tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post8670388127124415790..comments2024-03-25T20:06:01.587-04:00Comments on Novel Adventurers: Good Luck LemonsSupriya Savkoorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854983392374596718noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post-74616836946857374422010-11-10T15:59:55.125-05:002010-11-10T15:59:55.125-05:00What a lovely story, Rik! Thank you for sharing th...What a lovely story, Rik! Thank you for sharing this. I think the spider one is universal--we have the same lack of killer instincts around here, unfortunately. We have one similar to the spoon dropping--sneezing fits mean someone's thinking about you.Supriya Savkoorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10854983392374596718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post-76903613276751305322010-11-10T15:46:56.929-05:002010-11-10T15:46:56.929-05:00Rik, what a wonderful family story. I can see the ...Rik, what a wonderful family story. I can see the usefulness of that spoon/knife dropping. It would be practical in Iran, anyway, where traditional houses have separate knockers for men and women (making different sounds) so you can tell which gender is at the door. Even better if you could tell in advance!<br /><br />And the spider in your drain is proof that these superstitions work! We don't believe in coincidence around here. :)Heidi Noroozyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351899620446316075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post-24684116276430903812010-11-10T14:56:07.683-05:002010-11-10T14:56:07.683-05:00My grand mother was a fortuneteller. A role she fo...My grand mother was a fortuneteller. A role she found early in life when she played the part as an actress in southern Poland. I only learned of her acting experience after she passed away but I always knew that she had a fondness for the supernatural, and the ability to predict the future with her worn deck of cards. <br /><br /> Every visitor who came into her kitchen was treated to a feast of stuffed cabbage, kielbasa and dumplings along with a personal card reading. The cards were shuffled then carefully lined up upon the worn Formica table, while everyone waited as Grandma turned the cards to reveal the stories that were hidden within.<br /><br />Every card had a meaning. Most of the time it was good news, “ Yes! You are going to get a letter!” Or I see money coming! But every now and then she would see something that would fill the room with darkness, and through her old trembling lips she would send out a warning as if something ominous was coming. When the card of death appeared it was especially worrisome and the room fell silent, until Grandma would reassure us that perhaps it was attached to someone else. <br /><br /> But it was not just the cards that had power, it seemed everything had a special meaning to Grandma. If someone dropped a spoon, it was a sign that a visitor, a woman, would be coming. If a knife fell then it was sure to be a man. If you saw a spider it was good luck, but curse you if you kill it on the end of your broom, for days of misfortune were sure to follow. <br /><br /> I grew up with all these traditions and they too have become a part of my life even through I sometimes find them hard to believe. Like the time I turned on the shower just in time to watch a spider slowly wash down the drain. With in hours the water backed up and I had to call for the plumber. Oh, if only my grandma were alive she could have seen it in her cards and warned us in time.Rik Palierihttp://banjo.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post-81679453305031920252010-11-09T18:59:26.872-05:002010-11-09T18:59:26.872-05:00Good luck with your lemon tree, Alli! Since it'...Good luck with your lemon tree, Alli! Since it's spring in your part of the world, now's time time to get out the salt and esfand.Heidi Noroozyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351899620446316075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post-55592027461348975782010-11-09T16:28:33.699-05:002010-11-09T16:28:33.699-05:00I think there is a lot to superstitions and belief...I think there is a lot to superstitions and beliefs and this example is just fabulous! I'm looking at my lemon tree now and hoping it's bountiful next season and if it's not, I know what to do!Alli Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363202163419352155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post-16613328164777054282010-11-09T16:17:50.554-05:002010-11-09T16:17:50.554-05:00Lina, I had no idea that esfand grows all over the...Lina, I had no idea that esfand grows all over the West Coast. But I've become such a city girl that I can't identify much of the wildlife around here (even the plants that have escaped cultivation). I had no idea you could eat it (and perhaps you can't if it induces vomiting). I'm a bit skeptical of that fertility claim...maybe it does the opposite?Heidi Noroozyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351899620446316075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post-38596614249547972302010-11-09T10:09:11.789-05:002010-11-09T10:09:11.789-05:00I believe here it is called African Rue and it Tur...I believe here it is called African Rue and it Turkey it is called Harmal or Uzerlik. It does have some medicinal qualities - it can be used as a diarrheic or to induce vomiting; (according to some beliefs it also can help with fertility) It was brought to the USA from the Middle-East by some farmer who wanted to manufacture a Turkish Red dye from its seeds, and the plant ended up spreading all over the West Coast and especially Arizona because it is very drought-tolerant. <br />And, Heidi, it is indeed such a poetic piece!Lina Zeldovichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04258464515913616152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post-70825804097073304112010-11-08T23:20:25.617-05:002010-11-08T23:20:25.617-05:00Thanks, Supriya! I don't know if that little w...Thanks, Supriya! I don't know if that little wand has a name or where you could get one in the U.S. I bought the one in the picture at a market in Ramsar, on the Caspian Sea (It cost a whopping 200 tomans, or 20 cents.) Esfand has a smoky, pungent smell when it's burned. The closest thing I can think of is sage, though it's not quite the same. You can find it in any Middle Eastern market. It's used in a lot of rituals to ward off the evil eye or bring good luck.<br /><br />Nice idea to burn other fragrant herbs for a nice smell. I may try that!Heidi Noroozyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351899620446316075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018311341701044333.post-19313467507293802932010-11-08T22:48:06.052-05:002010-11-08T22:48:06.052-05:00Heidi, this is a most poetic piece. I love the ima...Heidi, this is a most poetic piece. I love the imagery (and the aromas). I'm wondering about this wand though. What's it called and where can I get one? I'm thinking this could be a whole new way to perk up the house...say, dipping it in dried oregano or maybe some fresh cilantro?<br /><br />And esfand...what would be an equivalent scent in English?Supriya Savkoorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10854983392374596718noreply@blogger.com