Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for MICHIGAN returned 23056 results.
A CRICKET IN A HOME BRINGS GOOD LUCK
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER STATED THIS IN 1925
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): PINOCCHIO
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Good luck P881.3 |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
HAUNTED HOUSE
ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, A MAN LIVING IN A COTTAGE ON WAMPLER'S LAKE IN
MICHIGAN'S IRISH HILLS AREA BEGAN TO HAVE STRANGE EXPERIENCES. A
PIANO ON THE SECOND FLOOR WOULD BEGIN TO PLAY MYSTERIOUSLY, AND
A COLD WIND WOULD BLOW THROUGH THE HOUSE. HE MOVED OUT, AND THE
COTTAGE GOT A REPUTATION OF BEING HAUNTED. THE MATTER RECEIVED
MUCH PUBLICITY, AND NO ONE WOULD MOVE INTO THE HOUSE.
IT IS SAID THAT EVENTUALLY ONE MAN MUSTERED UP SOME COURAGE,
ENTERED THE COTTAGE, AND SAID, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, I
COMMAND YOU TO STOP. THE SOUNDS WERE NEVER HEARD AGAIN, BUT THE
COTTAGE IS STILL KNOWN AS THE HAUNTED HOUSE OF WAMPLER'S LAKE.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS STORY FROM MY AUNT, WHO USED TO VACATION AT
WAMPLER'S LAKE. I ALSO SAW THE HAUNTED COTTAGE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Corrected spelling and eliminated some commas
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WAMPLERS LAKE
Keyword(s): HAUNTED HOUSE ; MANIFESTATIONS ; Wamplers Lake
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.2 |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
THE GAME "BITE THE BAG."
THE GAME BITE THE BAG IS A GAME PLAYED AT PARTIES WHERE THE
PLAYERS ALL GATHER IN A CIRCLE AND AN ORDINARY GROCERY BAG
IS PLACED IN THE MIDDLE. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO
BEND OVER AND PICK UP THE BAG WITH YOUR TEETH WITHOUT ANY PART
OF YOUR BODY EXCEPT FOR YOUR FEET TOUCHING THE GROUND. THE GAME
PROCEEDS AND EACH PLAYER TRIES TO PICK UP THE BAG. THE PLAYER
IS DISQUALIFIED WHEN THEY FAIL TO PICK UP THE BAG PROPERLY.
AFTER EACH SUCCESSIVE ROUND THE BAG HAS ONE INCH CUT OFF THE
TOP EDGE SO THAT IT PROGRESSIVELY BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT.
THE WINNER IS THE LAST PERSON TO SUCCESSFULLY PICK UP THE BAG.
James Callow comment: CAN YOU BEND YOUR KNEES? YES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PARTY ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001983CA
METHOD OF CURING
WASH YOUR FACE IN THE MORNING DEW
AND YOU WILL GET RID OF FRECKLES.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT MATTHEWS CHURCH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
WHEN YOU ACCIDENTALLY SPILL SALT, INFORMANT TAKES
A FEW GRAINS OF SALT AND THROWS IT OVER EACH
SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; GRADE SCHOOL ; REDFORD ; SAINT MARYS
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Good luck Activities |
Date learned: 02-12-1970
WEAR OUT YOUR TOE, YOU SPEND AS YOU GO;
WEAR OUT YOUR HEEL, YOU SPEND A GOOD DEAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; SAINT MARYS
James Callow Keyword(s): THRIFT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
ARTS AND CRAFTS
NO CAMP COUNSELOR IS TRULY A COUNSELOR WITHOUT HIS LANYARD AND
WHISTLE, FOR THIS IS HIS SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY AND IS EVEN USED AS
SUCH BY THE CAMPERS WHEN THEY PUT ON SKITS ABOUT THEIR COUNSELORS.
THE LANYARDS ARE MADE BY THE COUNSELOR HIMSELF IN HIS FIRST ENCOUNTE
WITH ARTS AND CRAFTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MEMPHIS ; SAINT MARYS CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
TAJOR
LEGEND OF AN ANIMAL HALF TIGER AND HALF JAGUAR THAT ROAMS CAMP
GROUNDS AT NIGHT. PROTECTOR OF THE GOOD AND NEMESIS OF EVIL. OFTEN
USED IN CONVINCING LITTLE BOYS TO GO TO SLEEP--FOR THE TAJOR IS ONLY
HARMFUL TO THOSE WHO ARE BAD.
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHILE COUNSELOR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MEMPHIS ; SAINT MARYS CAMP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
FLOUR OF ENGLAND - RIDDLE
Q: FLOUR OF ENGLAND, FRUIT OF SPAIN/ MET TOGETHER IN A SHOWER OF
RAIN;/ PUT IN A BAG AND TIED ROUND WITH A STRING;/ IF YOU'LL TELL
ME THIS RIDDLE, I'LL GIVE YOU A RING.
A: A PLUM PUDDING.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS IN AN OLD MOTHER GOOSE COLORING BOOK WHICH WAS IN THE
ATTIC. THE COVER AND SOME PAGES WERE MISSING. IT IS AT LEAST TEN
YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q) ; NOTION ITEMS (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
MARBLE WALLS - RIDDLE
Q: IN MARBLE WALLS AS WHITE AS MILK,/ LINED WITH A SKIN AS SOFT AS
SILK,/ WITHIN A FOUNTAIN CRYSTAL CLEAR/ A GOLDEN APPLE DOTH APPEAR./
NO DOORS THERE ARE TO THIS STRONGHOLD,/ YET THIEVES BREAK IN AND
STEAL THE GOLD.
A: AN EGG.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS IN AN OLD MOTHER GOOSE COLORING BOOK WHICH WAS IN THE
ATTIC. THE COVER AND SOME PAGES WERE MISSING. IT IS AT LEAST TEN
YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BUILDING (Q) ; MONETARY (Q) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q) COLOR
James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION ; SYNTAX
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: AS I WENT THROUGH THE FIELDS OF WHEAT/ I FOUND SOMETHING GOOD
TO EAT,/ 'TWAS NEITHER FLESH NOR MEAT, NOR BONE,/
I KEPT IT UNTIL IT RAN ALONE.
A: AN EGG.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS WAS A RIDDLE THAT SHE HEARD AT MICHIGAN
MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY FROM A CO-OFFICE-WORKER ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
INFORMANT ADMITS TO BEING STUMPED FOR A FEW HOURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EATABLES (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
Q: TASTY TO SOME FOLKS,/ AND USED THE WORLD ROUND./ NOT MADE OF DIRT,
BUT IT ALWAYS IS GROUND.
A: COFFEE.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC. FROM:
"LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO, THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951)
THE PAGES ARE NOT NUMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
RED SKY IN THE MORNING, SHEPARDS WARRING. {WARNING?}
RED SKY IN THE EVENING SAILORS DELIGHT.
WE ALL GREW UP BELIEVING THIS SAYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 10-20-1972
WHEN WE VISITED SOMEONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE FIRST OF THE
YEAR WE HAD TO TAKE THEM SOMETHING. IF THE FAMILY WAS NOT
TAKEN SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE IN NEED FOR THE REST OF THE
YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING AT NEW YEAR'S SEASON
Date learned: 10-20-1972
ANOTHER THING THE GYPSIES SAID WAS THAT IF A PERSON HAD A SORE
HEEL TO TAKE FRESH COW MANURE AND HEAT IT UNTIL IT WAS HOT.
TAKE YOUR HEEL AND PUT IT IN THE HOT COW MANURE AND THIS TAKES
THE SORENESS OUT OF YOUR HEEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-20-1972
EVERY MORNING MY MOTHER WOULD GO OUTSIDE AND LOOK AT THE SMOKE
COMING OUT OF THE CHIMNEY. IF THE SMOKE WENT STRAIGHT UP THE
WEATHER WOULD BE GOOD. IF THE SMOKE CURLED AROUND THE WEATHER
WOULD BE BAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Date learned: 10-20-1972
MY COUSIN HAD VERY SORE EYES AND NO HELP COULD BE FOUND. ONE
DAY AS THE GYPSIES WERE GOING BY MY AUNT RAN OUT AND ASKED A
GYPSY WOMAN WHAT COULD BE DONE FOR HER SON'S EYES. THE GYPSY
WOMAN WAS VERY FRIENDLY AND TOLD MY AUNT TO TAKE A BOTTLE AND
GO TO A PARTICULAR SPRING, FILL THE BOTTLE WITH SPRING WATER
AND EVERY SUNRISE WASH HIS EYES OUT WITH THE SPRING WATER. I
SAW THIS CLEAR UP MY COUSIN'S EYES. THIS TOOK PLACE IN
SCOTLAND WHERE I LIVED AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SCOTLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-20-1972
NEVER PLANT POTATOES BESIDE ONIONS BECAUSE THE POTATOES WILL
HAVE A STRONG ONION FLAVOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 10-05-1972
DURING MENSTRUATION A WOMAN CANNOT GO INTO A GARDEN BECAUSE ALL
THE PLANTS WILL WILT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-05-1972
NEVER STEP OVER A BABY, IF YOU DO IT WILL NOT GROW, AT ALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-05-1972