Magic Beans

Have you ever been out shopping and had something unusual catch your eye? You stop and look at it, and while you may be intrigued by it, you aren't certain you actually like it. In fact you're pretty certain you don't. So you move on and continue shopping, but the odd thing keeps whispering to you. So you have to go back and look...maybe several times. Finally you can't resist and you buy it. You don't know why, but you just have to have it. That has happened to me a few times, which is why I have a collection of ugly cabbage ceramic pieces and also what I am sure has to be the most hideous candle holder ever made. I really love it though.

I had that happen a few days ago. I went to a HUGE antique mall that I like. I was wandering up and down the aisles looking for linens. But of course when I go to this place I have to look at it all. No easy proposition due to the size. The last section I go to are the "cases." The cases are row upon row of curio cabinets filled with little trinkets like jewelry, baseball cards, and all sorts of little oddities.

I spied this ring in a cabinet. My first thought was that it reminded me of a lava lamp. I decided to look at it out of curiosity. It was a sterling heart that was hollow and filled with something red and black set in resin and I wasn't sure what was it was. But I had the girl put it back and went on. It wasn't expensive, but it really wasn't my style.

I kept thinking about it while I was looking at everything else and went back to look at it twice, putting it back both times. I finally asked the extremely patient girl with the keys, if by any chance she knew what was in it. She said it was seeds from Peru, and that they were good luck.

Honestly I wasn't sure I believed her, because they didn't look like any seeds I have ever seen. They were red with black tips, almost like spotless lady bugs. She asked me if I had noticed that everything in that particular case was on sale for 20% off? I hadn't noticed since the sign was a sticky note way at the top of the cabinet.

Finally I caved and asked her to take it the counter so I could think about it a little more and see it in different light. When I was ready to pay several other items I had picked up were also on sale, so I decided to go ahead and buy the ring.

When I got home, I decided to do a web search for red seeds from Peru. As it turns out, they are real. They are called Huayruro seeds, and they are considered to be extremely good luck. I don't really believe in that, but that's ok.

However, like Jack with his magic beans, ever since I brought it home...my luck has seemed to improve. I am feeling better and sleeping well again. Was it the seeds? Probably not. But I can't say that for sure now can I? *winks*