Can you cross your fingers? I can – with both hands.

But then, coming from a family which believed in quite a few superstitions, what else would you expect?

What amazes me, after talking about superstitions to a number of people over the past few months, is discovering that a surprising number of people seem to be unable to perform this simple act of digital dexterity.

It’s something I do from time to time – when circumstances seem to deem it necessary – usually muttering to myself something like “here’s hoping.”

As I type out these words, it suddenly occurs to me that it’s something I’ve never done when purchasing a lottery ticket.

Perhaps that’s why I’ve never won anything on Euromillions.

But there’s always a next time. So here’s hoping!

I thought about this when I came across an old superstition which requires one to cross fingers when passing a graveyard.

I suppose you can think of a reason for this particular superstition.

But one which does have me puzzled is why you should have to touch something red after seeing a Royal Mail van. Any ideas?

I have only recently discovered that you can avoid the bad luck which you might draw down on yourself by walking under a ladder – by crossing your fingers as you pass underneath.

Very useful, though I usually step round any such ladder, there are occasions when walking under said ladder can not be avoided.

I have also found out that some people who do cross their fingers, only cross two fingers – on one hand.

Me, I cross all four fingers. Why only go halfway?

And, if nothing else, it’s probably good for rheumatics of the fingers.

Another copout I’ve come across is doing nothing with your hands – and merely uttering the words “fingers crossed.”

Finally, should you wish to attract good luck, as well as crossing your fingers I understand that you could, at the same time, cross your arms and your legs.

Now I think that’s probably okay for superstitious contortionists but going a bit too far for us ordinary folk.

And that’s enough about superstitions for now.

I probably won’t be writing about them again in the near future – unless, of course, I get lucky on tonight’s Euromillions’ draw.

Local history is becoming increasingly popular.

At one time many people regarded it as something a small number of boring and “dry-as- dust” enthusiasts were interested in.

This is most certainly not the case nowadays.

Television has played a major part in making people aware of the history of their own areas and of their own families and this has inevitably made people aware of the bigger picture.

The injection of the human element has made history come alive.

Some people have criticised those of us with an interest in things historical.

They see it as a waste of time. It’s all dead and buried, isn’t it? Who really cares nowadays about what happened so many years ago?

I do – and so do a lot of people. After all, how can you interpret the present if you don’t understand the past?

As well as being interesting, it’s also enlightening.

We can actually find out, when the official records have been opened, just how much we have been lied to – by whoever!

If only we’d have known that in the past. I have mentioned this over the years, but I am absolutely fed up about people going on about “the good old days.”

As I’ve often asked, what good old days?

We do have good times – and they are here and now! I most certainly would not have cared to live in Victorian or Edwardian times – or any other early historical period.

I am glad I live in the 21st Century.

In living memory, who would choose to go through the workless 1930s again?

What about the years of the Great War and the Second World War?

The truth is there to discover. We are fortunate in being able to access the internet and other technological sources.

We can also visit museums and libraries – most of which hold local historical records. Many towns and villages have their own local history societies – I find that local history enthusiasts are a sociable bunch.

Finally, researching the past is fun! At least, I find it so.