Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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When walking down a street with someone, don't split a tree
or a pole because it is bad luck.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
Don't walk under a ladder, especially with someone on it.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
If you paint the bedroom walls blue, you will sleep your
best.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
If a picture falls off the wall by itself, someone you know
will die.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
There were three men on a boat, two white and one black.
While fishing in the ocean a storm came up and almost tipped the
boat over. One of the white men spoke to the other, "We need to
pray." The other white man said, "I don't know how to pray, but
we can get John, the black man, to pray for us." John began to
pray to the Lord, "Oh Lord, you know when I was in Mississippi
waiting for my sister to come in on the bus I wanted some water
and the sign said, Only whites. I went to the train station and
wanted some water and the sign said, Only whites. So if this boat
tips over and someone has to die, let it be Only whites."
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): Racial segregation
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
Entry filtered.
Festive Fruit Salad
4 cups halved seeded red grapes
4 delicious apples, washed, peeled, and sliced
4 bananas sliced
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
1 pint heavy cream, whipped
Stir together fruit and nuts; fold gently into whipped cream.
Chill at least one hour. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit |
Medicine
This homemade medicine was used for external use only. When
people had a fever someone would boil vinegar and add corn-shucks
and brown paper bags. Then wrap the bags and corn-shucks around
the person's entire body.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
Medicine
This homemade medicine was given to the informant when she
was a little girl and she gave it to her seven children and they
are giving it to their children. Her mother would combine
garlic, lemon, rum, honey and boiling water. She said, it always
works for the worst of colds.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
Pot Luck Soup
1 large pot half full of water
1 medium-large onion
1 stick of butter
Any and every leftover that can be found in the freezer and
refrigerator.
Add onions to water and let it boil. Add butter and let it melt.
When butter melts add all items found and reduce heat. You may
add chicken or turkey bullion cubes.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Mixed preparation in liquid |
Date learned: 02-13-1992
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONE WHO IS AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS IS AFRAID TO LEARN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-25-1967
PROVERBIAL SIMILE
ITS RAINING LIKE A COW PISSING ON A FLAT ROCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS LITTLE SAYING WAS TOLD TO ME BY A MAN WHO HAD LIVED FOR
MANY YEARS IN THE THUMB AREA. HE HAD HEARD THIS WHEN HE WORKED FOR
A LUMBER COMPANY IN THAT AREA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
RIDDLE
Q: A STONE UPON STONE AND A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE?
A: CHIMNEY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): HARDWARE (A) ; NATURAL PHENOMENON (Q) ; STATE OF BEING (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-06-1968
Entry filtered.
COUGH
TO CURE VERY BAD COUGHS, YOU TAKE SUGAR AND PUT IT IN A JAR, YOU THEN
CHOP UP ONIONS INTO THE JAR. YOU THEN CLOSE UP THE JAR TIGHT AND
LEAVE IT OVERNIGHT. IN THE MORNING, THERE WILL BE JUICE IN THE JAR.
TAKE A TEASPOON OF THIS JUICE WHENEVER THIS COUGHING IS HEAVY.
INFORMANT'S MOTHER IS OF FLEMISH BACKGROUND AND HAS USED THIS TREAT-
MENT FOR ALL OF HER CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. IT CURED INFORMANT'S
SON WHEN ALL OTHER MEDICINES FAILED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-08-1972
HICCUPS
HOLD YOUR BREATH AND SAY YOUR BOYFRIEND'S NAME 10 TIMES.
DRINK A GLASS OF WATER UPSIDE DOWN.
IF SOMEONE HAS THE HICCUPS SCARE THEM AND THE HICCUPS WILL GO AWAY.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THESE THINGS WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG ABOUT 1950.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): FEAR
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 First / Once / One / Newness BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
IF YOU SNEEZE WHILE YOU ARE TALKING, THEN YOU ARE TELLING THE TRUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: CA00001965
MARRIAGE CUSTOM
IN IRAQ, A LAMB IS KILLED AFTER A PERSON HAS JUST BEEN MARRIED.
Submitter comment: THIS IS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001965
AS A CAR OF PASSENGERS LEAVES THE HOUSE ON A TRIP, A BUCKET OF WATER
IS SPILLED AFTER THEM. THIS MEANS THEY WILL HAVE A SAFE TRIP.
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN IRAQ.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: CA00001965
FOLKLORE OF OBJECTS
IF ONE SHOE FALLS ON TOP OF THE OTHER BY COINCIDENCE WHILE YOU ARE
TAKING THEM OFF, THIS MEANS YOU WILL GO ON A TRIP IN THE NEAR FUTURE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: CA00001965