Southern Is As Southern Does...

Inspired by true southern gems, today’s blog is a look at what it’s like to be a true Louisianan. Big thanks to G.R.I.T.S. Jamie, Johnette, Melissa, and a few old sayings we carry along with our traditions.


Louisiana girls know:

1. Yes ma’am and sir are part of the daily language, not just manners.

2. ‘Fixin’ dinner is the same as cooking it, just like ‘Fixin’ to go to the store is the same as ‘about to’.

3. Distance is measured in time…it takes forty-five minutes to get to N’awlins, who cares how far it is.

4. It’s not a shopping cart, it’s a BUGGY.

5. You know that if it grows it sticks, and if it crawls or flies it bites.

6. The main spices in your kitchen are Tony’s Chachere’s, Slap Yo Mama, Tabasco, cayenne, crab boil, salt, and black pepper.

7. You didn’t learn until later in life that “When the Saints Go Marching In” is a religious song and NOT about the New Orleans football team.

8. Beignets and chicory are breakfast…any time of the day.

9. You thought Mardi Gras was a national holiday until you traveled out of state.

10. You describe the first cold snap (below 70⁰) as gumbo weather.

11. A carbonated soft drink is not a soda or a pop, it’s a coke…regardless of what flavor; i.e. “What kind of coke do you want?”

12. Bouree' (boo-ray) is not a Cajun food, it’s a popular Cajun card game, sometimes called "Cajun Bridge"

13. Boudin however IS a Cajun food, it’s sausage made with pork and rice

14. Cher (sha) is a term of endearment or "my sweet", not a movie star/singer.

15. Cochon de lait (coo-shon duh lay) is a pig roast…not a coffee.

16. Pirogue (pee-row not Perot) is a Cajun canoe, not some big-eared politician with too much money.

17. Hush Puppies…it’s food not a shoe.

18. A parrish is the same thing as a county, only better.

19. Playin’ opossum didn’t mean you were pretending to be sick, it was a game we played as teenagers out in the woods with 4-wheel drives and spotlights.

20. Lagniappe (lan yap) is an old Creole word for "something extra"…there’s always lagniappe in Louisiana ;-)

Definition and application: Accommodate

In recent weeks through email, phone calls and face-to-face communications I've learned a valuable lesson.  Words are defined one way and applied another in each interaction.  Here's an example:  Today's word is ACCOMMODATE.

The word 'accommodate' by the Merriam-Webster dictionary.com definition is:

1: to make fit, suitable, or congruous


2: to bring into agreement or concord : reconcile

3: to provide with something desired, needed, or suited (as a helpful service, a loan, or lodgings)

What I have found in communicating via email, it means:  "I want it my way or it shouldn't be at all."  or "It doesn't fit my personal schedule."
 
What I have found in communicating via face-to-face, it means:  "Oh, I didn't see it/know about it/insert excuse here." 
 

My reply:  In my best Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonation, "STOP WHINING!"

That concludes today's lesson in definition and application.  Tune in next week for more wisdom from the soap box.

STAR Light, STAR Bright!

Do you have a passion for writing?  Need a boost to get past that one scene, or need help killing off that character who just won't die? 

Space CoasT Authors of Romance, RWA Chapter 187, invites you to join us as a guest or as a speaker on the fourth Saturday of each month.  As our guest you will have the pleasure of spending the day with a very talented group of authors.  As our speaker you will also have the pleasure of spending the day with a very talented group of authors! 

If you are looking for a jump start to your writing, or need a nudge of motivation to keep it going, then you need to join us March 26th and see just how fabulous STAR is! 

Go to http://www.authorsofromance.com/ to find out more.  See you in the STARs!