Part of Me...

Part of me is delighted to find a cute Halloween bag at my doorstep. It is filled with sweet treats and a note from a phantom ghost wishing me a “happier fall.”

Part of me basks in that sweetness for a moment...

Part of me reads more of the note and sees that it is a “chain” and thus further action, on my part, is suggested, further action within a 24-hour period.

Part of me becomes becomes piqued.

Part of me tries to think it through from the kind donor's viewpoint.

Part of me reasons that perhaps they envision a community of houses “sweetened” by good wishes and such a vision would require some kind of community involvement.

Part of me enjoys the goodness of that thought, too.

Part of me likes that thought enough to hope that every house is a recipient of such kindness.

Part of me knows that my participation will, however, necessitate my making two photocopies of the note, a 14-mile round trip by car to town to buy cute halloween bags and treats, assembling of the bags and then choosing a couple of friends to whom to deliver the bags.

Part of me is tired just thinking about the process. 

Part of me is also grateful that I don’t have a whole heck of a lot of friends out here.

Part of me wonders if that neighbor that so many people complain about on the far west end of the community will get a bag.

Part of me doubts it.

Part of me thinks that it would be a good idea for me to donate my bag to that phonophobic neighbor.

Part of me reasons that it would be an even better idea to give similar bags to every house in a neighboring small town that has an indication of children residing inside, like toys on the lawn, or kid’s artwork taped to the window.

Part of me thinks isolated farming senior citizens, like the widow who lives alone, from whom I buy fruits and vegetables, would benefit from such a sweet surprise.

Part of me says, you’d better shut your thinking up right now, and remember that sensible part of yourself that didn't want to drive to town to buy bags and treats and begin an assembly line.

Part of me wonders if this “you’ve been booed/phantom ghost” is some new phenomenon and looks online.

Part of me wonders why I never noticed all the folderol that proliferates online.

Part of me reasons that it’s because I don’t use FaceBook.

Part of me rereads the note and is shocked to notice in the verse: “Deliver at dark when there isn’t much light…Ring the doorbell and run, and stay out of sight!!"

Part of me is surprised such an action would be encouraged after the recent overreaction when a census taker came and rang someone’s doorbell in the evening arousing such fear that there was immediate talk of “gating” the entire community to keep stranger-danger out.

Part of me remembers that I have never been a fan of the “ding-dong ditch” prank.

Part of me virtually pats myself on my own virtual back.

Part of me wonders if I have any control whatsoever of my mind.

Part of me is happy that the weather will be nice for a couple of days and I can meditate and attempt to regain my senses as I work in the yard.

Part of me is hungry from all of this pondering. That part of me reaches into the bag, takes and bites into a snack size Reese's peanut butter cup...

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Thank you, Phantom Ghost!

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“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”― J.R.R. Tolkien

(I know I used this quote recently, but part of me said, "Sorry, I got nuthin' else.")