My normal work attire consists of dress pants and oxfords, I enjoy reading Solzhenitsyn and listening to Mozart, I’m a chess nerd, and I love putting on a tuxedo. But all that said, I was born a redneck and that’s how I’m gonna die.
There are a lot of misconceptions about country folk. Many are based upon actual truth. Some are outright lies. But all could use a little clarification in one way or another.
I’m proud of where I live and the people who live here with me. Proud of the fact I live in a place where the pace is slow, the streets are quiet, and the cows outnumber the people. Proud of the fact that if you happen to ask someone for directions to the interstate, you won’t get route numbers and miles for an answer. More likely, you’ll get something like “Well, just take a left at the Conner farm, go a spell, bear to the right past Ms. Hewitt’s place, and take the fork where Old Man Johnson saw that ghost.”
Still, there are those in my life who look upon the lifestyle of my neighbors with a certain degree of ridicule. We’re backward, they say. Narrow-minded.
I had one such conversation recently with a friend of mine, and Katdish has been kind enough to let me share it over on her blog today. So please, stop on by. If you’re country like me, you’ll find your own support group. And if you’re not, I’ll say a prayer for you.
There are a lot of misconceptions about country folk. Many are based upon actual truth. Some are outright lies. But all could use a little clarification in one way or another.
I’m proud of where I live and the people who live here with me. Proud of the fact I live in a place where the pace is slow, the streets are quiet, and the cows outnumber the people. Proud of the fact that if you happen to ask someone for directions to the interstate, you won’t get route numbers and miles for an answer. More likely, you’ll get something like “Well, just take a left at the Conner farm, go a spell, bear to the right past Ms. Hewitt’s place, and take the fork where Old Man Johnson saw that ghost.”
Still, there are those in my life who look upon the lifestyle of my neighbors with a certain degree of ridicule. We’re backward, they say. Narrow-minded.
I had one such conversation recently with a friend of mine, and Katdish has been kind enough to let me share it over on her blog today. So please, stop on by. If you’re country like me, you’ll find your own support group. And if you’re not, I’ll say a prayer for you.
And don't forget to stop here tomorrow, when it'll be the start of Get To Know Billy Better Week, and I'll answer some of your questions.
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16 comments:
Ain't it more of "Well, just take a left two miles before
the Conner farm, go a spell, bear to the right past where Ms. Hewitt’s place used to be, and take the fork where Old Man Johnson saw that ghost."
Heading over there now.
I'm not sure if it's redneck or not, but just don't use east, west, north, or south on me. You will lose me for sure. Now I'm following the scent to HLAC by way of my instincts. Perhaps I will need to call for directions.
Them country folks need to git outta the city on occassion. They got a lot of misinformed ideas like the fresh air and the peace and quiet of the country. Nothing more surprising to a city dweller than the aroma of farm country in the growin' season when the manure spreaders have done their job. I remember when my wife first came to visit when we were sparkin' and said, "I though the country was quite". Nice city gal, my wife, who never been there early or late when nature got active. You want a social network, you got to hear the tweets and twitters of the birds in the early morning dew of the back fields. Now there is communicating.
Larry E.
You write a blog post to introduce your blog post?
Man, am I a slacker or what?
Billy Coffey in a tux? I'd pay to see that.
I'll be sure to stop by tomorrow. See you on the other side.
The pic was funny.. I gotta' cross the road now to go to HLAC.
I was born and raised in Arkansas and I've lived in the south all my life. Call me a redneck, if you will. I'm proud of my heritage and I always will be! We country folk have to stick together!
You are a wonderful country boy and so glad they can't take that away from you!
:) Hugs,
Jill
I can't follow directions to save my life so I ask for directions in relation to restaurants. 'Turn left at the Hardee's and go til you see the Burger King....' Ohhhhhhhh.......LOL
Cows outnumbering the people is a good thing.
I love the south and the pace of life there. Living out here on the west coast, everything is at such a high speed pace, that I know this old car, won't keep up for much longer. Looking for my Mayberry so I can slow down a bit and enjoy the final years!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
How fun! Very cool!
I'll head to Katdish.
And can't wait to see the QandA tomorrow. 8-p
I live in the Blue Ridge mountain... Appalachian country. We go by gravel roads now or the 4-lane.
It's not uncommon for someone to say, "you'uns"....
But I love living here. Because you know there are just good 'ole people around. Like the woman in Wal-Mart who taught me how to can my tomatoes as we stood chatting on the "cannery aisle".... Or my friend who walks in and gives me fresh eggs, gathered just that morning from her chickens. Or the lady at the home school office who followed my daughter to her cousins' tire shop when she had a flat tire... Good 'old country folks. You just can't beat 'em.!
Makes me think of the song "Green Acres".... lol
What a breath of fresh air. I like the real true soulful heart to heart simple living. I am not from this country so it is so refreshing to hear someone talk of the way of life I miss most that is in my country. Finding beauty and joy in what is simple but oh so special. And to know you are not so crazy for not buying into what you are expected to buy into just because most everybody else is. You expressed it all so aptly. Thank you!
Yup, we are redneck through and through...and proud of it. We live an HOUR from the interstate, so we pretty much have to use the work miles in our directions!
The "big city" I talk about in my blogs is really a small city. The nearest mall is almost an hour away.
Our small town, deep in mountain country, is one of the most beautiful areas in which to live. The people are the most kind, caring, GIVING folks around. There are issues in our area, as there are everywhere. But, I feel apart/protected from the world here...and I like it like that.
Heading over to read your other post...
Beth
Billy,
Although I may not agree with everything you say, I do enjoy the way you say it. I've always admired your skill for writing. In fact, I have an old cut-out article that was published in some local paper back when we were still in high school - I believe it was written sometime close to our graduation. I'll have to dig it out and re-read it. Anyway, it's wonderful seeing your words in print again!
~ Long time fan
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