A Birthday Which Will Not Soon Be Forgotten

Some of you suggested that the phrase "right smart" sounded southern to you so I looked it up and this sort of summed up what the general opinion of the origin of the phrase is. 

“THATS RIGHT SMART”

“Right smart” is an old Appalachian phrase meaning quite a lot, very, or a significant amount. A “right smart distance” means fairly far, a “right smart problem” means a big problem, and a “right smart crowd” means a large group of people.

The phrase comes from Scots-Irish English brought to Appalachia in the 1700s and 1800s and preserved through isolation in communities. Linguists have documented it as part of Appalachian English, which contains many similar survivals from earlier British and Scots-Irish speech.

Over time, this speech blended with other influences in the region, but its Scots-Irish foundation remains clear. Scholars such as Michael Montgomery have traced phrases like this back through historical usage. “Right smart” is an example of how older forms of English have survived in Appalachian dialect—not as errors, but as preserved linguistic history.

So I'm thinking that I was obviously channeling some former incarnation of myself, either a person from part of the UK or a person born and raised in Appalachia. This theory would hold more water if I believed in reincarnation which I don't but who knows? I suppose anything is possible.

Mr. Moon, whose birthday it is today, just got home from a very long day of dealing with Tom's situation. A man who has also known Tom for a very long time and who is what I suppose would be called his friend and who has handled all of his financial stuff for years came to Tallahassee today from where he lives in St. Augustine and he and Glen worked all day long on legalities and medical issues and insurance and all of the other things that must be dealt with in such a situation. Not a great way to spend a birthday but it had to be done and he'll have more to do tomorrow.

I've spent all day working on trying to clean up a little around here, mostly on the back porch which is where I basically live. It looks a little better. I did some garden stuff but it's too hot for me out there. I baked a buttermilk poundcake and cut up strawberries and whipped cream for the one bit of celebration Glen's going to get. Well, that's not true. All the kids called or texted and Lon and Lis called and sang him Happy Birthday which is what they do and it's always so beautiful and sweet. I know I must have done other stuff because I was busy all day long but I sure don't know exactly what. I made a focaccia.

That I know. I'm going to make a scallop pasta of some sort and a salad with a lovely oily-vinegary-garlicky-dressing to go on top of the focaccia which is really one of the best things I make. Lily and her family are back from their visit to Lauren's parents' house down near Ocala which is always a delight for them as they have many, many animals to pet and feed, as well as a pool and hot tub and no shortage of delicious things to eat. I hear that Magnolia June, who is learning to drive a tractor, is what Lily describes as "being deeply in her farm girl era" and did not want to come home. Who could blame her? Jessie and the boys are at Camp Rockmont now, the boys as campers, Jessie as camp nurse.

And now I'm going to go get supper started. Mr. Moon deserves not to have to pass out from hunger before he gets his dinner. Especially on his birthday.

Shall we talk tomorrow? Love...Ms. Moon