TIDBITS 01/23/05

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The House on the Finger

Oh ... the tales that abound when the dizzying subject of
matrimony enters the mind of man. Add to these flights
of fantasy the jeweler's incredible touch ... and you truly
have a bedtime story with which to tuck the kiddies in at
night. Move over Mary Poppins. Move over Lon Chaney.
And listen. Sh. You hear it? That light melody? That tinkling
among the stars? Yes. It's the Wedding March. Here comes
the bride ....

First and foremost among the cardinal rules that must be
obeyed is: Marry during a snowstorm. This is considered
lucky. For those of you living in the northeast ... this is your
weekend. Make the most of it. However ... be sure that his
name does not begin with the same initial as yours ... else the
luck of the snowstorm will go down the tubes and you will be
fated with ill luck forevermore.

You ever hear of "bundling"? It's an old and quaint tradition.
In days of yore (17th century or so) in England, Scotland, Ireland,
Holland, Norway and more ... a couple about to be wed were
encouraged to spend the night together in bed. But wait wait ... you
of lascivious bents. T'warn't nearly as delightful as might first
meet the ear. The couple was required to wear all their clothing.
And they were separated by layers of bedding. The girl laid on
the sheet ... the boy between sheet and cover. No touchies. Near
the bed ... a pair of iron tongs and an iron vessel. I know I know.
This conjures up horrific images. Actually ... the purpose was this.
Should he make undo advances in the dark of night ... she was to pick
up the tongs and bang the kettle mightily ... sounding the alarm and
ensuring his passions would cool. Ain't nuthin' like a pair of iron
tongs and an iron vessel near your bedside to scare the bejeebers out
of a man. Shades of that lady Bobbitt come prancing into the dark
recesses of my mind.

There are endless traditions relating to the union of man to woman.
And there are endless pieces of jewelry made to symbolize these
unions. And lest there are thems amongst you wot thinks the traditions
are stranger than the pieces of jewelry ... I am here to set you all
on the corrected course.

There was once a jeweler who thought it might be a great idea to put
a synagogue on a ring. Don't ask me why. Inside the ring are inscribed
the words: Mazel Tov (Good Luck). It's actually quite a striking piece
.... this Jewish Wedding Band. Though I must say ... I wouldn't want
the woman wearing it getting angry with me and trying to back-hand me
while wearing it.

For those of you who are new to this thing called
Tidbits...may I direct you to my home page at www.tyler-adam.com where
you will scroll down the left side menu till you get to the area that
says Tidbits Graphics ... and then click on the link that says: House
.... in order to view a golden synagogue on a wide banded ring.

And there ya have it.
That's it for this week folks.
Catch you all next week.
Benjamin Mark

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