2021)

I’m more fascinated than fearful.  Yet feel ambivalent at times with the ambiance. Old castles, buildings, places…they all involve storytelling. They’re shared generation to generation-details and new experiences added. Look for folklore and fun in the future here…but until then, I warn you, you better BEWARE!

Ozarks’ Halloween

The wind will howl
its voice is heard,
the tales of old
it whirls the words. 

We bid thee well 
o' fallen leaves,
do you look and see,
do you believe?

A light is viewed
on a dusty road.
It glows and flickers
we’ve all been told

The regal castle,
with rich history,
served many beings,
what a mystery.

In the field they fought,
and thousands died,
and to this day
can you hear them cry?

The tales are shared
of folks and scenes,
the unexplained,
the in between.

Do you believe?
Do you even dare? 
Believe the truth.
Say your prayer.

If the spooky is too spectacularly spellbinding, don’t fall or fizzle, or lose faith. Don’t let the ghosts of your past haunt your habits. Let faith be more than a figment. There’s a Holy Spirit hovering and nudging waiting for us to be aware of his presence. The power, if you so accept, provides strength, joy, and peace. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”-2 Timothy 1  

Have faith 💚

Header image–Lakeside Wilderness Forest-K.L. Hale
BOOK UPDATE–THANK YOU to all of you who have supported this journey. Recently I’ve been added to the Global Retail Network. Links to the book are on the Faith and Finley page of this site–I hope you can visit there sometime!

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40 thoughts on “A Spooky Spin”

  3. I think too many years of brothers jumping out in the dark as children has hardened me a bit, but hey, there are times when you can ‘feel something’ in places like that and you know ‘there are more things in heaven and earth’ than meets the eye 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋 😂 🤣

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  4. I’m sure my mom is haunting Colorado Springs which is why every time I go up there something bad happens to me. Last time she pushed me down and I hurt my shoulder. Scary story? A fortune teller in Milan in 2000 said I would be pursued by the ghost of a woman who hates me. He gave me a little coin as an amulet. Of course, I think all this is fiction, but still. When I fell in Colorado Springs and hurt my shoulder, I was standing perfectly still and not going anywhere. I landed just as a person would who had been pushed hard on her back/shoulder area. If there’s a restless spirit anywhere it’s that woman. 😀

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    1. Oh no,…so I’m not giggling about your injury, but the restless spirit of your mom and how you told this story. That push is strange! Ooooh, a fortune teller. I remember being on the streets of the market in Alexandria, Egypt and a man was swirling around smoke in something metal, like a lantern; he said it was to ward off negative energies and send prayers. I didn’t think twice of the pleasant smell and his smile as he walked the streets “smoking” everyone.

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      1. I doubted my fortune teller because he later asked me the way to the subway. Shouldn’t he have known? And, he wanted to kiss me. He should’ve known I wouldn’t kiss him if he had any credibility at all! As for falling, when you cannot find a CAUSE, your brain goes a little wacky… 😀

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  5. My family and I toured the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs a couple of years ago. We didn’t see any ghosts there or signs of hauntings. But when we got back to our motel room, our winter coats kept falling off the rack. Work of a ghost, or just cheap hangers–you be the judge. J.

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    1. That’s funny! I stayed there many years ago and didn’t see a thing. But the sounds (the creaking of the wood) and ambiance sure made my imagination go amuk! Cheap hangers most likely the culprit~but the idea of friendly Casper-like ghosts playing pranks sounds plausible. 🙂

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  9. Americaoncoffee

    Thanks for reflecting and sharing your festive love and memories on Halloween. You made me remember the good old days. For me trick or treat used to be a real fun experience a tradition to pass on to our children. But life has become a scary reality thru horror movies, world affairs and drugs. Parties are great and trick or treat door to door is not on my ok list. Loving regards KL! 🐈‍⬛🎃😱

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    1. Ah, the good ole days! Thank you my friend for this thoughtful response and support. The world is a much different place. I’m more into thrillers or mysteries. Our reality is scary enough too! Still, I relish in the traditions still present in the area around me. Take care my friend! 🎃🧡💛

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  13. Great post! I am really not sure where I stand on ghosts and such apparitions. I have never experienced them, certainly. Do I believe in the reality of a spiritual/supernatural realm? Absolutely! But do I believe in the reality of “vagabond spirits” of once-living people wandering around and scaring the beejeebers out of folks? Not so sure about that one… But I DO believe in Eureka Springs, AR. Great place!

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  14. While I haven’t experienced any encounters with the supernatural, I have read about certain accounts. Not far from the city center of Columbus, Ohio sits the Kelton House. It was built in 1852, and it was used as safe haven on the Underground Railroad. The last family member passed during the mid-1970s, but the two story brick home has recorded evidence of being haunted.

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  15. Pingback: A Spooky Spin – Nelsapy

  17. A wonderful journey into the unknown. Scary at times, but fun to adventure into with loved ones, to talk and share stories of all different kinds! Thank you for sharing more of your blissfully creative stories and poetry, and your writing journey. 🧡

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