There's the Rub

Maybe it’s not enough for people to behold the magnificence of a bronze statue.  They seem to want to touch it, too. 

We came upon this beauty on the campus of Johns Hopkins University and obviously she’s been groped over the years, presumably in the name of good luck.

I wondered where the tradition of rubbing statues began.  All over the world big toes, boots, noses, rear ends, bellies, and various other body parts have all been rubbed since ancient times.  All in the name of faith, luck, getting an A, warding off parking tickets, and the promise of wealth and prosperity.

This 5 star bronze cross on the Charles Bridge in Prague is rubbed to honor a loyal priest who put God over the king by refusing to divulge the confessions of Queen Sophia.  Legend has it that five stars appeared when he was thrown off the bridge and hit the water.  When you put your hand on the stars, you send someone a wish. 

It’s almost a magnetic pull to rub a statue.  I never did find a solid reason why the tradition started. Maybe we just want to put our own “touch” on a brilliant work of art or we’re hoping that something good will rub off on us.

Pocono Dogs

Whenever we drove the back ways to get to Lake Wallenpaupak, we’d pass by a farm with three dog statues out front. For years we looked forward to seeing the dogs, as they were always dressed for some occasion. We imaged a sweet old lady inside who fussed to find just the right 4^th of July hats for her precious pups. Year after year, we’d guess at what color scarves or sunglasses the dogs would be sporting just before we reached the turn in the road. It became a part of our three-hour drive and the kids loved the mystique of the dogs.

Then, the unthinkable happened.  The dogs were unadorned one day as we turned the corner of the country road.  For the next several years, we conjectured that the old woman passed away and, with her, the custom of dressing the dogs.  We mourned a little every time we saw the plain pooches out front.

Then a few weeks back - low and behold - they’re back.  Hmmm…maybe the sweet old lady recovered from a long illness, or someone new is carrying on the tradition. Whatever the case, thanks for making us smile.  In one little corner of the world, sanity is restored.