Coming up later today... for Southern Celebrity Sunday...

This Southern Celebrity is famous for his role as one comedian in a two man team. He is from Georgia and led a very interesting life. I'll write more about him later. Who do you think it is?

Featuring Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Recently we have been watching Seasons 1 & 2 of "The Andy Griffith Show". I loved it as a child, but now it is even better because I understand all the jokes and references. I also love listening to their Southern dialect. It sounds just like my TN dialect.

Andy Griffith has had an interesting life. He has been an English teacher, stand up comedian and trombone player. He began his studies in college to be a minister, but switched his major to music. Answers.com has a great collection of articles about Andy Griffith. Here is the link! http://www.answers.com/topic/andy-griffith?cat=entertainment

Did you watch "The Andy Griffith Show" or "Matlock"? I grew up with "The Andy Griffith Show", but never really got into watching "Matlock".

Mini-break

Howdy! I'm taking an itsy bitsy mini-break from blogging. I promise to post my Southern Celebrity from North Carolina next Sunday. Want to guess who it is? He is so funny in his old fashioned tv series from the 60s!

Growing Up in the Bible Belt, Part 1

I grew up in The Bible Belt and mainly Southern Baptist Country. As a young child, we went to church every single Sunday. Some of my earliest sermon memories are of the "fire and brimstone" style of preaching. Have you ever heard an old fashioned preacher use this style? I suppose the premise behind it was to scare the hell out of people in order to make them turn their lives over to God.

When I was five years old, I got in trouble for laughing at the preacher during a sermon. I just couldn't help it. His face was red and pouring sweat. He was screaming at the top of his lungs while jumping up and down and slapping his knees. You would think that this would have scared me, but I laughed out loud. My dad took me outside and gave me a spanking. Another incident happened when I was attending a different church. The preacher was preaching on the evils of believing in Santa Claus and the easter bunny. Many mothers covered their kids' ears when he belted out "There ain't no Santy Claus!"

I think that this old style of preaching has pretty much fizzled out even in the bible belt. What a relief! It was just so distracting to see someone acting in such a bizarre manner. Oh, and sometimes a preacher would have one of these types of sermons during a funeral!

I have a lot more to say on the topic of growing up Southern Baptist. I've been thinking about my beliefs alot lately. I can't blindly believe everything that I was taught as a child in the Southern Baptist Church. I am thankful that I was raised in church, even though I do question some things. I guess that's one reason I have trouble deciding what kind of church that I want to go to now. I found this interesting "what's your theology world view" quiz that actually helped me to think about what I really believe. http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=43870

Southern Daddies

Enjoy these memorable moments from movies and tv shows set in the South...

In "To Kill a Mockingbird", Atticus Finch teaches his children to do what's right through example. A quote from the movie...

"If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."

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Who can forget the opening theme to "The Andy Griffith Show" where father and son are on their way to go fishing together? Did you know that there are words to the them song? We usually hear only the whistling version.

Well, now, take down your fishin' pole and meet me at The Fishin' Hole,

We may not get a bite all day, but don't you rush away.
What a great place to rest your bones and mighty fine for skippin' stones,

You'll feel fresh as a lemonade, a-settin' in the shade.
Whether it's hot, whether it's cool, oh what a spot for whistlin' like a fool.

What a fine day to take a stroll and wander by The Fishin' Hole,

I can't think of a better way to pass the time o' day.
We'll have no need to call the roll when we get to The Fishin' Hole, There'll be you, me, and Old Dog Trey, to doodle time away.
If we don't hook a perch or bass, we'll cool our toes in dewy grass,

Or else pull up a weed to chaw, and maybe set and jaw.
Hangin' around, takin' our ease, watchin' that hound a-scratchin' at his fleas.
Come on, take down your fishin' pole and meet me at The Fishin' Hole,

I can't think of a better way to pass the time o' day.

Music by Earle Hagen & Herbert W. Spencer Words by Everett Sloane

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The "The Waltons" TV show featured family relationships during the difficult time period of The Great Depression.

Every episode ended with each character bidding the other goodnight until the last goodnight from John Walton, Sr. to his son: "Good night, John-Boy."

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"Because of Winn Dixie" is a movie that I've seen recently. I love the father and daughter relationship that is told through the eyes of a little girl named Opal. With the assistance of a funny and sweet stray dog named Winn Dixie, Opal and her father learn to talk through their pain of being abondoned by Opal's mother. The gain a better understanding of each other.

Happy Father's Day !

BOTH Onions?

Sometimes when I'm tired, I start talking Southern. In this case, I said something very Southern Appalachian and my daughter didn't understand what the heck I was talking about. Both of my young'uns were being extremely wild, so I said "Both of yuns need to settle down! Both of yuns!" My little girl was fascinated and asked "Both onions, Mommy?" She kept repeating it like it was a question. "BOTH onions?"

Have you ever heard anyone say "yuns" or "young'uns" ? Both of these terms evolved from "you ones" and "young ones" ....terms used in the dialects of the Scotch Irish ancestors who settled in the mountains and valleys of East Tennessee, long ago. Yuns is one word in my vocabulary that had really stuck around.

Muhammad Ali is today's feature for....

"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. " Muhammad Ali

Just this week Muhammad Ali was awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities from Princeton University to honor his humanitarian efforts and his athletic achievements. He is truly an amazing person! He was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. I chose a Kentucky celebrity because Kentucky is the second Southern state where I lived for four years.

Did you know that Muhammad Ali was named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. at birth? He was named after his father who was named for the 19th century abolitionist and politician. This is especially interesting to me because I attended Berea College which has ties to the abolitionist Cassius Clay. I'll do a post about that sometime.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, he has devoted his life to helping people worldwide. Plus, he gives back to his home community as well. Please take a moment to read about the many ways that he has provided assistance to others. http://www.ali.com/greatest/

His daughter is one strong, beautiful woman. She has followed in her father's footsteps with boxing! She was recently a contestant on the show "Dancing With the Stars".

** Instead of my Sunday Celebrity Post, next week will be dedicated to Southern Daddies**