Bad word! sh—!

Before I start the diatribe, I Found this in the yard, big and beautiful:

(The picture does not do it justice! When I talked to it it looked like small blue jewels surrounded by white flowers!))

I have said in many blog entries I am from a very conservative family. Mama considered  Shucks, shoot, Gosh,heck, and Good LORD! as near cussing. Now I am not sure if Cursing and cussing are the same. But I knew either was bad, so I never said a bad word around the house. I practiced away from home with my buddies, in case I needed one, I would be ready.

(Jim & Shirl at their table with one of her DEEP dish desserts)

Of course when I joined the military I learned that there was a complete ‘nother’ language among men. marines were taught to NEVER use foul language around women. That meant ALL women. I only messed up once! No one is perfect. The DI would yell at you, “I said stand at F… attention sh—head!”

(Rifle Range Parris Island, Ralph Smith on the left, the kid in the middle is me!)

After awhile I got used to shipboard language, and that is where it stayed. I was never much to use bad language, and seldom did. But there were occasions, when a machine malfunctioned during an important job, one would come out.

Me, Kat, Jr. & Shirl at the reunion.

(The in-laws, Ruth (My oldest brothers wife and a darling), Dick,Jim, Sherry and Mozelle, at the reunion)

It happened at the above reunion. My sister, Kat,  was the wife of a church official, Dick (above). There has never been a better woman, and never a sweeter natured lady. She was sitting at the table with the family. (Mom & Dad had gone to their reward, thank goodness!). Something happened and little Kat said, “Shit”. Everything stopped, not a sound, then Jim (our good old Methodist guy) burst out laughing and we all did. Someone took a picture of Shirl and I about that time that was classic, as we looked at each other. Shirl printed the picture for everyone with the caption, “Our sister said Shit”.

Now with her okay, I have used the word too frequently. Sorta like Paula’s grabbing the “oh sh—!” handle when riding fast across their Texas ranch lands.

We recall that time with a good laugh. I know mama would joke sometimes in her later years, for curse words she resorted to “foot fire buddy by devil”, This straitlaced lady was the one whose family did not have an ‘outhouse’, but a “Pissery”.

Kat & Dick at their 50th

There are many things to remember Kat by, She was married at 15 or 16. Had her first baby before 17, I think. Was a dedicated wife, mother and Christian. She could sew, teach, cook, sing and was a great public speaker. But that all pales to her “Shit” statement at the dinner table. Yeah, I know it ain’t nice, but it sure was funny!

Thanks for coming this way!

Nite Shipslog

PS:

From Hollywood squares:

Q.. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during the first year?
A.. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries.

Q. In bowling, Rose Marie, what's a perfect score?
A. Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.

The graphic from Rose, remember our troops.