January 18th 2012

     The oddest thing happened to me today. I had just returned to my office from visiting a friend ill in the hospital to find a strange man sitting behind my desk. Now, I typically feel pretty secure in my job, but this was making me wonder so I asked who he was. At that moment J.J. an office mate walked through and asked who I was talking to. Now I am in a conundrum because I am seeing someone that is not really there (meaning I have gone off the deep end), or J.J. is blind or trying to trick me. None of those options are winners, so I just opt to keep my mouth shut and say I am talking to myself. (I have always heard as long you don't answer yourself you are fine).
     The man in the chair says "don't tell him you are talking to yourself because he will think you are touched with the madness". Well, apparently I am touched with the madness because J.J. made no notice whatsoever of the man speaking. The man noticed my confusion and elaborated "don't worry he probably can't hear me, I am a spirit you know". What? NO, I don't know that.....
     Fortunately J.J. continues to his office so I close my door so the rest of the world does not notice my apparent break from reality. I just stand there dumbfounded when he begins to speak. "We have never properly been introduced, but you know about me. I am LeRoy Pope. Yes, "The Father of Huntsville". I think I passed out here for a few minutes, but I am pretty sure that he and I had a conversation. Most of what I remember seems to be that he has come back to Earth to help me do something. What it is I do not recall, and have not yet worked up the courage to ask him, even though his sitting across the room from me.
     So, now you see my issue. I am hallucinating a ghost of an historical character is following me around. I have begun this blog so as to have some record of these encounters and maybe track the course of my insanity. Or, I it could also serve as record of how the spirit of Southern Pioneer helps to shape my  everyday life, or tries to control my brain (I mean come on, everyone has seen The Exorcist)...........