As I sit here looking out the window watching the third day
of rain in Sherman Oaks, California, I appreciate the rarity of the event which
makes me grateful for other rare events in my life.
We are so lucky as an African American family to have so
much information. Thanks to my pack rat grandmother on both sides we have
photos, stories and information that many families do not have.
I finally made the transition from the South to the West Coast.
Although I am thrilled to be around my children and grandson a part of me could
not help but be sad. My southern roots are now so far away. My grandson will
never understand simple things (good and bad) that make us southern. It is not
only the physical location but the unique “southern” saying and the way of life
that color our speech.
Before my father died I begin to gather all his funny
saying. These are a collection of saying
that my father probably heard growing up. So, a many of these sayings are a
part of our heritage handed down through generations like any other heirloom.
Our father shared a lot of wisdom and knowledge with us over the
years. He became well-known for some
pretty colorful quotes. With his very
direct, no-nonsense, at times irreverent attitude, he taught us many lessons
about life. Many of his quotes are too
colorful for inclusion here, but some of those that have made us think or laugh
over the years were too precious to not share with those who share our southern
way of life.
·
Manual
labor deadens the brain
·
You
sound like you got grits in your mouth
·
You
runnin’ around here like a bull in a china shop
·
Why
buy the cow if the milk is free
·
You
hang around bears enough, you're going to start liking bears
·
Sleep
with dogs and you end up with fleas
·
You
may want horns, but you'll die butt-headed
·
He was
as ugly as Ned in the first reader (There was actually a Ned in first reader
books!)
·
He is
so black, he is blue
·
She’s
a porcupine – if she had as many things sticking out of her as she has had in
her she would be a porcupine.
·
Aahhh,
now that's what I like about the South (as he is drinking a glass of sweet tea
or other libations)
·
I have
Georgia red clay running through my blood
·
She
looks like a buffarelo!
Does anyone else have other unique sayings?
Because of the move and new job, I haven’t been able to do
much research. I am hoping that will change next year There are still so many
unsolved mysteries.
These are my goals as I continue the research to complete
our story.
Who were William Steele’s parents?
Where did Katie (Katherine) Broyle Rainey really come from? In
the bible her birth is listed as Woodstock, VA but what plantation? Can we ever hope to find her brother Ambrose
in which she honored his memory by naming Ambrose Leeviola Reid after him?
I added my DNA to the Ancestry website and actually
connected with two Broyles in Culpepper, VA.
So those stories from the front porch on Liberty Street just might ring
true!
Which Rainey family purchased Kate to travel south? There
are two Rainey family in Eatonton.
I recently found out the Tommy Lee Rainey was married. Did
he have any children?
Other Family News
It is with sadness that we lost two family members recently.
Sterling Lloyd – May 20, 2019. Sterling was
husband to Katherine Steele Lloyd.
Denise Wall – July 12, 2019 – Denise was the daughter of
Rosalyn Wall (Bell Family)
Our little family connection is growing. I was recently
contacted by two new family members doing research. Please spread the word if
anyone wants to know more about the Steele/Bell family.
Happy researching! T
