LA & Re: - Calling Names - Where You From? - Rootbeer - and Charms

[aprilgc at ivillage.com]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "Haggridd" <jkusalavagemd at y...> wrote:

> As a transplanted New Yorker M.D. working in Louisiana, I still 
> marvel at my friend's kids, who persist in addressing me as           
> "Mister Doctor John."
> 
> Haggridd

As a transplanted Louisianian (?) who has decided that it's a nice 
place to visit for a couple weeks at a time, I feel your pain, Mr. Dr. 
John. <g> Their parents have drilled into them that adults should be 
referred to as "Miss/Mr./Mrs. Firstname", and they don't want to take 
any chances on messing up, cuz kneeling in a corner on a bed of rice 
ain't no fun.

Hehe, now picture nine year old ALIEN me, with my "Firstname" attitude 
in that environment. My son and I went to visit the kinfolk last year 
(his first time south). I had managed to put all the title stuff out of 
my mind until my brother reminded me that I'd better "explain things to 
the boy". Most of the relatives just went along with his use of first 
names (the ones that grew up with me did, anyway). One of the men who'd 
married into the family when I was an adult (they got the rest of the 
kids and the younger generation well-trained <g>) would actually ignore 
my child, who was trying to get the "adult's" attention, until he 
remembered to put "Uncle" in front of the man's first name. Then their 
kids ganged up on my four year old when I wasn't around and told him 
that every time he called me by my first name he was hurting my 
feelings.

Those attitudes are too funny (not when they're making my baby cry, but 
other times). As I mentioned before, my mother was the oldest of the 
siblings. I was firstborn of the grandchildren, five years after the 
birth of my mom's youngest sisters. Picture adult me with child cousins 
- that put the family in a scramble, for sure. Adults have to have 
titles, but "my cousin, Miss April", didn't seem right. Some of them 
settled on having their children call me "Cousin April", and some "Aunt 
April". I knew it was pointless to tell them "just, April, works for 
me" (not that I didn't tell them anyway). I did tell the kids that the 
quickest way to get on my bad side was to call me, "Ma'am".

Rootbeer:
So, Haggridd, have you tried the rootbeer? How long have you been in 
LA? Where? If you haven't, check your grocery store in either the drink 
mix aisle, or the baking supplies aisle - deep brown liquid, yellow 
label (the one I used to get <g>), "Rootbeer". The directions for 
mixing are on the bottle. Hey, while you're in the store <g> please 
pick up a link of boudin (the white kind, not blood sausage). If you do 
that, and send some thought waves my way while you eat it, I'd be most 
appreciative. lol ...ooohhh, and some boiled crawfish, if you're of a 
mind - but don't feel you have to suck the heads on my account.

Charms:
I tried another blister relief "charm" last night, and it actually 
worked! Well, that, or one of the medical witches or wizards on this 
list sent a charm my way that I'm taking credit for <G>. If you did it, 
please don't tell me. I'm feeling my "Hermione - O's"; I hate to think 
that I should be feeling my "Neville-O's". Just do the same thing next 
time I mention that I'm having a problem so that I can keep feeling 
brilliant (and accept my deepest thanks). lol

Magically yours,
Lady L.