Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Could this be what I think it is?


I wonder if the veil between worlds is thinner in Scotland? Take a close look at this picture. Do you see the curling wisp of white smoke twisting up over the wall of Edinburgh Castle? I snapped this shot while touring the castle during our trip at the beginning of this month. I wanted a picture of the great view across Edinburgh and especially the coal-tarnished spire of the church on the right.

I didn't notice this odd-looking stream of white smoke crossing the picture until we'd arrived home and printed the pictures. I use a digital camera and always check the shots on the viewer plus we downloaded the pics onto my netbook each night when we returned to our room.

There also wasn't a sign of any smoke anywhere that day. I've got the nose of a prize-winning bloodhound coupled with a monstrous sensitivity to smoke of any kind. I'm a reformed smoker, haven't had a cigarette in over twenty years. I’m a better smoke detector than the sort that needs batteries.

When I saw this phenomena the first time, I asked my husband if he remembered any smoke that day and jokingly added that perhaps it was one of our ancestors saying hello from the other side.

My husband descends from Clan Maxwell. My lineage traces back to the MacDonalds. Perhaps this visitor wished to be noticed by its descendants from "across the pond".

We'll never be certain what it was that day and I know some folks will laugh and blow it off. But I hope it was one of our long ago kin making contact from the other side. I wish them peace and safe journey.

39 comments:

  1. Maybe it was your kin from long ago placing a hair on the lens!

    Just because it can be explained, doesn't mean it wasn't a ghost!

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  2. Oh, I smell a story here. But, then again I'm an FFP Gal and this so, speaks to me. Great post and wonderful shot. I hope it inspires you!

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  3. Perhaps a playful poltergeist, Stacy? Could be a hair...but we never discovered it in the shot until the picture was printed. Who knows?

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  4. The entire country of Scotland inspired me, Rachel. It fits right in with the paranormal romance genre!

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  5. Oooh, freaky, Maeve. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. I thought this would be the perfect time to share this neat photo. After all, we're not but a few days from Samhain!

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  7. I absolutely believe that someone wanted you to know that they knew you were visiting. Just before my daughter died she made me promise I would go to the conference in NYC in 2003. When a friend took a photo of us on a boat to Ellis Island, you can see a white mist between another friend's head and mine, same size as our heads with a warmth inside. Everyone knew it was Kellie...so, yes, I believe. How awesome for you!!!

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  8. Oh my goodness, Paisley. I can only imagine the reassurance you felt when you saw that image on the photo. I'm so sorry you're now without your daughter but I'm glad she found a way to let you know she's all right and still very much with you.

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  9. Thanks so much, Beth. I'm triple-checking all the other photos now to see if they "waved" any other time. :-)

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  10. A compliment to your powers, perhaps?!

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  11. LOL! Wouldn't that be wondrous, Miriam?

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  12. Ooh nice photo, Maeve! The first ghost I ever saw was in Scotland. Plus another interesting paranormal event that spoke to me.

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  13. Could have been a Vaughn or McElmurry too - we've a long line of mischievous ancestors back there!

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  14. Doesn't the entire land feel magical, Nicole? There's just something wondrous about that place.

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  15. Hmm...Michael. There's no telling which feisty branch of the family tree our visitor stemmed from!

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  16. Love it Maeve. We expected pics from your trip, but this is very cool

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  17. Thanks Kate & Renee - Needless to say, I was SO thrilled when I was flipping through all the prints and came across this one.

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  18. Maeve,
    I toured Scotland and England a year ago. As an FF&P gal I was inspired at every turn. I'm anxious to read what kind of story ideas you returned home with.

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  19. My muse is in OVER-DRIVE right now, Ciara! ;-)

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  20. Great pic, Maeve. I can only imagine how inspired you must be after that trip. :-)

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  21. I'm so thankful my husband and I were able to make this trip. My heart still flutters when I think about all we saw.

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  22. A ghost for sure. I'm a believer.
    What a wonderful trip! Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  23. What an eerie welcome. You should have a caption contest for this one!

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  24. I thought an angel at first. The steeple appeared to have wings decending upon it. Very cool.

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  25. Lucky you! I'm sure it was someone saying hi from the beyond. Could be a great scene in a book. In fact, a similar experience inspired a short story for me. Maybe I should get it out and polish it up. Thanks for sharing your great gift.

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  26. I think the white wafting through the picture is just a bit too broad and transparent to be a hair. Yes...it must indeed have been a long dead ancestor wishing you well, Maeve. I have no doubt of it!
    ~Donna

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  27. Thanks, Donna! I firmly believe it's an ancestor waving hello. :-)

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  28. I appreciate everyone stopping by - I'm glad you enjoyed my discovery. :-)

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  29. That is verra mysterious and should be an inspiration for the next m/s. BTW, thanks for sharing all of your beautiful photos and stories. I've been showing the gals at work (Scotland lovers also) and we just continue to sigh and dream. What a beautiful and intriguing land. *sigh*

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  30. You're quite welcome, Victoria, and thank you for stopping by. I'm glad everyone's enjoying the pics. You're so right -it's such an intriguing, magical land!

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  31. Very beautiful, inspiring shot Maeve! Nice to think it was a relative saying 'hi' from the other realm.

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  32. Lucky you! I hope to visit Scotland one of these years.

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