As a kid I was all over not stepping on a crack, because it would break my mother’s back, or walking under a ladder, or black cats and what not. As I aged I realized this was all poppycock, and that as long as you believe a day to be unlucky, it will be so.

Until we lived in the Republic of Korea (that’s south, not north, Korea, please look at a map) I was semi-invested in this Friday the 13th thing. In Asia, the unlucky number is 4. We’d take an elevator in a hotel and there would be no 4th floor. In the US hotels have a 13th floor. So by not acknowledging a 4th floor Asia showed me it was serious in its superstition.

After our Asian relocations were over, we returned to the U.S. with a sort of reverse culture shock (Americans are big, and loud, and lack subtlety, and will shout their way to what they want). But the debunking of the number 13 has been the most lasting of them all — some of my best days have been on Fridays the 13th — bike rides, parties, celebrations with friends, etc. — because we give the date no power to influence us negatively.

So today I listed a friend’s house for sale — yay!!!

She had misgivings, given the date. And by the end of our time together, she was feeling as lucky as I. Her house is on sale. She’s moving on, and that was freeing enough that she could voice her long-term goal. And I’m looking forward to helping her achieve that goal.

Meanwhile, I have a new listing, spent the day with people I love and respect (my seller is a triathlete and a PE teacher and competitive and athletic; she’s amazing) (one of the friends who joined us for wine tasting and dinner is a competitive cutting horse rider & recently won $75K at a show. She rides a bike and would kick my patooty if she applied herself) — so overall a great day.

If it wasn’t so chilly and so late, I’d have a cigar and a glass of port to reflect on the week. It’s been full of surprises and rewards.