Wacky Relatives

If you show me a family that doesn't have some wacky relatives, I will come to your house and polish your floors. We all have them. Let's stop pretending.

My cousin (in-law) called me a Yankee recently. I haven't decided if she's right or not. I'm not sure it can be defined. I land in both camps.

In the husband and my extended families, we have our fair share of wackos. Yankees get stoic and pretend it's just a phase. Southerners prop them in a chair, put a drink in their hands and encourage the stories. (They usually include a slice of pie.)

Many years ago, we had a relative visit us. The husband pulled me in the kitchen and said, "She's a little affected, isn't she?" I said, "Yes, but the stories are great."

No Ma'am and Yes Sir

I haven't figured out if I'm more Yankee or Southern. I have a foot in both camps.

We've had two nephews visit recently. They're both well-mannered. Every sentence begins or ends with "Sir or Ma'am." If they miss something, instead of saying, "Pardon me?" they say, "Ma'am?" The oldies just scream, "What?!"

A lot of women get irritated if they are called Ma'am. It makes them feel old. In the south, it's the norm and I find it charming.

The baby doesn't say "Sir or Ma'am" very often. (If he does, it's tongue in cheek.) He does use last names, i.e Mrs. Lee or Mr. England. Many of these people have decided that he is now an adult and can call them by their first names. He can't do it.

I was sitting outside with my nephew last night and my neighbor came through the gate. He said, "Would that be Miss Pam?" I said, "Yes sir, it is."

I guess the southern side wins.