Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Louie and the Ditch
When I was a little girl, all my cousins and aunts and uncles
would meet at my grandparents' house on Sundays for dinner. There
was a sandbox under a "helicopter tree" which was made for us to
play in. We also played down the hill, and rode bikes in the
driveway. The only place we were not allowed to play was in or
around "Louie's Ditch." This was a ditch by the road at the edge
of the farm which was covered by trees and would become filled with
water after the rains. Anytime we became too wild or were being
bad, Grandma or one of the aunts or uncles would remind us that
Louie comes and takes bad children into his ditch, so we had to be
good. This also worked if they wanted us to come into the house;
they would say that Louie was coming, or that they had just seen
him; this also kept us from going all the way to the back of the
field.
Submitter comment:
I asked my grandma how this had started, and she said she
started saying it after a stray dog came onto the property one day
and all of us kids were afraid of it. This technique was used for
years, and is still used today with my younger cousins. But,
within the past couple years, my grandparents had to sell off much
of their property because of high taxes, and a developer bought it.
There are now separated condominiums where the field used to be,
and a driveway to access the condominiums from the road where
"Louie's Ditch" used to be, so the use of this story has been
modified to keep the kids from going around the front of the house,
by the road.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001970'S
Willia (Veeleea) (unsure of spelling)
This is a Polish custom that was brought over from Poland, near
Krakow. On Christmas Eve, we would eat a supper of 12 items,
including fish, pierogi, sour mushroom soup (made with dried
mushrooms), bread, butter, prunes and barley. I can't remember
what else-- except no meat. We did not get presents because we
really did not have money, so there was usually a long table set up
that had straw on it, covered by a white table cloth. Under the
straw, there were pennies, and when it was time, the children put
their hands under the straw and found as many pennies as they
could. We would then go to Christmas Eve Mass, and then go
caroling from house to house. This was the big thing years ago.
We were gone half the night, usually in a horse and buggy. We
would then go back to the house we started at, and eat the ham
which we were now allowed to eat because it was after midnight.
The money that we had gotten from under the straw we used to buy
candy. There was a candy store at the corner of 23 Mile Road, and
when we went back to school we would stop there to buy the candy.
Submitter comment:
Because of this "penny tradition," I remember that whenever my
Great Uncle Al came to Grandma's house when we were there, he
always passed out silver dollars to the children. He also did this
when my mom was a little girl. We liked it when he came over
because he gave us the silver dollars, but we could have done
without his cigars.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Date learned: 00001920'S
Through Advent, when I was a little girl, every time I was
good, or did a good deed, I put a piece of straw in the empty crib
beneath the Christmas tree so that Jesus had a soft bed when he
comes on Christmas morning.
Submitter comment:
This was a Christian custom which my mom also did when she was
going to school.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 |
Date learned: 00001970'S
At Christmastime, whether you cut down a tree or buy one, if
you find a bird's nest in the tree, you will have good luck for the
coming year.
Submitter comment: I think this must be a Polish custom.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001920'S
Grandma and Grandpa's Wedding
It all started when my grandma, then Genevieve Witkowski,
asked my great-grandpa for an orange pop. My grandpa, Steve
Jekielek, overheard and decided to bring her the pop himself. That
began a happily-ever-after that culminated in a wartime wedding.
Weddings were hard to arrange during the war because of
rationing and restrictions. However, everyone chipped in to help
by sharing their ration stamps so their food could be used for the
reception. My great-grandpa went up north to get chickens. Others
stood in lines every day to get liquor allotments.
In the end, on May 8, 1943, the group effort resulted in a
Cinderella wedding with everyone enjoying the ball. It meant more,
because it took more.
Forty-nine years, five kids, and 17 grandchildren later, they
have managed to pass down the values that made their wedding and
their lives a success. They have taught two generations that
sharing, caring and chipping in is what makes life worthwhile, and
that even when chicken is sparse, it sure tastes better when it's
shared. And perhaps, even most unique of all, after 48 years, my
grandpa still brings her orange pop.
Submitter comment:
This wedding story is very special in our family; next year,
the year of my grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary, and my
parents' twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, I will be married so as
to continue this tradition.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): Family values
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00001970S
FLY RIDDLE
THERE ARE THREE FLIES IN THE BATHROOM. WHICH ONE IS THE DRUG
ADDICT? THE ONE ON THE POT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON POT (FOR MARIHUANA)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
FLY RIDDLE
THERE ARE THREE FLIES IN THE SNOW. WHICH ONE IS THE MILLIONAIRE?
THE ONE IN THE BANK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON BANK
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
FLY RIDDLE
THERE ARE THREE FLIES IN THE KITCHEN. WHICH ONE IS THE COWBOY?
THE ONE ON THE RANGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON RANGE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
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HANGING SPOONS ON THE NOSE
AFTER A PERSON HAS HAD A FEW DRINKS (OF ANY KIND) THEY HAVE TO TRY
TO HANG A SPOON FROM THEIR NOSE. THIS IS DONE BY BREATHING ON THE
SPOON TO MAKE IT SLIGHTLY MOIST. THEN YOU STICK THE ROUND END TO
YOUR NOSE. IF IT DOESN'T HANG THERE YOU HAVE TO DRINK. EVENTUALLY
THE GAME GETS RATHER ELABORATE. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WALK, DANCE,
AND TALK WITH THE SPOON HANGING FROM YOUR NOSE. NEEDLESS TO SAY
EVERYONE GETS QUITE DRUNK. THE DRUNKER YOU ARE THE HARDER IT IS
TO GET THE SPOON TO HANG FROM YOUR NOSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS PLAYED OFTEN WITH LAURA'S RELATIVES IN HARBOR SPRINGS.
EVERYONE IN HER FAMILY IS GOOD AT HANGING SPOONS FROM THEIR NOSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
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IN THE GERMAN STATE OF WESTPHALIA, IT IS CUSTOMARY
TO HAVE PORK AND ESPECIALLY SAUERKRAUT FOR THE MAIN MEAL.
(ON NEW YEAR'S DAY). THE TWO PRODUCTS WILL GIVE ONE
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD HEALTH FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
THIS IS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM BROUGHT OVER TO THE U. S.
BY MR. STOEKBEL. HE MIGRATED TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
IN THE 1880S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001940S LATE ; 00001880S
IF YOU HAVE GOLD FISH IN THE HOUSE, YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AT HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 02-25-1967
WHEN THERE IS A CROSS INSIDE THE MOON, THE FOLLOWING
DAY WILL HAVE GOOD WEATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 02-20-1971
NEVER PLANT POTATOES WHEN THERE ARE RINGS AROUND THE
MOON, BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT GROW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 02-20-1971
WEDDING BELIEF
NEVER GET MARRIED DURING THE MONTH OF MAY BECAUSE THIS
IS A MONTH OF SORROW AND YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Marriage Time or day of ceremony BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.41 |
Date learned: 02-20-1971
IF YOU WANT A GOOD POTATO CROP, IT MUST BE PLANTED ON
GOOD FRIDAY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 03-25-1967