Strange writing over door in house.PA custom? Meaning? (Wilkes-Barre: buy, live)

[sheena12]

When we were looking for a house we saw a many unusual things
A house interior completely covered in a dark red paneling type plastic - every room - which the owner bragged about because "it never needs to be painted!" It was as though the interior of the house had been shrink wrapped in gaudy red plastic!

But bad taste is one thing this was another...

There was a house in Wilkes-Barre that was really quite nice. Four bedrooms fireplace, in ground pool. Spacious and stately. Tastefully decorated.

The house was empty. I noticed that over the front and back door way there was some strange writing in chalk. Some were regular letters, some were not.
I think there was a cross in the beginning.

Having never seen anything like this, it aroused my curiosity. When I asked the RE agent about it she was evasive and vague and mumbled something about a "Pennsylvania Dutch custom"

She hustled us past the doors and changed the subject.

We did not buy the home, not because of the chalk makings.
However, we are still curious about this. Has anyone ever seen such a thing? Does anyone know what it means?

Thanks for any information!

~ Sheena12

[talloolla]

I grew up catholic and once a year, right after the new year , the priest would visit our home and bless it with holy water and mark the door in chalk. My catechism is rusty but it comes from the bible chapter where the doors of the faithful were marked with the blood of a lamb.

[ki0eh]

Catholic Culture : Liturgical Year : Blessing of the Home on Epiphany (Prayer)

[talloolla]

Thank you for the correction, ki0eh!

[sheena12]

Really very interesting! Thanks for the information.

[thecoalman]

Sheena, probably a good thing you didn't by that house in West Pittston after all.

-------

Because of the diverse and often very religious nature of the area I'm sure you'll find plenty of curiosities. I'm sure you know this by now but this area is not much different than somewhere like NY, at least for people of European decent.

I know there is one thing we often do before Christmas Eve dinner most people are unaccustomed too, I'm not even sure where there custom comes from. There is wafer that everyone eats. I'm not religious but it's one thing I look forward too each year because it's been done every year. They are kind of tasteless and as kids my Grandmother would put honey on them, I still use the honey.

[Jungle George]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

Sheena, probably a good thing you didn't by that house in West Pittston after all.

-------

Because of the diverse and often very religious nature of the area I'm sure you'll find plenty of curiosities. I'm sure you know this by now but this area is not much different than somewhere like NY, at least for people of European decent.

I know there is one thing we often do before Christmas Eve dinner most people are unaccustomed too, I'm not even sure where there custom comes from. There is wafer that everyone eats. I'm not religious but it's one thing I look forward too each year because it's been done every year. They are kind of tasteless and as kids my Grandmother would put honey on them, I still use the honey.

I still keep the custom alive...

Christmas wafer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[talloolla]

We did this as well. The wafers were communion wafers ( not blessed) purchased from the church. Everyone at the Christmas eve table got one and you went to each person allowing them to take a piece of yours as you did the same to theirs while making a heartfelt wish for them.

[ChosenReject]

i remember our priest doing this at my house every year when i was a child, i don't know why the agent was acting mysterious about it? i think its pretty common around here.

nice link ki0eh! i never did understand what the numbers and letters actually stood for!

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

Sheena, probably a good thing you didn't by that house in West Pittston after all.

-------

Because of the diverse and often very religious nature of the area I'm sure you'll find plenty of curiosities. I'm sure you know this by now but this area is not much different than somewhere like NY, at least for people of European decent.

I know there is one thing we often do before Christmas Eve dinner most people are unaccustomed too, I'm not even sure where there custom comes from. There is wafer that everyone eats. I'm not religious but it's one thing I look forward too each year because it's been done every year. They are kind of tasteless and as kids my Grandmother would put honey on them, I still use the honey.

LOL!!! I have to agree with you about the house in West Pittston! We all said the same thing! ( I feel sorry for anyone effected by the flood of course, and I'm not gloating, but I can't help feeling fortunate)

As far as the customs, you are right, I've encountered many since moving here, and I find them all fascinating!