At home

Mirrors, salt, brooms and small household happenings. 23 signs.

• Bread upside downThe loaf sits flat side up on the counter, and someone flips it back
• Breaking a glassA tumbler cracking under hot water, or a wineglass in the sink
• Breaking a plateA wet plate slips from the rack and lands in three pieces
• Broken mirrorAn old British ill omen, or a reason to stop and look again?
• Broom upside downBristles up behind the door, handle on the floor
• Candle going out by itselfOne moment a steady flame, the next a thin curl of smoke
• Crossed knivesA knife and fork, or two knives, left lying in an X
• Door opening by itselfThe latch clicks, and the bedroom door drifts slowly open
• Dropping a fork or spoonA clatter under the table, and every head turns for a second
• Dropping a knifeA clatter on the tiles and the urge to catch it before it lands
• Light bulb burning outA flash, a faint pop, and the room goes dim as you flip the switch
• Lights flickering in the houseThe kitchen light stutters every time the dryer kicks on
• Necklace breakingA tug at the collar, a soft snap, and the chain slides away
• Opening an umbrella indoorsThe snap of a canopy opening in the hallway, a lamp wobbling nearby
• Picture falling off the wallA crash in the hallway and a frame face down on the floor
• Rocking chair rocking by itselfThe chair on the porch rocks gently, and no one is sitting in it
• Shoes on the tableNew sneakers set down beside the fruit bowl, and someone gasps
• Spilled oilA slick of olive oil spreading across the kitchen tiles
• Spilled saltA tipped shaker and a scatter of white grains across the tablecloth
• Spilled wineA red bloom spreading over the white tablecloth mid-dinner
• Stopped clockThe kitchen clock says 3:17, and it said 3:17 an hour ago
• Sweeping at nightA broom in a dim kitchen after the guests have gone
• Sweeping someone's feetThe broom brushes your shoes, and you lift your heels without thinking