Friday the 13^th

  By the time this article goes to press, we will have survived another “ Friday the 13^th”. I was not particularly anxious about the date considering it was beautiful day in May and I was not working. The roots of the superstition that the number 13 is unlucky trace to Norse mythology. The story goes that 12 gods were having a dinner party in Valhalla. The “trickster” god, Loki, was not invited but crashed the party. Murder and madness ensued. The earth became dark (i.e. the long winter in Norway) and the number 13 came to be considered unlucky.

    The superstition was “Americanized” in the 20^th century to be a Friday, that falls on the 13^th day of the month. A popular novel published in 1907 by T.W. Lawson entitled, “Friday the Thirteenth”, tied the date to financial ruin in a Wall Street panic occurring on that date. Seems prescient to what actually occurred in October 1929.

  On a more positive note, I am pleased to report the successful delivery of our prepared Matter box snack packs to The Link’s office in Apple Valley (Grace Lutheran Church). They were pleased to receive them and anticipate more in the future. The Link is an organization founded in 1991 that provides drop-in services for youth, often homeless youth, in the Twin Cities. For more information on the Link, go to: thelinkmn.org.

 Good Luck.

DEM

President David announced we will be meeting at St. Anne's Episcopal Church at least through August 2022.  The church is located at 2035 Charlton Road, Sunfish Lake. We will have an assortment of pastries available, as well as coffee. We have wonderful speakers so please plan on attending!  We need to mask up for now!