Baltimore, Maryland native Pete

In my previous blog entry, I wrote about Rosa Bonheur Memorial Park, a pet cemetery.  This blog will introduce you to a local celebrity whose final resting place happens to be this same park.

Pete was a pigeon who lived his entire life in Baltimore, Maryland.  He lived until the age of 25, which is very rare for pigeons.

Muriel was a little girl who lived, with her family, in Baltimore, Maryland.  Muriel became Pete's human companion.  Muriel's grandfather brought Pete home one day, when he noticed that Pete was very hungry.  Pete was living in a nest with his sister and brother, and despite being fed by his mother and father he still appeared hungry.

Pete became very comfortable living with his new human family.  He had daily routines which he completed while Muriel was in school.  He was very popular and the entire neighborhood knew of him.  He lived quite an exciting life.

I would love to go into more detail about Pete's extraordinary life, however I do not want to take away from his autobiography.

If you would like to purchase a copy of the book to explore Pete's story, go to this website: http://apigeonnamedpete.com/

My husband and I with Gary Meyers, the autobiography's interpreter, and Muriel's son.

Pete's burial plot at Rose Bonheur Memorial Park.

Our copy of Pete's autobiography.

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