Visits From A Barred Owl

There's been a whole lot of hooting going on around here lately, and I have had some wonderful opportunities day and night to observe a magnificent Barred Owl.

The Owl by many cultures is considered to be a messenger between earthly creatures and the spirit world. From country to country, region to region, and state to state, The folklore surrounding the Owl is extremely diverse.

Some examples;

Arctic Circle: a little girl was turned into a bird with a long beak by magic, but was so frightened she flapped about madly and flew into a wall, flattening her face and beak. So the Owl was created.
(I like this one)

Scotland: it's bad luck to see an Owl in daylight
(I have always considered myself lucky to see a Owl anytime day or night.)

Sweden: the Owl is associated with witch's

Transylvania: farmers used to scare away Owls by walking round their fields naked.
(Transyvanian farmers walking around naked? Not a vision I want in my head!)

U.S.A: if you hear an Owl-cry you must return the call, or else take off an item of clothing and put it on again inside-out.
(I feel bad now for all those times I showed up for work with my shirt inside out and blamed Jeanne for not checking me before I left the house, now I will blame the Owl.)

Louisiana: Owls are old people and should be respected.

Louisiana French Cajuns: Thought you should get up from bed and turn your left shoe upside down to avert disaster, if you hear an Owl calling late at night.
(What if you have multiple pairs of shoes? I added up all of Jeanne and Jordan's shoes and found it would take 3hrs, 27 minutes and 14 seconds to turn all their left shoes over, and somehow Jordan had more rights then lefts, so I think we will stay out of Louisiana)

New Mexico: the hooting of Owls warns of the coming of witches.
(The Owl appears to be a favorite among witches.)

Jamaica: to ward off the Owl's bad luck, cry "Salt and pepper for your mammy".
(I now find myself reciting this verse as I wander around the yard)

Ireland: An Owl that enters the house must be killed at once, for if it flies away it will take the luck of the house with it.

(I wonder how Irish folk live in Illinois?)

Illinois: kill an Owl and revenge will be visited upon your family.

Mansfield Ct: The hooting of a Owl is some of natures best music.