Wish pods are specially gathered water caltrops, often called water chestnuts. In order to be wish pods, they must be found floating in the water, not washed ashore. Also when gathering wish pods, one pod must be returned to a body of fresh water different from the one the pods were gathered from, with the blessing "Good Journey."

Once properly gathered, wish pods are generally painted. Although this is not necessary for wishes, painting helps harmonize the luck of the pod. Wish pods always bring good luck, but bring the best luck if received as a gift.

To use the wish pod, place it in the room you spend the most time in. When you place your wish pod in the room, state your wish under your breath three times. No one else should hear your wish. Remember: the bigger the wish, the longer it will take to be fulfilled.

Placement in the room is important. Place the wish pod in the area of the room that most corresponds to your wish:

North — if you wish for money or material items. East —- if you wish to better understand something or someone, or are wishing for knowledge or enlightenment. South — if you wish for change. West — if you wish for love or a closer relationship with loved ones. Center — if you wish for balance, harmony or peace.

grrldan came over today. He lives down the street, so it was a very short trip. I made him my curried tomatoe mozzarella alphabet soup

After soup, went to the Prickly Pond. Today was just to unbelievably beautiful to stay inside.

When we got to the Prickly Pond, I noticed there were no marigold blooming over Nu-Nu's grave. It made me sad. I will have to go plant some later this week.

There, however, were thousands of water caltrops washed onto the shore. I saw none in the water, which is unfortunate, as they are only truly wish pods when found in floating in the water. Apparently they were stranded on shore as the water level slowly dropped. The water was lower than I've ever seen it. grrldan had never seen water caltrops in there natural, unpainted state, so he took one home.

We swang on the swings nearby the Prickly Pond. That was fun. The Prickly Pond was very beautiful today.

Some day in the near future, I would very much like to show him the Great Meadow. I think he would very much like it there.