Prior To Christmas

After our autumn months here in the Southern Hemisphere, I had a 'dry' season, as far as anything-unusual goes. I thought I had been deserted by the paranormal (or whatever you like to call it), but it was only a lull in activity. At the end of September, things gradually started warming up again, both the weather and the occurrences that make me go "Huh!"

On Tuesday 30th September, I wrote in my journal: Only a few odd whiffs of perfume or pipe tobacco to report since my last entry. Tonight at 20:15, Ray (my husband) and I were sitting at our respective PCs when we heard something loud enough to make me jump and exclaim, "What the hell was that?" The sound came from right behind us. It was as if something had dropped, or been thrown to the tile floor with force - whatever it was sounded like it bounced, but not like a ball - something more solid. Well, we never found the source of the sound, despite searching the whole floor.

Almost two weeks later, I had my second experience. Our ten- year-old granddaughter was spending the weekend with us - she calls me Mom.

Sunday 12 October: This morning, before dawn, I awoke to the sound of someone walking softly in the passage, towards our bedroom. I listened intently, hearing the barely perceptible rustle of clothing. Next, I felt a presence in the room and heard a whispered "Mom?" I sat up with a jolt, expecting to find Shenay in the room. What did I see in the pre-dawn light? Nothing! I was left to draw my own conclusions, as Shenay was still fast asleep in her bed.

Thursday 16 October: At about 20:00, I was standing in the passage at our serving hatch, sorting out my nightly tablets. Suddenly, out of my peripheral vision, I saw something small and dark travelling downwards, fast, as if it had fallen from the ceiling. I glanced down at my feet and was just in time to see, what I presumed at the time, to be a mouse scuttle away and disappear under the couch in the adjacent lounge. On reflection, it seemed too round and fluffy to be a mouse and it travelled at an incredible speed - much faster than I have ever seen a mouse run. It looked black and had a long tail. That definitely was weird!

Friday 17 October:. Ray and I were in the kitchen sorting out supper. I was standing at our kitchen table, nearest our spice rack when there was a 'whack' on the floor to my right. I looked down to see our large plastic dragonfly lying there. Ray glanced over, saw it, and said, "How could that happen? I had that wedged securely in the spice rack!" It hadn't fallen straight down either, but was about a meter from the wall, right beside my foot.

On 27 November, Ray started his four-day stint as Father Christmas at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg. On his last day, he was to leave from work, travelling to an adjoining province to work there until 24 December. I would be alone for almost a month. I was slightly nervous at the prospect, but I need not have worried. I had great plans of making our granddaughter clothes as Christmas gifts and buckled down virtually the moment Ray was out of the door on the first day.

Friday 28 November: A couple of times while I was sewing, I caught the scent of flowers - lilies maybe? I checked myself, but the smell definitely wasn't from me. The lovely scent was only with me while seated at the sewing machine and all doors and windows near me were closed. I vacated my seat a few times, but, on my return, the scent was back again.

A little back-story for those of you who are not familiar with my submissions. Our youngest daughter Angel, mother to Shenay, was taken from us in June 2012. Angel was a qualified designer, pattern maker, and dressmaker. I am a rank amateur at making clothes. I got the feeling that Angel may have been looking over my shoulder and smiling as I made clothes for her daughter.

Sunday 30 November: Early in the morning, I decided I had better check my mail. I left my PC on while I made myself breakfast. When I returned, it had been switched off. I know I did not do it, and I am alone in the house, or am I?

Wednesday 3 December: At approximately 20:30, I turned back from the front door where I had been looking out to see why Zeus was barking. In the gloom, with only light coming from the kitchen, I noticed that the one door to the TV cabinet was open. I hadn't watched TV since Ray left on Sunday morning and was sure that the cabinet had been locked. Hmm...

Thursday 4 December, 11:15: I took out the garbage for collection. On the way to the back door, just before reaching the dustbin outside, I was assailed by the most glorious scent. It smelt somewhat powdery, like a deodorant or something akin. The wind was blowing from the north - the nearest house in that direction is about 100yds away. Another mystery!

At 11:45, I went to take my tablets, which I keep on the serving hatch. Instead of walking around to the passage side, I took the short cut through the dining room. I noticed that Ray's chair was pulled out and askew, as he always leaves it. On Monday when I had vacuumed, I straightened all the dining chairs, and they were still all in place last night when I had supper. Is more going on now, or is it that being alone in the house, I am more apt to notice it?

Saturday 6 December: The woman from next door came over to use my over-locker. She was sitting at the machine sewing when I offered her a cup of tea. She started to accept, and then stopped halfway through her sentence. With a look of surprise, she blurted out that she had just seen someone walk past behind me. She was shocked when I calmly told her it could be my Auntie, or the woman from the house that had been here previously, or even my daughter. At first, she thought I was making fun of her. I assured her that I believed her - that obviously started a completely new conversation, Lol.

Sunday 7 December, 17:45: I went to the bedroom to fetch myself a new packet of smokes. I was standing at the foot of the bed taking the cellophane wrapper off when there was a popping sound behind me. Naturally, I whipped around to see what was going on. There sat my deodorant, right side up, on the carpet with the cap neatly beside it. How is that for a 'coincidence'?

Nothing odd happened for the next two weeks, but I had a sense of calm the whole time I was on my own. I had that warm, fuzzy, protected feeling. The next occurrence was possibly a reminder, reassurance, or a parting gift.

Sunday 21 December, 22:00: It started raining and, as I expected a thunderstorm, I shut off my PC and went through to the lounge. The right hand door to the TV cabinet was open again. I am positive I locked it.

Thank you for reading. Any and all opinions or comments are welcome.