Snow Day Superstitions

Growing up on Long Island, I failed to realize the degree of control I had over the weather. For example, was everyone else aware that if you slept in your pajamas inside out, that you increased the likelihood of a Snow Day by 83%? Others insist that the odds get even better if the pajamas are inside out and backwards!

Then there’s this business about the spoon.

My kids say you have to sleep with a frozen spoon under your pillow. Others contend that a room-temperature spoon is equally effective. Still others claim that a wooden spoon works well, but I find that unlikely.

So, people, which is it?

I’ve heard folks argue that you should flush ice cubes down the toilet. Again, I’m dubious — how could THAT effect the weather?! If students are high school age, it’s been recommended that they sleep with their heads at the foot of their beds and put their planner books in the freezer, which makes intuitive sense.

I’ve heard of some tribes — the Fishmans down the block — performing a Snow Day Dance. But come on, that’s ridiculous. Some people are just looking for any old excuse to cut the rug.

Do you know any other tricks?

As you might have guessed, we’ve got a full house. Unfortunately, it’s an Ice Day and miserable outside. No snow forts or sledding today. But we are having hot oatmeal!

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In other news, I’m excited about my upcoming interview with Karen Terlecky and Bill Prosser, the good folks behind the Literate Lives blog. It should be up in time for Monday morning coffee. No, they didn’t interview me; it was the other way around. And much better that way. As Bill confessed to me:

I’ll be honest, I couldn’t figure out why you wanted to interview us. When I told my awesome aid about it, her immediate response was, “Why!?” It’s nice when your friends keep you grounded and humble.

As far as the “why” of it: Bill is a librarian, Karen is a 5th grade teacher. They blog about books. Both are passionate, insightful lovers of children’s literature. They are readers; they are connectors. And as such, they are a vital part of this community we share, bound together by books, and in many respects more important than editors or authors. It all begins with readers. Where would we be without them?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

2 comments

  1. Jen Robinson says:

    I didn’t have any superstitions about snow days. But you wouldn’t believe the craziness that went on in my house during the 2004 ALCS and World Series. The couches had to be a certain way. There were certain foods and beverages that had to be consumed, clothes that had to be worn, etc. A signed ball by someone whose name we no longer speak that had to be shaken before each at bat – you get the idea. And I’m guessing, actually, that it would have made complete sense to you.

    Good luck with the snow days!

  2. Jimmy says:

    That’s an excellent guess, Jen, and you are right. But it’s different with sports . . . because that stuff actually WORKS.

    I loved that 2004 ALCS, especially as chronicled by Bill Simmons in his daily blog. He just nailed it, I thought, especially in connection with his father. As a matter of policy, I’ve rooted against the Yankees since the gluttony of the late 90’s. I was actually happy for them in 1996, because I liked many players on that team and it had been a while. But it got a little excessive.

    One question: Voldemort signed your baseball?

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