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RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL
ON SAINT LUCIA'S FEAST DAY (DECEMBER 13) THE PRIEST BLESSES YOUR
EYES USING A CANDLE PLACED OVER YOUR EYES. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO
PROTECT YOUR EYES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F121 BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
ROOSTER BELIEF
EARLY IN THE MORNING, BEFORE TWILIGHT, YOU MAY SMELL SOMETHING
PECULIAR IN THE AIR-THIS IS THE SMELL OF JUDAS WHEN HE DIED.
HE BETRAYED CHRIST WITH THE KISS IN EARLY MORNING.
Where learned: KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Air Weather Fire SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
RELIGIOUS BELIEF
IF YOU SAY A HAIL MARY FOR EACH ONE OF YOUR TEETH, SAINT
POLLONIA WILL PROTECT YOUR TEETH FROM HARM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL (BLESSING OF OLIVE TREES)
ON SAINT MARCO'S FEAST DAY (APRIL 25) AFTER MASS THERE WOULD BE A
PROCESSION, WITH CHILDREN IN FRONT, HOLDING CROSSES AND TOSSING
FLOWERS AND SINGING THE LITANY, TO THE OLIVE TREES. THERE THE
PRIEST WOULD BLESS THE TREES FOR PROTECTION WHILE THE PEOPLE KNELT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THE PRIEST'S BLESSING IS SAID TO BE EFFECTIVE
FOR A SEVEN MILE RADIUS, WHICH INCLUDED HER FATHER'S TREES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 25 BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
THE M & M'S STORY
WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE AT WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY I HAD A
ROOMMATE NAMED JANINE FOCKLER. SHE WAS STUDYING BEHAVIORAL
PSYCHOLOGY, AND ONE OF HER ASSIGNMENTS WAS TO GO OUT TO FORT
CUSTER HOME AND TRAINING SCHOOL WEEKLY TO TUTOR THE CHILDREN IN
BASIC READING. THE CHILDREN WERE RETARDED, AS I REMEMBER. I WENT
THERE ONCE WITH JANINE, TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE. JANINE WOULD
TEACH THE CHILD SOMETHING AND IF THE CHILD COULD REPEAT IT
CORRECTLY A FEW MINUTES LATER, SHE WOULD GIVE THE CHILD AN M & M.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS PRIMARY REINFORCEMENT AT ITS MOST PURE FORM. AFTER A
TIME OF LIVING WITH JANINE, HOWEVER, I FELT THAT I WAS ON A
PRIMARY REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULE AND I MOVED. SOMETIMES EVEN NOW
WHEN I EAT M &M'S I THINK OF JANINE AND RAT PSYCHOLOGY AND I
REJOICE IN THE FACT THAT I HAVE HEALTH AND INTELLIGENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO ; BATTLE CREEK
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
HOOK STORY
ONE NIGHT AS A COUPLE WERE PARKED IN THE CAR AT BELLE ISLE, THE
RADIO ANNOUNCER BROUGHT IN A NEWS BULLETIN THAT A MENTALLY
DISTURBED CRIMINAL ESCAPED FROM A NEARBY INSTITUTION. THE GIRL
BECAME FRIGHTENED WHEN HEARING THAT TWO COUPLES HAD BEEN SEVERELY
TORTURED. THE ATTACKER WAS IDENTIFIED TO HAVE A HOOK IN PLACE OF
HIS RIGHT HAND. THE BOY DECIDED TO DRIVE HIS DATE HOME, SHE BEING
SO FRIGHTENED. UPON REACHING HER HOME, HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO
WALK HER TO THE DOOR. WHEN HE CLOSED THE CAR DOOR, HE OBSERVED A
HOOK COVERED WITH BLOOD ON IT. IT WAS A NARROW ESCAPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
TECHNIQUE FOR PASSING OUT.
INHALE DEEPLY AND THEN RAPIDLY PUSH THE AIR IN AND OUT
TEN TIMES. ON THE TENTH TIME HOLD THE BREATH AND YOU WILL PASS OUT.
Submitter comment: THIS HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER WHEN WE WERE IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
Keyword(s): CAUSE ; FAINTING ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-12-1971
RELIGIOUS BELIEF
IF YOU SAY A "HAIL MARY" FOR EACH ONE OF YOUR TEETH,
THEN SAINT POLLONIA WILL PROTECT YOUR TEETH FROM HARM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO ; 5583 S 4TH ST
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
Superstition: Pregnancy
Cat Belief:
Never place a baby unattended in the same room as a cat, because the cat will leap up onto the child and take hold of the child's tongue and strangle the child.
Submitter comment:
Informant said she saw a cat do this and was able to save the child before the child expired.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P740] crossed out / replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO ; Ceru, Mrs. Joseph
Keyword(s): ASPHYXIATION ; BABY ; CAT ; CHILD ; FEAR ; Feline ; infant ; Newborn ; STRANGULATION ; SUFFOCATION ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
BLESSING
SOMETIME IN MAY (A MOVEABLE DATE, SINCE IT IS A CERTAIN NUMBER OF
DAYS AFTER EASTER) FOR THREE DAYS THE PRIEST GOES AROUND WITH THE
PEOPLE IN PROCESSION PLACING WOODEN CROSSES EVERY SO OFTEN AND
BLESSING THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE PEOPLE ARE THEN SUPPOSE(D) TO
SAY 3 OUR FATHERS AND 3 HAIL MARYS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO ; 5583 South 4th st ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting After all |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
STARTING ON THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT MOTHER WOULD PUT OUT THE
MANGER FROM THE STABLE SCENE, ALONG SIDE OF THIS SHE WOULD PUT A
SMALL BOX OF LITTLE STRAWS. FOR EVERY REALLY GOOD DEED THAT WE DID
UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE WE COULD PUT A STRAW IN TE MANGER. THE OBJECT
WAS THAT WE WOULD BE SO GOOD THAT THE MANGER WOULD BE FULL OF STRAW
TO MAKE A COMFORTABLE BED FOR JESUS.
THIS WAS JUST ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT MOTHER DID TO INSTILL THE
REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IN US.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
AT WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY (AND AT ALMOST EVERY COLLEGE IN THE
U.S.) THERE IS A LARGE CYLINDER TOWER WHICH CARRIES A LEGEND. NO
VIRGIN WILL EVER LEAVE THIS SCHOOL AFTER 4 YEARS, HENCE THE TOWER
WILL FALL.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS REPEATED AT ALMOST EVERY COLLEGE I GO TO. I WOULD
IMAGINE IT GOES BACK MANY DECADES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
TELEPHONE CALL
RANDOMLY CALL A NUMBER, ASK THE PERSON ANSWERING,
"IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR RUNNING?" THE PERSON GENERALLY
ANSWERS, "YES," THEN RESPOND, "THEN YOU'D BETTER GO
CATCH IT." MM
RANDOMLY CALLING ANY NUMBER, ASK THE PERSON ANSWERING:
"IS ONE WALL THERE?" RESPONSE, "NO." "IS TWO WALL
THERE?" RESPONSE, "NO." "IS THREE WALL THERE?"
RESPONSE, "NO." "WELL, IS FOUR WALL THERE?"
RESPONSE, "NO." "WELL, THEN HOW IS YOUR HOUSE
STAYING UP?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-12-1971
STORY OF ROB BACKUS
I HEARD THIS STORY FROM A GUY NAMED ROB BACKUS IN 1969. HE LIVED
IN A HOUSE WHERE I SPENT A LOT OF TIME. ROB TOLD A STORY ONE TIME
ABOUT HOW HE GOT OUT OF THE U.S. NAVY. ROB WAS A SEAMAN ON A
NAVY SHIP AND HE WAS GROWING MORE DISCONTENTED WITH LIFE IN THE
NAVY. ONE DAY HE WENT TO A MUSIC STORE AND BOUGHT A SAXOPHONE.
THE NEXT DAY IN THE EARLY MORNING BEFORE REVILLE HE CLIMBED TO
THE TOP OF THE MAST OF THE SHIP. WHEN THE SAILORS WERE ASSEMBLED
FOR REVILLE HE STARTED BLOWING ON THE SAXOPHONE. THEY FINALLY
GOT HIM TO COME DOWN, AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, HE WAS DISCHARGED
FROM THE NAVY. HE HAD NEVER PLAYED A SAXOPHONE BEFORE THAT DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY HAPPENED DURING THE VITENAM WAR ERA, AND IT WAS
GRATIFYING TO ME TO KNOW THAT ONE PERSON THAT I KNEW HAD BEEN ABLE
TO SAVE HIS LIFE FROM THE PERILS OF VIETNAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
James Callow Keyword(s): FEIGNED INSANITY TO GET OUT OF MILITARY SERVICE.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
Funeral Superstition
One should never count the number of cars in the line of a
funeral procession. For every car which one counts, he/she will
lose a year of his/her life.
Submitter comment:
My grandmother, who is Italian, told me of this superstition
when I was five years old. The reason that she told me of this
particular belief is that I had just learned to count and I began
to count all of the objects that I looked at. For example,
railroad cars were a favorite of mine to count. Therefore, she
believed that if she told me of this belief, I would have a long
and prosperous life.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
There is a very narrow and tall building on Western Michigan
University's campus. It was said that, if a virgin graduated still
a virgin, it would come tumbling down.!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
WHEN BECOMING BLOOD SISTERS, EACH PERSON TOOK SOME SMALL
TREASURES (RINGS, PENNIES, ETC.) AND PUT THEM IN A GLASS
JAR AND BURIED THE JAR IN THE WOODS OR ON THE SIDE OF THE
ROAD, THEN MARK THE PLACE BY A PILE OF STONES OR APPLES, ETC.
WHICH IS PARTIALLY BURIED. WHEN THE PACT IS BROKEN UP ONE
OF THE TWO PEOPLE DIG IT UP AND RETURN THE TREASURES TO THE
OWNER, THUS THE SISTERHOOD IS BROKEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS 11 OR 12, WHEN I
MADE A NEW FRIEND MY BLOOD SISTER BROKE THE PACT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP PACT
Date learned: 11-12-1971
IF THE FIRST PERSON YOU MEET IN THE MORNING IS A MAN
THEN THIS IS CONSIDERED GOOD LUCK; WHEREAS, IF THE
FIRST PERSON YOU MEET IS A WOMAN, THEN THIS IS
CONSIDERED TO FORECAST BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RELATED A STORY CONCERNING HER COUSIN
WHO WAS QUITE UPSET UPON MEETING A WOMAN ONE MORNING
AS HER FIRST PERSON--AND LATER FELL AND BRUISED
HER LEG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 BELIEF -- Good luck Sex BELIEF -- Bad luck Sex BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
THE TOWER HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1859, THE FOUNDING
OF THE UNIVERSITY. WHEN THE GRADUATES WALK BY ON
GRADUATION DAY, AND A VIRGIN WALKS BY, THE TOWER
WILL CRUMBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.12 |
SNAKE LEGEND
IN ONE VILLAGE IN ITALY, THERE WAS THIS LARGE POOL OF
WATER FROM WHICH THE VILLAGERS USED TO DRAW THEIR
WATER. HOWEVER, A SNAKE BEGAN COMING DOWN FROM THE
MOUNTAINS EVERY DAY BETWEEN 11 AND 12 TO USE THIS
POOL TO DRINK. IN FACT, THE SNAKE USED THIS POOL SO
REGULARILY THAT THERE WAS A BEATEN DOWN PATH FROM THE
MOUNTAIN TO THE POOL MADE BY THE SNAKE. THE SNAKE'S
BODY LOOKED LIKE THAT OF A SMALL CHILD, WHILE ITS HEAD
WAS A STANDARD-LOOKING SNAKE HEAD. THE PEOPLE WERE
IMMENSELY AFRAID OF THIS SNAKE. THERE WAS ONE MAN
WHO SAID HE WOULD KILL THE SNAKE. HE GOT A GUN AND SOME
ROPE, AND CLIMBED UP IN A CHESTNUT TREE NEAR THE SNAKE
PATH. HE TIED HIMSELF AROUND THE TREE AND WAITED.
WHEN THE SNAKE CAME BETWEEN 11 AND 12 O'CLOCK THE MAN SHOT
THE SNAKE, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY KILL IT. INDEED,
THE SNAKE BEGAN JUMPING UP AT THE MAN IN THE TREE.
HE WAS TERRIFIED BUT FINALLY THE SNAKE DIED. THE MAN
WAS SO SCARED THAT HIS HAIR FELL OUT AND HE WAS
BEGINNING TO DIE. HE WENT TO THE PRIEST FOR ABSOLUTION
BUT THE PRIEST REFUSED TO ABSOLVE THE MAN, BUT INSTEAD
ADMONISHED HIM FOR KILLING THE SNAKE BECAUSE HE SAID
THE SNAKE WAS ACTUALLY THE SOUL OF A DEAD PERSON WHO
CAME BACK AS A SNAKE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT ALONE.
Submitter comment:
TABU AGAINST KILLING SNAKE WITH THE BODY OF A CHILD. PRIEST REFUSES
ABSOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-18-1971