#49 - Superstition

From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Superstition
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English supersticion, from Anglo-French, from Latin superstition-, superstitio, from superstit-, superstes standing over (as witness or survivor), from super- + stare to stand — more at stand
Date: 13th century
1 a: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition
2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

1. I do not walk under ladders - why because although I don't believe anything bad will happen I rather not chance it.

2. If there is no wood available I tap my head and say 'touch on wood'

I can't think of any other rituals I go through because of supersition although one might pop in my head like it did the other day talking to my daughter. We were coming back home and she had just got her prom dress. Its a navy blue and she has decided only white is a suitable colour for her accessories. For some reason that brought back the saying 'red and white never mixed" something to do with the blood of Christ, so a bride shouldn't have a red and white bouquet as that will bring her bad luck. Emily response was 'Well, that must be why so many marriages in the US end in divorce then."

Puzzle

I am useless at puzzles except for jigsaws because they work with colour and I have always had a good eye for colour. I have tried crosswords but failed miserably because I cannot relate to words. I have tried soduku but failed miserably because apparently its about logic and my mind doesn't appear to be driven by logic, it more intuitive. I useless at a game that requires some form of strategy. So basically I don't do games!

The biggest puzzle to me is other people. I can remember from a very young age (about 8) wondering what everyone was thinking and why. Do they hear their own voice in their head? Do they have conversations with that voice? Do they argue with voice? What that voice look like? It goes on and on.

My sisters puzzled me, especially Julie, the one immediately below me and the one I tormented most. Why did she let me get away with it? My Sister, Debra, the brainy one who loved books and dreamt of travelling the world. She did travel sort of, but it came to screeching stop, reaaching only Australia at the age of 21, not the world of antiquity that she dreamt of. Why? My sister, Sarah, the youngest and one with the beautiful smile, a little daredevil. I never really knew her, she was 8 yrs younger than me, so she is a total puzzlement to me, a sister I really do not know.

My kids puzzle me, I have known them from day they became conscious to me (before birth as each one acted differently). I try to guess what they are thinking, doing or feeling but fail miserably most of the time. It makes me feel that I have failed sometimes that I don't understand them but then I think it probably a good thing because that means they aren't a clone of me and Gordon. They are a puzzle and that is a good thing.

Life is one big puzzle but that's the way it should be, otherwise why would we strive to keep going despite all the obstacles.

crush

Its Sunday and I am avoiding again. Whilst avoiding doing the things I should do, like to do, hate doing, I came across this website. Every Saturday the authors of the site post a writing prompt which you then create a piece of writing about then post a link to your piece on their blog. I think it was a brilliant idea and even for me not too difficult.

First crush, current crush, illicit crush, painful soul-crushing crush?

My first crush was a gym teacher at the first high school I attended at the age of 11, I had just entered the whole new world of puberty. As usual my over the top exploration of this brave new world got me into a whole load of trouble because I wasn't ashamed of blasting my crush all over my exercise books. It was totally innocent but looking back I can understand why the teacher was so concerned, not necessarily about me but himself. Looking back I really can't remember liking another ginger head guy again.

Like most girls, my crushes were short and sweet. Even now as a grown mature woman, my crushes are short and intense but much less frequent alas.

One crush has survived the time, despite being married to the only guy I have truly loved. Crushes are dreams that are unobtainable and tohold on to that crush means my dream is still attainable. This crush is a person from a particular era, when life was free and bold, when my dream was new and not tainted by the reality of life. This crush is completely, undeniably unobtainable, so my dream will live on and I will have something to reach for forever and ever.