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About The Author
BooMan
Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.
9 Comments
You’ve been writing really good stuff lately, Booman. The trip out West seems to have re-charged your batteries. I’m sorry I haven’t been commenting that often; I’ve been busy pickin’ and processin’. Today I made jars and jars of pickles! Baby Dills, Kosher Dills, Sliced Dills. Tomorrow, I put up yellow squash & onions and make Bread n’ Butter Pickles and Relish.
Pickles eh! As a migrant worker in the mid sixties, the work progressed chronologically with the maturing of the crop. I used to start picking tobacco the beginning of August, till the crop was in or till the frost killed off the remainder of it. Then it was off to either pipe tobacco, apples or tomatoes. The tomatoe plants need to be broken down [call that trashed] to spread & give all the tomatoes equal time in the sun, so they would all ripen at the same time. The farmer would plant the tomatoes & the pickle cucumbers at the same time in the same place. To get to the pickles you had to thrash the tomato plants. The farmer would tell you not to worry about the tomatoes since the pickles were much more important. [lies]
The more important crop [the tomatoes] were then assured of getting full sun as it was such a horrible job getting to the pickles that we would thrash those goddamn tomato plants. I don`t know what kind of pickles you were picking, but I hope it`s not those that have spines on them.
40 acres later, I still will not eat a pickle. Then once we were done [remember the unimportant tomatoes] it was time to pick them with great care.
Thanks for reminding me of a really great time as a migrant worker. It really was an enlightening time for me.
Also, it`s nice to know there are still people who “grow your own”.
I wore heavy gloves picking them but, when I got to scrubbing, the spines went right thru my dishwashing gloves and made hamburger out of my fingers before I realized it. I’ll use heavy neopreene gloves next time…
I really enjoyed reading your comment. I hope you weren’t being sarcastic and really did benefit from doing that kind of work. Homegrown vegetables are so much better than anything you can buy in the store; I think half of the flavor enhancement comes from knowing your sweat and aching back went into the food on your plate.
I hadn’t thought of laying the vines down to ripen the tomatoes. Of course, as a home gardener, I’ll be gentle and won’t trash them. I’d hope to stand them up again and grow some more fruit before laying them down again. Hmmm… yep, I’m going to give it a try with one of my plants and see how it works.
No, I was absolutely serious about my time in the fields. I think every youngster should do it. Maybe as a summer job? I didn`t want to come off as a lightwieght when I mentioned the spines, so I didn`t make a big deal out of it. But, codhamcheese&rice are those things shredders. I also had my own farm for a while & did spend a whole year taking care of a farm solo. 120 acres of winter wheat,40 acres of potatoes, 20 head of beef &
28 acres of tobacco. This included germinating the tobacco seed in a greenhouse, then transplanting in early May. [Watch out for a late frost.]
Getting the wheat harvested, then prepping all the ground for planting. That`s plowing, discing, harrowing & setting rows. The seed potatoes were quartered in the winter while we graded the tobacco. Plant the potatoesblah bla bl,..
So yes there`s a lot to be learned when you`re out on a tractor for days on end in God`s country.
I would have to agree BooMan that you’ve done some fine work since meeting me in Las Vegas. Glad I could be of service. 😉
I’m gonna try this again….
I’m getting ready to leave to protest on the bridge )there’s no real safe exits from a bridge…, then will be at the church with Medea (co-founder of CodePink) and then we will head over to the Veteran’s For Peace Memorial to read names in a candle light vigil.
My daughter graduated to middle school today. My son said goodbye to his friends… it’s been a long, hard week.
Peace.
Ok Folks, it is email time for report. Soooooo, here it is, straight off the press from Libby Dole…have fun with it…if you think you can….;o)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi, folks,
I want to update you on the good news from our campaigns around the country, and let you know how your support is helping Republican Senate candidates from Montana to Pennsylvania.
Recent momentum has helped our campaigns across the nation–and next week, thousands of Republicans will converge on Washington for the President’s Dinner during which we will honor President Bush and our Republican House and Senate candidates. I’ll be speaking at the dinner, and this e-mail contains some of the thoughts I’ll be sharing Monday night. I hope this gives those of you who can’t make it to Washington a chance to share in the good news.
As Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, it’s my job to ensure that we preserve our majority in the United States Senate–and with the candidates we’ve got this year, I am confident we’re going to achieve our mission.
Our wonderful incumbents are running top-notch campaigns with energy and determination. In Missouri, for example, Jim Talent recently launched his campaign by touring eight cities in two days! Talk about a road trip! And by working to expand access to affordable healthcare and fighting hard to combat Missouri’s meth problem, Jim is tackling the issues that matter to the people of Missouri–while his opponent mimics the words of Howard Dean and Harry Reid.
And our candidates are using the internet to help get the fires burning among their core supporters. Rick Santorum has recruited 22,000 volunteers through his “Rick’s Running Mates” program…sounds more like “Rick’s Army” to me! And Rick has out-raised his opponent two-to-one!
And in Ohio, Montana, and Arizona, Mike DeWine, Conrad Burns, and Jon Kyl are taking their ultra-liberal opponents to task. Folks in those states know their Senators and know the good work they’ve done. Mike, Conrad, Jon and the rest of our incumbents are setting the record straight and reminding the American people what Republican principles have accomplished.
Now our incumbents aren’t alone in their hard work and achievement this year. Republican challengers across the country are putting Democrats to the test. In Maryland, Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele is making history. He raised more money in the first quarter of this year than any other Republican Senate candidate in Maryland’s history–and he’s out-raised his leading Democrat opponent in the last two quarters. Michael’s message of empowerment through economic and educational opportunity is resonating across the state.
And in New Jersey, Tom Kean recently won the highest percentage of the vote in a contested Republican primary in 50 years! Talk about momentum!
In Michigan and Washington, our candidates will be able to contrast their conservative credentials with Debbie Stabenow and Maria Cantwell, who both just voted against eliminating the death tax. You know, Mike McGavick is doing a wonderful job showing the people of Washington what real leadership means…and I just don’t think Maria Cantwell can keep up.
And finally, you’ve probably heard that Robert Byrd just became the longest serving Senator in history. Well I’m glad he reached that milestone this year, because John Raese is going to send him packing come November!
Folks, I’m so proud to stand with all of our Senate candidates, and with all of you. Your donations and grassroots support are an integral part of our campaigns’ successes. With your help, the NRSC can provide needed support to our incumbents and challengers that will give them an advantage come November.
Thank you for your tremendous support this year, and I look forward to sharing more good news over the next 144 days!
Sincerely,
I was sent this by a good ol’ army nurse friend of mine…she is definately southern, S.C, as a matter of fact, and being I am from the north….she knows how to hurt a person in the worlds worst way….:o) but then again I am navy..what can I say…:o) Please have a laugh on me..hugs……………
Southernness
>>>>>
>>>>> Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a
>>>>> conniption fit, and that you don’t “HAVE” them, you “PITCH” them.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens,
>>>>> peas, beans, etc., make up “a mess.”
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction
>>>>> of “yonder.”
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Only a Southerner knows exactly how long “directly” is, … as in:
>>>>> “Going to town, be back directly.”
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Even Southern babies know that “Gimme some sugar” is not a request for
>>>>> the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl
>>>>> in the middle of the table.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> All Southerners know exactly when “by and by” is. They might not use
>>>>> the term, but they know the concept well.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace
>>>>> for a neighbor who’s got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a
>>>>> big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor’s trouble is a real
>>>>> crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between “right near”
>>>>> and “a right far piece.” They also know that “just down the road” can
>>>>> be 1 mile or 20.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between
>>>>> a redneck, a good ol’ boy, and po’ white trash.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing
>>>>> turn signal is actually going to make a turn.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> A Southerner knows that “fixin” can be used as a noun, a verb, or an
>>>>> adverb.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, … and when
>>>>> we’re “in line,” … we talk to everybody!
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they’re
>>>>> related, even if only by marriage.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> In the South, y’all is singular, …. all y’all is plural.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee
>>>>> are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food;
>>>>> and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> When you hear someone say, “Well, I caught myself lookin’,” you know
>>>>> you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> Only true Southerners say “sweet tea” and “sweet milk.” Sweet tea
>>>>> indicates the need for sugar and lots of it — we do not like our tea
>>>>> unsweetened. “Sweet milk” means you don’t want buttermilk.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> And a true Southerner knows you don’t scream obscenities at little old
>>>>> ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,”Bless her heart”
>>>>> … and go your own way.
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your
>>>>> Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and
>>>>> call me in the morning. Bless your heart!
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all
>>>>> this Southern stuff, … bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin’ to
>>>>> have classes on Southernness as a second language!
>>>>> __
>>>>>
>>>>> And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a
>>>>> long time, all y’all need a sign to hang on y’alls front porch that
>>>>> reads “I ain’t from the South, but I got here as fast as I could.”
>>>>> ___
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> SOUTHERN WOMEN
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women appreciate their natural assets:
>>>>> Clean skin.
>>>>> A winning smile.
>>>>> That unforgettable Southern drawl.
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know their manners:
>>>>> “Yes, ma’am.”
>>>>> “Yes, sir.”
>>>>> “Why, no, Billy!”
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :
>>>>> “Y’all come back!”
>>>>> “Well, bless your heart.”
>>>>> “Drop by when you can.”
>>>>> “How’s your Momma?”
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know their summer weather report:
>>>>> Humidity
>>>>> Humidity
>>>>> Humidity
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know their vacation spots:
>>>>> The beach
>>>>> The beach
>>>>> The beach
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August:
>>>>> Colorful hi-heel sandals
>>>>> Strapless sun dresses
>>>>> Iced sweet tea with mint
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know everybody’s first name:
>>>>> Honey
>>>>> Darlin’
>>>>> Shugah
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
>>>>> Fried Green Tomatoes
>>>>> Driving Miss Daisy
>>>>> Steel Magnolias
>>>>> Gone With The Wind
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know their religions:
>>>>> Baptist
>>>>> Methodist
>>>>> Football
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know their country breakfasts:
>>>>> Red-eye gravy
>>>>> Grits
>>>>> Eggs
>>>>> ! Country ham
>>>>> Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma’s homemade jelly
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
>>>>> Charleston (Chawl’stn)
>>>>> Savannah (S’vanah)
>>>>> Fort Worth (Foat Wuth)
>>>>> New Orleans (N’awlins)
>>>>> Atlanta (Addlanna)
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
>>>>> Men in uniform.
>>>>> Men in tuxedos
>>>>> Rhett Butler, of course!
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern girls know their prime real estate:
>>>>> The Mall
>>>>> The Country Club
>>>>> The Beauty Salon
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern girls know the four deadly sins:
>>>>> Having bad hair and nails
>>>>> Having bad manners
>>>>> Cooking bad food
>>>>> Wearing too much makeup in the summer
>>>>>
>>>>> Southern girls know men may come and go,but friends are fahevah !
>>>>>
>>>>> Now…… Shugah, send this to some girls who were raised in the South
>>>>> or wish they had been!
>>>>>
>>>>> If you’re a Northern transplant, Bless your little heart, fake it.
>>>>> We know you got here as fast as you could…..!!!
>>>>>