Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Hill Billy Confessions

I can't remember what it was, but something this afternoon reminded me of an old television show from my childhood. It's one of those things that I'm almost loathe to admit because I have spent most of my life trying to dodge that awful hill billy label, but any potential embarassment is out weighed by how sweet my memories of it are.

When I was little one of my favorite television shows was Hee Haw, a sort of backwoods variety show that pandered to all the worst stereotypes of Southern life. Many was the summer evening that I spent curled up with my Granpa in his old recliner giggling through Hee Haw. We'd each have a big glass of Granny's sweet tea, which was so loaded with sugar that there was a syrup sludge in the bottom of the glass that when slurped over ice cubes was better than any snow cone on the planet. Papa always smelled of chewing tobacco and Irish Spring soap and I can remember him laughing so hard that his eyes would disappear in wrinkles of sun weathered skin.

Miss Minnie Pearl was one of my favorites and I swear that she is the reason I have such a fascination with hats. She'd always greet the audience with a huge, "Howdy!" dressed in a frilly dress and a straw hat with the price tag hanging off the brim.

It was cheesey and hokey, but I just loved it.

31 comments:

Holly said...

What beautiful memories! I'm not sure why you would ever have to worry about being labeled a hillbilly - you are one of the most sophisticated people I've met on blogland!

Bee said...

Hee Haw was one of my favorite shows growing up too. In fact, I owe my love of bluegrass music to this show!

Liz Harrell said...

Hi Ang! I've got wifi for a few minutes and wanted to say hello. All is well here, looking forward to my own bed though.

Talk to you when I get back. Miss you.

Kathi said...

Hee Haw was a Saturday night tradition at our house. I loved it. Remember Barbie Benton? She always acted like she didn't know her blouse was too low and tight or that her shorts were so short. I used to love Lulu Roman. She was special. The whole show was so fun. Thanks for the memories. Thank you for your encouraging words this past week. Hugs, Kathi

Jennie said...

That looks great! You cut the price tag off your hats though right?
Just saw that you are reading Mary Higgins Clark, you'll have to let me know what it is like!

Anna Lea said...

Well HOOOOWWWDIIEEE. Oh and if that doesn't bring back memories. Man I loved the out-to-there charm she had. It also reminds me of that silly Allied discount tires commercial that you guys always wanted me to do. =)

Liz Harrell said...

I'm back, and officially buried beneath a pile of paperwork. Will call you later today.

Rose of Sharon said...

Oh my goodness......what great memories! You won't believe this, but just last week I bought a old hymn CD by the Hee Haw singers at a garage sale for .50 cents! I couldn't wait to get in my car and play that thing to bring back the old memories. We watched Hee Haw every Saturday night as I was growing up and we always had Taco Time take out food for dinner. As I got older, I was a little embaressed and became a closet Hee Haw fan! :0)

Thanks for the memories!

Hugs, Sharon

Kathi said...

Just checking in with you, Mrs. Fox. I know you have not gone public with all you are dealing with, so I'm not going to pry. But, if you are going through treatment, just know I'm praying for your healing and strength. Don't know if you've lost hair or are dealing with all kinds of stuff; but just want you to know I care. Maybe this time around you don't have to go through chemo. It's not my business to enquire, so I won't. I will let you do the telling when and if you want to. my friend Michelle over at Treasure the Moment is dealing with such things and having a hard time, and it made me think of you you as well. Hugs, Kathi

Maggie May said...

That was funny stuff. Sometimes its the simple things that are the best!

Kathi said...

I used to read Mary Higgins Clark; couldn't put 'em down; along with anything written by Ann Rule. One of Ann's true crime books took place in my home town ~ creepy.
I ate those books up, but I had to give them up when my husband began traveling. I jumped at every sound in the night. I hope you're enjoying Mary's book. Kathi

Jennie said...

Just popped in to send you lots of hugs and thinking of you. :D (((lots of hugs)))

Maggie May said...

Hope you are OK. Thinking of you. X

Bee said...

Just checking in on you. Hope all is well. You're in my thoughts.

Liz Harrell said...

I love you.

Kathi said...

I just came by to see how you are. Thinking and praying for you. Kathi

Linda said...

I remember Hee Haw and watched it too. My relatives were from Kentucky so I know my hillbillies. They even had their own stilles out back. Fun people.

Holly said...

There is an award at my blog for you - just wanted you to know that you're being thought about and prayed for.

Kathi said...

Dear Mrs. Fox, I'm thinking of you and praying for you. Kathi

Bee said...

Had you on my mind a lot lately. I'll say a prayer in hopes all is going well.
Elise

Anonymous said...

For all those who do not know yet..I found a story on the blog mabelshouse.blogspot.com/ in Liz's Dec 17th post she said that Angela had died that day. I am posting this so you can go and read it and know what happened. I have been on blogs that quit and never found out what happened to the person and just wanted you all to know. I am sorry to have to tell you this news.

Unknown said...

I come here still and wonder .....how could such a pure light go out...... but then it still burns in every word she wrote, and soul she touched. I will always have my Tea with Mrs. Fox. Ama

Kirsten Alana said...

Missing your posts today, and the light you always exuded Mrs. Fox!

Anna Lea said...

Happy Birthday My sweet sweet sister, I miss you dearly, today and every day

Anna Lea said...

Miss you big sis.

Liz Harrell said...

Missing you Ang, more today than yesterday, and the day before.

Anna Lea said...

These halls where you live so vibrantly aren't walked much any longer. But I still come here, where it seems you are still with us. Angie I miss you so very much. I am sure you already know what Liz has done. I only wish there were some way I could tell her how much it means to me. I love you.

Unknown said...

It is cold today and I think of wasabi in the snow that year you spent Kentucky and the great pictures of your walks in the woods with Bry I have them in hand and you in Heart.......missing you

Liz Harrell said...

Thinking of you today, and everyday.

Liz said...

Happy Birthday, my precious Ang. So much has changed. So much time has passed. I would give anything to talk with you just one more time.

You are remembered, and loved, and missed.

Every day of my life.

Liz said...

It's the day you left us. It sneaks up on me every year and catches me by surprise. Today I thought of you before I remembered today was the day you left. I was telling F about that day in Garden Ridge you told me, "I hate this f*&@ing song." And now every time I hear that song I cry and smile at the same time. And then today I got some pretty huge news. It's something that feels not coincidental somehow. It feels like a hello from you. So hello back. You're always a part of me.