Hello, BOW-cember!
Okay, so it doesn't quite work. But we can't just stop thinking about the bow now that the month is gone. Plus, I have lots more to say about bow stuff, so I refuse to let it end now. Let's keep this bow party going!
"I may feel like an idiot standing over some guy twice my size requesting that he kindly let his bow drop onto the carpet three or four times, but you can spot by the sheer anguish in his face how much the worry of dropping it is destroying any chance of his ever getting the flexibility and constantly changing fluidity required for a really good bow change. By allowing the bow to drop (it’s only a foot and a half on to a carpet and you’re not doing it tip downwards, for God’s sake) you are in fact removing a fear so primal that most people couldn’t begin to articulate it."
Besides dropping your bow on the floor to experience the worst-case scenario--and realize that it isn't really all that bad--there are other ways to alleviate the bow-dropping paranoia.
Such as...
Dressing up your frog

I can't stand to play with a naked frog.
(Heh. My inner kindergarner is having a good time with that one.)
Because the varnished stick is rather skinny and can become slippery with perspiration at the drop of a hat, I always have some kind of padding at the junction of hand and bow.
I feel strongly that by adding this comfortable extra layer, I avoid feeling as though I have to clutch the bow to keep it in its place.
Here's how:
Loosen the screw until it comes out of the bow. Then, gently pull the frog away from the stick. Do not tangle the hair (twisting is fine, but the stick should not pass through the hair).
STEP 2: Keeping the tip of the bow against a soft carpet or pillow (and being mindful of the hair), pull on and then roll up the grip to a location on the stick above where the frog will be attached.
STEP 3: Reattach the frog and tighten the screw to secure. Then roll the grip back down to cover both the stick and the part of the frog where the thumb comes in contact with the bow.
- Stringvision bow grip: a few of my students really like these
- Cellophant: nice for little kids sometimes
- Bow tubes: I have seen these on many professional bows
What do you like to use?