What it really means to be a redneck

Today, I learned something new while hanging out with the DAR ladies.  And you thought that they were stuffy old white women...but I learned the origin of the term redneck. I always thought that it meant that those men who worked out in the fields for so long that they had a permanent red neck.  It didn't come from where you think it did. 

Jeff Foxworthy has coined the phrase, "You know you're a redneck if..." and then you fill in the blank. When one thinks about a redneck you imagine an uneducated southerner riding around in a truck with the rebel flag in the back window who is rough and rowdy.

The term redneck, however, goes much deeper than America's Southern roots and across the pond. The term didn't originate in the South like many believe. It all started in Scotland. In the early 1600's Scotland was divided by the Highlands and the Lowlands. The Lowland Scots were primarily Presbyterian and the Highlanders were Catholic. King Charles I was determined to bring all of the churches in Scotland and England under his rule and there be one religion, the Church of England. His decree required all Scots to sign a covenant pledging to the state religion. Of course, many refused and were basically signing their death warrant. The "rebels" were made examples of with public hangings. The dissenters were labeled "Covenanters" and the true ones signed in their own blood, and wore blood-red pieces of cloth around their necks as a distinctive insignia. Thus redneck was a name bestowed upon the Presbyterians and their descendants. Many of the non-signers fled Scotland for Ulster, Ireland and eventually to America. 

So, whenever you hear the word redneck think again about the origin and what the Scots went through to be called a name that we have used in a derogatory connotation. I am proud to be a redneck because I am Southern and have roots across the pond too! Click on the link above (redneck in red) and watch an episode of the program called Americas Secret Slang. It was very interesting. 

Source: Our Redneck Roots by Donald D. Erwin
Painting by Joseph Mason Reeves

Walking Like a Human

One day two sisters were playing together as the grandmother watched.  The eldest, Laylahni, a very observant four-year old, said to her grandmother,"Kee Kee is walking like a human," as she watched her one-year old sister walk across the grass. The grandmother tried very hard not to laugh. Then answered kindly, "Honey, Kaleigha is a human."  The four-year old thought for a moment and looked at her sister again. "Oh, she is a baby human." 

Exposing feet to the world that have been in hibernation...

Happy Feet

I love cowboys and Chad Prather is hilarious. We've all seen those people who turn a blind eye when it comes to their feet.  Well, this guy tells you like it is when it comes to exposing what has been in hibernation for nearly six months. Maybe I need to pay attention to what he is saying too! Excuse me while I go shave my legs, there was a little neglecting going on there as well. 

Why I like the color green

Do you remember being asked what your favorite color was when you were a child?  The youngster would quickly tell you the color that is the most appealing to them.  When asked why, the child wasn't articulate enough to expound their reasoning for liking the color. I was one of those children. In my heart I knew that I liked the color but to explain the attraction was beyond my limited vocabulary.  Green and all of its shades have spoken to me for as long as I can remember. 

One day a friend and I went to the Edwin Warner National Park in Nashville, Tennessee for a hike. It was April and the leaves had begun slowly to emerge from their winter cocoon.  

I looked all around me and green was everywhere. As we walked the narrow path my eyes darted up and down trying to take in the serenity that I felt. No noise was heard but the rustle of the leaves and the shuffle of our feet on the path. 

The wind began to blow in my ear, whispering.  "This is for you," The voice whistled in a low hum. 

I continued to try and take in the beauty that I saw. And if I could, I would have liked to put it in my pocket and save it for a grey winter day when my spirit was low.  This is what green means to me and why I like the color. Do you have a favorite color?