ramblings from an arkansas farm girl
Before pigweed and meth took root in our county, before tractors became smarter than people, when each town had a cotton gin and a courthouse square, vibrant and spirited, we were young.
Back then.
Before text messaging and likes and follows, before helicopter moms became a hovering, annoying thing, when farm-to-table meant suppertime—eat what’s served and don’t dare whine—we were kids.Continue Reading
Hey, hey, Sunday Letter friends! Today I’m writing from our farm in Mississippi County. It’s great to be home, and the good news so far is that we’ve had no snake sightings at the Bat Cave. ???
KNOCK ON WOOD.
In case you are new to Grace Grits and Gardening, let me explain. The Bat Cave is what we call our house on the farm, the place where I grew up (and Gracie Lee, too). We call it the Bat Cave because Momma’s initials are BAT. Plus, some of the rooms are dark with wood paneling, i.e. cave-like. (You can read more about the Bat Cave HERE, if you so desire.)
With respect to the snake reference, we’ve had a couple of freaky issues with snakes inside the house. Most recently, the last time I was home a long black rat snake slithered out from underneath the main chair in the den. Yes, I know rat snakes are the “good” snakes. They eat rodents. Seriously, who cares when one is in the den? I high-tailed it out of the cave and just now returned.
One snake probably has friends.
A few weeks after my sighting, a five-foot snakeskin was found inside the house. Yesterday, we found another snakeskin on the back porch. I tell myself he left his skin as he slithered on back to the field (not vice versa).
☺
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig. I’m back home after spending five days with Momma and my sister, Staci, at home-home in Mississippi County, Arkansas. (I’ve said this before, but home-home is where I’m from, and home [singular] is where I live now.)
When we were kids, Momma always said, “Home again, home again, jiggety jig,” every time we pulling into the carport. After a trip to the lake. After a trip to Big Star. After a trip anywhere.
You remember that nursery rhyme, don’t you? There are lots of versions. The jingle has been quoted in many television shows, movies, and books. (Stephen King, I’m looking at you and It.)
The version I know:
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again, jiggety-jig.
To market, to market, to buy a fat hog,
Home again, home again, jiggety-jog.
To market, to market, to buy a plum bun,
Home again, home again, market is done.
(Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes)
Now I say it. Not always, but sometimes. Because I’ve turned into Momma.Continue Reading
