Tuesday, August 10, 2004 The Ghosts In The Parlor
While visiting relatives who had recently moved to a new city, I had an opportunity to take a scenic drive around the outskirts of town. We were driving down a winding lane when, suddenly, up ahead on the right, I saw it! Situated on a grassy knoll, almost hidden by the stately grove of trees, was a wonderful turn-of-the-century, three-story treasure. ![]() As we made our way closer and closer, that's when I heard them ... the guests, calling out my name. I immediately edged the car off onto the shoulder - much to the surprise of my passenger. When she inquired, I asked, "don't you hear them calling us?" Before she could answer, I grabbed my cameras and ran toward the house. I envisioned a party to which I was arriving fashionably late. As I approached the house, I was surprised to see all that had eluded me from the road. Not only was the paint chipping away from the clapboards, but the clapboards were also pulling away from the structure itself. And, how did I miss this before? The front porch was completely gone (with the exception of the support columns which were disintegrating right before my very eyes). Who could be playing such a cruel joke? I could still hear the voices calling me ... I'll just peek into the windows -- I know the guests are merely hiding. That's when the realization hit me -- when I saw the crumbling plaster and the peeling wallpaper ... when I saw the buckled floorboards and the dangling mouldings ... I knew! It wasn't the guests who were calling ... It was the ghosts in the parlor ... Originally published Wednesday February 19, 2003 (bw) 2003 © Copyrighted Materials - All Rights Reserved. Susan Reno-Gilliland A Southern Belle's Life |
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"a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma" --- Miss Kitty, an Irish lass, a true Southern Belle; writer, photographer, artist, interior designer, animal-lover, dreamer, stargazer, cop-groupie, 70's junkie, cbc, slightly obsessive iNFp with stories to tell! ... (fascinated by forensics, human behavior, pushing all the right buttons of men she finds interesting, and seeking utterly-sweet revenge without any repercussions. ) --- "Darlin', don't ever take a Southern woman for granted!" [tm] Feeling the uncontrollable urge to shower me with gifts?!? Check out my Amazon ![]() Friday's Child is loving & giving We've been accepted by Chase's Calendar of Events to promote the annual event each April for Southern Belles' Month! A Southern Belle's Life "Darlin', don't ever take a Southern woman for granted!" (tm) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() This Writer's Works
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