Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
The English language is an interesting language. Words from other languages have been borrowed and introduced. Homophones, multiple word meanings, synonyms, sarcasms, and homographs have been included to add color to the already difficult language. No wonder the English language is one of the most difficult languages to learn.
Add to that mix, are the old-time phrases:
- At the time of butchering, when lowering the hog into scalding hot water, and the hair comes off easily, it is “a good scald.”
- Exaggerating the truth or telling an untruth…“They stretched their blanket.”
- A mixture of food that is sticky…“akempucky.”
- Wash one’s hands because they are “glommy.”
- “Tearing up Jack” means to raise a commotion.
- “Whipstitch” means to happen quite often.
- “Tear jerker songs” all seem to have a tragic ending.
- “Struck the funny bone” meant that it was quite hilarious.
- There was a time that “Jesus” or “God” was never used in ordinary conversation…only in prayer and testimony. It is amazing how times have changed. Now, one hears an “Oh my God” in casual, daily conversation.
How confusing this must be for those first learning the English language.
- “I need to read what I read again.”
- “I am not content with this content.”
- “I object to that object.”
So many of these old expressions are still in use today, although funny looks are given when used. They may seem odd to the younger generation, but many older folks remember, and still sometimes use these colorful phrases.
Life’s little instructions include the following:
- Don’t ride in a car if the driver has been drinking.
- Stay on one’s toes.
- Get to know one’s children’s teachers.
- Never eat a sugared doughnut when wearing a dark outfit.
- Don’t take medicine in the dark.
Old Man Winter took a swipe at the hills this past Friday night, dumping several inches of snow. Snow fell on the crocuses and snow drops. They have collapsed on the ground; their petals are limp and faded. Tulips and daffodils are putting forth green shoots, hopefully awaiting warmer weather. Sunday morning temperatures were 14 degrees, but the shining sun invigorated the soul.
There is so much sickness, and perhaps it is due to the fact that there hadn’t been cold enough temperatures to freeze out the bacteria and viruses.
The barren hills with the barren branches on the trees make it seem almost impossible that they might come alive again. Most residents are looking forward to another springtime coming to the hills. The melodic notes of the songbirds are heard at the morning hours. There is nothing more encouraging than to hear those cheerful songs announcing another morning.
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.” — Maya Angelou
“You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results.” — Mahatma Gandhi
“The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.” — Henry Miller
“Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.” — Victor Hugo
“Gilligan’s Island is wherever you want it to be in your mind.” — Bob Denver
Life sure is better once hearing the “Talk of the Grove.”
Shrove Tuesday had the St. John Lutheran Church members enjoying the cruller dinner. This dinner hails back as far as when the Germans first arrived in this community. This tradition leads into the Lent season.
Knotting of quilts continues to bring out persons on Wednesdays and Fridays. This worthwhile cause reaches out to those persons displaced by disasters in this country and around the world.
Word arrived that Rosalee Grogg suffered a fall at her home, early Sunday morning. She is presently at RMH Sentara in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
On Saturday, Judy and Sam Waggy, Janet Judy, Terry Harper, Rose Brackman, and Evelyn Varner met up with Judy Costello in Staunton, Virginia. They all journeyed to the Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, Virginia, where they enjoyed the concert given by Conway Twiddy’s grandson and Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter. All appreciated having gone to the concert.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
The Harlem Globetrotters played their first game in 1927.
The Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki was Shirley Temple’s favorite hotel in the 1930s.
Dolly Parton is the godmother to Miley Cyrus.
The human heart, which grows to about the size of a fist, beats 115,000 times and pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood per day.
Squirrels chew on tree branches to sharpen and clean their teeth.
Concerns for this week are many. They are as follows: Bob Adamson, Rick Adkins, Charles and “Pidge” Anderson, John Ashley, Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Lynn Beatty, “Bo” Boggs, Dewayne Borror, Jane Conrad, Marie Cole, Norma Propst Cunningham, Christian Dasher, Isaac Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Neal Eye, Loralee Gordon, Lola Graham, Jordan Greathouse, Patsy Green, Rosalee Grogg, JC Hammer, Marlene Harman, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Grace Hedrick, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Adelbert Hoover, Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, Lisa and Mike Jamison, Jessica Janney, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Danny Kimble, Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Ronnie Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Anna Mauzy, Ed May, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Aaron Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Wanda Pitsenbarger, Alda Propst, John O. Propst, Kathy Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Tom Rader, Brandon Reel, Charles Rexrode, Jason Rexrode, Jerold “Jerry” Rexrode, Pam Rexrode, Dennis Riggleman, Donna Ruddle, Annie Simmons, Phyllis Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Kent Simmons, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Donnie Smith, Stanna Smith, Steve Stump, Rosa Tichenor, Sandra Vandevander, Evelyn Varner, Raymond Varner, Amy Vaus, Judy Williams, Ann Wimer and Margaret Wimer.
