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I had mail this morning, a note from someone asking for the rest of the poem that was quoted in this article. Here it is, by Emily Dickinson, one of my favorites:
I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us — don't tell!
They'd banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
I have always loved that poem, thank you Emily Dickinson!
You know, Mary, I can't remember getting out of that one.
I would guess that Aunt Bett came to my rescue, she usually did.
Glad you remembered the poem, I wish I had known it when I had my confrontation with Callie. Aunt Bett was little woman, probably about my size now, and i remember that Callie May towered over her. Yes, she was a BIG woman.
Sharon, thanks for the info, and the story had me on the edge of my seat, as I was scared along with you! Ha! At least you said something to Callie; I think I would have Run! Great article =)
Yes, well...I was too afraid to move, and until the last minute I hoped she couldn't see me.
Aunt Bett had a wooden porch, raised up about 2 feet off the ground, and it had a hollow ring to it when it was stepped on. When Callie May clomped on it, i'm telling you the foundation shook. She was not only big, she was maybe just uncoordinated. She did not walk softly.
Aunt Bett treated her very well, though. And was kind to her. I was just afraid of her and too little to understand she was just doing the best she could.
Anyway...a fun memory.
Thank you so much for writing. I always look forward to whatever you have to say.
Loved your story as alway Sharon...Callie Mae sounds a lot like Mrs. Pierce who lived down the road from us, I was scared to death of that woman, she was huge, so was her husband, they had four or five very yappy, nippy Chi's...and they always had a large platter of fried bacon on the table to snack on...might partially explain their size...and yes, the house shook when she walked...
Ha, Trisha, I think everybody knew a Callie May. I wish I could remember her last name, I think it was Miller, but I am not sure. And I really don't remember whatever happened to her. She wasn't an old woman, but she wasn't married, and I don't remember that she ever did marry. She lived in her parents house, had always lived there, but I don't think she had any parents or siblings at that time.
I really had forgotten about her till I started writing about stoneroot.
Funny how I associate people with plants.
Thanks for writing...always good to know you are there reading.
Sharon, I loved it. She sounds like Tugboat Annie or some other very large brusque women who feel the need to impress people with their strong personalities. Your use of the word lumber is perfect. I had forgotten that word. Not many people lumber nowadays!
I guess the use of the plant follows the "do no harm" principle of medicine. Placebos are sometimes stronger than real medicines as is reaching out to attention starved, lonely people.
Your Aunt Bett was a very kind woman.
Hi Gloria,
My aunt was a marvel at understanding the complexity of the human psyche. I never knew it then, but sure know it now.
Callie May lumbered well, and with great bearing in her lumbering stride. Tugboat Annie, yes...she was. I do wish I could find someone who knows what happened to her. One told me she moved to Michigan years ago to live with a cousin or someone family associated. It is hard to believe I had forgotten about her till now. She was a regular visitor to Aunt Bett's front porch for many years. I wonder who made her stoneroot tea when she left the mountains.
Thank you for writing.
It's always good to hear from you.
Sharon
