Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
WHILE WORKING AT THE LITTLE SISTERS HOME IN TOLEDO, OHIO DURING THE
SUMMER OF 1971, I WAS ABLE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:
DURING A THREE WEEK DRY SPELL, THE SISTER WHOSE JOB IT WAS TO GO OUT
EVERY DAY AND BEG FOR THE COMMUNITY PLACED A STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH
(THE PATRON OF THE ORDER) IN A BUCKET OF WATER UP TO THE STATUE'S
NECK, AND THEN ASKED THE OTHER SISTERS TO JOIN WITH HER IN PRAYING
TO ST. JOSEPH FOR SOME RAIN. THE NEXT DAY WHILE OUT DRIVING THEIR
PICK-UP TRUCK ON HER BEGGING ROUNDS, SISTER ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT
DURING A TERRIBLE THUNDER STORM WHEN SHE SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD WITH
THE TRUCK. HER IMMEDIATE COMMENT WAS THAT SHE HAD HAD A FEELING
THE DAY BEFORE THAT SHE SHOULD ONLY HAVE PLACED ST. JOSEPH IN UP TO
HIS KNEES AND NOT UP TO HIS NECK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S OBSERVATIONS ARE THAT THE LITTLE SISTERS HAVE A SIMPLE
BUT PROFOUND FAITH, ONE THAT MIGHT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE MAGIC TO MORE
SOPHISTICATED PEOPLE
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
DOES COLLECTOR MEAN UNSOPHISTICATED PEOPLE?
SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE TALE OF "BUYING THE WIND."
THE MOTIF IS ONE OF OVERDOING SOMETHING.
Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
WHEN THE SACRED HEART HOME FOR THE AGED WAS TO BE RELOCATED TO A NEW
SITE AND BUILDING THREE YEARS AGO IN TOLEDO, OHIO, THE SISTERS WENT
TO LOOK AT THE LAND THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FOR THE NEW
BUILDING.
THEY FOUND THE LAND OUT IN THE COUNTRY, MADE SOME INQUIRIES AS TO
WHO OWNED THE LAND AND WOULD HE BE WILLING TO SELL AND FOR HOW MUCH
MONEY. THEY FOUND THAT IT WOULD BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE
LAND, AT LEAST FROM OTHER PERSONS' OBSERVATIONS. THE DAY BEFORE
THEY WERE TO SEE THE OWNER ABOUT THE LAND, TWO OF THE SISTERS WENT
OUT AND SECRETLY BURIED A STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH ON THE FIELD THAT
THEY WANTED AND THEN THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF SISTERS LAID SIEGE TO
ST. JOSEPH WITH PRAYERS. WHEN THEY SAW THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY
THE NEXT DAY, HE WAS MOST GENEROUS WITH THEM AND THEY RECEIVED THE
LAND, THOUGH HE WAS NOT EVEN A CATHOLIC.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS STORY BY ONE OF THE SISTERS WHO DID THE
BURYING OF THE STATUE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
It is traditional in many areas of Ohio to go outside at
midnight on New Year's Eve and bang together pots and pans. This
will bring good luck throughout the coming year.
Where learned: OHIO ; Amsterdam
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
PROVERB
DON'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING BECAUSE NOTHING'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: OHIO
Keyword(s): SEMANTICS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; IRONY ; PARADOX ; PESSIMISM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
PROVERB
BETTER A WRONG OPINION THAN NONE AT ALL.
Submitter comment: READ IN A NEWSPAPER.
Data entry tech comment: NOT ALL PROVERBS ARE WISE.
Where learned: OHIO
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
Entry filtered.
PROVERB
WHEN IT SNOWS, THE ANGELS ARE SHAKING OUT THEIR FEATHER PILLOWS.
Where learned: OHIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
DON'T LET GOING TO SCHOOL INTERFERE WITH YOUR EDUCATION.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS MY FIRST SEMESTER AT COLLEGE FROM MY ROOMMATE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1978
CROAGH, PATRICK
IT IS BELIEVED THAT ST. PATRICK IS BURIED AT THE TOP OF
CROAGH PATRICK MOUNTAIN. PEOPLE FOR PENANCE GO ON THEIR KNEES
UP THE MOUNTAIN AND CELEBRATE MASS.
Where learned: OHIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 12-01-1969
PROVERB
ENOUGH IS PLENTY.
Submitter comment: CONVERSATION
Where learned: OHIO
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; TOLERANCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
A PHILOSOPHER IS A BLIND MAN IN A DARK ROOM LOOKING FOR A BLACK
CAT... THAT ISN'T THERE.
Submitter comment: HEARD ON RADIO.
Where learned: OHIO
Keyword(s): DEFINITION
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; COLOR ; INSULT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
ROOSTERS CROWING--WEATHER CHANGES
IF YOU HEAR ROOSTERS CROWING AT NIGHT, IT MEANS A CHANGE
IN THE WEATHER--A STORM APPROACHING.
AND THUNDER AND LIGHTNING IN THE WINTER MEANS AN ICE
STORM OR FREEZING RAIN.
WHEN YOU HEARD A FROG CROAK, IT MEANT SPRING. BUT AFTER
THE FIRST CROAK, THERE WERE 3 MORE FREEZES BEFORE
SPRING ARRIVED FOR GOOD. BOTH HAD BELIEVED THIS IN
POPULAR TRADITION IN THEIR HOMES IN GLOUCESTER AND
HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER ; HOLLISTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
Unlucky Opals
It is unlucky to wear opals, unless you were born
in October.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F100 BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001972CA
Good and Bad Luck
If you find a penny with tails side up, don't pick it
up because it's bad luck. It is only lucky if it is
heads side up.
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001972CA
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WHAT DID THE BIG CHIMNEY SAY TO THE CHIMNEY?
"YOU'RE TOO YOUNG TO SMOKE."
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRMOUNT RD ; CHAGRIN FALLS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
WHAT DID THE MAYONNAISE SAY TO THE ICEBOX?
"CLOSE THE DOOR, I'M DRESSING."
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRMOUNT RD ; CHAGRIN FALLS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
MAKE ANY GESTURE WITH ONE HAND AND HAVE IT RUSH BY YOUR FACE.
WHAT'S THIS?
I DON'T KNOW, BUT HERE IT GOES AGAIN!
REPEAT THE GESTURE.
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRMOUNT RD ; CHAGRIN FALLS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 08-00-1968