That's probably true Linda. It's amazing what a kid can retain even if they don't realize they are doing it. Growing up I remember quite a few of the older ladies and their snuff jars. I used to ride around with a lady who wasn't really related to us but was as much like a Grandmother as any I did have. She worked for the welfare department and had to visit clients once every month or two. Don't get me wrong, we were not rich by any means but some of those places were an education in why you need an education. I always wanted to go see Miss Lilly, the colored lady off Lillian Hwy. I drive by her old homeplace daily and still remember watching her whitewash the lower parts of the tree trunks. She always had some fresh lemonade and cookies. I loved that lady. She didn't hide anything. Her snuff jar was a Mason jar and it was clear. Some of the other ladies sort of cleaned it up with covering. I got quite an education going around on that welfare route. I knew where not to get out of the car and what dogs to watch out for. Also knew where some stills were but that was never spoken of. Since they weren't my kin, I didn't say anything to anyone, even Mama. In the telling of their story for the welfare report, much of it was a history lesson. I just didn't understand what a gift that was at the time. I knew a few who were the children of slaves. They were old by the time I met them but it wasn't a secret. We still had shanty towns then. Those changed to old trailers and then Jim Walter homes. Now, they have the Habitat houses. Welfare has gotten to be big business.
The hill just south of my house by a block used to be called Poverty Hill. It was where the women would go because it had the best brush to make brooms. North of my house is Bayou Marcus Creek. That's where the baptizing was done. Mom said there were always a couple of Deacons, her Daddy was one of em, who had their shotguns ready in case a gator joined the service. The ride in the mule drawn wagon back from a night revival service for just what we think is now a few blocks, was cause for my older uncles to ride horseback and be on the lookout for Bobcats. The church they were returning from has a cemetery. In that cemetery are all of my CW GGGrandfathers. There are many other CW Vets too. Many are from the 15th Alabama. We are trying to get it on a historic register. It meets most of the required standards.

Pam

Pam