My diary - May 21-23, 1972
- Susan Fisch Good
- Jul 19, 2024
- 2 min read
May 21,1972 Sun.
Dear Diary:
We went to mass & then the super. Last week I bought mom to bottles of nail polish for her birthday. Lets see I read a few stories from Alfred Hitcock magazines. I studied all afternoon on Math. I started from chapter one. I watched T.V. Oh! We ate a kings [ate like kings] today. Stuffed pork chops, baked potatoes with sour cream, green jello with carrots & nuts, & chocolate vanilla & banana pie Yum! I studied to 10:30. Washed my hair.
BYE!!
Note: Today Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine is published six times a year digitally. It is considered one of the oldest and most influential short mystery and crime fiction magazines. I love mysteries and the scary parts don’t seem as frightening when written.
Mom loved cooking special meals on Sundays. Her specialty was desserts, especially pies and cookies. At Christmas, she baked up a storm and shared them as gifts. Our house always smelled good during the holidays.
May 22, 1972 Mon.
Dear Diary:
I could get up at 8:00 today since my math test is 2 half. I went to school at 9:00. My math test was at 10:30. Sat in the library for 45 min. Math test wasnt so hard. I think I got the highest grade a 76. My good-luck charms work. I read newspapers. Talked to Missy & Simmon. I studied for Typing by reviewing all the pages of book. Watched T.V. Studied.
BYE!!
Note: What my good-luck charms were I have no clue, probably a lucky coin or a special ring. They boosted my self-confidence allowing me to relax and demonstrate what I learned in class and by studying. There are many superstitions I learned growing up in Latin America and traveling. Some of my favorites are when a green grasshopper or a butterfly lands on you it will bring you good luck. When sweeping the floor never sweep your feet or you will never marry. When you want someone to leave, turn your broom upside down. I’ve collected many of these over the years; they are fun to read and I wonder how people came up with the ideas. I’d love to hear any cool superstitions you know.
Clarification: I meant 2nd half when I wrote 2 half.
May 23, 1972 Tues.
Dear Diary:
I got to sleep till 8:30 this morning!! I got to school about 15 to 10 just in time for recess. I spent the recess up in typing room with Chiu & Starlene. The typing test wasn’t to hard but I sure I managed to flunk it. Well I’m finally out of school!!! Hurrah! I read & finished a Alfred Hitchock book. I watched T.V. Novelas are good!!! Wrote a letter to Anita & plan to write one to Grandma & Grandpa.
BYE!
Note: This has been a great week. I got to visit Missy and catch up with old friends. I never read ahead in the diary concentrating only on the subject three days. Through this blog, I made contact with Anita and spoke to her last Friday. It was wonderful to hear her voice! This Wednesday, I got to have dinner with her brother Ed. Serendipity!
In L.A., superstitions weren't much of a topic amongst our peers, but amongst the various maids and cooks we had, there were some whoppers. In C.R. our housekeeper was an elderly bilingual Jamaican woman who entertained us with Jamaican superstitions, but in Bogotá we had 2 young "campesinas" (country girls), and there were a few simple tasks they would just refuse to do, citing some odd superstition. And they were afraid of machinery. We had bought, at great expense, a locally made wringer washing machine so they wouldn't have to use the "pila" (wash basin), but they were deathly afraid of it.
We actually learned a great deal about local customs from them, as by now, we had learned enough…
This is one my mom taught us and always said:
“Bread and butter” — If two people are walking together, they absolutely should not split up and walk around an obstacle like a pole or another person. “Splitting the pole” is thought to give you bad luck. If you do split the pole, just say “bread and butter” to reverse it.
Susan- Love the superstition about not sweeping your feet!
As a teenager I always followed this superstition: If you are holding hands with someone you NEVER split a stair rail and have each person walk on opposite sides. If you do this, you and your partner will grow apart and break-up. 🙃
-Amy I.
Susie that is the best picture of you and Missy!
Had not heard of the superstitions you listed... My lucky charm for tests at ANS was wearing certain dresses for test days. I remember, if you spilled salt, you had to take a pinch of salt and throw it over each shoulder or you would have bad luck. Another was not stepping on a crack or you would break your mother's back, but think that was an American superstition, same as not walking under a ladder. If others from Mexico or Nicaragua tune in I will update.
Your including in your diary the most basic of actions as if washing your hair was an notable event, cracks me up😂 …
I have heard of some superstitions like the broom and butterfly. I can’t think of any others I heard growing up. My Mom scolded us if we crossed our eyes. She said they would get stuck! I don’t know why that bothered her so much; so of course my brothers and I crossed our eyes all the time to be funny!
Glad you are connecting to old friends. It is great to hear from them. My sophomore college roommate and I talk on the phone. She and I got along great.
Thank you for sharing!
MJ