Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COUNTING-OUT RIME {PROBABLY AN INACCURATE TITLE}
RICH MAN, POOR MAN, BEGGAR MAN, THIEF. DOCTOR, LAWYER, MERCHANT,
CHIEF.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL. YOU SAY ONE NAME
FOR EACH BUTTON ON A SHIRT, SWEATER, ETC., AND WHERE YOU STOP, THAT
IS THE PERSON YOU WILL MARRY. SHE DOES NOT HOLD IT TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
THIRTEEN
13 IS A LUCKY NUMBER IN ITALY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM AN ITALIAN FRIEND WHOSE GRANDMOTHER HAD
AN 18 KARAT GOLD METAL CHAIN WITH THE NUMBER 13 INSCRIBED ON IT TO
BE WORN FOR LUCK AROUND HER NECK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described BELIEF -- Good luck P881.5 |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
LEGEND
A YOUNG GIRL DESPERATELY WANTED TO GO TO A PARTY BUT SHE DIDN'T HAVE
A DATE. SHE THEN EXCLAIMED THAT SHE WOULD GO TO THE PARTY
WITH ANYBODY,
EVEN THE DEVIL HIMSELF. THEN A FRIEND ASKED HER TO THE PARTY
AND SHE HAD A MARVELOUS TIME. AS SHE WAS SAYING GOODBYE SHE GLANCED
DOWN AND SAW HOOVES INSTEAD OF FEET AND SHE REALIZED THAT SHE TRULY
WAS OUT WITH THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER THIS TO WARN HER NOT TO CALL UPON
SATANIC PO/WERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 09-18-1972
PLANTING CUSTOM
IT IS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM IN EUROPE FOR THE UPPER CLASS TO HAVE
THEIR SERVANTS PLANT THE VEGETABLE AND FLOWER GARDENS IN THE EVENING
AFTER THE SUN HAS GONE DOWN. THE HOLES ARE DUG AND WATER IS THEN
POURED INTO THEM. THE SERVANT THEN WORKS THIS TO FORM A MUDDY PASTE
IN WHICH THE YOUNG PLANTS ARE PLACED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND SAYS THE PURPOSE OF THIS
IS TO PREVENT THE YOUNG PLANTS FROM BEING SCORCHED IN THE HOT SUN.
INFORMANT CARRIES ON THIS CUSTOM EVERY SPRING WHEN PLANTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
Friendship bracelets
Friendship bracelets consist of thread braided
together to form a bracelet. These bracelets
represent your friendship to that particular
person. They are usually worn around your wrist or
around your ankle.
You will need embroidery thread, two or more safety
pins, and a pillow or cushion. You also have to know
how many colors you want and how wide you want the
bracelet.
In order to start the bracelet you have to cut the
thread. A good standard length is two arm lengths.
Even if the bracelet is small you still want long
thread because it is easier to work with and you
don't have to worry about running out.
Once the thread is cut you have to arrange the
colors into the order that you want them. This is
also the time to decide how thick you want the
bracelet to be. If you would like a color to be
thicker then put two strands of that color next to
each other. Usually what people do is to use four
colors with two strands apiece for a good standard
thickness.
Now that you have all of your strands and colors in
the order you like, tie them together. A note of
caution, leave about two inches of open thread before
you tie the knot. This extra two inches is so you can
tie it together when you're done.
After the knot is tied, place the threads on the
pillow. The knot should be furthest away from you and
safety pinned to the pillow. Once the knot is pinned
to the pillow separate the strands into the desired
order and make sure they aren't too close together.
If they are close together there is a chance that
you may get the color order confused and the
bracelet would be in a different color order than
you would want them.
Now you are ready to begin. Put the pillow either
on your lap or on a table. You can begin either on
the left and work to your right, or you can begin
on your right and work to the left. Right handed
people usually find it easier to work from the left
and work towards the right.
These instructions will be from the left to the right.
Pick up the thread farthest to the left with your
left hand and pick up the string next to it with
your right hand. Cross the left string over the
right to make a loop. Pull the end of the left
string through the loop to make a knot - but slide
the knot as far as it will go towards the pinned
knot. Make sure it is secure. A word of caution:
If your knots are too tight the bracelet will begin
to twist in a spiral after a few rows have been
completed. This makes the bracelet very difficult
to work with. However, if the knots are too loose
the bracelet will lose the separation of colors,
creating a blended look. Finally you want to hold
the right hand string firmly, pulling it towards
you. This is so the left string will completely
cover the right hand string. Otherwise, the
different colors will bleed through creating a
speckled look.
Once the first knot is made repeat the process of
crossing over and looping with the same two strands.
After two knots have been made set the string on the
right down.
The string in the left hand stays there. The strand
that just received the two knots should be the one
farthest to the left. Now the thread in the left
hand moves to the next thread on the right. The right
hand thread then makes two knots on that one. This
process is continued until all the threads have two
knots in them and the thread farthest to your right
is in your hand.
Once you set down the furthest thread on the right,
you begin the whole process over again using the
thread on the left until that becomes the furthest
one on the right. Continue the rows like this until
you have the desired length. Another note to ease
the process of making the knots: After a few rows
are completed you may want to pin the completed
part to the pillow in order to keep it stationary.
Now that you have reached the desired length, take
all the threads and tie them in a knot, similar to
the one at the top. This knot should be as close to
the rows as possible and be very tight to prevent
the bracelet from falling apart.
Finally, find your friend and tie the bracelet
around his / her wrist or ankle, then cut the extra
thread off.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): JEWELRY
Date learned: 00-00-1986
PROVERB
ACT ENTHUSIASTIC AND YOU'LL BE ENTHUSIASTIC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
ELEPHANT JOKE
WHY DID THE ELEPHANT PAINT HIS TOE NAILS RED?
BECAUSE HE WANTED TO HIDE IN THE CHERRY TREE.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS FROM MY FRIENDS AT SCHOOL IN FIFTH GRADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
IT IS A GOOD SIGN IF THE BABY IS BORN WITH A LIGHT FILM
OF SKIN COVERING ITS FACE. IT MEANS THAT THE BABY WILL
BE INTELLIGENT.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER GRANDMOTHER (IRISH).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): CAUL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
A RABBIT'S FOOT WILL BRING THE BEHOLDER VERY GOOD LUCK
IN WHATEVER HE PARTAKES IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Amulet, mojo |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
WHENEVER YOU GO TO A PARTY
AND DON'T GET IN TILL LATE,
REMEMBER IT IS BED TIME
AND DON'T SWING ON THE GATE.
James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; GROSSE POINTE ; BIRCH TREE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 03-01-1972
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED,
AND FAT AND GREY,
JUST REMEMBER THAT GIRDLES
ARE STILL $2.98.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATOR,
AFTER WHILE, CROCODILE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
DON'T EXPAND, RUBBERBAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB,
SHE TIED HIM TO A HEATER,
EVERY TIME HE TURNED AROUND,
HE BURNED HIS LITTLE SEATER.
(SIGNED) SHERRYL WALTERS
James Callow comment: PARODY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
GLORIA, GLORIA IN THE TUB,
GLORIA'S MOM FORGOT THE PLUG.
OH MY GOODNESS, OH MY SOUL,
THERE GOES GLORIA DOWN THE HOLE!
Submitter comment:
ANY NAME CAN BE USED IN THIS VERSE.
SIGNED, CAROL SCHWARTZBACK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
WHEN YOU GROW OLD AND LIVE IN A TREE,
SEND ME A COCONUT C.O.D.
(SIGNED) JOAN LITTLEY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
Proverb
Love is Blind
Submitter comment:
From - Uncertain
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Located in a pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects
Original BN [V300] crossed out. replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): BLIND ; Emotions ; HEART ; LOVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
WHEN YOU ARE THE AGE OF 182,
DON'T BE A BABY AND GO COO-COO.
(SIGNED) MY SISTER, AUDRY SCHMIDT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND GROW OUT OF SHAPE,
REMEMBER THAT CORSETS ARE $5.98
(SIGNED) JENEEN WHITTENBURG
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
I (PICTURE OF AUTO) CRY
I (PICTURE OF AUTO) LAUGH
BECAUSE YOU WANT
MY (PICTURE OF AUTO) GRAPH.
(SIGNED) CAROL SCHWARTZBACK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing |
Date learned: 00-00-1950