3/17/2023 0 Comments Broom standing up![]() ![]() It’s magic, pure and simple.Broom, broomstick, bristles, upright, challenge, hoax, nasa, gravitational pull, equinoxes, saquinhodelixo, gymnastics Aboutīroom Challenge, often associated with the hashtag #BroomChallenge, is a viral challenge participants of which attempt to balance a broom on its bristles so it stands upright on its own. A flat bottom, flexible bristles, and low center of gravity meant that the broom would balance every day of the year, facing any direction. All the revelers were amazed, though a few of the more scientifically disposed among them postulated that perhaps the broom was standing simply because it followed the laws of physics. ![]() I took the magic broom and set it up-facing north, of course– in the middle of the party room. George and I were invited to a cookout to celebrate the summer solstice. Yes! Mother’s Day and Father’s Day? Right on. But maybe the trick would work at other special times. It remained upright for four days, when the cutest dog in the whole world charged into the kitchen and knocked it over. Not that blisters could ever happen with my new broom, because I don’t actually sweep with it. It’s a straw broom with a sturdy wooden handle that has a padded rubber handgrip to prevent blisters. I found the perfect one at the perfect price. There was nothing to be done but go shopping for a brand new broom. The outside broom is pitifully worn and misshapen. Probably, I soon deduced, because my inside broom has soft nylon bristles cut on a slant. ![]() We tiptoed carefully around it on our way out the door, each of us eager to get home and try the trick with our own brooms. A broom was really and truly standing up all by itself. This was no optical illusion, no photo shopped gimmick. Sure enough, after just a couple of attempts our hostess had the broom standing on its own. “LET’S TRY IT!!!” the rest of us said in unison. The flat part of the broom has to be facing north for the trick to work.” “It’s because of the way Venus and Jupiter are lined up right now. “It’s not because of the equinox,” said another. ![]() One neighborhood has a broom standing in almost every driveway.” “People all over Livingston are doing it. “Hey,” she said, “have any of you heard the rumor that a broom will stand by itself this time of year? It has something to do with the days being exactly as long as the nights.” The hostess was retrieving guests’ coats from the hall closet when she noticed her broom hanging on a nail. I first witnessed the broom trick myself right here in Cookeville after a book discussion luncheon. It wasn’t long before a local television station reported the story. Naturally, she began taking photos with her cell phone. But instead of the broom leaning against the wall or falling to the floor, it stood straight up–all by itself. It seems that a woman in Prattville, Alabama was sweeping one day and set her broom down to go do something else. I first learned about the “magic broom trick” on Facebook. That’s when I discovered the phenomenon that continues to amaze and delight people of all ages. I went through this same experience in March, around the time of the vernal equinox. And though it’s a bother to walk around it, at least it gives me a good excuse not to mop. As I write this, a broom stands upright in the middle of my kitchen floor. ![]()
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