Enough to Say Grace Over 25

I use that expression all the time. I probably use a lot of southern-esque expressions, like:

Bless your little heart.

Don’t fret about it.

Rode hard and put away wet (definitely a western expression).

Finer than frog’s hair. (Ever see hair on a frog? Pretty damn fine, right?)

Down and dirty (which I’ve been told is Southern. Is it?)

Plumb – as in “just plumb stupid.” I confess to not using this one all that often.

Go hog wild.

Do go on.

Stomping grounds.

Two shakes of a lamb’s tail.

And, a southern poem:

A gum chewing girl and a cud chewing cow

Are just alike yet different somewhow.

Ah, yes, I see it all now.

It’s the thoughtful look on the face of the cow.

How about you? Any southernisms you use?

A Little Civility? Reply

All right, I’m a Southern Belle. Or maybe it’s just that I was reared with manners. But some of the discourse, masquerading as conversation nowadays, just confounds me.

For example: Conversation read on an author site. People are whining about pirates (if you don’t DO anything about them, just talk it to death, that’s whining).

Person 1: “I would think that we could go after advertisers.”

Person 2: “I haven’t seen any ads on XXXX.”

Person 3: “What the hell do you think sponsored links are?”

This was written speech. Couldn’t a little bit of thought gone into that snarky comment? How about re-wording it a little? “They have sponsored ads.”

I mean, come on, these are writers.

Or maybe she just meant to be bitchy.

(Sorry, I took of my SB hat for a moment.)

Southern Belle Tips for Beating the Heat 3

(And, no, this isn’t an erotic post. Beating the heat, get it? Ahem.)

My mother’s family was from Kentucky (and they said it with 3.5 syllables), so I’ve been tutored by the best.

A lady, wishing to cool down in the August heat, will dampen her handkerchief and apply it to the inside of her wrists and temples. (I just hold my hands under running water. The temples thing I do with a paper towel.)

In the days of slips and petticoats, you were supposed to dampen the lower edge of your slip and allow it to dry naturally, thereby cooling your knees. (As if skirts are that long nowadays.)

A moistened cotton ball or compactly folded handkerchief, that has been dabbed in water (and/or a little perfume) will cool the bodice if placed demurely between the breasts.

Mint juleps are most definitely acceptable, especially during Derby Season. In the drinking of same, it’s important to keep sipping, and ensure that the supply of juleps lasts all afternoon (honest to God, I got this advice from my great-aunt Goldie, but she was a little eccentric).

And, if all else fails, get off the porch and go inside where there’s air conditioning.