Xmas ghosts are stirring
@toffph.bsky.social
anthologist of Victorian Christmas ghost stories
local historian and gravestone conservationist
H. C. Dodge & shape poem collector
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20841298.Christopher_Philippo/blog
https://www.findagrave.com/user/profile/477914
local historian and gravestone conservationist
H. C. Dodge & shape poem collector
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20841298.Christopher_Philippo/blog
https://www.findagrave.com/user/profile/477914
♫ "I Saw Kal-El Fisting Santa Claus" ♫
readcomiconline.li/Comic/Action...
readcomiconline.li/Comic/Action...
November 28, 2025 at 2:12 AM
♫ "I Saw Kal-El Fisting Santa Claus" ♫
readcomiconline.li/Comic/Action...
readcomiconline.li/Comic/Action...
In Black Christmas (1974) Mrs. Mac hides sherry in a hardcover book that when it's opened is just readable enough, when paused, to search the name at the top of the phrase and some of the text. It's "Cyclists' Raid" by Frank Rooney (adapted as The Wild One), included in a number of anthologies.
November 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM
In Black Christmas (1974) Mrs. Mac hides sherry in a hardcover book that when it's opened is just readable enough, when paused, to search the name at the top of the phrase and some of the text. It's "Cyclists' Raid" by Frank Rooney (adapted as The Wild One), included in a number of anthologies.
![Orbital Mind Control Lasers card from Steve Jackson Games original pocket box edition of their game Illuminati. "Once per turn, owner can add, remove, or reverse an alignment of any other card in play; change lasts for owner's turn only." [Alignment:] Communist. Power: 4/2 [transferrable power] Resistance 5 Income 0](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rykdmiisbjdf4ooel7bxlrfu/bafkreign3wibm4t6bbsrgg4xefhluatyreydw4icxlgye5iz4rw2hucjw4@jpeg)
Useful for live meme-acting!
November 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Useful for live meme-acting!
You're very welcome! You were very kind and I'm sure @valancourtbooks.bsky.social appreciates the mention too!
November 19, 2025 at 8:39 PM
You're very welcome! You were very kind and I'm sure @valancourtbooks.bsky.social appreciates the mention too!
A pleasant early Christmas book gift left at the door courtesy of @thomasruyssmith.com and it looks great! A small handful of pieces and names I recognize, but I expect the majority to be completely new to me, so should be a fun voyage of discovery.
November 19, 2025 at 8:34 PM
A pleasant early Christmas book gift left at the door courtesy of @thomasruyssmith.com and it looks great! A small handful of pieces and names I recognize, but I expect the majority to be completely new to me, so should be a fun voyage of discovery.
It's an old phrase. Older than these even, I expect.
"A review of these contents brings at once before us, our happy holidays" Boston Traveler. December 18, 1829: 3.
"A review of these contents brings at once before us, our happy holidays" Boston Traveler. December 18, 1829: 3.
![A review of these contents brings at once before us, our happy holidays [...] The publishers have sent forth this volume in a delicate holiday dress; and we hope many good boys will receive it from their parents and teachers, as an acceptable Christmas and New Year's Present.
Boston Traveler. December 18, 1829: 3.
What bustle, what preparation, what feasting, what dancing gave the country folk enough to talk about during the happy Christmas holidays
Boston Traveler. May 11, 1830: 1.
The editor of the Bedford (Pa.) Inquirer has recently been married to a Miss Holliday. We wish him a great many happy holidays of happiness, besides a number of little Hollidays.
Dedham Patriot [MA]. November 22, 1838: 2.
the cheered mother would sit by the bedside, and talk to her girl of the merry holidays that were soon coming, and promising the poor child what she had never known before—a handsome Christmas box.
"Little Jane's Christmas Box." Times-Picayune [New Orleans, LA]. December 30, 1841: 2.
https://doesnotevenrhyme.blogspot.com/2017/12/two-corinthians-walk-into-bar-war-on.html](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rykdmiisbjdf4ooel7bxlrfu/bafkreifhejvlfollqo2kmg6p2jzg6fvp4tojpiw4wf3sdwynwucwkehcdy@jpeg)
November 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM
It's an old phrase. Older than these even, I expect.
"A review of these contents brings at once before us, our happy holidays" Boston Traveler. December 18, 1829: 3.
"A review of these contents brings at once before us, our happy holidays" Boston Traveler. December 18, 1829: 3.
Seems possible! No preview image for this, does any other online archive have it?
November 15, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Seems possible! No preview image for this, does any other online archive have it?
Getting a weird recaptcha prompt there followed by a request to open my Terminal app. Sounds buggy.
November 10, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Getting a weird recaptcha prompt there followed by a request to open my Terminal app. Sounds buggy.
Here's one I don't think you need to review, "Marry F*** Kill" (actual onscreen title). The "necronomical" use feels like it's going to be the only Lovecraftian reference in the whole thing. A draggy movie involving dark magic used on unsympathetic college students(?).
November 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Here's one I don't think you need to review, "Marry F*** Kill" (actual onscreen title). The "necronomical" use feels like it's going to be the only Lovecraftian reference in the whole thing. A draggy movie involving dark magic used on unsympathetic college students(?).
Three hops will always give the answer they want.
November 1, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Three hops will always give the answer they want.
Cameron Smith doing some end of season gravestone conservation work in Troy, NY's New Mount Ida Cemetery using a tripod chain hoist and lime mortar. I was there to help with the tripod chain hoist.
November 1, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Cameron Smith doing some end of season gravestone conservation work in Troy, NY's New Mount Ida Cemetery using a tripod chain hoist and lime mortar. I was there to help with the tripod chain hoist.
With Grady Hendrix in Schenectady NY last night. His presentation on witch hunts around the world; witch archetypes in fiction, and more was entertaining, informative, even moving in parts. Bought Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, got it signed along with Dirt Candy and [Satanic] Panic blu-ray.
November 1, 2025 at 1:57 AM
With Grady Hendrix in Schenectady NY last night. His presentation on witch hunts around the world; witch archetypes in fiction, and more was entertaining, informative, even moving in parts. Bought Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, got it signed along with Dirt Candy and [Satanic] Panic blu-ray.
![news transcriptions including:
The Jamaica Chapter of the Ku Klux Klan held a dinner at the Triangle Ballroom, Jamaica […]
“The hour is now approaching,” he said, just before midnight, “when more than twenty-five thousand crosses will be burned throughout the nation.”
Jamaica Klansmen Unmask With Ceremony At Dinner; Ex Judge Orbison, of Indiana, and William H. Anderson Speak—Senator Heflin Sends Regret.” Brooklyn Brooklyn Standard Union. February 23, 1928: 3.
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/Brooklyn%20NY%20Standard%20Union/Brooklyn%20NY%20Standard%20Union%201928/Brooklyn%20NY%20Standard%20Union%201928%20-%202750.pdf
STYLES QUITS SO. JAMAICA PRESIDENCY UNDER FIRE; FORMS NEW G.O.P. UNIT
—
Ex-Klan Leader Resigns in Advance of Impeachment
—
Harry James Styles, once the disputed Republican leader of the fourth assembly district, ousted member of the Republican executive committee, former Jamaica real estate broker, ex-klan leader, and holder of perhaps a dozen other such defunct titles, adds another to his royal roster today.
Long Island Daily Press. August 7, 1929: 2 cols 1-2. http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/Jamaica%20NY%20Long%20Island%20Daily%20Press/Jamaica%20NY%20Long%20Island%20Daily%20Press%201929/Jamaica%20NY%20Long%20Island%20Daily%20Press%201929%20-%203596.pdf](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rykdmiisbjdf4ooel7bxlrfu/bafkreihnjiuiareyetnlcxf7gcfs4jvx2wet6fmj745pyixodrcmvuzjte@jpeg)
Agreed. Noun in US *can* be but its usage as such seems rare. The adj. almost never would be.
Curiously, it had been white people who were called it first. I guess(?) because white like ghosts are usually depicted? Ex. from African-American journalist for Af-Am press agency in Af-Am newspaper:
Curiously, it had been white people who were called it first. I guess(?) because white like ghosts are usually depicted? Ex. from African-American journalist for Af-Am press agency in Af-Am newspaper:
![Frank Marshall Davis (1906-1987) for the Associated Negro Press in the African-American newspaper Northwest Enterprise [Seattle, WA] March 27, 1936 [he being sarcastic here]:
If nothing else, this proves just how screwy is this country of ours. When a spook does something it's taken for granted that, being white, he ought to; if a spade gets to the top it's "unnatural" and an analysis shows it's the result of an unusual development found only in black folk.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rykdmiisbjdf4ooel7bxlrfu/bafkreiag6uffcn6wt3pnc3nyvthzrjabqa3uisli66yi246knzbwc3os3y@jpeg)
October 30, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Agreed. Noun in US *can* be but its usage as such seems rare. The adj. almost never would be.
Curiously, it had been white people who were called it first. I guess(?) because white like ghosts are usually depicted? Ex. from African-American journalist for Af-Am press agency in Af-Am newspaper:
Curiously, it had been white people who were called it first. I guess(?) because white like ghosts are usually depicted? Ex. from African-American journalist for Af-Am press agency in Af-Am newspaper:
He had a number of them! Lucky numbers!
![newspaper clipping from Big Red News [Brooklyn NY]. August 3, 1991. 21.
THE KING OF ONE DAY, LUCKY NUMBER
BISHOP B.L. SMITH
IN
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
1-(900) 740-LUCK
NEED A ONE DAY LUCKY NUMBER? JUST PICK UP YOUR PHONE AND CALL MY LUCK LINE FOR YOUR ONE SPECIAL RED HOT LUCKY NUMBER FOR THAT DAY.
NEED MONEY THE FASTEST WAY IS WITH A GOOD NUM.
BER. I GIVE DAILY LUCKY NUMBERS ON THE LUCK LINE.
YOU CAN GET A LUCKY NUMBER ON MY
LUCK LINE ANYTIMEDAYORNIGHT 7DAYSA WEEK. DIAL
1 (900) 740-LUCK THAT'S 1 (900) 740-5825.
There is a Ten Dollar charge to your phone per call.
BISHOP B.L. SMITH P.
0. BOX 43029
LAS VEGAS NV. 89116](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rykdmiisbjdf4ooel7bxlrfu/bafkreiaqic4ammaihe77fm3j4fhdw64fw4uo63z7mxt3uk4t2tvvpvol4y@jpeg)
October 25, 2025 at 6:12 PM
He had a number of them! Lucky numbers!
I'll have to see how many of those I can find streaming.
Watching one of your past views tonight.
Watching one of your past views tonight.
October 24, 2025 at 12:36 AM
I'll have to see how many of those I can find streaming.
Watching one of your past views tonight.
Watching one of your past views tonight.
#162 of #100HorrorMoviesIn92Days is Siryet (2007) from Ethiopia, 26th country I've never seen a movie from previously. "Gaga, a one-eyed, no-tongue homicidal manace with a mysterious past goes on a killing spree." Fellowship's done well on the world map collectively! letterboxd.com/begge/list/t...
October 23, 2025 at 6:10 PM
#162 of #100HorrorMoviesIn92Days is Siryet (2007) from Ethiopia, 26th country I've never seen a movie from previously. "Gaga, a one-eyed, no-tongue homicidal manace with a mysterious past goes on a killing spree." Fellowship's done well on the world map collectively! letterboxd.com/begge/list/t...
Versatile material!
October 23, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Versatile material!
Also in anapestic tetrameter?
Oh, well it does look like a good read though. Some timeless advice even.
Oh, well it does look like a good read though. Some timeless advice even.
October 21, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Also in anapestic tetrameter?
Oh, well it does look like a good read though. Some timeless advice even.
Oh, well it does look like a good read though. Some timeless advice even.
Made me curious when editors first started exposing Halloweeners to the public. Here's a pretty old one:
"So the three Hallowe'eners went on their way, hunting something else to do."
Davis, Helena. "The Twins' Hallowe'en." Duluth Herald. October 29, 1910: 20.
"So the three Hallowe'eners went on their way, hunting something else to do."
Davis, Helena. "The Twins' Hallowe'en." Duluth Herald. October 29, 1910: 20.
October 16, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Made me curious when editors first started exposing Halloweeners to the public. Here's a pretty old one:
"So the three Hallowe'eners went on their way, hunting something else to do."
Davis, Helena. "The Twins' Hallowe'en." Duluth Herald. October 29, 1910: 20.
"So the three Hallowe'eners went on their way, hunting something else to do."
Davis, Helena. "The Twins' Hallowe'en." Duluth Herald. October 29, 1910: 20.
Halloween poem "Jack Lantern and the Walnuts." Oregonian. October 25, 1908.
One of a number of poems, illustrations, stories, news items I collected but then never did anything with beyond transcribe and categorize some of them.
One of a number of poems, illustrations, stories, news items I collected but then never did anything with beyond transcribe and categorize some of them.
![A jackolantern with arms in the air, running after fleeing walnuts that likewise have arms and legs, the fronts of their shells faces, one of them split open on the floor. A brick wall behind them, clouds and a full moon in a dark sky seen through a window.
Jack Lantern and the Walnuts.
(COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY THE NEW YORK HERALD CO.)
All Rights Reserved.
'Twas late at night on Hallowe'en,
When Pumpkin fierce and bold,
With eyes so big and monstrous mouth,
Was left out in the cold.
"Ha! Ha!" he cried, "'Tis my turn now
To have a little fun;
I'll strut across the kitchen floor
And scare things till they rtun.
With eyes shining bright,
In the night—in the night.
A basket full of Walnuts slept
In peace behind the door.
They were awakened by the glare
Upon the kitchen floor.
They scrambled from the basket quick
And screamed aloud in fright,
For there it stood, the monstrous thing,
Parading in the light.
And they screamed in their fright,
In the night—in the night!
They scampered through the pantry room,
The smallest nut ahead,
He chased them under sink and range,
The nuts were almost dead.
He gnashed his teeth so fierce and wild
And stretched his arms to see
Them run away in fear and fright
And laughed at them in glee,
As they ran in their fright,
In the night—in the night!
The Oregonian [OR]. October 25, 1908: 2](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rykdmiisbjdf4ooel7bxlrfu/bafkreidgfel4nq6uxvcvf63652y5quur6st6ig6dgww2ctz4gzdwpvpawu@jpeg)
October 6, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Halloween poem "Jack Lantern and the Walnuts." Oregonian. October 25, 1908.
One of a number of poems, illustrations, stories, news items I collected but then never did anything with beyond transcribe and categorize some of them.
One of a number of poems, illustrations, stories, news items I collected but then never did anything with beyond transcribe and categorize some of them.
I made a list for myself for the #100HorrorMoviesin92Days challenge (and after) to try to improve how many countries from which I've seen horror movies. Watched Diablo Rojo PTY (Panama) earlier today and Morgue (Paraguay) planned for later.
letterboxd.com/xmasghosts/l...
letterboxd.com/xmasghosts/l...
October 6, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I made a list for myself for the #100HorrorMoviesin92Days challenge (and after) to try to improve how many countries from which I've seen horror movies. Watched Diablo Rojo PTY (Panama) earlier today and Morgue (Paraguay) planned for later.
letterboxd.com/xmasghosts/l...
letterboxd.com/xmasghosts/l...