Superstitious Are You? Happy Friday The 13th!

This is only the 2nd time this has happened this year and I think the timing couldn't be better! I love Friday the 13th! My Mom was born on Friday October 13th many moons ago and so the #13 was always deemed lucky in my house. And if the 13th fell on Friday, that made it even more special! My mom always plays the #13 in the lotto (she has won twice), my sister's # in soccer was always 13. Our address started with the #13 and my mom always claimed that was a good sign. And now tonight, the Idaho Lottery Mega Millions Jackpot is up to $400 Million! My mom has left me at least 13 messages reminding me to pick up a Mega Millions Ticket claiming it will be a very lucky night for us since the drawing falls on Friday the 13th. I personally believe I am going to win the lotto sometime in my life and play Mega Millions twice a week no matter what, so nothing was going to stop me from getting my tickets! I might have been slowed down by a sugar cookie or  two or three :)

Not everyone holds my believe that Friday the 13th is a lucky day. I would say very few think that. According to MSN, "There are different theories on how Friday the 13th came to be, but the prevailing one is linked to The Last Supper. Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th person to arrive at dinner, making 13 an unlucky number on any day of the week. Add to that the fact that Jesus died on a Friday, and Friday the 13th gets its bad rap.
The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina estimates that 17 to 21 million people in the U.S. have a diagnosable phobia of Friday the 13th. The illness is called friggatriskaidekaphobia.
Part of the reason the number 13 is considered so treacherous, is simply because it’s right after 12. Numerologists consider 12 a “complete” number: 12 months complete a year, 12 signs complete the zodiac and 12 inches complete a foot. Another ominous use of the number 13? The hangman's noose traditionally contained 13 coils. The condemned also had to walk up 13 steps to the gallows.
You may have noticed that most buildings leave out the 13th floor, but did you know that planes often lack a 13th row and some hotels eliminate a Room 13? In Florence, the house between 12 and 14 is actually addressed as 12 and a half."

I will admit I stop when I see a black cat (that could be because I am not a fan of cats in general). I don't walk under ladders, I don't open umbrellas inside. As I am writing this, I realized I am a very superstitious person. I always have a 4 leaf clover with me. I have a horseshoe over my garage. I basically will do anything to keep the Luck of the Irish with me at all times! Do you carry a rabbit's foot? Do you say Bless You? Do you think a broken mirror means seven years of bad luck? What are you superstitious about?

Happy Friday the 13th!! ~Kate McGwire