The Old Diphtheria Cemetery

This past weekend I was in the middle of Wisconsin working on a big paranormal event I am helping to plan.  We were treated to a historical tour of the area, including a visit to the old Diphtheria Cemetery.  

In the 1800’s, Smallpox and Diphtheria were widespread and deadly.  Both diseases took a substantial toll on the people as both young and old fell to one of these uncontrollable diseases.  Horrific, the two viruses ravaged the towns and villages; the times were dark, and the area is marked forever by the massive loss of life.

The very old cemetery is at the top of a wooded hill, and the moment I stepped off the top step to this final resting place for many, the intense energy I felt was most unnerving; sadness, great loss, and?  The spirits of young children roaming through the area who have not crossed over.  I sensed they were at peace, even though they linger here.  Lost?  Maybe, but they weren't asking for directions or help either, they seemed....at home.

The gravestones tell us that some adults are among the children here, there is speculation that some deaths were from Small Pox as well as Diphtheria, and all died in the 1870's.  Some stones marked the graves of siblings who passed within months/weeks of each other.  I can’t even begin to fathom the heartache these parents went through, whether they lost one or more children to this disease for which there was no cure.

Majestic century-old pine trees surround and are within the cemetery, protecting the graves of these young innocents.  These healing trees have wrapped their limbs and roots around the graves in an embrace; their energy is healing, soulful, and powerful.  The Mamma Tree is just that; she protects the other trees, the graves, and the child spirits who linger.  Her energy is loving, beautiful and all consuming, just incredible.  There are also two sentinel trees standing watch on the outskirts.

There is much heartbreak in this place, but there is also undying love that permeates the cemetery; it is pervasive and amazing, and oh so strong after almost 150 years.  These gravesites are still tended and I saw flowers and trinkets on many.  When we return to the area, we will take as much time as we need and offer aid to the spirits there; if they need help crossing over we will help them, if they want to remain, that is their choice and we will of course offer blessings.  

I will think of this place for a long time to come, it was unlike any cemetery I have visited.

--Stephanie

Fly Free Little Sparrow

When I got home from work yesterday afternoon, my daughter Kacie told me she found a bird on the deck floor just outside the patio door.  She had picked this little one up and gently put him/her on the railing of the deck, just in case life was still with this little soul.

I looked at this beautiful sparrow and knew in my heart he/she was no longer with us.  Eye glazed over, there was no movement.  So still, he/she was so beautiful, a reddish brown color, and young.  I bet this was his/her first summer.  I was sad, and I felt at fault; if I had just placed the screen in then middle of the doors like I normally do?  This little soul might still be alive.  But I was in such a frenzy yesterday morning, I didn't do what I almost always do because I know the birds hit the glass; most of them are lucky and are just stunned and fly away; but not this one.

Kacie didn't want to bury this tiny creature yesterday afternoon, just in case it was just knocked out.  Eternally hopeful my girl, but I did feel the same way, clinging to the hope that maybe?  The bird would wake up and fly away.  But with the light of the morning, I saw that little one was there, so still in death.

With a heavy heart, I looked around the yard for just the right spot, and then picked up the shovel and dug a hole behind a hosta by the fence.  I then wrapped this beautiful little being in a soft white paper towel, placed that beautiful feathery body in there and buried the young sparrow.  I cried as I said a prayer for the little bird and placed a flagstone on top of the grave.  

Life and death; seems like death comes too easy and may times too soon, and yes, I feel responsible for this death. 

FLY FREE LITTLE ONE, know you are loved.  May you be at peace.

--Stephie Jean

The Search for Sasquatch.....

Searching for the big guy is one of my favorite things to do, and I have been out multiple times in the past few months with our team SquatchHERS searching for Bigfoot.  By the way?  Did I mention?  It is STILL winter in Minnesota, and it has been not only cold, but the snow has been deep.  This has not prevented us from trekking through the woods in search of Bigfoot, in fact?  I think it has become a challenge for us that we have all happily accepted, and has heightened our resolve to find this elusive being.

We have traveled to and searched an area in the Chippewa National Forest several times this winter in below zero temps and snow up to our knees.   We have also recently searched and have been quite impressed with a wild DNR area closer to home north of  the Twin Cities Metro area.  We've been there twice, and look forward to another search there soon.  What I will say is that my teammates have grit; below zero temps and snow have not deterred us, and I believe?  It only makes us BETTER.

 In the Chippewa forest we discovered what we believe are Bigfoot prints in the snow.  A path of them that stretched for quite a distance.  We showed the photos to a local area resident who has discovered Bigfoot prints himself and he confirmed what we thought.  Bigfoot made those prints.  We found them in an area we had experienced much activity in the past, and it was an exciting find.

 

In the area closer to home we have discovered many stick structures.  The first of which we feel is most likely a man-made hunters blind; the others we found much further into the woods off the beaten track, and I think?  No person would have made them, it just doesn't fit.  The majority of them and would not be noticeable to anyone but someone looking for signs of Bigfoot. Bigfoot is known to build stick structures that some believe are location guides.  These structures are hidden in plain sight ....big ones, little ones.  None would offer shelter, nor be able to hide one from anything.  In fact, in the summertime when the grass and weeds are tall, one would never see them unless?  You know where they are.  They are in an arrangement that we think form some kind of quadrant - to what end?  Perhaps the area within the boundary is a special place?

At any rate, our searches over the winter months have yielded some pretty phenomenal evidence.  Is this evidence of Bigfoot or something else?  We can only wonder.....our next search is happening quite soon, and will include plotting out the quadrant of structures to create some kind of map and try to understand the distance and scope of the area within.
 
What I do want to say is that my teammates are awesome; dedicated and determined to find Sasquatch, we all work well together and we have an amazing team of women :)

Stephanie!