Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SOUTHFIELD returned 444 results.
TERROR TALE
I REMEMBER IN THE SUMMER OF 1964, I WAS AN ACTIVE SIX YEAR OLD.
MY FRIENDS AND I WOULD GO TO THE HILL AT THE SOUTHFIELD CIVIC
CENTER AND RUN UP AND DOWN IT FOR FUN AND EXCITEMENT. THE
GARDENER OVER THERE TOLD US ABOUT HOOP SNAKES. HE SAID THEY WERE
SNAKES ROLLED UP LIKE HOULA HOOPS AND THEY ROLL DOWN HILLS.
HE TOLD US TO RUN ZIG ZAG SO AS NOT TO GET CAUGHT BY THE LITTLE
CREATURES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
BLASON POPULAIRE
WHAT DOES BOAC STAND FOR?
Submitter comment: BETTER ON A CAMEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
SIGN OF THE CROSS
WHENEVER I TAKE A TEST OR AM ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A HOMEWORK
ASSIGNMENT I WILL WRITE A LITTLE CROSS ON THE FIRST LINE.
I RECALL LEARNING THIS FROM MY SECOND GRADE TEACHER AT A PAROCHIAL
SCHOOL. THE CROSS WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP US TO DO WELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
ACNE CURE
I HEARD FROM SOME SINCE FORGOTTEN SOURCE THAT THE DRINKING OF BEER
WILL HELP TO CLEAR UP ACNE.
Submitter comment: I TRIED THIS LAST SUMMER AND ALMOST LOST MY JOB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
ACNE CURE
IT WAS MENTIONED TO ME SOME TIME AGO THAT THE DAILY EATING OF A
CUBE OF ACTIVE YEAST WOULD CLEAR UP ACNE. THE YEAST SHOULD BE
EATEN DAILY UNTIL THE ACNE DISAPPEARS AND THEN AT INTERMITANT
INTERVALS TO KEEP THE ACNE UNDER CONTROL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
RELIGIOUS BELIEF
WHENEVER I PASS IN FRONT OF AN ALTER, AS IN CHURCH I GENUFLECT
AS A SIGN OF RESPECT. I LEARNED THIS SOME TIME IN GRADE
SCHOOL, I BELIEVE THE SECOND GRADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
CURING RHEUMATISM
A SWISS METHOD OF CURING RHEUMATISM IS TO TAKE THE FUR
OF A MARMOT AND PLACE IT OVER THE AREA IN PAIN.
THIS WILL CAUSE THE PAIN TO GO AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): ANIMAL CURE ; IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
FOR THE LAST FIVE MINUTES OF THE OLD YEAR, AND THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES
OF THE NEW YEAR, IT IS NECESSARY TO SWEEP ONE'S HOUSE FROM BACK
TO FRONT. YOU SWEEP THE HOUSE TO "SWEEP OUT" TROUBLE AND SICKNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; collector's home
Keyword(s): BROOM ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 10-25-1970
Never open an umbrella in a building.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
If you have asthma, measure your height to a tree and mark
it. As the tree grows you will grow out of the asthma.
James Callow comment:
Puckett, Ohio, no. 2325: "If a child has asthma, take him
into the woods and find a young tree. Measure the child up to
the tree and mark his height by putting a nail into the tree. As
the tree grows the child will outgrow his asthma."
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): MEASURING
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Measure of space: distance, height, depth BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
If you break a mirror you will have seven years of bad luck.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-07-1992
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
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