We have been "Phantomed." Twice.
Alternate post title: Ghostbusters, II.
This proselytizing activity, for the uninitiated, requires leaving a plate of goodies on the door for a neighbor, along with a handmade ghost. Victims Phantomees are instructed to enjoy the platter of strangers' candy, display the ghost on their front door, and then pay it forward.
We have done none of these things.
The first time, we were coming home from a long day out and tried to figure out what had been placed on our doorstep. I naturally assumed it was a bag of dog poo that only missed being set afire, requiring me to stomp on it.
And I'm just old fashioned enough to not amend the family rule of "don't take candy from strangers," to "don't take candy from strangers unless they anonymously leave it on your front stoop."
AND, I'm just not going to display a ghost on my front door or anywhere else. If that makes me the uncooperative neighbor who may be whispered about at the next block party...well, I'll just have to take that risk. We're not a ghost and spook and haunting and death-type of family. I don't get grumpy when people don't celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter. Please, don't anyone be offended I don't glorify the ghouls on Halloween.
I won't even display the "The Phantom has been here" pdf from cadaver.cafe, because...it's a ghost, and it's from cadavercafe.com. Instead, I've typed a single sentence in Word, 28 pt. Calibri font stating that we have been phantomed. It is understated, but hopefully it will be effective.
And we aren't going to "pay it forward." However, we will invite you to our Trunk or Treat, where we know the candy-givers, we trust the game operators, and everything will be bright, safe, redemptive, and life-celebrating.
October 23, 2007 8:00 AM | TrackBack