The Gillian Roberts are true treasures! I'm loving the ability to snatch up books I missed the first time around.

LOL, I love the dust bunny books and hadn't thought about them not harming me if I fall asleep. Hope you have time to smell the roses and get your energy back.

what an amazing selection, as always! I'm amazed at how you turn up so many new-to-me books. And how you condense them so beautifully... Off to open up my purse...

oh cool, I wasn't aware of the new Charlaine series. I just looked it up. For those who want to find it, it's the Gunnie Rose series. Thanks!

argh, I may lose all my readers should I dare to publish... G

I do love the connections to history and that you can recall all these details. Id forgotten that about the pins!

Yes, I think Id put those catch phrases under the magic umbrella as well. Youre wishing away the evil! I can remember when people carried a rabbits foot for good luck, until everyone realized it wasnt very good luck for the poor rabbits!

I am so glad to hear you're weathering this storm while safe and warm! It's an awful time to be without electricity. I think the evil eye is meant to chase off bad luck. We got ours in Greece. Not sure where they can be bought here but sounds like Texas may need a few!

yes, that's where I picked up my evil eye! Glad to know it works.

yes, I've heard the penny, good luck part. I like the tails addition.

Keep smiling and take care!

I think my gardening operates much the same as meditation, but after a year of this...it's just hard. And as you know, I write the magic books because I do believe the world possesses energies that science isn't ready to accept. And when they get into Quantum theory... we get quite lost.

Wow, Binnie, I always knew you were special but it sound as if you have a Finder's magic!

I should look into the sign of the cross. I know what it means to the church, but is this another instance when they borrowed from the pagans and gave the sign a Christian meaning? I've not heard of pressing thumbs for luck, but I prefer the wards for good than the ones against evil. And yeah, we cross our fingers behind our back when we lie, too. Apparently there is powerful magic in fingers!

the bottle trees always fascinated me. At one point, they were blue milk of magnesia bottles. I think these days, it just tends to be fun.

or a pedantic nature!

Oh I love that, especially since I tend to knock on the block of wood that's my head.

You are so right, Sue, about the magic of the world we live in. And you are not mundane! Keeping people from hurting themselves is your particular magic.

how very interesting about finger crossing! People are so fascinating that there's never any end to the fresh quirks I can steal for my characters.

and now I must research what they might have done to witches back in the day if they knocked on wood!

LOL, Jo, you win! Poetic koi top Mozart any day. And who needs a duke if we can chat with the Fae!

with artificial trees, you can leave them lit for as long as it makes you happy! I totally get where youre coming from.

I love the idea of carrying Christmas through Ash Wednesday (although Puritan Americans would disapprove) but Im trying to imagine what decorations keep in an Australian summer!

good thought for next year!