Originally penned 28 July 2009

Today I was making cards from some notes I took down from above my Mother’s kitchen sink. The notes I removed were worn and tattered…probably had been there 20 years or more. I took down only two that I noticed while I washing dishes, they were just barely holding on by two pieces of dried cracked cellophane tape and the paper was brown and cracked with water marks where she, Mother, no doubt had straightened them out to read them as she washed dishes over the years.

I thought I’d bring them home and make two little printed cards with the verses she wrote, laminate them and send them back to her.

As I was making the cards, I was reminded of the notes that were always above the kitchen sink when I was a little girl washing dishes. Then one of the verses popped into my head, then another, then another… Below is a collection of those sayings/poems… When you get to the bottom at the Little Orphan Annie verse, it may become clear why I am afraid of the dark.

Southern Up-bringing, a little like southern religion, it invokes fire and brimstone and generally PUTS the fear of something into you!

Thank God for Dirty Dishes

author unknown

Thank God for Dirty Dishes,

They have a tale to tell.

While others are going hungry,

We’re eating very well.

With home and health and happiness,

I shouldn’t want to fuss.

For by this stack of evidence,

God’s very good to us.

I LOVE YOU MOTHER

“I love you, Mother,” said little John. Then forgetting his work, his cap went on. And he was off to the garden swing, Leaving his Mother the wood to bring.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Nell. “I love you more than tongue can tell.” “Then she teased and pouted half the day, Till Mother rejoiced when she went to play.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Fan. “Today I’ll help you all I can.” To the cradle then she did softly creep, And rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom, And swept the floor, and dusted the room.Busy and happy all day was she, Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

“I love you, Mother,” again they said. Three little children, going to bed. How do you think that Mother guessed Which of them really loved her best?

The Little Orphan Annie

James Whitcomb Riley

Little Orphan Annie’s come to my house to stay. To wash the cups and saucers up and brush the crumbs away. To shoo the chickens from the porch and dust the hearth and sweep, and make the fire and bake the bread to earn her board and keep. While all us other children, when the supper things is done, we sit around the kitchen fire and has the mostest fun, a listening to the witch tales that Annie tells about and the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!

Once there was a little boy who wouldn’t say his prayers, and when he went to bed at night away up stairs, his mammy heard him holler and his daddy heard him bawl, and when they turned the covers down, he wasn’t there at all! They searched him in the attic room and cubby hole and press and even up the chimney flu and every wheres, I guess, but all they ever found of him was just his pants and round-abouts and the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!!

Once there was a little girl who always laughed and grinned and made fun of everyone, of all her blood and kin, and once when there was company and old folks was there, she mocked them and she shocked them and said, she didn’t care. And just as she turned on her heels and to go and run and hide, there was two great big black things a standing by her side. They snatched her through the ceiling fore she knew what shes about, and the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!!

When the night is dark and scary, and the moon is full and creatures are a flying and the wind goes Whoooooooooo, you better mind your parents and your teachers fond and dear, and cherish them that loves ya, and dry the orphans tears and help the poor and needy ones that cluster all about, or the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!!!

OH MY, I think I’ll be good today!!