Today is a good day to tell you about my fascination with superstitions, their origins and their remedies. I guess my grandma is responsible (yeah blame it on her) for the development of this interest. For she was VERY superstitious. Constantly warning me of the bad luck that lurked around every corner. Teaching me how to counter it and how to bring myself good luck. There wasn't much we did in life that didn't require a little strategic maneuvering to outwit the evil forces that were out to get us. They were little things, but effective. Like saying, "bread and butter" every time we passed a pole on the opposite side as each other. Making sure no one placed a hat on the bed. Picking up pennies found heads up only (she said I was closer to the ground than she was). Requiring a penny in exchange for every sharp-pointed gift she gave me (scissors, needles and pins for example). Yes, she had me count every single pin and give her every last penny. Refusing to return home if we'd forgotten something. Making wishes on lost eyelashes, that would only come true if we guessed the correct digit it would stick to (thumb or finger) when we released them from our pinch. Turning around when a black cat crossed our path. She was always on guard for dropping brooms, spilling salt, stepping on spiders, itchy ears, pointing at graves, opening umbrellas indoors, walking under ladders... I could go on and on with all her superstitious beliefs. Now that I look back at her many superstitions and their reversals, I wonder how she kept track of them all. I guess they explained a lot of what happened in her world. It probably made her feel a little more in control of her environment to know why something was happening and how to undo it. As for me I was given years of entertainment and opportunity for interrogation (love to ask questions - poor Gaga). So now I'm stuck paying my debt to the Vanity Pixie after having broken so many mirrors. Other than time, Gaga didn't know a way to undo that one! :( I just hope I don't break anymore - I don't think I can afford another 7 years of bad luck.
Fairy Alert: As I sit here by the window typing this, I can see my cat chasing fairies (oh how she loves it) flitting about the "Doll House" (playhouse) in our yard. Up the tree, down the tree, around the grass, back up the tree, across the rooftop, down the tree and off she goes into the yard! I have to laugh at the irony because although her name is Tinkerbell II, she can't fly, nor can she keep up with fairies. Oh well, better luck next time. Maybe I should search the yard for a four leafed clover on her behalf.
What?! Some of you don't believe me? It's true! Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.
If you've got any superstitions you'd like to share, please leave me a comment. I'd love to hear them and it's good luck - hee hee.
By the way, if you see any blackbirds, tell my grandpa that my grandma says hello.
Superstitiously yours,
Daydreamer :)
