The Turks make really pretty blue glass things to turn away the evil eye.

here.

My mom brought some home for the kids.

Oh, I knew Egyptians used to festoon their camels with blue glass beads to ward off the evil eye. I didn't realize it was a Turkish custom as well. Those are pretty!

The ones in the markets in Turkey were lovely. I'll bet my MIL has some nice memories of people trying to sell them to her in Istanbul and Ankara; I know I do.

I like the Hamsa hand.

There are lots and lots of items that are supposed to divert the evil eye in Sepharadi tradition and customs - fish are supposed to not be controlled by it (so kids sometimes get names that are connected to fish), the number 5 is supposed to be protective, and the form of a hand (khamsa) that has, of course, 5 fingers. The color blue is good, too, and also the picture of an eye, or a red string that is tied around the wrist. Also, you're never supposed to compliment a baby without adding "without the evil eye" ('bli ein hara') or spitting or just saying "tfoo tfoo tfoo". And the list goes on and on and on.

Some artifacts are absolutely gorgeous, especially the khamsa.

[Edit: x-post with an addition of a 'k' with ita]

I like the fu bats.

Geez, I'm just so flattered today -- thanks for all the good thoughts, folks!

I e-mailed my writing teacher with the news, and she forwarded it to the rest of the faculty at my school, who have all e-mailed me with the nicest praise.

So. Flattered.

It was lovely, Steph. I hate fall with a fiery passion, but your poem made me understand what other people see in it.

I see the relationship between an author and a critic as being similar to that of the one between a baseball player and an umpire. Although only indirectly involved in the creation of the act itself, the critic or ump has unbelievable power in determining the outcome. Many umps wanted nothing more than to play in the majors and just weren't good enough, or got injured, etc. and I assume the same is true with those who critque art instead of producing it. Sometimes a little of the bitterness shows through.

Sometimes a little of the bitterness shows through.

Lord, yes. Remember (gah) Dave Pallone?

For every Pauline Kael, there's a Roger Ebert: he writes very nice crit, but what, precisely, is his screenwriting cred?

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, IIRC.