It's Friday the 13th Again!

Which of course, intrigues me. Also, Calvin H. is 9 months old. Dear Lord, how time flies!

Here's hoping you have Good Luck today, as 13 is actually a lucky number, according to numerologists. Don't belive the Urban Legends! Though they are fun, yes?
Some fun '13' trivia:

According to Smithsonian Magazine "fear of the number 13 costs Americans a billion dollars per year in absenteeism, train and plane cancellations, and reduced commerce on the 13th of the month."

Fear of Friday the 13th dates back to Nordic Mythology. Many of their thirteenth Gods met with violent deaths, such as Loki, the trickster.

Ancient Romans regarded the number 13 as a symbol of death, destruction and misfortune.

Lizzy Borden uttered a total of 13 words at her trial.

There were 13 original colonies.

A witches' coven consists of 13 members.

Tarot Card number 13 is the Death Card, depicting the Grim Reaper (although it is read as transition or change and not literal death).

Hotels rarely have a room number 13. Usually it is called 12a or 14. It's the same with floors of buildings and the elevators without a number 13 button. Highways sometimes will skip exit 13 altogether also.

There are 13 steps leading to the gallows.

13 knots in a hangman's noose.

13 feet which the guillotine blade falls.

The driver of Princess Diana's vehicle hit pillar number 13 at Place de l'Alma when she was killed in Paris, France.

Thirteen people, Christ and his 12 disciples, were in attendance at the last supper. This is where the Christian belief ties in, making Friday a believed unlucky day, as the crucifixtion occurred on a Friday.

Certain ocean liners will be held in dock until after midnight to appease passengers' fears on Friday the 13th.

A British study concluded that even though there were less cars on the road on Friday the 13th (as compared with other Fridays) more accidents were reported.

Trisadekaphobia is the technical name for fear of Friday the 13th.

The Apollo 13 launch in 1970, the 13th mission launched from pad #39 (13 x 3), mission was aborted, after an explosion occurred in the fuel cell of their service module. The rocket had left the launcing pad at 13:13 CST and the date was April 13th.

Epluribus Unum has 13 letters.

The US Seal has 13 stars, bars, and feathers in the eagle's tail; 13 bars in one claw, 13 olive branches in the other.

A "quatrorzieme" is a professional 14th guest hired by the French who had only 13 guests in attendance for dinner, who felt that was unlucky.

A baker's dozen consists of 13 for a reason! So the story goes: A witch near Albany, New York demanded 13 items every time she came in to a particular bakery, and one day the old baker could not afford her extra biscuit. She sneered some strange words at the man, and he suffered terrible luck from then on, until he brought her another 13 rolls. After that life was once again easy for the baker and word spread around town. The custom is still sometimes practiced today.


Have a great day, and a great weekend!