Marybeth Twitchell describes herself as a “neat freak” and I think that is a cool thing for a renter to call herself, and when we came to pick some things up at the farm, we could see this is true. Marybeth had been working like a dervish, going over the old farmhouse top to bottom before the rest of the family moves it, and it glowed. The farmhouse has sheltered people for nearly two centuries, and it is unnatural for people  not to be there. I am especially glad children will be there, I can hardly think of a better place for kids.

I am hoping to tell the kids all the various ghost stories associated with the farm – the Civil War soldier believed to have died in the Big Barn, Alexander on the path, the ghosts of the slaughtered pigs in the Pig Barn. I remember when Lesley Nase, a shaman, came and did a ghost tour of the property – Maria was with me well before we were married. We got all the details of all the good stories.

There have never been reports of ghosts in the farmhouse, it is solid and sensible, strong and proud, the barns give off a lot of wondrous vibes. I will wait for the parents to give permission, but I have some great Halloween stories for the kids when I get the green light. I love the big living room in the farmhouse, Marybeth made it shine again, I thank her for that.