My Superstition of Black Cats

A cat as black

As blackest coal

Is out upon

His midnight stroll,

His steps are soft,

His walk is slow,

His eyes are gold,

They flash and glow.

And so I run

And so I duck,

I do not need

His black-cat luck.

~Author Unknown

Are you superstitious?  I am, just a bit.  It's only for certain things, though.  But, the main one is black cats crossing my path.  Call it coincidence if you want, but I have found that any time that a black cat crosses my path, something bad happens.  While I can't recall the specifics, because it has been awhile since it has happened, it happened enough for me to take note of it. 

What led me to this post?, you say.  I was driving back from the gym tonight (yes, I'm still going), and I got right to where you turn onto the road that I live on.  A black cat darted right across in front of me.  In a split second I thought, "What am I gonna do?  Chance it?  Or, turn around and go the other way?"  I immediately stopped, backed up, and turned around in someone's driveway, and went around the block.  I just didn't feel like taking a chance.  After all, Justin is waiting to see if he got the UPS job, and Chelsea will be having that baby this month.  Better to let all that be than to risk having a black cat cross my path.  Or, does it still count if I am ON that path and the black cat crosses it?  Even if I turn around, did it not cross my path?!  Okay, I think I've lost my mind.  I am thinking about this WAAAAYYY to much!  Is it bad to admit that I have stopped and turned around before when a black cat crossed my path?  Because I have.  This was not the first time.  I know that you probably think that I am off my rocker.  Maybe I am.  I have even looked closely at the cat to see if it had any other colors on it...or if it was just dark grey.  Because, you know, the superstition only applies to totally black cats...at least where I'm concerned. 

I looked for the top 10 list of superstitions, and I found such a list out of Britain.  I would go as far to say that the same would apply to the U.S.  I've also checked the ones that apply to me.

1. Breaking a mirror √

2. Walking under a ladder  √

3. Friday 13th  √

4. Opening an umbrella indoors  √

5. A black cat crossing your path  √ √

6. The sight of a single magpie

7. Spilling salt

8. Placing shoes on the table or on the bed

9. Treading on cracks in the pavement

10. Walking over three drains

What are you superstitious about?