A KNIFE TO CUT THE PAIN

At my luncheon with the girls this week, we were discussing old wives tales and superstitions when "J" told one I hadn't heard before that cracked me up.

"Put a knife under the bed to cut the pain of childbirth."

After I quit giggling, this got me thinking about old wives tales  which I have always enjoyed. I mean, these sage women did become "old " wives after all.  If these were "young" wives tales, who would listen?

Here are some I remember or found. Most came from my grandmother who was a delightful old wife. 

1.   If you are unable to fall asleep, you are awake in someone else's dreams. 
I kind of like that thought. Sure hope I am having fun. 

2.   If you see a rainbow and make a wish while touching gold, it will come true.
Dang, I never have gold handy. 

3.   What you give on Friday, you will never get back.
For some things I'd really like to give that one a try. Like a cold to someone I am not particularly fond of. 

4.  If a woman has a longer second toe, she will dominate her husband. 
So that's why I am such a wuss.

5.   If a bird poops on you it will bring you good luck.
My grandmother had this happen so it might have been her way to put a good spin on a yucky event.

5.   If you laugh too much at night before bed, you will wake up crying.
I have found that it just makes me sleep much better and I wake up refreshed. 

6.   Moles on the neck means money by the peck. 
Think my mom made that up to make my moley necked brother feel better. However, he has done well.

7.   Three people on a journey is bad luck. Carry a stone as the fourth. 
Again one my  grandmother thought gospel. I have such a journey coming up. Where did I put that stone?

8.   Drop a fork, company is coming. 
I have found when bored that deliberately dropping one does not work. 

9.   Clothes worn inside out will bring good luck.
I console myself with that one when I get back from town and finally notice the error. It takes the sting out of being stupid. 

10. Going out in the cold with wet hair will make you sick.
Science says NO!  I say-- every time!!

11. Rub Menthol on the souls of your feet at night to stop a cough. 
I keep forgetting to try that one as I so rarely get sick. Probably because I don't go out in the cold with a wet head anymore. 

12. When you feel a shiver, someone is stepping on your grave. 
Planning a burial at sea would eliminate all shivers. 

13. If a cat washes behind its ears, rain is coming. 
Minnie just did that and rain is predicted for today. Think all weather men should own a cat.

14. If you say "rabbit, rabbit" the first thing when you wake up in the morning on the first of each month it will bring you good luck for the rest of the month.  
I just keep forgetting. Maybe for the first day in December??

15,  Tie a handkerchief to your wrist during a hurricane for safety.
This deserves explanation. My grandmother told  a tall tale of a terrible storm long ago in Key West.  As the waters surged up to a woman's house, the mistress, who had left the swamped home with her housekeeper, turned to the unfortunate servant and demanded she to back into the house to retrieve her heirloom hanky. The servant did so  and as the house slipped out to sea, the housekeeper was seen standing on the porch, waving the hanky. 

Those are some I have heard of. Do you have a favorite tale or superstition that has been handed down in your family or that some wise old wife told you??