My family experienced a lot of doppelgänger activity when we first moved into the Allen House four years ago. It wasn’t exclusive to our youngest son, who was then five, but it involved him more than other family members. We’d see Jacob go into a bathroom and never come out. We’d see him standing in the upstairs hallway on our way down the stairs, and when we got downstairs seconds later, he would be in the kitchen, eating cereal and watching Sponge Bob Square Pants—oblivious to the fact that a spirit was using his energy to manifest itself and taking on his appearance. A friend of our older son Joshua freaked out one morning because he saw Jacob in the upstairs hallway and in the very same moment he saw another Jacob at the foot of the staircase on the first floor.

I don’t believe any harm has ever come to Jacob as a result of a spirit’s connection to him or use of his energy and physical form, but I have long wondered whether a particular ghost in our house is influencing his sense of humor. Allen Bonner has, for well over half a century, been reputed to haunt my house along with his mother. Allen’s school papers and toys still clutter parts of the attic, his special play area. On a homemade desk he wrote his and the names of two friends, labeling their group “Ye Olde Village Half Wits;” the description is indicative of Allen Bonner’s interest in and inclination toward comedy. In college he wrote a humorous column for the school paper. He loved corny puns and corny jokes: “Somebody said it was raining cats and dogs outside, and sure enough I went out and stepped right in a poodle.” At Baylor University he joined The Nose Brotherhood, an organization that was dedicated to comedy and pranks and that held annual events such as “The State of the Onion Address.”

My wife and I have noticed Jacob’s growing inclination to blurt out in random moments the most random, weird—and corny—jokes. Often, oddly old-fashioned jokes: “Why does a chicken cross the road?” He’ll don a fur cap with shorts, rubber boots, and no shirt. He’ll suddenly launch into impersonations of high-pitched women or obsessively feign a British accent for days at a time. He can be amusing. He can be annoying. The only time it got creepy was when I said, “Jacob, why are you saying these things?” And he responded in a soft voice, “I’m not Jacob.”

Maybe he’ll grow out of his obsession with corny comedy, but until he does, I’m going to keep wondering.

Our thanks to Mark for his guest post! For more from Mark Spencer, read his article “A Growing, Ghostly Intimacy.”

Coast to Coast AM is the #1 radio show in the US, airing nationwide on over 500 affiliates and with a combined audience of over 17 million people. The show airs from 10pm—2am Pacific time; it is the most listened to overnight radio program in North America. Visit http://www.coasttocoastam.com/affiliates to find a radio station near you that airs the program.

Update: The episode of My Ghost Story featuring Mark Spencer and the Allen House will re-air on Saturday, December 3 at 11:00 pm Eastern. The episode can also be viewed online at http://www.biography.com/tv/my-ghost-story/episodes/25-my-ghost-story.

Extreme Paranormal Investigations by Marcus F. Griffin

This book gives readers a first-hand account of some of the most hair-raising investigations that Marcus F. Griffin and his ghost hunting crew have conducted over the years. Belle Gunness, America’s first female serial killer, and Jeffrey Dahmer are just two examples of whose properties the team visits and encounters some unfriendly ghosts. This book is perfect for fans of the paranormal tv shows, and the author’s writing style is absolutely perfect for the subject matter.

Ghost Hunting for Beginners by Rich Newman

This book would be a perfect gift for someone who loves the paranormal televisions and wants to experience spirits first hand. The reader will be armed with all the basics of what is needed to form a team, conduct an investigation, and learn about the various equipment that can be used during an investigation. Rich Newman is a well-respected ghost hunter with over a decade of experience. His advice and knowledge is the perfect start for those who want to get off the couch and start exploring.

True Police Stories of the Strange & Unexplained by Det. Sgt. Ingrid P. Dean

Do you have someone on your list who is a police officer? If so, this is a perfect gift. Included in this collection are angels, UFOs, and truly extraordinary stories that give one faith in a higher power and that someone/thing is watching over us. It’s a very inspirational book and a fabulous tribute to the very brave folks in blue.

Paranormal Obsession by Deonna Kelli Sayed

So how did we all become obsessed about the paranormal. Was it the tv shows? They’ve only been around since the late 90s. America’s obsession goes way back to the spiritualist movement in the 1850s, and Deonna Kelli Sayed explores the various factors that keep this paranormal obsession fueled throughout the years. It’s an excellent, detailed look that goes beyond the tv shows and ghost hunting. It’s a must-read for ghost hunters.

The Ghost Hunter’s Field Guide by Rich Newman

Do you have a ghost hunter on your holiday list? This book provides over 1,000 locations in all 50 states of haunted public locations. Hotels, restaurants, historic buildings, and other locations are listed by town and allow the reader to plot and plan a trip to visit a reportedly haunted location. There is a key in the entry that lists what activity has been documented at the location. Of course, ghost hunting etiquette must be followed, but if one wants to dine in a haunted restaurant to see if any ghostly vibes can be picked up, there’s an extensive list of options no matter where one happens to be.

True UFO Accounts from the Vaults of FATE Magazine

If you know someone whose motto is: The Truth is Out There, this book is for them. Articles from the over 60 years of FATE magazine’s history have been collected and include the most well-known and documented sighting stories, deep history and explanations of Roswell, and articles from the most respected and revered ufologists are included in this volume.

I hope that some of the suggestions will make perfect gift ideas for those on your holiday list, and thus make the holidays a bit less harried for you.

Happy holidays!

Visit the NBCWashington website to watch the video or view it below.

Coast to Coast AM is the #1 radio show in the US, airing nationwide on over 500 affiliates and with a combined audience of over 17 million people. The show airs from 10pm—2am Pacific time; it is the most listened to overnight radio program in North America. Visit http://www.coasttocoastam.com/affiliates to find a radio station near you that airs the program.

Coast to Coast AM is the #1 radio show in the US, airing nationwide on over 500 affiliates and with a combined audience of over 17 million people. The show airs from 10pm—2am Pacific time; it is the most listened to overnight radio program in North America. Visit http://www.coasttocoastam.com/affiliates to find a radio station near you that airs the program.

Coast to Coast AM is the #1 radio show in the US, airing nationwide on over 500 affiliates and with a combined audience of over 17 million people. The show airs from 10pm—2am Pacific time; it is the most listened to overnight radio program in North America. Visit http://www.coasttocoastam.com/affiliates to find a radio station near you that airs the program.

But what happens when the adventure follows you home?

All of the events I’ve attended have been led by professionals and people who know what they are doing. There are ways of protecting yourself when participating in spiritual communications so that spirits don’t harm you in any way, shape, or form.

But there are times when nothing harms you, but you have a sense that something is “there.”

I was invited to a friend’s house to do some table tipping. There was a group of us, all very eager to try this very traditional form of spirit communication. To our dismay, no spirits knocked on the table, but we could definitely feel the energy coursing along the table top.

On my way home, I felt a presence in the car with me. My psychic gifts are rather underdeveloped, but I can sense a presence. My friend who hosted the party lives in a very haunted house, so I wasn’t too surprised that a ghost tagged along. I could feel the spirit follow me as I walked into my apartment. I smiled and said “I don’t mind a tagalong, but I know that Annie is rather attached to her ghosts. You are welcome as long as you do no harm to me or my pets.” I then felt the presence disappear. I got out my white sage bundle and smudged the house just to be on the safe side.

The morning after my first ghost investigation, I was rudely awakened by my cat running around the apartment like something was chasing her. I figured she was chasing a toy and grumped a bit that she had woke me up after a couple hours of sleep. I then heard her panting from exhaustion. I got up, put my glasses on, and saw that she wasn’t playing with a toy. It was like she was being chased by something I couldn’t see. As she was panting, trying to catch her breath (which I’ve never seen her do, and I’ve had her for 11 years), I picked her up. She hid under my arm and was very frightened. As soon as I put her down, she ran into the basement. This isn’t unusual. That’s her hangout, especially in the summer, but she was hiding. This is her typical behavior when guests are over, but it was just me. I would bring her upstairs and she’d howl and run back downstairs and hide. I did this twice and she had the same reaction. I knew something was up.

I took out my white sage bundle and smudged the house. I said that only positive spirits and energies are allowed, and for all negative spirits to please leave. I asked the spirits to not harm me or my cat, and that any spirits that did so were unwelcome and must leave.

About a half hour after I smudged the apartment, my cat came upstairs, hopped on the couch, and snuggled next to me. I was relieved to know that whatever had followed me home was gone and would no longer bother me or my cat.

When you participate in any type of spirit communication or ghost hunting, please take steps to protect yourself before and after the event. Psychic Protection for Beginners by Richard Webster is a fabulous resource for protecting you and your family and house from any psychic or paranormal harm. Magical Housekeeping by Tess Whitehurst does a fabulous job of keeping your house in magical and mystical harmony. The Ghost Hunter’s Survival Guide by Michelle Belanger is an excellent resource for protection when ghost hunting.

So if you feel that a spirit has followed you home, never fear. It may be friendly, but if it bothers you, your family, or your pets, that’s when it’s time to strike back with a smudge stick!

Self-Empowerment Through Self-Hypnosis is part of the series of books on psychic development and self empowerment by Weschcke and Slate. With this book, you can take charge of your life, realize your full potential, and discover the limitless opportunities of self-hypnosis. Achieve greater happiness and goal achievement with Self-Empowerment Through Self-Hypnosis.

Click here to download your free copy for the Kindle.

Click here to download your free copy for the Nook.