Friday, May 6, 2011

Superstitious or just plain crazy?


My family thinks I’m nuts. They’re loving and supportive but 99% of the time they shake their heads in amused pity whenever I share my revelations.

For instance, if you’ve ever met me or seen my image somewhere on the web, you’ll notice my hair is long. It falls down my back about even with my shoulder blades. At one time, it was much longer but I had to chop it off for safety reasons. I kept catching my braid in the car door whenever I slammed it shut. Don’t think THAT won’t jerk you right off your feet. Whew! Anyway, I relented a bit and now keep it trimmed to the safe “can’t get caught in the car door” length.

One day, while brushing my hair, my granddaughter asked me why I didn’t cut it. At the tender age of six years old, she’d already formed the opinion that OLD people were supposed to have short hair trimmed well above their ears. I told her I couldn’t cut my hair. If I did, I’d never be able to write another story because my hair held the magic of words.

My daughter snorted and shook her head. “Mom. You are crazy.”

I shook my finger at her and reminded her of Samson and Delilah. Crazy? Maybe. But I won’t cut my hair short –just in case.

And then there’s this thing I have about dreams. My family tends to fuss at me about my health –or they used to until I informed them that I’ve got a pretty good idea of when I’m going to die, stop fussing over me, I’ve got it covered. THAT stalled their nattering about my should and shouldn’t “do list”. My oldest daughter took the bait and asked how I knew when I was going to die and would I mind sharing the date with them?

I informed them that I have a recurring dream that is more real than any other dream I’ve ever had. In the dream, I’m about eighty-seven years old. (And I might add that I look GOOD) The way I know my age in the dream is because it always starts with a picturesque wall calendar opened to the month of January in the year 2048.

Deep snow covers the ground and I’m upset because I can’t find my little dog. I bundle up, grab a walking stick and forge off into the woods, determined to find my four-legged friend. I’ve walked those woods many times, both in reality and in my dreams, but this time seems much more difficult because of the brutal cold. I finally find my yapping little dog at the base of a sprawling oak. The massive tree grows alongside a washed out gully, its roots exposed and hanging over the creek bed like long arthritic-knotted fingers. The dog won’t come to my call. Not unusual. Every dog I’ve ever loved has always tested my patience. Anyway, there’s something up under those tree roots that’s much more interesting than me. So, I start down the slippery embankment to retrieve the hard-headed little scamp. Yep. You guessed it. The snow and ice layered atop the clay embankment ignore the pointy end of my walking stick and sling me to the base of the gully. I can’t get up. I vaguely remember a painful throbbing in my right hip. It’s funny. Anytime I have the dream, my right hip is always sore the next day. Anyway, I manage to roll myself up against the washed out wall of the embankment because huge fluffy snowflakes have started falling again. First, I’m cold and shivering but then I suddenly feel a delicious drowsy warmth and exhale one last soul-releasing breath with my little dog clutched to my chest. Then I wake up.

Yep. She informed me I was crazy –again.

I told her that if I’m wrong and I die sooner or later than age 87, she can do the “I told you so” dance.

Combine all of the above with the fact that when I write I always wear amethysts and my silver Celtic bracelet. I firmly believe the amethysts help me focus and my bracelet brings me luck. In fact, I usually wear my Celtic bracelet every day. When I don’t, I seem to always end up having a bad day.

So, what do you think? Am I superstitious or just plain crazy? Do you have any quirks…*ahem*…superstitions you’d like to share?

55 comments:

  1. OMG too funny Maeve, I love that you told her your hair held magic words! Sarah and I have been talking this morning about superstitions. I told her my grandmother used to tell us things that would stick in your head but really she was trying to teach us some moral lesson so we would be good.

    Having said that, my mom would never let me throw her hair in the trash. If I cut it, it had to be burned or flushed down the toilet. She had a superstition about hair. I believed passed down in the family. If someone has your hair, they have a piece of you, a piece of your soul.

    Don't cut your hair, it's such a part of you and your magic words, that I would miss it. Thanks for the great post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maeve, Maeve...I don't think you're crazy or superstitious at all. However, I wonder why I'm even commenting here, since according to the calendar in your death dream, you were born in 2011, which makes you a newborn. Which means you're either lying or a baby Einstein and can read and write blogs already.

    I have dreams, too. My family hates them, because they're usually a portent of bad things for them. It's a burden you and I will have to share...when you're a little older and potty-trained, that is. :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't think you're crazy, Maeve. If I told you the stuff I believed in, you'd think *I* was crazy. lol I've had dreams like that, so I tend to believe like you that you're getting a message from somewhere. One strong enough that you know to trust its truth. And I adore amethyst. I have a piece and it's one of my favorite stones. I have several dozen crystals, actually, different stones I wear for different reasons. But I definitely believe that stone does what you think it does. Whenever you're doing, it's working for you. I wouldn't stop either! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maeve,

    My hubby has always had dreams, but we've never been able to determine what they mean. Smile.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Sandy: Maybe the cosmos knows you're just not ready to find out what those dreams mean? Who knows? *sigh*

    Hi Joanne: Thanks for the vote of support! I'm glad to know I'm not alone. :-)

    Valerie: LOL! Obviously, NEITHER math nor proof-reading is my strong suit. The year should've been 2048 since I'm currently 50 years young. Thanks for pointing it out.

    Hey Lizzie! My grandmother felt the very same way about hair. She'd NEVER let hair clippings be thrown away. She believed they held a piece of your soul too. I wonder where these beliefs come from? I think they're kinda neat. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Superstitious? Magical? It's just semantics. I believe magic is all around us and if you have found yours, you're just luckier or more aware than most. If wearing your Celtic bracelet makes for a good day, who cares why! Just tell them you're honoring your fairy ancestors.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Maeve I am a theatre gal and no one is as Superstitious as theatre people. Believe me so I think you are normal :) Definitely not nuts but then I might not be the best person to say LOL

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this post! I'm so glad there's another human being on the planet that has dreams that may come true. I've had several dreams in my life that were vivid & repetitive that came true. Recently one of my worst nightmares came true, but I'm saving that for another blog post. :) Great post and I love that your superstitious. Dream on sista!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, Maeve, I just love you so. You crack me up! Hair in the car door. And didn't you know ALL writers are crazy? I think a person has to be to get involved in this wacky business. Pretty weird about the dreams, though... I'm with you, don't ignore them. ((hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Kate! I love your suggestion about telling folks that I'm just honoring my fairy ancestors. Great idea. :-)

    Hi Dominique! LOL!! Well, at least we're not alone. We "eccentrics" must stick together. ;-)

    Rachel, you are such a TEASE! I can't wait to hear more about your dream.

    Amen AJ!! I think we're all a little crazy - we're just at different levels of insanity. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Maybe a little crazy, don't we have to be to do what we do? And you do it so well!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Honey, we're all a little bit crazy. So what? The older I get, the less I care what other people think.

    ReplyDelete
  13. LOL! Thanks, Jannine! You are so right. We have to be a little crazy or we'd go screaming over the edge of a cliff. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. You are so right, Sue! I think that's a right of passage. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hmm... I believe in dreams. My deceased grandfather told me I was pregnant in one and I was. Don't you wish they'd give us lotto numbers? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh Victoria! Lotto numbers would be SO cool!!

    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Really interesting and no, I don't think you're crazy at all. Sometimes we dream things that are very, very real. And don't cut your hair.
    My husband had a dream several years ago that he will die at the age of 89. He's not one to believe in dreams, but he said the dream was almost more real than real life so he's convinced.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I don't think you are crazy, Maeve. I think you sound pretty neat in fact.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Exactly Julia! It's hard to explain how a "dream" can feel different - but this one really does. *and I won't cut my hair - but it's in dire need of a "touch-up". My *ahem* natural blonde appears to be sliding off my head and leaving behind a rather ghastly strip of gray!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh thank you, Anglis! That's so kind of you to say. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I don't know what to think, but that was one great post! I LOL'ed at you getting your hair caught in the car door. So funny! I hope on Feb 1, 2048 you're here to tell us your dream was wrong!

    ReplyDelete
  22. LOL! Thanks Heather. But if I'm still around on Feb 1, 2048 - I'm gonna have to listen to my daughter sing, "I told you so!" Sheeesh! That child doesn't let ANYTHING go! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Maeve, why can’t you be both and what’s wrong with being both or either?
    BTW I must wear either my wide silver bracelet or three small silver bracelets on my right wrist. My rings, all silver except for my wedding band of gold, must be put on my fingers in a certain order. If I don’t do these two rituals I can guarantee it will be a bad day.
    As for dreams – that’s how I came to know my race of blood drinkers the Tarczals.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I agree, Paulette! I say we CAN be both OR either. I understand completely about your jewelry ritual. There's something calming about performing a task a certain way when preparing for the day. Your Tarczals sound intriguing. I think the very best stories often come from dreams. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yup Maeve. I can picture you now at the base of the tree. But do you live alone???
    Next I love your hair and I wish mine was thicker so I could grow it long again.
    And being superstitious myself I see no problem. If it works it works!!! Don't cut the hair!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. In my dream, where I'm a spry 87 years old, it seems that I am alone and the little dog looks to be one of Jasper's great great grandchildren. I don't know where hubby's gone too. If he was in his usual spot, he was snoozing in the recliner! LOL!

    And don't worry, I won't cut my hair. My parents always kept it sheared of above my ears and close to my head. I hated it! So, now that I'm a grown up 50 yr old, I'm going to grow it as long as the car doors allow!

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Whether superstitious or crazy, you are definitely a great tale-spinner!

    ReplyDelete
  28. OKay so now that you know you can thwart Death by not running out into the cold after your dog, right? ;) Maybe that's just a story idea you need to get down. Great story, though, Maeve!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Aww thanks, Heather! That's so nice of you to say.

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  30. LOL! I hadn't thought of THAT, Julianne. Unfortunately, as bad as my memory is NOW, I probably won't REMEMBER the dream when I'm 87!

    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  31. You are not crazy. I don't claim to be psychic and I don't have dreams, Maeve, but there are certain times I 'know' things (like that tumor's aren't cancerous or what sex a baby will be). I think certain people are just more open to the universe and all its mysteries.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow, Traci! I bet your friends flock to you whenever they're expecting so they can find out what color to use for the baby's room. I've decided folks like you and I are definitely the "lucky" ones. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm a believer, Maeve, and don't scoff at your dream at all. I am glad to know you are going to be around for that many more years - good for you - and looking good, too.

    Intuition is a wonderful gift to have. I've had it happen with me, but not through dreams. It's strong feelings for me and little signs. I have no idea about how long I'm going to be around driving my family crazy, but I intend to enjoy every moment of it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. That's the spirit, Paisley! I saw a great saying once that said, "I'm going to live long enough to become a childish nuisance to my children!" LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I think you're great, Maeve! I'm another dream believer. :-) And I love that you look great at 87, of course you will!
    ~Melissa Stark

    ReplyDelete
  36. Nope, not crazy at all. You have a great sense of humor and your post made me smile. I say if your rituals work for you then keeping going.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Melissa! Thanks so very much. I'm using that night-time moisturizer religiously so that I'll "live" up to the mature image in my dreams. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks Shelley! I'm not too sure I could ever change even if I wanted. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Maeve, my "old hippie" hair used to drive my stepdaughters berserk. I told them that a woman's hair is her crowning glory and I would cut it when God gave me a sign. One day we were getting ready to go out, the girls sitting on my bed and me at my vanity, preparing to blow dry my long, gray hair. I turned the dryer on. There was a loud POOF, a bang, a puff of smoke and most of the lights went out. A bare wire in the dryer blew out most of my circuits. I looked in the mirror and there my two little evil ones were rolling on the bed, arms around each other, laughing so hard it's a wonder they didn't burst, screaming, "It's the SIGN!!!" (Yeah, I got it cut...a little.)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh Miriam!!! ROFL!! I was afraid you were going to say your hair caught fire. I'm so glad it was just a blown fuse. Sounds like you've got a couple of rascals there. You're a very lucky woman.

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Please don't ever cut off your hair - it is beautiful.

    When I first saw your photo, I thought you looked like the twin of my late mother-in-law. She was a beautiful lady too and quite gifted with creative talents. Your resemblance is quite uncanny and one of the reasons I first felt a connection to you. Since reading your blog posts and comments, I know your beauty is not just on the outside, just like my lovely mother-in-law.

    LOVE your bracelet too. Where did you find it?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Do me a favor sis - in 2048 let the little snark freeze! and yes, you ARE crazy, but in the good way! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Great post. I am right with you, Maeve. First, let me say that I am glad to know the world won't really end in 2012. Second I think that if you believe something it is true, so don't cut your hair - losing your writer's voice would be sad. Also, who wouldn't want to wear that lovely jewelry?

    My superstition is based on a bad coincidence - or so my family tells me. I try never to say something negative, even in jest. I attempted to get out of chores once as a kid and said my rabbit was dead. When I finally went to feed it after my sister insisted - well - I was right. It crushed me and to this day I will not say anything seriously bad.

    Thanks for sharing. Crazy is a matter of opinion so if you want to be a little crazy then yes, if not,it's all good. :-D

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi LaVerne! Thank you so much for your kind comments. Your words warm my heart. And I fully intend to keep my hair long unless something unforeseen happens. You know how those evil car doors can be! ;-)

    Would you believe that I bought my lovely Celtic bracelet while on a cruise stop at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands? If you ever have the chance to go there, you can buy silver jewelry at wonderful prices.

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Now, now, Michael. You know I could never let my little "snark" freeze! Besides - who wants to live forever? There could be a wonderful new adventure waiting to be enjoyed. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Becca, you are so right! I'm sorry about your experience with your pet bunny. That must've been awful. I feel the same as you. For instance, I never pretend to be sick just to get out of something because I'm afraid that I'll end up fulfilling my own prophecy.

    I guess maybe we're all a little crazy - just at different levels. But wouldn't the world be a dull place if everyone was sane?

    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Maeve, you are not crazy! In fact, you are wise to accept your special gifts. If I explained all my beliefs, you might have me locked up. I really believe writers, because of their creative nature, are more attuned to possibilities.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I agree completely, Caroline! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi Maeve! For the record, you're not crazy - just quirky. Quirky is a compliment, without it, you would be like everyone else! :)

    You won an award, by the way! :) Go check it out! http://sycamoremeadows-myjourney.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  50. I agree that we have premonitions, awareness of other things out there and things we can't explain, which is why we turn to the power of the written word. It could be very simple (such as a few months ago at Medieval Times when I was looking at my four year old drinking a strawberry slushie and thinking, if he spills that, it will go all over my top and jeans. Less than a minute later, he did and it did) or my mom's refusal to enter certain houses that have a reputation of being haunted. Which is why I write paranormal!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks so much for the award, my friend!

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Oh no, Melissa! I can so relate to the "premonitions" - I just wish it was more controllable. Wouldn't that be grand?

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  53. I too wear alot of silver and amethyst and I too feel more focused and balanced whenever I have them on. Perhaps it's all in my head, but it does make me feel better and much more enlightened.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Your dream is enlightening and yet sad. You will live a really long and productive life until you die, but then your little puppy, who is young, dies with you?

    ReplyDelete
  55. I guess it's all in how you look at it, M.K. I'm not certain if the puppy is actually young or just a small dog like my Jasper. (chihuahua/rat terrier mix). I prefer to view it from the perspective that the two of us will be traveling to the next adventure together so neither of us will be left behind to mourn the loss of the other.

    :-)

    ReplyDelete