Heart-Warming Stories That Put a Little Faith Back in Humanity Pt I

Anymore, all we hear are negative stories on the news and read them on the internet. But how often do we get to read stories where someone else thinks of others before themselves? Stories of people helping one another? It's not too often. Here are some good stories of others helping others.

1. A cute cat

-Let's face it. Animals are smarter than us. Crows can learn to use tools. Pigs recognize their reflections in mirrors. Dogs can be trained to medical alert dogs to detect changes in our bodies and know if a medical emergency is afoot

-Clearly this kitten is intelligent when they see humans exchanging green stuff to get fish

2. One Bus Ride Can Change A Lot of Things

-Homeless people on the street is nothing new. Some are friendly in their approach. Others are aggressively begging, almost threatening people if they don't fork over some money. There are not too many people who take the time to contemplate new ways of helping them

-This woman's idea of helping people was using her bus rides to help the homeless get jobs. Judging from the scream, she got the news she wanted-the man she was helping was able to secure employment. She got a call that proved her actions are working

3. Heroic Firefighters

-Firefighters are among the toughest around. The men and women that fight fires are some of the real heroes out there. Their job is tough; wearing heavy gear, fighting 100+ degree blazes. But it all pays off when lives are saved.

-The father died, but was brought back to life by one of these heroes. Now the firefighter gets to meet the son whose father he saved

4. Mother's memory

-We all have good and bad memories of parents. Sometimes, when they've been gone a while, the smallest things will remind us of the good times

-Here's the moral: don't second guess yourself. If you can do something kind for another, do it without a second thought. The person in this story got the memory of a lifetime-hearing her mother's voice all because of a stranger reaching out via social media

5. Wow, what a journey

-Halle Bailey is making a name for herself as not only the first black actress to play the Disney princess Ariel, who was originally a redhead, in The Little Mermaid, but also as a singer

-Her grandfather came from hard times. Watching his father pick cotton is a pretty good indicator that not only was his father a sharecropper, but his son was too

6. Overcome the past

-The old saying "you can never change your past" is true. You can't go back in time to change your past because it would alter your future. The Back to the Future films should teach you that. Coming from families that are physically or emotionally abusive will have you definitely not wanting a family of your own. And there's also the worry of passing on that same behavior to your kids. It's a vicious cycle that's nearly impossible to break

-It can be overcome. With a little hard work and dedication, every obstacle can be overcome

7. Kindness at the Beach

-Love can overcome all, whether it be skin tones, religions, languages and more. When the person who offered this story, a Muslim woman lost her hijab, the traditional head covering worn by Muslim women, leaving her feeling bare and exposed, another woman came up to her and gave it back to her

-While the woman who offered help didn't have the same cultural issues as the Muslim woman, the thought behind the action is still what counts. The kindness behind the action is important

8. Hair from the Heart

-We all have read about the battles cancer patients have to fight. Losing hair is the #1 issue. A lot of companies make wigs for patients out of real hair donated by salons and barber shops. But what some of these companies don't put out there is that these patients often have to pay a lot of $$$ for these wigs. Losing hair during a cancer battle may not seem like a big deal, but it's part of your identity

-This woman's son grew his hair out just to make a wig for his mother. And it worked out for both of them. They're both incredibly happy

9. A mother's love

-When someone loses a child, it can be traumatic. You pour your love into other sources just to get through the grief. This woman put all of her love into the canine variety

-Even though Daisy lost all of her puppies in a barn fire, she looks so joyful and content taking care of the foster puppies. She gets to be a dog mom after all

10. Fancy

-Getting expressions of love and support are always gratifying. This poster got some love and support from an unexpected source-a cleaning lady

-It's incredibly sweet that the maid wishes this man happy pride month. She calls it the month your people celebrate being fancy. How sweet of her

11. What a Steve

-There's a concept out there that people who get nicknamed "Karen" are people who insist on seeing the manager at stores for the stupidest things or insist on not following the rules. People who are actually named Karen get stereotyped for this bad behavior. And to have your named used as an insult and swear word must be worse

-There are good people named Steve. Like, for example, the bottom right corner. If it was not for Steve Irwin, a lot of kids would not have learned about the various animals that inhabit our planet

12. Joy in the little things

-It's always better to find joy in the simple things in life. Take this mouse, for example. Someone thought it was a good idea to give her an ultrasound. Afterwards, she was on cloud nine, getting warm air from a hair dryer to dry her off after getting the ultrasound goo off

-This mouse looks like she is on cloud nine. She's enjoying every second of that lovely warm air

13. Women can play sports too

-Women are fighting a big battle to have their sports accepted right alongside men's sports. Many people don't find women's sports exciting or don't want to give them a try. Clearly, one bar owner decided to give it a try and it turned out to work

-Whatever is the key to success for this bar owner, it needs to be repeated

14. Repair, Reuse, Recycle

-It seems like when something looks less new and looks old, dated, we just throw it out without a second thought. Many cultures are incredibly wasteful in their mindsets. If it's old, we throw it out. If it's broken, we just throw it out and get something new. But many people are taking the liberty of repairing, reusing and even recycling items into something new

-It's always important to learn how to repair, reuse and recycle. It was done in the eras of our grandparents, who grew up with very little money and had to make do and mend

15. A complete 360

-Some people find it frustrating to have to wait a long time to see a doctor. You'd think they would be a little more considerate given that the doctors do have other patients. But for some people, just being in a doctor's office is a different experience

-The person who donated this story has an extra reason to smile. She survived childhood cancer and grew up to work as a nurse in the very same hospital where other doctors and nurses worked hard to save her

16. What's important to you?

-An interesting thought to have: if your house was suddenly on fire, and you only had time to grab one thing, what would it be? Whatever you choose will tell a lot about you and what you choose to prioritize

-It's both sad and sweet. It's sad because his home is a smoking ruin. It's sweet because he chose his cat as the most important item in the world. He doesn't care if he's temporarily homeless, as long as he has his cat, he's content

17. When can we see each other again?

-Social media can be used for all the wrong reasons. Cyber bullying. Spreading misinformation. It's rare when people use social media for good reasons. And thankfully, when people do take to to social media for good reasons, we get to hear about them either on the news or we read them

-This woman, who went on a cruise with her family, had befriended another little girl and had lost touch over the years. She took to Twitter to see if she could find this girl. Years later, this girl reaches out and they meet up

18. A reason for joy

-Some people don't feel appreciated for various reasons. The person who donated this picture has a solution

-A rescue animal is always a good choice. Those dogs and cats want nothing more than absolute cuddles and love from people. Judging from the almost smile on that dog's face, they are in heaven with their new owner

19. A little kindness goes a long way

-A true measure of people is how they treat those who are beneath them. Many people treat people such as waiters/waitresses, cleaning staff, customer service, secretaries and more horribly because they are considered to be not worthy of respect or kindness

-Whether people realize it or not, janitors are real people. This janitor is grateful that someone became his friend, all through the simple act of having a cup of coffee with him. Unfortunately, with some janitorial staff, they're not always nice, even if you show them kindness. In those situations, simply kill them with kindness

20. A brainy pair

-How some careers pay more and some pay less, there's a disconnect somewhere. The vitally important jobs such as medicine, airline crew, etc., don't get paid well while entertainment careers pay exorbitant amounts of money for something like singing, playing instruments or throwing/kicking a ball around. There's a serious disconnect somewhere

-These two surgeons look like rugs-they're beat. I would be too if I just completed a 32 hour surgery. They just finished a high risk surgery and yet they don't get paid too well. While athletes get paid millions just for throwing/kicking a ball around, driving a racecar or musicians get paid to play instruments and sing

21. Canine compassion

-Whether people acknowledge it or not, animals understand grief and loss. They get sad too. Animals can grieve over the loss of someone they care about

-One would think that with one animal out of the way, it's more food for them. But clearly this dog misses their sibling and still carries on the tradition of saving food for them

22. Gotta Catch 'Em All

-This is a phrase usually uttered by fans of the anime program Pokemon. There are fans all over the world dedicated to this anime program

-It's the thought that counts. Even if this mom doesn't do any kind of art, she at least made an effort for her son's 21st birthday. Good for her

23. By the power vested in me

-These words are usually uttered by someone ordained and finishing a wedding service. Sometimes people do matching outfits because they have a goofy, fun loving personality

-This family seems all too happy to match. And that is just adorable

24. I Wanna Hold Your Hand

-One of the more popular songs by British pop group The Beatles, in this particular case, talking to strangers can create an interesting memory

-This person had a stranger holding their hand and now they'll have a hilarious memory to cherish

25. Be honest about something you don't know

-It's completely okay to ask for help or ask questions when you don't know. It's not good to assume you know everything when in reality you don't have a clue

-Not only does admitting that you may not know something make you more honest, it models the people around you to do the same. Be honest when you don't know something. It's completely okay to tell them that you are unsure of something and that you can do some research to get accurate information

November Birthdays

Since it's November, time to say Happy Birthday

Lando Norris

-DOB: 11/13/1999

-Where: Bristol, United Kingdom

-As a teenager, McLaren already had their eye on him as rose through the ranks of racing before bringing him into Formula 1 in 2019

Billy Idol

-Birth name: William Michael Albert Broad

-DOB: 11/30/1955

-Where: Stanmore, United Kingdom

-Spent a good majority of his childhood in Long Island, New York, and lost his English accent

Tommy Thayer

-Birth name: Thomas Cunningham Thayer

-DOB: 11/7/1960

-Where: Portland, Oregon

-When Kiss was touring during the late 1990s-early 2000s with the old, original lineup, Thayer worked as a road crew member

Rick Allen

-Birth name: Richard John Cyril Allen

-DOB: 11/1/1963

-Where: Sheffield, United Kingdom

-He spent his 16th birthday on tour with Def Leppard

Roger Glover

-Birth name: Roger David Glover

-DOB: 11/30/1945

-Where: Brecon, United Kingdom

-He left Deep Purple in 1973, along with Ian Gillan, due to disagreements with then guitarist Ritchie Blackmore

DJ Ashba

-Birth name: Daren Jay Ashba

-DOB: 11/10/1972

-Where: Monticello, Indiana

-Previously played guitar for Guns 'N' Roses before joining the new band Sixx A.M.

Frankie Banali

-DOB: 11/14/1951

-Where: Queens, New York

-DOD: 8/20/2020

-Where: Los Angeles, California

-Played drums for Steppenwolf in 1978

Rudy Sarzo

-Birth name: Rodolfo Maximiliano Sarzo Laveille Grande Ruiz Payret y Chaumont

-DOB: 11/18/1950

-Where: Havana, Cuba

-He is best known for playing bass for Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot and Whitesnake

Steven Van Zandt

-DOB: 11/22/1950

-Where: Watertown, Massachusetts

-He took the name "Van Zandt" from his Dutch grandfather

Happy Steve Irwin Day!

This date has officially been designated Steve Irwin Day. It's dedicated to the life and hard work of Australian-born wildlife expert Steve Irwin. He was popularly known as "The Crocodile Hunter". This special designation is all about things that were of the highest importance to Irwin: family, wildlife, conservation and fun

Born on 2/22/1962, in Essendon, one of the many suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, he grew up surrounded by Australian wildlife. His mother Lyn cared for injured animals, such as snakes, kangaroos, lizards and birds. his family moved to Beerwah, Queensland in 1970. Both of his parents opened a reptil park, which is now the Australia Zoo. He became known as "The Crocodile Hunter" and had a program of the same name on the Animal Planet channel. This program taught everyone, from little kids to older adults, all about the wildlife that inhabits this planet of our. Sadly on 9/4/2006, while on a diving excursion off the coast of Port Douglas in Queensland, he was filming a new program when he didn't know that he had startled a sting ray. The sting ray shot its barbed, venomous tail into Irwin's chest, piercing his heart. He died from cardiac arrest

Confessions of An Airline Pilot: 45 Things They Wish Passengers Knew

These are the men and women getting you to your destination. It helps to follow their directions and safety protocols. Here are 45 things pilots wish passengers would do.

These are all quotes from actual airline pilots and airline crew

1. Some of us like flying during the COVID-19 pandemic

-With the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down almost everything, airports, which are usually bustling, hectic places, are now quieter. It's certainly easier, but for the wrong reasons. One pilot named Patrick Smith, who also wrote a book called Cockpit Confidential, has this to say. "Suddenly airports are quiet, delays are nonexistent, commuting is a breeze. It'd be perverse to say that flying is "better" than ever, but certainly, it's easier. Easier for all the wrong reasons, but it's a way to keep my head up and maintain a sense of normalcy...I'm happier on the job, where I feel engaged and useful, than I am at home, where I'm apt to stew and wallow."

2. COVID actually increased delays

-An airline captain for a major European airline named Martin Pletzer has this to say. "The problems we usually encounter in connection with COVID-19 for international air travel are DELAYS. Although air traffic had declined within the last year and skies in Europe were basically empty, many flights were nevertheless delayed. The reasons are mostly the complicated passenger handling procedures due to strict COVID-19 regulations."

3. Research policies for your destination

-This same airline captain, Martin Pletzer, also adds "We would like our passengers to be fully familiar with COVID regulations for their destination. They should come to the check in and gate fully prepared, with all the required documents, tests, etc. If, for example, the validity for a COVID antigen test is 48 hours in your home country, but only 24 hours in the country of destination, you will probably get in trouble. Dealing with such problems shortly before departure usually causes delays."

4. Comply with the mask mandates

-Martin Pletzer also states "Passengers should be aware of the mask regulations aboard their flight. Usually, the airlines give concise information, but they are not always respected...Non-compliance with regulations concerning masks, like not wearing them during flight, might, in the worst case, end up in a travel ban for the passenger

5. Respect the different departure policies

-Martin Pletzer adds "Follow all instructions during de-boarding the plane. Every country has different regulations and procedures for passengers leaving a plane. In Russia, for example, you are required to stay seated and wait for officials to board the aircraft to check for signs of fever. In other countries, entry docs from all passengers are collected by cabin crew and handed over to officials after the aircraft doors are opened. Usually, all passengers rush towards the exit after landing in order to be the first out. During COVID, passengers have to stay seated and wait until their rows are called for de-boarding. Non-compliance leads to delays for the next departure of the aircraft."

6. I've been struck by lightning twice

-A pilot for a regional Charlotte, North Carolina airline, has this to say. "Most pilots have. Airplanes are built to take it. You hear a big boom and see a big flash and that's it. You're not going to fall out of the sky."

7. If you're always cold, sit in the back

-A tech pilot for a regional Texas airline says "The general flow of air in any airplane is from front to back. So if you're really concerned about breathing the freshest possible air or not getting too hot, sit as close to the front as you can. Planes are generally warmest in back."

8. Turbulence is not dangerous

-Patrick Smith, an airline pilot and author of Cockpit Confidential, adds "Pilots find it perplexing that so many people are afraid of turbulence. It's all but impossible for turbulence to cause a crash. We avoid turbulence not because we're afraid the wing is going to fall off but because it's annoying."

9. When I tell you to put your laptop away, that means listen to what I'm saying

-Patrick Smith says "We don't make you stow your laptop because we're worried about electronic interference. It's about having a projectile on your lap. I don't know about you, but I don't want to get hit in the head by a MacBook going 200 miles per hour. And we're not trying to ruin your fun by making you take off your headphones. We just want you to be able to hear us if there's an emergency."

10. If you're nervous to fly, book a morning flight

-A Los Angeles airline pilot named Jerry Johnson has this to say. "The heating of the ground later causes bumpier air, and it's much more likely to thunderstorm in the afternoon."

11. We don't understand some of the FAA rules either

-Jack Stephan, an airline captain with US Airways, based in Annapolis, Maryland and has been flying since 1984, has this to say. "Like the fact that when we're at 39,000 feet going 400 miles per hour, in a plane that could hit turbulence at any minute, [flight attendants] can walk around and serve hot coffee and Chateaubriand. But when we're on the ground on a flat piece of asphalt going five to ten miles an hour, they've got to be buckled in like they're at NASCAR."

12. Over or near the wing is the smoothest ride yet

-Patrick Smith says "The bumpiest place to sit is in the back. A plane is like a seesaw. If you're in the middle, you don't move as much."

13. Updrafts frighten us more than turbulence

-A retired airline captain and aviation safety analyst named John Nance has this to say. "A plane flies into a massive updraft, which you can't see on the radar at night, and it's like hitting a giant speed bump at 500 miles per hour. It throws everything up in the air and then down very violently. That's not the same as turbulence, which bounces everyone around for a while."

14. There's a very good reason you can't use your cell phone

-Jim Tilmon, a retired pilot with American Airlines who now lives in Phoenix, has this to say. "What can happen is 12 people will decide to call someone just before landing, and I can get a false reading on my instruments saying that we are higher than we really are."

15. When it comes to flight times, the numbers get a little fuzzy

-A captain with AirTran Always, from Atlanta, has this to say. "No, it's not your imagination: Airlines really have adjusted their flight arrival times so they can have a better record of on-time arrivals. So they might say a flight takes two hours when it really takes an hour and 45 minutes."

16. Being on time is of higher importance than getting everyone there

-A commercial pilot from Charlotte, North Carolina says "The Department of Transportation has put such an emphasis on on-time performance that we are pretty much aren't allowed to delay a flight anymore, even if there are 20 people on a connecting flight that's coming in just a little late."

17. I have to carry less fuel than my conscience is comfortable with

-A major airline captain says "Airlines are always looking at the bottom line, and you burn fuel carrying fuel. Sometimes if you carry just enough fuel and you hit thunderstorms or delays, then suddenly you're running out of gas and you have to go to an alternate airport."

18. You'll never hear something like "One of our engines just failed"

-Instead the pilots will say something like "One of our engines is indicating improperly". You'll never hear "Well, folks, the visibility out there is zero." Instead, what will be said is something like "There's some fog in the Washington area."

19. We get exhausted too on flights

-A captain at a major airline says "Our work rules allow us to be on duty for 16 hours without a break. That's many more hours than a truck driver. And unlike a truck driver, who can pull over at the next rest stop, we can't pull over at the next cloud."

20. There's no such thing as a water landing

-An airline pilot from South Carolina says, frankly "It's called crashing into the ocean."

21. We get jealous of your onboard food

-A first officer on a regional airline says "Sometimes the airline won't give us lunch breaks or even time to eat. We have to delay flights just so we can get food."

22. Most people who get sick is not because of what they breathe, but what they touch

-Patrick Smith says "Always assume that the tray table and button to push the seat back have not been wiped down, though we do wipe down the lavatory."

23. It's one thing for the pilots to put on the seat belt light...

-John Greaves, an airline accident lawyer and former airline captain from Los Angeles says "But if he tells the flight attendants to sit down, you better listen. That means there's some serious turbulence ahead."

24. Driving is WAY scarier than flying

-Jack Stephan says "People always ask 'What's the scariest thing that's ever happened to you?' I tell them it was a van ride from the Los Angeles airport to the hotel, and I'm not kidding."

25. How you land indicates the skill level of the pilots involved

-Joe D'Eon, a pilot at a major airline with his own podcast at flywithjoe.com, says "So if you want to say something nice to a pilot as you're getting off the plane, say "Nice landing". We do appreciate that."

26. Bad weather exists between cities too

-Jack Stephan says "This happens all the time: We'll be in Pittsburgh going to Philly, and there will be a weather delay. The weather in Pittsburgh is beautiful. Then I'll hear passengers saying 'You know, I just called my friend in Philly, and it's beautiful there, too', like there's some kind of conspiracy or something. But in the airspace between Pittsburgh and Philly, there's a huge thunderstorm."

27. It's not even remotely safe to travel with a baby in your lap

-Patrick Smith says "It's extremely dangerous. If there's any impact or deceleration, there's a good chance you're going to lose hold of your kid, and he becomes a projectile. But the government's logic is that if we made you buy an expensive seat for your baby, you'd just drive, and you're more likely to be injured driving than flying."

28. We're not all financially stable

-A first officer from Texas who was furloughed says "I know pilots who spend a quarter million on their education and training, then that first year as a pilot, they qualify for food stamps."

29. You can recline, but be considerate of the person behind you

-John Nance says "If you're going to recline your seat...please check behind you first. You have no idea how many laptops are broken every year by passengers who slam their seat back with total disregard for what's going on behind them."

30. If we could, we'd give you freebies

-A pilot with US Airways, from South Carolina says "We miss the peanuts, too."

31. We don't wear our hats in the cockpit, by the way

-Joe D'Eon says "On TV and in the comics, you always see these pilots with their hats on, and they have their headsets on over the hat, and that always makes us laugh."

32. Autopilot is not immune to defects

-An airline pilot from South Carolina says "People tend to think the airplane is just flying itself. Trust me, that's not true. It can fly by itself sometimes. But you've always got your hands on the controls waiting for it to mess up. And it does mess up."

33. Sexism abounds

-A pilot for a regional carrier states "I am so tired of hearing 'Oh my God, you're a girl pilot?' When you see a black pilot, do you say 'Oh my God, you're a black pilot?'"

34. There's a good reason why we ask you to do stuff

-Patrick Smith says "We ask you to put the window shade so the flight attendants can see outside in an emergency, to assess if one side is better for an evacuation. It also lets light into the cabin if it goes dark and helps passengers get oriented if the plane rolls or flips over."

35. Don't ask us to repeat sports scores

-A commercial pilot from Charlotte, North Carolina says "Here's a news flash: We're not sitting in the cockpit listening to the ball game. Sometimes we can ask the controllers to go to their break room to check the score. But when I fly to Pittsburgh on a Sunday afternoon, the passengers send the flight attendants up at least ten times to ask us the Steelers score"

36. Leave the flip flops in your luggage

-Joe D'Eon says "I always tell my kids to travel in sturdy shoes. If you have to evacuate and your flip flops fall off, there you are standing on the hot tarmac or in the weeds in your bare feet."

37. We don't control the temperature

-A captain at a major carrier says "Cold on the airplane? Tell your flight attendant. We're in a constant battle with them over the temperature. They're moving all the time, up and down the aisles, so they're always calling and saying 'Turn up the air'. But most passengers are freezing."

38. The straight truth about airline jobs

-A commercial pilot from Charlotte, North Carolina says "You don't have as much time off as your neighbors think you have, you don't make as much money as your relatives think you make, and you don't have as many girlfriends as your wife thinks you have. Still, I can't believe they pay me to do this."

39. We're not the best people to ask for directions

-A pilot for a regional Charlotte, North Carolina carrier says "I may be in uniform, but that doesn't mean I'm the best person to ask for directions in the airport. We're in so many airports that we usually have no idea."

40. Here's some lingo used by airlines:

-Blue juice: water in the lavatory toilet. "There's no blue juice in the lav."

-Crotch watch: The required check to ensure all passengers have their seat belts fastened. Also known as "groin scan"

-Crumb crunchers: Kids. "We got a lot of crumb crunchers on this flight."

-Deadheading: When an airline employee flies as a passenger for company business

-George: Autopilot. "I'll let George takeover."

-Pax: Passengers

-Spinners: Passengers who get on late and don't have a seat assignment, so they spin around looking for a seat

-Two-for-one special: The plane touches down on landing, bounces up, then touches down again

-Working the village: Working the coach

41. We sleep in the cockpit

-John Greaves says "Do pilots sleep (in the cockpit)? Definitely. Sometimes it's just a ten minute catnap, but it happens."

42. For cargo flights, we don't dress up

-A tech pilot at a regional Texas airline says "One time I rode in the jump seat of a 747 freighter, which carries cargo, not passengers. As soon as the door closed, the first officer went in back and put on a bathrobe and slippers. No kidding. He said 'I'll be d---ed if I'm going to wear a tie for a bunch of boxes."

43. We have to fly frequently to be able to fly

-Patrick Smith says "A pilot's license never expires. What does expire, however, is his or her currency - i.e. "recency of experience", as the FAA puts it. To keep current in my aircraft type, I need two things. The first is to pass a semi-annual training evaluation. This is a two-day course that we repeat every nine months, usually referred to as "recurrent training". In addition, we need to log a minimum of three takeoffs and landings every 90 days. If you drop out of currency, the airline has to run you through the simulator to bring it back again."

44. Losing our jobs is devastating

-Patrick Smith says "When a pilot is out of work, for whatever reason, he or she cannot simply slide over to another airline and pick up where they left off. The way airline seniority systems work, there's no sideways transfer of benefits or salary. If you move to a different company, you begin again at the bottom, at probationary pay and benefits, regardless of how much experience you have. You lose everything. So any threats to our jobs or companies make us very nervous."

45. We retain knowledge of what's familiar to us

-Patrick Smith says "So much of flying is muscle memory - internalizing the location and operation of the various switches, prompts, buttons, and levers - and the longer you've been flying a specific model, the stronger your retention. On my last assignment, finally in first officer's seat again after a multi-week absence, I was surprised more by how quickly it all came back."

50 of the most haunted places in the world Pt. 2

Everyone loves a good ghost story. Some have a rather touching sentiment about them, meaning that the resident ghost is a benevolent spirit, meaning no harm, but being rather protective or even curious. Others lean towards the opposite end-malevolent, bent on destruction, chaos and violence. Here are 50 of the world's most haunted places, according to Explore.com.

25. Ledge Lighthouse-New London, Connecticut

-Now manned by the Coast Guard, at one point there were people who lived and worked here, and one didn't want to leave. The first person to look after this structure was a man named Ernie. He still makes his presence known to this day. Visitors have reported activity such as doors opening / closing on their own, TVs suddenly turning on. Some have even witnessed a bearded man walking throughout the building. This lighthouse offers tours during the summer

-Read more about it in Weird Encounters: True Tales of Haunted Places by Mark Sceurman and Mark Moran

26. Villisca Axe Murder House-Villisca, Iowa

-With a name like this, it's almost guaranteed to be haunted. On the night of June 12, 1912, Josiah B. Moore and his family settled in for the night. They never woke up. They were murdered in their beds. No one was ever arrested and convicted of their murder. Visitors claim to see the spirit of a man with an axe in his hands and hearing children crying. The house was even renovated back to its original condition when it was built, meaning no plumbing or electricity

27. Anderson Triple Axe Murder Site-Waynesville, Ohio

-Located in the large, peaceful city of Waynesville, originally on the site was a two story home close to the road. Willie Evert Anderson, his mother, aunt and cousin lived in that two story home. On Sept. 4, 1879, he put on a homemade mask, tied with string around his head and brutally murdered these individuals. It was not until about a week later that these individuals were discovered. The smell of death seeped through the walls and doors and let individuals outside know that something was not quite right inside that home. Local law enforcement entered the home to find the three women slaughtered, at the hands of their relative, with an axe. When police interrogated Willie, he didn't say anything about who his accomplice was or if there was an accomplice. He found murder endlessly fascinating and wanted to traverse the dark, sinister path to becoming a murderer. Now on the site sits a one story ranch house with stenciled green shutters and a constantly there FOR RENT sign. No one wants to live in the house because of all of the paranormal activity. From strange sounds of things hitting the floor, said to be the axe hitting the floor, to bloodstains appearing in the floor that, no amount of scrubbing or sanding, will remove

-Read more about it in Cincinnati Ghosts by Karen Laven

28. Gettysburg Battlefield-Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

-Considered one of THE MOST HISTORIC sites in the US, it's fame came from gruesome reasons. It was a location during the Civil War. It's where some of the bloodiest battles during the Civil War were waged. The people who died here are said to still haunt the place. Visitors have reported seeing misty forms of soldiers, hearing cannons fired, hearing gun shots and the screams of those wounded. The most commonly reported area to see and here this activity is The Devil's Den, a location where bodies and limbs were found after the war

29. Moundsville Penitentiary-Moundsville, West Virginia

-This castle-like structure housed more than 1,000 inmates while in operation. 94 of those inmates were executed. Those who didn't die by execution were subjected to tragic deaths. A maintenance worker was stabbed to death by inmates. Visitors report seeing spirits of former inmates lurking around. Book a sunset tour to give yourself the maximum chance of seeing a spirit

-Read more about it in Weird Encounters: True Tales of Haunted Places by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman 

30. Amityville Horror House-Long Island, New York

-This Dutch Colonial house on Long Island has long been known as a paranormal hotspot. Books and even films were created to tell this sinister tale. It started when the DeMeo family was murdered here in 1974. A year later, a family with the last name Lutz moved in. Soon, the horrifying paranormal activity started. One occurrence involved liquid oozing down the walls. Flies would frequently appear in the house. Beds levitated. Doors slammed shut. Knives flew through the air. As it is not surprising, the family only lasted 28 days in the home before selling it

31. Toowoomba, Australia

-It's rare when you hear about a whole town that is haunted. An old home that's haunted? Sure, perfectly normal. A whole town? Not likely. But that is the story of Toowoomba, Australia. It's known as the paranormal capital of Australia. A house owned by the De Molay family was home to several girls who committed suicide. A local railway station is home to the spirit of a woman killed there in the 1930s. A local movie theater is haunted by a woman who became sick and died. The ghost of a woman named Maggie Hume haunts Ascot House after dying from taking poison. Despite it's macabre haunted history, it's a bustling town

32. Akershus Fortress-Oslo, Norway

-With its grim history, no wonder it's a paranormal hotspot. During the 18th and 19th centuries, prisoners of war were kept here and many never left. During WWII, the Nazis took over this fortress and executed people here. The spirit seen most often is that of a dog. A puppy used to guard the fortress and was buried at Maid Towers. Now, as legend suggests, if you encounter the spirit of this dog, you will die within three months. If you decide to pay a visit, tread very carefully

33. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum- Cincinnati, Ohio

-This beautiful cemetery and park was built out of horribly morbid necessity. The cholera epidemic was sweeping the Ohio Valley and taking many lives. Many other graveyards were becoming full quickly. This plot of land was the answer to the future. It's large enough to accommodate the dead while also providing natural beauty like that of a park. There are several spots in this locale that can really turn heads and provide goosebumps. Speaking of turning heads, in Lot 100 is said to contain the bust of a man who will actually turn his head to watch passersby. The bust is of C.C. Breuer, an optometrist who loved his job more than anything. His final wish was to have a bust with his eyes inside. Of course that is impossible; the eyes would have already rotted out. Instead, his eyes are made of the most realistic-looking glass you've ever seen. It's said that the bust will turn its head to keep its eyes on those who pass by. Another spooky spot is the Dexter Memorial. This looming Gothic structure is hard to miss; you pass right by it upon entering. It's said that if you stand on one of the porches overlooking the grounds, you'll see two brilliantly white, shining dogs. They are said to be harbingers of bad luck and the hapless victim who sees them will be forever plagued with bad luck

-Read more about it in Cincinnati Ghosts by Karen Laven, Weird Ohio by Mark Sceurman and Mark Moran and Cincinnati Haunted Handbook by Jeff and Michael Morris

The Dexter Memorial

This bust, of optometrist C.C. Breuer, is said to rotate its head to keep its realistic-looking eyes on passersby

34. Highgate Cemetery, London, England

-This beautiful Victorian cemetery is both hauntingly beautiful and haunted. It's home to over 50,000 gravesites, including some notables like Karl Marx, George Eliot and Douglas Adams. The paranormal activity here began in the 1960s, when the spirit of a tall man with glowing eyes and a top hat would be seen around the graveyard. He was dubbed the "Highgate Vampire" and lured vampire hunters from all over to see if they could find him

-Read more about it in National Geographic Supernatural Places by Sarah Bartlett

35. Sloss Furnace, Birmingham, Alabama

-Death was just another part of business here at this pig iron production facility. Workers fell into molten steel. Workers were caught and dragged into the machinery to be crushed to death. Others fell from catwalks after becoming disoriented from the methane emissions or died from being scalded by hot steam. One cruel manager, named James "Slag" Wormwood, was particularly cruel. He often uttered "Push some steel!" or "Get back to work!" No pity. No mercy. No breaks. No holidays. Those were his rules. One day he fell from a catwalk and fell right into "Big Alice", the largest blast furnace on the property. It's unclear if he was pushed or became disoriented from the methane emissions. This location is HIGHLY HAUNTED. Steam whistles blow on their own. Footsteps and screams are heard. Shadowy figures, orbs, mists have been seen. And on top of all that, a highly aggressive menacing presence haunts this location, thought to be old Wormwood himself. He's thought to burn people or yell at visitors "Push some steel!" or "Get back to work!" One security guard who was working here was found in a closet with third degree burns over 80% of his body. He was taken to the local hospital, where he died from his injuries

-Read more about it in Weird Encounters: True Tales of Haunted Places by Mark Sceurman and Mark Moran

36. Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary-San Francisco, California

-Known as "The Rock", this island prison in San Francisco Bay is almost literally unescapable. This location housed some of the most notorious criminals during its operation. One story here involves inmates named Croy, Cretzer and Hubbard, who were shot while trying to escape. Guards reported hearing loud clanking sounds in the location of their death. Cell 14D, a solitary confinement room, is a particular hotspot where a prisoner was found strangled after screaming all night. Cell Block C is where "The Butcher", a former mob hitman, was found murdered. Famous Chicago gangster Al Capone called this place home for a while. In his cell, he would play the banjo. After a while, guards heard screaming coming from his cell. When they got to his cell, they found old "Scarface" Capone huddled in the corner, a look of fear on his eyes. He claimed the spirit of a victim of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre started appearing to him, causing him to slip slowly into insanity. You can hear banjo music playing around his old cell

37. Pond Run Road-New Richmond, Ohio

-This long, windy road running alongside the Mitchell Memorial Forest in New Richmond has ghost stories galore. With its massive woods, it feels suffocating at times, as if the forest is closing in on you. This road is said to be haunted by a "Hook Man". I'm sure you're familiar with this urban legend. The story for Ohio's own Hook Man is this. A doctor and his wife lived along Pond Run Road with their child, who exhibited bizarre behavior. His behavior was impulsive and even violent on occasions. Because people trusted him for his medical prowess, it looked bad on him to have a son exhibiting strange behavior, especially in times when mental illnesses were not fully understood by the medical communities. The parents kept him chained in the basement to prevent him from causing trouble. One night, during a particularly violent thunderstorm, lightning struck the house and ignited it. Smoke took the lives of the doctor and his wife. Still chained in the basement, the boy, now mostly likely a man, saw his own death flickering closer. Through some sort of miracle, probably adrenaline, he was able to escape, only with the expense of leaving his hand behind. He is said to stalk the lover's lanes here. Some of the paranormal activity here includes mists, orbs and the sounds of something walking through the woods. People living near the woods claim there is evidence that someone is living in the woods, from various food containers all around to stone rings where fires are contained, but no humans are ever glimpsed at these sites

-Read more about it in Cincinnati Ghosts by Karen Laven

38. Rose Hall Plantation-Montego Bay, Jamaica

-The ghost residing here is so well known that legendary musician Johnny Cash even wrote a song about her called "The Ballad of Annie Palmer". This house is haunted by the spirit of a woman named Annie Palmer, also known as the "White Witch of Rose Hall". Legend has it that after her parents died, her nanny started taking care of young Annie. She taught Annie witchcraft and voodoo. Later on, Annie killed three of her husbands and several of her slaves before a slave killed her. This house offers nightly ghost tours, where you're bound to see at least one spirit

-Read more about it in National Geographic Supernatural Places by Sarah Bartlett

39. The Fairmont Empress-Victoria, British Columbia

-This beautiful hotel on the bay in British Columbia has strange activity occurring here. In the 1920s, a turret without a door was built here. One day, out of nowhere, a pillow and blanket appeared in that room. On the sixth floor is the spirit of an old woman looking for her room. A long deceased maid is on that same floor, doing her duties. And in no particular spot of the hotel is the spirit of a little girl who appears all over the hotel. There's even the spirit of Francis Rattenbury, the architect of the hotel, who is said to be wandering around with a cane

40. Strater Hotel-Durango, Colorado

-Built in 1893, this red brick hotel is right on the main street of Durango; it's hard to miss. One of the most common sightings here is that of a woman white and a railway engineer hanging out in the lobby. Other occurrences include orbs

41. Union Cemetery-Easton, Connecticut

-This 400 year old New England cemetery has been visited by every paranormal investigator known to this day, including famed investigating couple Ed and Lorraine Warren. They even wrote about it in their book Graveyard: True Hauntings From An Old New England Cemetery. Out of the tons of paranormal activity here, the most common sighting is a woman in white, either a wedding dress or nightgown who appears in the middle of Route 59 and is hit by a car. When the driver gets out to help, she disappears

42. Fort Delaware-Delaware City, Delaware

-Said to be one of the more haunted spots in the state, this location features tons of ghosts. Visitors claim the dungeons are haunted while some also say the kitchen is haunted. The main type of spirit seen here are the Confederate soldiers who were once imprisoned here. They create cold spots, make noises. The investigators from television show Ghost Hunters managed to capture a thermal image of a mysterious figure lurking around

43. Old Idaho State Penitentiary-Boise, Idaho

-Known as "Old Pen", this building operated as a prison from 1872-1973. It's home to inmates who never left, even in death. One particular spirit here is said to be Raymond Allen Snowden, who was the Idaho answer to Jack the Ripper. He was hung for his crimes here and since then, visitors have felt someone touching them, hearing whispers, seeing lights and feeling an overwhelming sense of despair

44. Waverly Hills Sanitorium-Louisville, Kentucky

-This location has been investigated by every nationally and locally known group. This former tuberculosis hospital opened when the "white plague", known as tuberculosis or consumption, was sweeping the area. Nurses and doctors here believed fresh air would help the patients. The doctors and nurses were sweet and sincere in their care of the patients, even if it wasn't successful. An old delivery tunnel on site, used to deliver groceries, had been changed into a more macabre use-taking out bodies of those who perished from the disease. This was to keep the patients from seeing how many bodies were being taken out. When the hospital closed in 1962, a nursing home opened up there not long afterwards. Unlike the sincere, considerate nursing that was done during the days of the hospital, the nursing home had rampant patient abuse and soon closed. Lights flicker here, shadowy figures are seen. And on the fifth floor, outside room 502, is the spirit of a nurse who became pregnant and committed suicide

-Read about it more in Weird Kentucky by Mark Sceurman, Mark Moran and Jeffrey Scott Holland and Weird Encounters: True Tales of Haunted Places by Mark Sceurman and Mark Moran

45. Big Bone Lick State Park-Union, Kentucky

-This beautiful, wooded expansive state park is the last place you'd expect to be haunted. But the thing is, hauntings can happen anywhere. The most haunted location here is the old Methodist Church. The organ is said to play by itself. During the annual Salt Festival, Native Americans camping in the park state they rise early in the morning to see other Native Americans traversing in old style Native American clothing. Balls of light will move to and from various places.

-Read more about it in Cincinnati Ghosts by Karen Laven

46. Deserted Village-Achill Island, Ireland

-80 cottages, at least 800 years old, remain on Achill Island in Ireland. The last time anyone lived there was the early 20th century. Shadowy figures, said to be former residents, haunt there. It used to be a formerly popular camping destination, but locals have warned people to stay away from there at night. Because creepy activity happens there

47. Lake Ronkonkama-Long Island, New York

-This mile-long lake on Long Island in New York has a dark history. In the 1600s, a local Native American tribe settled there. A young woman named Tuskawanta saw a handsome, young, blonde woodcutter across the water. She immediately fell in love. Her father forbade her from seeing the young man. She sent him letters on bark to float across the lake. After not getting a response, she stabs herself in the heart. Every year since then, the "Lady of the Lake" has taken at least one male soul to their grave, in order to replace her love. Out of the at least 160 drownings there between the 1800s and 1970s, only three drownings were women

48. Hull House, Chicago, Illinois

-This unique house in Chicago was built by a wealthy landowner and developer named Charles Hull. His wife, Millicent, died in the house in 1860 from an unknown illness. Another death on site was Irene Donner, a young woman shot outside by her former fiancee. The most popular legend about this house is that of the Devil Baby. A young immigrant woman had a picture of the Virgin Mary in her house. She prayed to it piously. Her husband, unhappy with the picture, declared he would rather have the Devil in his house than the Virgin Mary. He certainly got his wish because when his pregnant wife gave birth, the baby was born with horns, cloven hooves and a forked tail. Unfortunately, the baby died not long after birth. But some people believe the baby was done away with to prevent him from exerting his diabolical influence on the planet. Today, if you ask to investigate the Hull House for the supposed "Devil Baby", simply ask permission because Hull House staff are so used to questions from paranormal investigators. It's said that if you hear a gurgling noise, it's the Devil Baby. If you hear crying as well, it's also the Devil Baby. It's said that if you hear gurgling or a baby crying, you'll be plagued with bad luck

49. Trenton Psychiatric Hospital-Trenton, New Jersey

-Unlike most haunted hospitals that close, this one is still open and taking new patients. The spirits haunting here are former patients. Dr. Henry Cotton became the medical director here in 1907 and he employed harsh methods of treating mental illnesses. These included surgery without anesthesia, even removing organs. In the halls, screaming can be heard from these long dead patients

50. Hotel Alex Johnson-Rapid City, South Dakota

-Rooms 802 or 812 are said to be the most active locations here. People still claim to see the spirit of the owner, Alex Johnson, hanging around. He died in the hotel in 1938 and is known, in terrifying ways, to make his presence known. Visitors have noted such activity as hearing music, windows opening, the feeling of being choked or the words "help me" on a fogged mirror