“Step on a crack, break your mama’s back.”
I believed that childhood superstition, and I didn’t want to cause pain to my mother, so I made every effort to avoid stepping on the sidewalk cracks. Mom still had back pain. I blame it on my siblings.
That wasn’t the only superstition I had — or maybe still have. I don’t walk under ladders, I am extra careful to not break a mirror, and I don’t open umbrellas indoors. Call it whatever you want; I call it better safe than sorry.
But, for whatever reason, I never worried about a few other superstitions. I liked to play with black cats. I rarely waited an hour after I ate to go swimming. I frequently cracked my knuckles. And I crossed my eyes for minutes on end, and they never stayed that way.
On the positive side, I still have an old horseshoe, and I make sure it is hung with the open part facing up. I also have a 40-year-old four-leaf clover pin that I am convinced still has some magic in it. And I can’t seem to part with a small Hawaiian good luck statue a friend gave me as a child.
Meanwhile, I was at an industry conference a few weeks ago and was having coffee with a Floridian friend. He noticed I stirred my coffee with a fork and pointed out how that was bad luck. I told him I never heard that one before, but now I can’t get that darn superstition out of my brain. I never realized how often I used a fork to stir the creamer in my coffee. I should say how often I used to use a fork to stir the creamer in my coffee. Seriously, I now set the fork aside and seek out a spoon. At least most of the time. When I do use a fork, my back hurts. Could there be a connection? Or are my kids stepping on the line to break their daddy’s spine?
I better polish up that horseshoe.
How about you? What superstitions stick with you? Send me a note and let me know.
Have a wonderful Wednesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here. |
|
|
| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | Join the more than 7,000 who have already cast their votes in the latest CITYVIEW'S Best Of Des Moines readers' poll — the metro's original and largest poll of its kind.
Winners are announced in the February issue of CITYVIEW! | | | Vote Now |
|
|
Your Clear Mortgage forecast
Cooler weather has moved in behind last night's rain. A cold front brings even chillier air and breezy conditions Thursday into Saturday.
For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Carrie at carrie.mortgage. |
|
|
| Featured home for sale | | | |
$780,000
13171 Forest Circle
Clive, IA 50325
Located at the end of a cul-de-sac, on a half-acre private wooded lot, in the prestigious Country Club neighborhood, is this updated 4 BR, 4 bath, 4, 165 SF two story. The first floor has a formal dining room, office, solarium which makes another office, family room with a fireplace, open to the kitchen, which was remodeled in 2014 with white cabinets; sunroom and half bath.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
|
|
Nation's Restaurant News wrote an in depth obituary for Boston Market. A former CEO blamed inflation and COVID for the once high flying chain and stock, but most former employees laid the blame on owner greed.
That same magazine praised Tupelo Honey (665 Grand Ave., Des Moines) for being at the head of the pack in employee benefits. Not so coincidentally TH is also the leader in retaining managers and hourly workers.
Fox Business reported that Olive Garden is all-in on permanent promotions and no longer interested in short term ones. The endless salad and bread sticks are here to stay for OG but they won't be hitting the ad markets with one month specials like many of their competitors.
Some short term specials now include: $7.99 carryout one topping pizza at Domino's; $20 steak & lobster dinners on Wednesdays at Red Lobster; free pie on Wednesdays with dinner or breakfast at Village Inns.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
|
|
FROM KCCI: Iowa promises services to kids with severe mental and behavioral needs after lawsuit cites failures
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s health agency will take steps to develop home and community-based services for children with severe mental and behavioral needs as part of an initial agreement with civil rights groups that filed a class action lawsuit.... READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: 1 killed in shooting on I-80 near Grinnell, suspect arrested
POWESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa — One person was killed in a shooting along I-80 near Grinnell Tuesday morning. The Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations responded to a report of a shooting at around 8:25 a.m. along the westbound lanes of I-80 near the 188 mile marker, just east of the Grinnell exit. ... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Starts Right Here shooting trial: Jury selected, opening statements begin Wednesday
The prosecution and defense spent the whole day questioning a pool of 69 jurors to finalize who they want to determine Bravon Tukes' verdict ...READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
|
|
| Birthdays and notables! | | | These celebrities were born on this date: Susan Sarandon, Alicia Silverstone, Liev Schreiber, Christoph Waltz, Dakota Johnson, Melissa Benois, Rachael Leigh Cook, Bill Fagerbakke, Derrick Rose, Chris Lowe, Lil Mama
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What can you do if you have trouble finding a singing partner? BUY A DUET YOURSELF KIT! - Gail Tomlinson. Or Go solo! Kris Laurson
Today's riddle
What do you call a group of alligators that get together to sing parody songs?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
To advertise in this daily newsletter, contact Jolene Goodman at jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com, or call 515-953-4822 ext. 319.
©Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., all rights reserved.
www.biggreenumbrellamedia.com. Add webmaster@dmcityview.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here to get it delivered to your inbox for FREE! |
|
|
This email was sent to:
email@example.com
Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc.
8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131
|
|
|
|
