Dragons are creatures that are considered mythical, until you run into one. It is contrived that as the Chinese dragon walked South it began to lose toes; hence Chinese Dragons have 5 toes, Korean dragons 4 toes and Japanese dragons 3 toes. Also, as the Dragon migrates north, it gains toes.

In the old days it was usual to make offerings to dragons at lakes and rivers. Poorer people appealed to the dragon's appetites and offered various foods, including lotus flowers and roasted swallows, of which dragons are said to be inordinately fond. So much so that people were warned against venturing out on the waves after eating roasted swallows because the dragon might smell it, come to the surface for its snack and then grow angry at having been cheated.

Most dragons in Chinese art are shown with four toes and only the Emperor was entitled to five on his insignia. Anyone else who presumed to display a five-toed dragon without authorization met with swift retribution. As a result anyone carrying a travel warrant sealed with the Emperor's five-toed dragon could travel safely from one end of the country to the other and expect hospitality all the way.

In the old days you could lose your head for the unauthorized use of a five toed dragon. As a kid, I believed you went to hell, or spent a long time in hotel Purgatory, if you ate meat on Friday.

While working in my garden this morning, my garden neighbor offered an interesting premise on the fish on Friday tradition. It was Sunday, but neither of us had been to church.

He speculated that fishermen were worried about the economic impact of reduced activity as the faithful observed the Sabbath. The Jewish Sabbath is a weekly day of rest observed from sundown on Friday until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night. A lot of fish would spoil on the docks unless fish was brought into the religious observance.

There is no law, nor do I know of any law in the past, that Catholics must eat fish on Friday or anytime. Over the centuries custom had dictated that Catholics abstain from meat (the flesh of warm-blooded animals) on certain days (chiefly Friday). As a kid I was terrified of eating meat on Friday. My uncle, who was a missionary priest, cured me of that fear. It was a Friday. He was visiting his brothers while on a short leave from his post in South America. The coals were hot and he was throwing some hot dogs on the grill. I hesitantly asked him how we could eat the meat. This was well before the introduction of tofu dogs. His answer was that God had much more important things to worry about than three brothers celebrating a family reunion on a hot summer day.

You may also enjoy reading: Don't wait for the muse. She has a lousy work ethic.

Also, may I recommend for your enjoyment: Man Of Steel. Man in tights. Roaming the planet, looking for fights.

I am by no means ready to die! So, with that fact established, let's begin at the beginning: See links for all the Genesis posts to date: Genesis Through My Eyes

In my not too distant past, if I were to see a street person, a bum, sleeping in a door front or on a park bench, I would have kept my distance and perhaps shrugged my shoulders.: He had the "smarts" to ask someone where to go, I didn't

Waldo County, situated in mid-coast Maine along scenic Penobscot Bay, has genuine New England character evidenced by working port towns and quaint rural villages. Visitors are awed by the area's unspoiled beauty. From striking coastal views to sweeping mountain vistas, dramatic natural settings abound. In addition great care has been taken to preserve and refurbish numerous historic landmarks, homes and buildings. Consequently, the Maine of yesteryear is still found here.

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