Is this, or ANY house haunted?

I'm not one to dwell on the paranormal. In fact, the house in the picture of the introduction is the first time I've ever wondered, without much premise; Is it haunted?

This is a house not far from me. Gorgeous, Victorian house built around 1890. It is in a historical neighborhood. So, why would I even consider there is something going on there?

I pass this house every day. Every single day that I drive somewhere, I pass this house. I've noticed that in the past 5 years, it has been sold, had renovations, then put up for sale again within months. It has had, I believe 3 owners in the last 5 years.

Before I even took notice of that, there was just something strange about the house. There are many old houses on that block, but when I passed this one, it was as though someone were looking out at me. Then I began to notice the frequent number of times the house was on the market. In this neighborhood, as I said, historic, most houses have been passed down generation to generation. There just aren't many houses here "for sale." I began to take notice of the goings on there. The first family who bought it did some renovating, and decorating. I saw them moving in. Two months later, I saw them moving out! It sold for over $300,000. Next family, several months later, moved in. They had some landscaping done. 6 months later, another "For Sale by Owner" sign. It sat vacant for quite a while before the next buyer committed. It is again, empty. Does that make it haunted? Probably not, but it sure piques the curiosity.

So, what DOES make a house haunted? If haunting is a real occurance, do we yet possess the technology to prove or disprove it? Science can prove the "body" dies, but what about the spirit, or the energy? Television shows on the Paranormal boast such devices as EVP's and EMF's. Although they may give some indication, is that the end all to the "proof?" If I were to do ghost hunting, I would have on my "team" a medium (a legit one) and a dog. That's right, a dog. Animals are able to see and sense things humans are completly unaware of. I would also measure EVP's and EMF's, but I'd sure watch that dog, and guage what the medium had to say! I would NOT have a pre-disposed hysterical woman (or man) who screamed at the first noise.

If one initially believes a haunting can occur, then it is my contention that we all have psychic reception capabilities. How many of us have walked into a house, down a street, or through a park and just gotten good or bad "vibes" from that place? That alone, I deduce, can be scientifically explained by things such as a high emmision of man made electromagnetic currents. What are the chances, however, that this happens on several different occasions, to one person, in several different places? I do not think the odds are very high.

According to a CNN Poll done in 2005, 48% of those polled said they DO believe in ghosts. 28% said they have actually seen or felt a ghost's presence. Can all of these people be wrong? About.com had a page on haunted houses in their house buying section!

Ghosts, and Hauntings have been reported in every State in America, and in Every Country. What constitutes proof of hauntings will differ depending on whom you ask. Different people require different criteria. For example, I am not sold on "orbs." It could too easily be dust, light reflection, a number of other things. Some swear that Orbs prove ghosts exist.

One thing is for sure, there are a lot of people who never believed in ghosts until they had their own personal encounter. Yes, I've had mine. (more about that later in this article) I smile when I think of my Father, who would have given you "the look" and laughed if you told him there were ghosts. I also remember my Father coming out of his room one night about 2 years after my Mother died, saying "I saw your Mother! I reached out to touch her and she was gone." Why would a man who did NOT believe in ghosts, despite many hardships in life, suddenly believe at his age?

Several places in Omaha are rumored to be haunted. among them are Central High School, and The White House Apartments. Many places are haunted depending on to whom you speak. I can't tell you if hauntings are real. I can't tell you if ghosts are real. I know that not every ghost sighting is genuine. I know that light and our minds can play tricks on us. I also know that I have experienced things, as countless others have, that even through thorough consideration, cannot be explained.

Ghost Hunters
Ghost Hunters International
Most Haunted
Paranormal State
The Unexplained
Psychic Kids (New)
Haunting Evidence

I am attempting to make my way to the next round of Giant Squids! I have 35 lenses to date and am really enjoying squidoo. Not just writing, but reading other lenses.

I have a Table of Contents that lists my Articles by topic. You can find it HERE>

Judging from the information I've already given, I would say a good majority of you would say you HAVE seen a ghost or spirt, or at least you believe in them.

I first encountered something "paranormal" about 13 years ago. My two daughters were asleep in the bedroom, and I on the sofa in the livingroom. I had recently moved there from the apartment across the hall.

As I lay sleeping, I heard a loud SLAM of my front door. Naturally, I tried to turn to see who it was. I could not move. I struggled and tried to turn and see who had slammed the door but it was as if someone or something held me in place. A few seconds later, I heard another incredibly loud slam, this time my bathroom door, and shortly after, again my front door. As soon as the front door slammed the second time, I was able to move. I was confused, and yes, a bit frightened. Why couldn't I move, and who was that?

I went to check on my children who were still sleeping soundly. I went from room to room to see if anything was amiss. Nothing was out of the ordinary. It took a while, but I lay back down telling myself I must have been waking from a dream, or something! I made sure, however, I was facing the front door this time. Convincing myself I had only been dreaming, after a long while, I fell asleeep.

The next morning, of course it came to mind, but I was still going to convince myself it was my mind playing tricks on me. I went downstairs to my Sister's apartment. I had just walked in when she looked at me half in annoyance and said "Why were you slamming doors last night?" All I could manage to say was, "huh", as the fear and realization crept in. She said she heard 3 loud slams coming from my apartment in the night. I was dumbstruck. If SHE had heard it, then how could it be a nightmare? It could not have been a dream. I will never forget how I felt at that moment. A truly unexplainable event. That was my first brush with the Paranormal, but little did I know, it would not be my last.