October: Black Cats & Superstitions

October is a time for spookiness and superstitions.  I know that I always get excited during this time of year and like hearing ghost stories and the history of what we know as superstitions in our society.  Ghost stories aside, superstitions can come from something very mundane and common place to a sign of the times in which these superstitions were created.  It is always interesting to learn the history of said superstitions and I'm sure you will find it interesting on some level to hear the beginnings of what are common practices in many of our daily lives.

Black Cats

Starting off, I have a black cat.  His name is Oliver and he is quite a character.  He likes to meow a lot and loves his food and pets.  I do not consider him unlucky.  However, in many societies, black cats are considered unlucky.  If a black cat crosses your path, it is sure to bring bad luck or even death.  Pilgrims brought with them deep suspicions of anything deemed o the devil and viewed a black cat as a companion or familiar to witches.  This led to people killing black cats in their hunt for witches and the unintended consequences of spreading disease such as the Bubonic Plague which was spread by rodents.  Another theory is that Satan turned himself into a black cat when conversing with witches.

On the other hand, some societies deem black cats as lucky.  Japan, Great Britain, and Ireland believes that black cats bring good luck.  Scotland believes that a black cat will bring about prosperity.  And, if a lady possesses a black cat, she will be blessed with many suitors. 

Overall, a cat is a cat.  It makes me nervous during this time of year because there are rumors that people adopt black cats during this time in order to torture them for satanic rituals.  Many shelters do not allow black cats to be adopted during the month of October for this reason.  I know I make sure my fur baby is safe during this month because I don't want anything happening to him.

Walking Under a Ladder

Of course walking under a ladder is unsafe.  Especially if there is someone on said ladder.  You may knock that person off and who wants that sort of karma?  This belief comes from not only wanting to protect your carpenter/house painter, but also from the belief that a ladder leaning up against a wall forms a triangle or "trinity" sign.  To break the trinity would indeed be blasphemous and no one wants to go against God.

Breaking a Mirror

If you break a mirror, expect 7 years of bad luck, right?  At least that is what you have heard.  According to the folklore, mirrors don't just reflect our images, they hold bits of your soul.  If you shatter that mirror, you soul is also considered shattered.  Ooops!  People in the American South also would cover mirrors when someone would die in order to make sure their soul was not trapped in a mirror.

As a way to combat a broken mirror, one can touch a piece of the mirror to a tombstone or grind up the pieces into powder.  Another way to combat the bad luck is to gather the pieces and place in a river that is flowing to the south.  Mississippi River, anyone?

Knocking on Wood

I knock on wood all the time.  It's just something that I do when I am afraid that I might bring ill will to myself or others that I care about.  According to legend, the association of knocking on wood may come from a fixation on good spirits in trees or the association with the Christian cross.  Like phrases are found in many different languages and suggest that the desire not to upset the Universe is very common.

Crossing Your Fingers

It is considered that any sign of the cross is a sign of good luck, dating back to early Christianity.  That is why many people cross their fingers for good luck. These days, even saying the phrase "fingers crossed" gets the intended message across.

Throwing Salt

I'm sure you have seen or actually done this yourself.  Someone spills salt and then promptly throws it over his or her left shoulder.  This dates back to early Christianity when salt was considered a commodity and  spilling salt would be wasting money.  It was also believed that the devil or "bad angel" rested on your left shoulder and you would be throwing salt into their eyes so that they cannot see you clean up your mess.  Looking closely at Leonardo di Vinci's painting "The Last Supper", you will notice that Judas has spilled the salt cellar over with his elbow.  This is why spilled salt is associated with treachery and lies.

Stepping on Cracks

We all know this saying, "Step on a crack and you'll break your mother's back."  But did you know it has roots during segregation and extreme prejudice?  The saying originally goes, "Step on a crack and your mother will turn black", or that she will have a black baby.  In another variation, if you stepped on a crack you would be chased by bears.  Most kids figure out pretty quickly that people who step on cracks don't come home to dead mothers or get chased by bears (at least not very often).

All Saints Day

Here in Southern Louisiana, we celebrate All Saints Day.  This day falls on November 1, and is considered the day to honor your dead family members.  You will find families out at the cemeteries tending to their loved one's graves by white washing the tombstones and putting out fresh flowers and candles.  In Mexico, this day is called Dia de los Muertos.

Cajun Traditions

Considering that I live in New Orleans, I thought I would include one amusing superstition.  It is considered a bad omen if an alligator crawls under your house.  In other words, impending death will follow for one of your loved ones.  I told this superstition to Kev and he said, "Is the impending death from the alligator itself or another outside force?"  I'm going to say that in most cases, the actual alligator was more of the threat.

I hope you enjoyed my list of common superstitions.  What are some things that you are superstitious about?  Is there anything that you learned that you were surprised about?   Don't forget to participate in BlogFest 2012!

 
 

Fixing It Up

Kev and I live in a house that was built in the 1920's.  It's an olllllldddd house!  That means that lots of things need to be repaired - like all the time.  Our neighbors downstairs had their ceiling cave in because of flooding and now that they have had that fixed, the workers are working on the gutters outside. 

I love the architecture of this old house.  There are little details here and there that no one puts into building anymore.  Or if they do, it will cost a bunch of money.  We have transom windows above all the doors, which were used as natural air conditioning at one point in time.  We have picture molding and a claw footed bathtub.  I consider myself lucky that we have all these details in our home. 

On the other side, the windows stick and we need a new kitchen floor (I've actually had mushrooms growing between my kitchen tile) and it seems like no matter how much you scrub, the place is never really clean.  I guess that is what you get when you live in a house that was built in the '20s. 

I can't complain too much because we are super close to the parade route for Mardi Gras and only blocks away from the street car line and some great shopping and eating on Magazine Street.  A prime location with a few kinks here and there.

I consider us lucky to have such a neat apartment in the heart of all the action.  What do you love about where you live?

xo

At the Market

So I went and "made groceries" today.  For those who don't live in New Orleans, that means that I went to the grocery store.  I had to pick up a few things so Kev and I don't starve for the next couple of days. 

While I was there, I stopped at the fish counter to pick up some salmon.  I'll call him the Fishmonger, because that is what his position is in actuality.  He picked out a nice piece of salmon for me and weighed it and did all his proper fishmonger things and then proceeds to ask me how I prepare my salmon.  I told him, "Herbs and butter and lemon".  He then proceeds to tell me he only buys fresh fish because he is from Northern Louisiana.

I didn't know how to respond.  You are telling me the "fresh" fish that I am buying is not fresh?  I know it comes from way up north and that is why you have it on ice.  I get that there are no salmon swimming in the Mississippi River, but come on!  Seriously?!?  I ended up saying something about being from Texas and still learning how to cook local fish properly.

Food is food and as long as it's not rotting, I'm going to eat it.  Well, that may be a little over dramatic, but seriously?  Was he trying to tell me something?  Now I'm all paranoid about the delicious meal I'm supposed to cook tonight. 

I think in actuality he was just trying to make conversation, but it made me feel uneasy.  However, I am going forward with my plans on making sauteed zucchini and squash, rice, and baked salmon for tonight's dinner.  I know it will make Kev happy and I know that the "fresh" fish I bought is not as fresh as the shrimp that was caught.  However, I shall persevere!

My Baked Salmon Recipe:
1 lb fresh salmon
2 tbs Herbs de Provonce
Olive Oil or Butter
Salt/Pepper to taste
 Lemon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees,  clean your salmon (you don't want scales, yo), place in a baking dish, add the Herbs de Provonce, salt and pepper, dice up your butter or drizzle with olive oil, slice the lemons and place on top of the fish.

Bake the fish about 35 - 45 minutes (depending on where you live and how "done" you like it, and take out of the oven when you can flake the fish with a fork.  Enjoy!

Fish is good for you.  Don't pay attention to silly fishmongers when they say silly things, unless they have better suggestions for you.

xo

The Ruby-Ness of it All

I love sparkles.  Call me a four-year-old, but I love all things shiny.  Perhaps I'm like a bird, but it brightens my day when I can look at something shiny and glittery and happy.  It reminds me of being little and watching "The Wizard of Oz" and seeing those Ruby Slippers.  Those are some amazing shoes - seriously.  And what woman doesn't own at least one pair of red shoes to add an exclamation point to her outfit? 

I read a post about loving New Orleans recently and it brought up the topic of glitter.  I know most people think that glitter is the STD of the arts and crafts world but I just love it.  I think it brings something extra to the plate when you are adorning something with love.  Now please don't think that I dress in glitter and sparkles all the time because my wardrobe mainly consists of vintage broaches as my form of sparkle.  But I do love me a sparkled Muses shoe caught during Mardi Gras. 

I had the pleasure of going to Washington D.C. when I was pursuing my Master's Degree and I ended up at the Smithsonian and got to see an actual pair of the Ruby Slippers worn by Dorothy Gale (a.k.a. Judy Garland) while I was visiting the National Museum of American History.  I never in my life thought that these shoes were covered in sequins.  But, they are.  That is how they managed to make them so sparkly on the sound stage with all those focused lights.  I always thought they were bejeweled with at least rhinestones. The shoes are also covered with felt on the soles of the shoes, because Garland couldn't be clacking around during her dance sequences.  At least that is my assumption. 

Here in New Orleans, there are lots of people who love glitter.  I came across a gentleman who glitters his front steps with brown paint and gold glitter.  It adds an extra bit of glamor to his home and I can't blame him for doing it - it makes me happy and it makes his house fit into the "anything goes" attitude of the city's architecture.  I'm not sure what it does for his resale value but that is between him and his realtor.

So, don't dog the Ruby Slipper and don't dog glitter.  It may just make someone's day.  After all, a nice black dress with red shoes is like an exclamation point on an outfit.  And you will always receive many compliments on your style choice.

xo
  

Dream a Little Dream

Flaming June - Frederic, Lord Leighton

 
I keep having a particular recurring theme in my dreams as of late.  It started a couple of months ago - I am trying to finish up one of my educational degrees and I have enrolled in the last few hours of classes that I'm supposed to finish in order to graduate.  I am attending all of my classes and doing what I am supposed to do to study, etc. but have only attended this one class once.  The class that I attended once was taught by comedienne Jane Lynch and the only time I was there, we were reenacting scenes from Glee. 

But ever since then, all my dreams have had a pressing theme that there is something that I must complete or I'm not going to finish.  I had another one of those dreams last night - I was doing something with my family, completely unrelated, and I knew that there was something I was forgetting.  It's at the end of the semester and since I only attended the class once, I knew I was going to fail.  That is the overall theme - I neglected something I had signed up to do and I ignored it and now I am going to fail.  I can't seem to shake that feeling of "uh-oh".

So calling all dream experts - why the heck do I keep dreaming about this pressing thing that I have ignored?  I can think of a couple of reasons, but it shouldn't keep bothering me so much.  I attended a class with Jane Lynch in my dreams - kind of funny when you think about it, but now I am not going to graduate because I didn't complete her class.  By the way, I am not currently enrolled in school nor do I plan on going back any time soon.  I have completed all my educational goals and have the pieces of paper to prove it. 

Here I stand, on the edge of a cliff, ready to take off and something is holding me back.  That is my interpretation, I just have to figure out what that thing is that is holding me back. 

Do you have odd and/or recurring dreams?    Do you pay much mind to your dreams?  What are some of your examples?  I find dreams fascinating because you can fly through a ton of stuff in a matter of minutes and your brain is like, "Whoa!"  It is our body's way of helping you process information that is perceived throughout our days - at least that is my opinion. 

I have a feeling that eventually I'll complete that last credit hour class - somehow.  I just have to will my mind to do so.

xo

Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again

Paradise

This summer, I had the distinct pleasure to go on a cruise to the Hawaiian islands with my family.  My dad treated us all on this trip to paradise where we sailed on a cruise ship and got to experience some of the most beautiful sights a person can experience in his or her life.  It was truly amazing and beautiful.

You see, my dad had just retired from his job as a R.N. for an organization that he worked for over 40 years.  I could have my numbers wrong, but 40 sounds right to me because I have never known him to work anywhere besides the hospital at which he worked.  That is some dedication, my friends!  My brothers and their companions, along with myself, were all treated to this vacation in paradise to celebrate his accomplishments as a nurse (my mom came along, too!).

While in Hawaii, I got to try my hand at snorkeling!  What an amazing experience to get to swim in such clear blue waters AND get to swim next to sea turtles and all the fish you see in Finding Nemo.  Seriously - I never thought I would have that experience in my life!  At first, I was a little scared, but then I got really into it - you just have to float on your belly and learn to relax your breathing and go slow.  You don't want to miss any fish!

We rode on a Zodiac boat out to a particular reef area and on the way we got to see spinner dolphins swimming along-side our boat.  Those guys can swim super fast (well, the boat goes fast too and those dolphins were keeping up)!  We also went kayaking and snorkeled off the kayaks.

I think my favorite part about the entire experience was getting to see these amazing sights with some of my favorite people in the world.  The picture above is of the sunset over the beach on our last night in Hawaii.  I hope to have the pleasure of visiting again sometime in my near future.

So, thank you Dad and Mom for a wonderful experience.  It truly was a trip of a lifetime and I love everyone very, very much.

xo

Over the Rainbow / What a wonderful World - IZ, Israel Kamakawiwo`Ole

Used to Know

 

 Elliott Smith - Somebody That I Used to Know

We all have people that we have come into contact with in our lives that we no longer are "friends" with.  It pains me to think about the number of people who have come into my life that I no longer communicate with, but I think it has to do with a passing of time and people changing personalities.  It doesn't make it any easier, but perhaps we can all reach an understanding that those individuals came into our lives at a particular time for a particular purpose.  At least that is what I tell myself.

I am a fierce defender of my friends.  I am loyal and I love intensely, so it has made friendship breakups difficult for me over time.  I am always saying to myself, "What could I have done different?", but in actuality it probably has more to do with the other person than myself.  I could be wrong and just be a bad friend, but I don't think so.  I try to believe that I am a good person and that makes it difficult when a friendship hits the rocks.

I am also a big forgiver and I don't understand others who write people off.  It makes me uncomfortable because everyone has said something to someone during a relationship that has made the other individual uncomfortable.  Can't we all just share a Coke and be friends?

It takes all kinds of personalities to rule this world and I suppose these writer-offers are entitled to his or her take on said relationship, but that doesn't mean it doesn't leave a void in one's life.

So, cheers to all the individuals that I have called a friend.  I hope we are still friends and if not, I wish you nothing but positivity and happiness in your life.  You had an impact on my life and I am forever grateful.

Best...

It's Been a While

I took almost a year away from blogging.  Call it a sabbatical but this past year has brought about many changes in my life and I didn't need to air out all my dirty business to everyone in the blogosphere.  Perhaps it would have been cathartic to have this still be my outlet, but I had no words.  Gone.  Just gone was the tone and excitement that I had experienced giving you a glimpse into my crazy head.

So now we start a new chapter.  I hope I can still try and make you laugh and think and hope and dream.  That is what I aspire to do with this blog.  It makes no sense and has no real topic of interest - it's just me and my laptop telling you what is on my mind.

I have had some recent encouragement to get back to blogging and it makes me feel like what I was doing here was a good thing.  Not an important thing, but good regardless.  Some people may think I'm silly or stupid but at this point, I don't care.  I've been through hell this past year and I need something to get back in the saddle again.  Words are therapeutic and so is connecting with others, so this is what I'm going to do.  Welcome back, I hope I haven't lost your interest completely.

Cheers!