Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Step On A Crack . . .

Merriam-Webster describes superstition as: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation.

Superstitions have always intrigued me.  There are so many of them out; and every generation, every culture has their own.  So I thought it would be fun to list some of the animal and creepy crawly superstitions that I've heard over the years.   Here are some superstitions you may/may not be familiar with.

For the Chinese and North/South Poles, a bat means happiness and a long life; a good omen.  And bats have always had a connection with witches.  They can have good and/or bad connotations, depending on the tradition.  

*Bat:   If a bat flies three times around a house, it is said to be a death omen.

*
Butterfly:  If the first butterfly you see of the year is white, you will have good luck all year long.

Throughout history, there are many superstitions that involve cats regarding health, weather, luck and the spirit world.

*Cat:  A cat on top of a tombstone meant the soul of the departed buried was possessed by the Devil. Whereas, two cats that were seen fighting near a dying person, or on a grave shortly after a funeral, are said to be the Devil and an Angel fighting for possession of the soul. (Old English Superstitions)

(NOTE:) There were no caterpillars hurt before, during or after this blog!

*Caterpillar:  There were some miners who believed that if you find a hairy caterpillar and throw it over your left shoulder, it will bring you good luck!

*Daddy Long Legs:   If a plow kills a daddy long legs, the cows will go dry.  

Dogs are said to have the ability to see ghosts and spirits.

*Dog:  A dog howling at midnight warns you of death.

An elephant is a symbol of power, strength and royalty.  And of all elephants, the white elephant is considered the most sacred. 

*Elephant:   If an elephant's trunk curls up this means good luck.  And if an elephant's trunk is down it means bad luck.

*Fish:   If you throw back the first fish you catch, you'll be lucky the entire day fishing.  

"Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home.  Your house is on fire and your children are gone."

*Ladybug:   If a young girl catches a ladybug and then she releases it, the direction in which the ladybug flies away will be the direction the young girl's future husband will come from.  

*Moth:   A white moth flying is said to be the spirit of a grandparent hovering near.

*Robin:   A Robin that enters a house or a church is said to be an omen of death.

*Sheep:   If you meet a flock of sheep during your travels, you will have good luck.

*Spider:   Finding a spider in the morning = sorrow ... at midday = anxiety ... in the evening = loss.

I'd like to end this with a quote from  Ulysses S. Grant.

"Everyone has his superstitions.  One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never to turn back or to stop until the thing intended was accomplished."
~Ulysses S. Grant

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Man Of The Forest!


It’s that time of year again, when I start thinking about a calendar for the upcoming year.

This year I have decided to purchase a calendar to help support one of my favorite causes. 


Since I was a little girl I have loved all animals, but I've always had a fascination with primates.   Every time I would see a show or a photo of any primate, it brought (still does) a smile to my face.


The name “orangutan” literally translates into English as “man of the forest”.  It comes from Malay and Bahasa Indonesian orang (man) and hutan (forest).


My heart holds a special place for orangutans.  And it saddens me that their homes are recklessly being destroyed by deforestation and they are being killed by poachers.  [Their main threats are:  destruction of the rainforest due mainly to encroaching palm oil plantations, illegal logging, fires and poaching. ]

There are ways that we can help them to NOT become an endangered species.  


Glenn Alderson and Bev Luff  together are raising awareness about the deforestation and near species extinction and raising funds to try to help both COP and OLT in achieving that goal. 


The Borneo Project
:  Glenn Alderson Photography and With Compassion & Soul are donating 100% of the profits from the sale of all framed prints, non-framed prints, 2012 calendars, cards and all other merchandise from this project to:  The Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) and The Orangutan Land Trust (OLT).  

Visit the page below to read more about The Borneo Project and to purchase an item to help out.   The photographs are absolutely amazing.


http://glennalderson.com/borneo-project.php


I will be doing my part by purchasing a 2012 calendar of those beautiful babies to display in our kitchen.   I hope you will take some time and check out the websites I have listed and learn more about how to help the orangutans; and learn more about the programs and people who are helping them currently.


Here are a few more ways to help out:


If you have any slightly used purses you would like to get rid of, check out the following websites. 


http://redapes.org/purses  or  
http://pursesforprimates.webs.com


P
urses for Primates is a non-profit group which collects gently used purses, scarves and jewelry to re-sell at parties.  100% of all money raised is donated to the orangutan outreach through www.redapes.org.

You can also recycle old cell phones and pagers for orangutan conservation.  Check out this website for details:  
http://www.orangutan.com/how-to-help/cell-phone/


There are so many fun ways to help out and donate to this cause.  Go to http://www.redapes.org/shop and check out the neat stuff they have for sale. 



(Here is my husband's stuffed orangutan who currently hangs around in our living room!  I purchased this little guy for my husband and donated money in his name a few years ago.)

If you would like to learn more about orangutans and the people who are helping to keep these animals from extinction, be sure and check out the websites on the right-hand side of my blog.


I'd like to end with one of my favorite quotes:


"Animals do have a voice.  If you ignore their suffering, I will remind you of it.  If you don't understand them, I will translate.  If you don't hear them, I will be their voice.  You may silence them but you cannot silence me as long as I live."  ~Anita Mahdessian