“Men are probably nearer the central truth in their superstitions than in their science.”
Gracie has been out all morning, a sure sign of a nice day, and she’s right. The sun is shining and the sky is blue, a deep blue. It’s a little chilly still but warmer than it’s been. I’ve been out on the deck a couple of times just to survey the world and watch Gracie romp through the yard. When I was out, I noticed fill the bird feeders must be put on my to-do list.
Today is Friday the 13th. I have never been superstitious so it’s just another date for me, but I admit I never walk under ladders. That, however, has more to do with the possibility of paint falling on me than anything else. I don’t think I have any phobias either. Spiders eat insects so they’re okay in my book. Bats do the same thing, and I even have a bat house in my yard. I don’t mind mice which are well and lively, but I’m not big on mice which seem to be close to their heavenly rewards. I call my friend Tony for those. I’ve never thrown salt over my shoulder, have broken a few mirrors in my day and have a black cat named Maddie who crosses my path constantly. I may be tempting the fates to some, but I don’t need to clutter my mind with a variety of fears. I remember being afraid of the atomic bomb, a fear caused by all those duck and cover practices, but that was a long time ago.
I went looking and found some very interesting and some very strange phobias. Rhytiphobia is the fear of getting wrinkles. If I had that one, it would have reared its head a long time ago. My face has character is the way I describe it. Wrinkles have nothing to do with it. Clinophobia is the fear of going to bed. From the number of naps I’ve enjoyed over the years and continue to enjoy, I know I don’t have that one. My favorite phobia is zemmiphobia or a fear of the Great Mole Rat. That one, I suspect, is pretty uncommon.
In case you have a burning desire to know, the fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia. Now go walk under a ladder, spill some salt, open your umbrella inside the house and enjoy the day!
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: friday 13th, friggatriskaidekaphobia, Luck, Phobia, zemmiphobia
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May 13, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Hi Kat,
All small children have clinophobia.
Lovely day up here too. I thought I saw a Monarch Butterfly in the back yard but it was an Eastern Comma. Or maybe it was a Question Mark. I couldn’t see the punctuation mark but it was one of those. Yesterday, I came across a patch of what may be stinging nettles. Those butterflies eat nettles. Coincidence? I think not.
May 13, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Hi Caryn,
I always hated to go to bed figuring I was going to miss something great.
A few weeks ago I saw a wonderful slide presentation by the local Audubon sanctuary about their butterfly garden and how to identify ones on the Cape. I never realized how many live here and how wonderfully beautiful they are.
May 13, 2011 at 12:57 pm
I have had some strange phobias when I lived in the big city, but they all disappeared when I moved out here 🙂 Even the fear of spiders just vanished just because they eat a lot of insects and that I love 🙂 🙂 🙂 But I don´t think I´ve ever been afraid of the big mole rat 🙂
Some sun, some rain and cooler today. I usually never complains about heat waves but I am sure glad that this early one is over now. I don´t think I´ve ever have experienced over 85F this early in the year before.
Have a great day now!
Christer.
May 13, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Christer,
I can’t imagine many people are afraid of the big mole rat. It is really ugly.
I think it was a nice day today, all day, though once the sun goes down, it gets cold.
May 13, 2011 at 5:09 pm
I don’t believe in those phobias either but I know habits can trap the way you drive defensively or take a back street to avoid the highway. That’s about it.
May 13, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Z&Me,
I figure those habits are borne out of necessity more than anything else. I know which lane moves the fastest during rush hour so I use it.
May 14, 2011 at 8:59 am
dearest kat
so glad to hear you are as brave as i always knew you were! i looked through the list and though i know i am afraid of somethings i cannot seem to pinpoint them today. this was my favorite: Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia- Fear of long words. “i am afraid of long words and i can’t even say the name of it because it is too long!” HAHAHAH
xoxoxoxoxoox
May 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Splendid,
I’ve missed you. Glad you’ve dropped by to visit.
Whoever thought up the name Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia had to have a great sense of humor!
I would have guessed it meant a fear of hippos.
May 15, 2011 at 12:14 am
ME TOO! oh i am always dropping by, just going through a quiet time, i so enjoy readfing you and all the coffee groupies!!!
XOXOXOXOOXOXOXO to all!