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IT WAS TRADITION AT MY HOUSE THAT WHEN THE SKY WAS
PINK IN THE MORNING OR EVENING THAT MRS. SANTA CLAUS
WAS BAKING COOKIES. I THOUGHT SO BECAUSE HER OVEN
WOULD LIGHT UP THE SKY.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT GOT VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE UPCOMING
HOLIDAY SEASON WHEN THIS SUBJECT CAME OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Air Weather Fire |
Date learned: 00001940S
IF A PICTURE FALLS OFF THE WALL YOU'RE
GONNA DIE.
OR IF A ROCKING CHAIR ROCKS BY ITSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): EMPTY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 00001930S
NEVER GIVE ANYBODY SOMETHING SHARP BECAUSE IT WILL
CUT YOU OFF FROM FRIENDSHIP. THERE IS SOMETHING TO
USE TO COUNTERACT BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001930S
ABOUT MAYBE 1:30 P.M., NO, 2:00 P.M. THIS AFTERNOON I SAW
A VERY PECULIAR SIGHT. I WAS ABOUT FIVE MILES NORTHEAST
OF ALMONT, OUT ON A SLIGHTLY PAVED ROAD. IT WAS EXTREMELY
FOGGY OUT. I HEARD THE NOISE OF THE APPROACHING VEHICLE
LONG BEFORE IT CAME INTO SIGHT. I HAD MY CAR ON THE
SHOULDER, BECAUSE I WAS TAKING STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF NEARBY
RUIN SITES. ANYHOW, THE DISTANCE OF SIGHT WAS NOT CLEAR TO
ME, AND I HEARD BEFORE I SAW. I WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY A GUY
IN A BIG GREEN CAR. LUCKILY, IT WENT RIGHT BY, BUT NO
ONE WAS DRIVING. THE GUY WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I SAW
THE EMPTY STEERING WHEEL. IT DISAPPEARED INTO THE FOG. IT
WAS A FRIGHTENING DAY. THIS IS THE TRUTH.
Submitter comment:
JAMES TOLD ME HE TOOK A PICTURE OF THIS GHOSTDRIVER.
WHEN THE PRINT WAS DEVELOPED ONLY FOG SHOWED UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): DRIVERLESS AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
MY FATHER USED TO TELL ME THAT THE REASON HE WAS SUCH A
GOOD SWIMMER WAS BECAUSE HE ATE LOTS OF TAPIOCA PUDDING.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS NOT "PUDDING" ME ON, BUT IT WAS REALLY
MADE FROM FISH-EYES.
Submitter comment:
HER FATHER, JOHN ARTHUR "DUTCH" GRUBER, ONCE SWAM ACROSS
THE DETROIT RIVER, AND BACK AGAIN. HE DIED IN 1978.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Fish BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001940S
MY FATHER USED TO TELL US KIDS THAT WHEN IT WAS SNOWING
OUTSIDE WE SHOULD SAY A PRAYER TO THANK GOD. HE
SAID THIS BECAUSE HE TOLD US THE ANGELS WERE HAVING A
PILLOW FIGHT. AS THE PILLOWS BROKE, FEATHERS OR SNOW,
FELL DOWN FROM THE HEAVENS.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER TOLD ME A SIMILAR STORY, EXCEPT THE ANGELS WERE
THROWING RICE AT A HEAVENLY WEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): WINTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00001940S
"SILVERKING"
THIS STORY WAS PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
IT TOOK PLACE SOMEWHERE IN THE OLD WEST, AROUND 1830.
MY FATHER TOLD IT TO ME, AND HIS FATHER TOLD IT TO HIM.
IT IS AN EXPLANATION FOR HOW MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER
MET HIS BRIDE.
GREAT-GREAT GRANDMA (BEFORE MEETING GREAT-GREAT GRANDPA) WAS
CAPTURED BY THE AMERICAN INDIANS. THEY TOOK HER BACK TO
THEIR CAMP AND TIED HER UP. SHE BECAME ENSLAVED TO THE REDMEN.
THEN, GREAT-GREAT GRANDPA CHARGED IN, RIDING HIS ARABIAN
STALLION NAMED SILVERKING. HE SAW GRANDMA, SWOOPED HER
UP, AND RESCUED HER. THEY WENT RIDING OFF, AND HE WAS A
HERO TO HER. SHE IMMEDIATELY MARRIED HIM, AND THE INDIANS
NEVER CAPTURED HER AGAIN.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS EXCITED IN RETELLING THIS STORY!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Human Being BELIEF -- Secular hero |
JAMES MILLER AND MYSELF JOINTLY PRODUCE TELEVISION SHOWS.
OUR COMPANY IS NOT REGISTERED ANYWHERE, THEREFORE I THINK IT
IS APPROPRIATE TO INCLUDE SOME BASIC INFORMATION IN THIS
FOLK FILE. WE ARE THE "WIERD PRODUCERS" (SPELLING INTENTIONAL).
WE HAVE INTRODUCED MANY NEW CHARACTERS WHICH HAVE BEEN
SEEN ON CABLE CHANNELS ALL OVER THE METROPOLITAN DETROIT AREA.
WE HAVE A FEW FOLLOWERS, BUT MOST NORMAL PEOPLE WOULD
NOT PUBLICLY CONFESS TO LIKING OUR PROGRAMS. THUS,
TO PLEASE THE MASSES, WE ALSO USE THE NAME "POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS."
AT LEAST ONE OF US IS DESTINED AS A FAILURE, THEREFORE WE
EACH HAVE RELATED CAREERS TO FALL BACK ON: JAMES IS AN
ASTRONOMER AND I AM AN ARCHEOLOGIST. AS I'M SURE YOU CAN TELL
OUR HUMOR IS A BIT WARPED, BUT THAT IS WHY WE DON'T STAND OUT.
SOME ELITE PEOPLE ENJOY OUR SARCASM, AND THEY PASS IT
AROUND ORALLY. THEREFORE, SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE IN ONE OF
YOUR COURSES, WITH A TWISTED MIND SIMILAR TO MINE, WOULD
SURELY COLLECT INFORMATION ON US.
Submitter comment:
TAPES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE WIERD PRODUCERS' ARCHIVES.
OUR FIRST NATIONALLY UNKNOWN PROGRAM WAS ENTITLED
"ROCKY ZERO." THE CRITICS LOVED THIS ONE. FROM THAT TIME
ONWARD, OUR PROGRAMS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER. WE KNOW THAT THEY
ARE BETTER BECAUSE FEWER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEM. THUS, THE
CRITICS HAVE RIPPED US APART ON OUR LAST FOUR ATTEMPTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): DRAMA ; Entertainment ; Funny ; Gag ; JOKE ; PANTOMIME ; Personalities ; RADIO ; SARCASM ; Show ; Spoof
| Subject headings: | Shadow / Pantomime |
Date learned: 05-00-1984
"AGNUS DUKE"
YOU HAVE TO SEE AGNUS TO SEE HER. BELIEVING HER IS A
DIFFERENT STORY. SHE WAS CREATED BY JAMES WITH HELP FROM
HIS MOTHER. AGNUS DUKE IS A PERFORMER WHO CAN'T HOLD A
TUNE, MUCH LESS SING ONE. SHE STARRED IN HER FIRST VIDEO
UNDER THE POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS LABEL, WHICH WAS OUT IN
APRIL OF 1985. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS BANNED FROM NETWORK
TELEVISION BEFORE ITS FIRST SCHEDULED AIR DATE. UNFORTUNATELY,
POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SHOOTING
A NEW, BIOGRAPHICAL-FEATURE FILM ALL ABOUT AGNUS. IT WILL
BE OUT IN APRIL OF 1986. HER LIFE HAS SO MUCH VALUABLE LORE
IN IT THAT I WILL NOT BEGIN TO ENTER IT NOW. FRANKLY, I AM
COMPUTER TERMINALLY ILL, SO I WON'T FINISH IT NOW EITHER.
INSTEAD, I WILL SUBMIT THE TAPES INTO THE FOLKLORE ARCHIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
"THE BUNNYMAN"
THE BUNNYMAN IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS CREATED
BY THE WIERD PRODUCERS. HE MADE HIS COMMERCIAL DEBUT IN
POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS' 1984 GRAND PRIX SPECTACULAR. HE
HAS BEEN MAKING LIVE, SPECIAL APPEARANCES ALL AROUND SINCE
THE GRAND PRIX. ONE NEVER KNOWS WHERE THE BUNNYMAN WILL HOP
TO. THE BUNNYMAN'S PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO PLAY MUSIC
ACROSS THE NATION TO BRING PEACE. SO FAR, HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED
NOTHING. TWO OF HIS BIGGEST HIT SONGS WERE "THE NEIGHBORS
RAN OVER MY CAT, BUT I STILL MOW THEIR LAWN" AND "IF YOU
GIVE ME YOUR GUN, I'LL GIVE YOU A CARROT, AND THEN I'LL SMASH
YOUR GUN."
Submitter comment: THE SEVEN FOOT TALL RABBIT IS A LIVING LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
DON'T SING AT THE TABLE, OR YOU'LL MARRY A CRAZY MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
"Goodie Edition"
Submitter comment:
This is the colloquial phrase used by residents of
McBain, Michigan to indicate someone or something that
is particularly run-down or slovenly.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Sarcasm, derision
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Proper Name |
It is bad luck to name a boat after a boy instead of a girl.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's dance instructor was concerned that a friend of hers
would regret that she had named her boat after her son.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): ship, christening, advice
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities SPEECH -- Proper Name |
It is bad luck to open an umbrella in the house only
if you place it over your head.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's dance instructor is very convinced of this belief's
veracity, and dislikes her students bringing umbrellas into
class.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): proscription, advice
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Umbrella BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 00001987ca
If you are going to wear jewelry with opals, it is
better luck to wear an odd number of opals than an
even number.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's friend, Jane, states that the ring (or other piece
of jewelry) will be stronger this way.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Advice, gems
Date learned: 00001980S
An opal will shine more brightly for someone who
is supposed to wear it, but will look dull, or will crack,
if the wrong person wears it. If you have Scorpio rising
in your astrological sign, that is as good as being born
under Scorpio.
Submitter comment:
Annie, an acquaintance of Elinor's, complimented Elinor
on the beauty of her opal ring. When Elinor related her
misgivings about wearing the ring, Annie reassured her
that it was safe, since Scorpio was her rising sign. She
also warned her not to let anyone wear it, as the ring
might crack if that person was not born under the proper
sign.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Advice, gems
Date learned: 00001980S
OPPOSITES DAY
IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A POPULAR THING TO DO IS DECLARE AN
OPPOSITES DAY. ONCE DECLARED, ANY INSULT DIRECTED AT A PERSON
WAS REVERSED. IF BILLY SAID ERIC WAS MEAN, AND ERIC DECLARED
OPPOSITES DAY, IT WAS AS IF BILLY HAD SAID THAT ERIC WAS NICE.
THIS IS OFTEN USED IN THE MIDDLE OF HEATED ARGUMENTS.
KIDS CAN USE THIS TO REVERSE PERSONAL INSULTS: "YOU ARE STUPID",
"YOU ARE UGLY"; AND PHYSICAL INSULTS: "YOUR CLOTHES DON'T
MATCH", "YOUR MAMMA WEARS ARMY BOOTS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular |
Date learned: 00001976CA
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
GREEN M&M CANDIES MAKE A PERSON HORNY.
CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS WOULD ALWAYS SCRAMBLE TO GET THE
PRECIOUS FEW GREEN M&M'S IN A BAG OF THE CANDIES SO THAT
THEY MIGHT HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING OR STAYING WITH A MATE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): APHRODISIAC ; CANDY ; COLOR ; Green ; Sexuality ; Urban Legend
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXUALLY AROUSED = HORNY ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001976CA
RED M&M CANDIES CAUSE CANCER.
RUMORS WERE CIRCULATING NATIONWIDE ABOUT CARCINOGENIC NATURE
OF THE DYE USED TO MAKE RED M&M'S. THIS WAS STRENGTHENED WHEN
M&M BEGAN SELLING M&M'S WITHOUT RED CANDIES. THE RED CANDIES
WERE BROUGHT BACK AROUND 1985, BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL LEERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): CANDY
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001980CA
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IS CARRYING A BABY LOW, THE BABY IS A BOY.
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IS CARRYING A BABY HIGH, THE BABY IS A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001976CA