On Being Southern

Do you know the difference between hay and straw?

Do you call it pine straw or pine needles?

Are you aware of the consequences if you eat country ham?

Do you know that barbeque is a noun and a verb but never a cooking apparatus?

As funny as it may seem to outsiders, born and raised southerners who follow history, are still angry deep down in our souls that we suffered an unprovoked attack in 1860 from the United States. Then we suffered through reconstruction, and economically the south was kept in its place until the 1950’s. That is why there is an undercurrent of distrust to outsiders for something that happened 147 years ago. We still remember the impassioned stories our grandparents told us.

My grandparents were born in the 1890's.

14 comments:

TerryC said...

Did you have your own personal slave when you were growing up? Peter did. That's why he's such a spoiled brat even now!

Anonymous said...

Are you talking about being thirsty if you eat country ham?

Reggie Hunnicutt said...

All day long. I can't eat it anymore. I am thirsty for two days.

Terry...What Peter had was a hired mammy. $10 a day back in the 60's.

TerryC said...

Don't get me started....sounds like a slave to me, but then, I'm a damned yankee.

Reggie Hunnicutt said...

No, what Peter had was domestic hired help before minimum wage laws were in effect. $10 a day and you had good trustworthy help regardless of their race. Most were black however.

Gigi had a mammy, and I had a mammy one day a week. This would be my mother’s day off and Estella would take care of me, clean, wash and iron. She was a wonderful kind woman.

I can remember to this day having a fan blow on me in my crib and hearing the steam of the iron going as I drifted off to a deep sleep. I felt very safe and well taken care of with her.

I must have been 31/2 years old.

We would play with the other maid’s children in the neighborhood. It was our first experience with integration.

Liv said...

But do you fluff your straw? Because sometimes there's an inbetween time when you don't need new straw in your beds, but it sure could use some life in it.

Anonymous said...

I think you were younger when Estelle took care of you. I remember you eating rice ceral and peaches in your high chair when she was there. I can still see her cleaning you up afterwards.

Reggie Hunnicutt said...

Oh yeah. Straw fluffin' is essential.

Reggie Hunnicutt said...

Judy...do you remember the little kid Cheese I played with? Who knows what his real mane was.

Jahooni said...

I LOVE COUNTRY HAM!
Every time my mom goes back east, I have her ship me one.

You were awake last night thinking of fall and listening to your doggies, I on the hand would be awake thinking of country ham!

TerryC said...

Oh, Rhett, what will I EVAH do?

God, y'all make me want to retch, with your "domestic help" and all.

Sorry, like I said, I'm a northerner and will NEVER understand that mentality.

The good thing is, that you respect people of other colors now.

Peter says the same thing. "Elnora was so sweet. She's the reason I just love black people."

Reggie Hunnicutt said...

"The good thing is, that you respect people of other colors now."

We always did...it was a different time and place then.

I fully understand Peter. That is why I love to go to the Lutheran church on island. Just for a few hours...I am black and worshipping the Lord, and it doesn't really matter that I am white.

I have more in common with southern blacks that I do with northern whites as far as culture and upbringing. Especially if you were raised in the south in the 50's and 60's.

The good thing is Peter and I have come full circle...how dat me son.

TerryC said...

Well, i just better shut my mouse up before I get myself in any more trouble.

I can see it now: The South vs. Terry in Sally's Fancy....

Anonymous said...

I had forgotten about "Cheese". Funny I do remember!

I meant to tell you that my friend that lives in St. Croix said the Church we love to visit has a different Minister now.