There are cultures where it is the convention to talk of your "miserable house" , "ugly, ill favoured wife" or "unsuccessful and untalented husband" so that you don't incur the wrath of whichever spiritual omnipotence (a.k.a. God) that you worship. This may have been an unfortunate misunderstanding of the expression "The Lord thy God is a Jealous God".
As an extension of this, we will sometimes avoid making remarks that might sound pretty crass if things go badly "I haven't had a puncture in months" "I never hurt myself badly if I fall off my bike" "I feel invincible today" or "I know, this is all going SO well, let's invade Russia".
Tempting fate, giving a hostage to fortune, speaking too soon.
I did that today. Chatting to Ron Fisher I said "back in the 1980s we used to be pretty worried by very strong wind, but these days it never crosses my mind to (say) cancel a ride because of a brisk breeze". About half an hour later, poor Dawn D'Amarco was blown sideways, and fell head first into a deep ditch. Sorry Dawn.
The remainder of the ride was conducted slowly and with caution. We had tea at the Lakeside Café at Onehouse (that may not be the correct name, but it IS a Café, and it IS by a Lake. The sun was now out, and still had enough warmth for us to spread ourselves around outside. There was a definite French feel to the set up. French people a passionate about fishing (among many other fields of endeavour) and Cafés by fishing lakes are frequently encountered, and they tend to be basic. If I say that this one was basic, I mean them no harm. It was friendly and informal in a manner that lacked any hint of self consciousness. And the sun was shining, which always helps. Under normal circumstances I would consider it too close to home for a 'proper' tea-stop. On this day it was just what was needed.
SJH
As an extension of this, we will sometimes avoid making remarks that might sound pretty crass if things go badly "I haven't had a puncture in months" "I never hurt myself badly if I fall off my bike" "I feel invincible today" or "I know, this is all going SO well, let's invade Russia".
Tempting fate, giving a hostage to fortune, speaking too soon.
I did that today. Chatting to Ron Fisher I said "back in the 1980s we used to be pretty worried by very strong wind, but these days it never crosses my mind to (say) cancel a ride because of a brisk breeze". About half an hour later, poor Dawn D'Amarco was blown sideways, and fell head first into a deep ditch. Sorry Dawn.
The remainder of the ride was conducted slowly and with caution. We had tea at the Lakeside Café at Onehouse (that may not be the correct name, but it IS a Café, and it IS by a Lake. The sun was now out, and still had enough warmth for us to spread ourselves around outside. There was a definite French feel to the set up. French people a passionate about fishing (among many other fields of endeavour) and Cafés by fishing lakes are frequently encountered, and they tend to be basic. If I say that this one was basic, I mean them no harm. It was friendly and informal in a manner that lacked any hint of self consciousness. And the sun was shining, which always helps. Under normal circumstances I would consider it too close to home for a 'proper' tea-stop. On this day it was just what was needed.
SJH
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