Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
With its own language of sorts, some people think Appalachia is a curious place. Mostly because of topography, the region’s dialect that developed has somewhat not changed. This was partly due to being somewhat isolated from the rest of the nation.
The writer leaves the reader to enjoy some of the language that has been used in this part of the state.
“Narry” or “Nairy” means none as in “I don’t believe narry one of them people.”
“Harking back” or “Harkin” means to remember or looking back.
“Foundering” would mean to overdo a food or habit to a point of exhaustion. The regular definition usually means water overtaking a boat and it sinks slowly. One can “founder” when eating too many beans.
“Pop” or “Sody pop” means a soft drink.
“Poke” means a bag.
“Allow” means to suppose.
“Fixin” is to get ready.
“Patching” is to repair a cloth or clothing.
“Ponder” is to think deeply on a subject or wonder, such as, “I ponder if cousin Dennis is coming in for the holidays.”
“Rustle up” means to prepare food.
“Reckon” means I think so, as in “I reckon the snow is waiting for a patching.”
“Allow” means to suppose, as in, “I allow the truth will be this holler will disappear into a subdivision.”
“A coon’s age” simply means in a long time.
“Leather britches” are dried green beans.
“Mess” is a batch, as in cooking, like “I’ll rustle you up a mess of leather britches.”
“Blue Streak” means talking very quickly.
“Green with envy” means very envious, and “purple passion” means with an intense emotion.
“Festering” means to become infected or get worse, such as “That argument between them neighbors is festering.”
Perhaps one can still hear some of this language spoken by grandparents. However, the language and word usage are changing quickly in this region because of new people, television, internet and education. The disappearance of some words and meanings is being lost as the older population passes on.
Life’s little instructions include the following:
- Believe in miracles.
- Do the task that a person hates first.
- Let drivers, who are in a hurry, go by one.
- Be patient with sales clerks.
- Hold doors open for strangers.
The total lunar eclipse, also known as a “blood moon,” will take place overnight between Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14. The last time there was a total lunar eclipse was in November 2022.
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“May the joy of simple things color the canvas of your soul.” — Mary Davis
“An American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans.” — Mark Twain
“Get at least eight hours of beauty sleep a night; nine if you’re ugly.” — Betty White
“The only thing money gives you is the freedom of not worrying about money.” — Johnny Carson
“In seeking truth, you have to get both sides of the story.” — Walter Cronkite
Sitting by the fireplace is a great place to be, to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
On March 3, one could hear the frogs croaking their spring chorus. Wonder if they will be wearing glasses before long???
Dover, the emu has been found. The community discovered that he/she had walked over to Dover and Paul’s farm. Everyone has breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Dover is well, after his/her vacation.
Daylight saving time has caused lots of changes…sleepy ones adjusting to the time change, and daylight being more conducive to working outside longer preparing for the spring flowers.
Ben Puffenbarger celebrated his 15th birthday with family on Sunday. Attending were “Butch” Puffenbarger, Robert and Nancy Hodges, Matt and Robby Hodges, Don and Becky Swartz, and his parents, Wesley and Becky, and brother and sister, Nathan and Emma.
Wednesdays have found a group of energetic persons gathering at St. John Lutheran Church to knot quilts. Many of them will be sent to JoLo, McDowell County, where they were hit by a flood, recently.
Benny and Linda Custer and Eddie Rader were Saturday visitors in the home of Willard and Judy Rader.
Nice to know that Willard Rader and Phil Downs have returned to their respective homes.
Having a great time skiing at Timberline were Ava Bowers and Laura George.
The flu, colds, and Covid have been making the rounds. Doctors have been busy seeing patients.
Linda Rexrode has been busy this maple syrup time. Friday, she made 20 dozen donuts, and then on Saturday, she did 86 dozen.
Clickety clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- Chuck Yeager flew a jet under the South Side Bridge in downtown Charleston.
- Illegible hand-writing is called griffonage.
- The tiny toe or finger is called minimus.
- Iceland is one of the few countries in Europe that uses urban heating and people don’t pay for it.
- The leech has 32 brains.
March birthdays include the following: Gernon Hoover, 17th; Brad Gumm, Allison Hoover Morris and Jaiden Mitts, 18th; Allen Moats, Virginia Bates and Jean Thompson, 19th; Jennifer Hoover, Sharon Harr, Robbie Sites, Cindy Wilkins and David Marsh, 21st; Ken Roberts, Christy Harper, Shirley Pratt and Mike (Hometown) Eye, 22nd; Connor Armstrong, 23rd; Isaac Sponaugle, 24th; Debbie Cayton, 25th; Krista Walls, 26th; Andrew Kiser, 29th; Rudy Mitts, 30th; and Gene Boggs and Doyle Moats, Jr., 31st.
Concerns are for the following: Bob Adamson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, Liz and Mick Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, Patty Chapman, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Phil Downs, Isaac Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillespie, Lola Graham, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Donald Hedrick, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, George Hevener, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Debbie Horst, the Enos Horst family, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, the Sherwin Kimble family, Tom and Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, O’Dell Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marsh, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, Jim Moats, the Jon Morford family, Bill Mullenax, Helen Nash, Rick Neil, Aaron Nelson, Angie Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Terri Parker, Wilma Pitsenbarger Rexrode, Andy Pond, Janice Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Marilyn Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Brandon Reel, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Dennis Riggleman, Jenny Ruddle, Mary Sawyers, Brittany Shriver, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Natalie Stephenson, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Gary, Carol, and Jon Swecker, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Estelle Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams and Ann and Ed Wimer.
