A Word About Superstitions

I guess most of us are just a tad superstitious, at least to the point where we don't take unnecessary chances. You know, better safe than sorry.

There are certain superstitions that I go along with, but breaking a mirror brings seven years bad luck ain't one of 'em. Heck, I know a man who broke one and he didn't have seven years bad luck at all. He was run over by a train and killed the day after he broke it.

Here is a list of southern superstitions I've heard all my life. I'm sure you will remember a number of them:

• If you sweep dirt out of the house on Friday, the house will burn down.
• Wash your hair in the first rain in May, and it will grow faster.
• Cross your eyes and jump over a ditch at midnight, and your eyes will stay crossed forever.
• See a cardinal, make a wish, and pinch someone to make it come true.
• Make a wish on a redbird before it flies, and your wish will come true.
• Sleep with a mirror under your pillow, and you will see your future husband.
• When a man's second toe is longer than his big toe, he will be henpecked.
• If a bride goes to the altar with some salt in her pocket, she will always be happy.
• When fish jump above the water, look for rain.
• Run into a cobweb, and you'll get a letter.
• If your palm itches, you are going to get some money.
• If your nose itches, it means you are going to have company.
• Carry in your pocket a button you've found, and it will bring you good luck.
• Walking on the other side of a post from a friend will bring on a quarrel, unless you say "bread and butter."
• Snakes will not come around a place where gourds are growing.
• It will bring much bad luck if you sleep on new, unwashed sheets.
• To become beautiful, get behind a door and eat a chicken foot.
• A woman who drops her apron will lose a friend.
• If your left foot itches, you will walk where you're not welcome.
• Look under a bed, and you'll never marry.
• It's bad luck to lean a broom against a bed.
• If someone sweeps under your feet, you'll never marry.
• If your initials spell a word, you will become rich.
• If your shoestring becomes untied, someone is talking about you.
• Shaking hands over a fence will bring bad luck.
• Those whose teeth grow wide apart will be travelers.
• Always step into a courtroom on your right foot when you have business there.
• A woman with short fingers makes a good manager.
• If you sneeze before breakfast, you'll see your sweetheart before Saturday night.
• If you can see the sunshine through a man's ears, he's a rascal and can't be trusted.
• Whistle in bed and you'll cry before the next night.
• You can be sure of rough weather if the grape or pecan crop is heavy.
• It's bad luck to climb over anybody in bed.
• It causes bad luck if you bring an old broom into a new house.
• It's bad luck to take up ashes from the fireplace during the Christmas season.
• If a fly flies around your face continually, a stranger hopes to meet you.
• Cut your fingernails before breakfast on Monday morning, and you'll get a present before the week is over.
• Forget to wash a skillet and you can expect a guest for the next meal.
• When hornets nests are low, it will be a cold winter.
• The first thunder of spring wakes up the snakes and tells you that winter is gone.
• It's good luck for a butterfly to light on your shoulder.
• A wish made in a bed that's never been slept in will come true.
• You can utter any untruth your heart desires as long as your fingers are crossed.