RUSC MAILING

Written by Ned Norris

Here’s a neat calendar quirk: in 2026 we get three Friday the 13ths—February 13, March 13, and November 13. Why? Any month that starts on a Sunday gives you a Friday the 13th. Since 2026 starts on a Thursday, it lines things up so February 1, March 1, and November 1 land on Sundays. With February’s tidy 28 days, March resets to the same weekday, so you get that rare back‑to‑back February–March pair. The next year with a trio like this? 2037.

Of course, Friday the 13th owes its fame less to fate than to folklore—stories we’ve passed along for ages. With that spirit in mind, on Friday 13th March 2026 I’m adding a new Can You Imagine That, leading off with the origin of one of the greats: the superstition about a black cat crossing your path. Lindsay McHarrie takes us on a brisk ride through the tales—yes, including a car trip with a black cat that ends in misfortune—and it’s a vivid listen for anyone who’s ever paused as a sleek feline zipped across the road.

How do you handle the old standbys? Duck the ladder? Knock on wood after good news? Hesitate at a black cat? If you’ve ever wondered where these ideas came from, the old‑time radio series The Origins of Superstition on RUSC is a perfect companion. Across 39 episodes, it unpacks the stories, symbols, and social history behind familiar beliefs—how practical worries, notable events, or lucky (and unlucky) coincidences hardened into customs we still recognize.

Mark your diary for Friday 13th March 2026 to catch Can You Imagine That with Lindsay McHarrie, then dip into The Origins of Superstition on RUSC for a deeper dive. And if you’ve got a personal superstition story, I’d love to hear it—hit reply and share.

Stay tuned,

RUSC Old Time Radio
www.rusc.com

P.S. I am also planning to add a special episode of SUSPENSE entitled Friday, so look out for that too...

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