But before I share what I think about ghosts, let me admit that I do believe in the possbilility of vampires and werewolves. Really!

According to the Assocatiated Press, Dr. David Dolphin of the University of British Columbia presented an eerie report to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dolphin has been studying a rare disease known as "porphyria" which may have prompted folk tales of werewolves and vampires. Porphyria victims' bodies are unable to produce heme, the red pigment in blood hemoglobin.

"It is our contention that blood-drinking vampires were in fact victims of porphyria, trying to alleviate the symptoms of their dreaded disease." Without heme the skin becomes extremely sensitive to sunlight. "Exposure to even mild sunlight can be devastating," according to Dolphin. Thus, all the hoaky horror flicks about creatures of the night.

But what about the transformation from mild-mannered man to hairy creature? Sunlight causes skin sores that can so deform hands that they slowly begin to resemble paws. Lips and gums become taut, exposing the teeth. And to complete the werewolf look, the body tries to protect itself from light by increased hair growth.

Okay, Doc, but what about the stories of repelling vampires and werewolves with garlic? Dolphin's research shows that, for some reason, porphyria victims are also violently allergic to the spaghetti seasoning.