The Ghost Bride

by Yangsze Choo

young girls who took part in competitions to thread a needle by moonlight, bathed their faces with flower water, and sang songs to celebrate needlework. I had never had a chance to take part in these maidenly activities, however, because the other thing that was celebrated on the Double Seventh Festival was the sunning of the books. The seventh day of the seventh month was also considered a particularly fortuitous time to air old books and scrolls; and as my father had vast quantities of both, this was our major activity during the festival. Tables were placed in the courtyard and his collection was laid out in the sun, papers turned to ensure even drying.

me and my books like to sun ourselves in all seasons..

We Chinese did not like to give or receive certain gifts for superstitious reasons: knives, because they could sever a relationship;

same superstition from my Scottish grandmother.. a knife given had to be paid for even if only a penny, so it is not a gift but an exchange.