Chitter with a look of total disbelief on her face.
Who knows what her Daddy just told her, but most likely he was making light of her. The Deer Hunter doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, but he does like to tease and aggravate us.
We’re all so gullible that we believe any story he tells us. The girls finally wised up to his stories after they asked Miss Cindy what it was like to give birth at a ball game and she said “WHAT??” Their Daddy told them he was born at a baseball game out near the trashcans.
Sometimes if he’s making light of something close to their hearts they tell him he better hush up because they’ll be taking care of him in his old age and it might just get rough for him if he don’t watch it.
Do you ever use the term make light like I have above?
Tipper
Appalachia Through My Eyes – A series of photographs from my life in Southern Appalachia.
TIPPER I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR OPENING UP A NEW WORLD FOR ME. THIS IS ALLEN SMITH AGAIN AFTER LOOSING MY WIFE TO BC IN 2012 THE ONLY THING THAT KEEPS ME GOING IS MY FAITH IN (GOD) AND TO READ YOUR BLOG AND LEARN ABOUT TOU AND YOUR FAMILY BLOGS. AS I SAID WE WERE VERY POOR AND DIDN’T KNOW IT. WHAT I WOULD GIVE JUST TO SPEND ONE HOUR WITH MY MOMMA. SHE MADE THE BEST CHOW-CHOW AND GREASY CUT SHORT BEANS. HER APPLE BUTTER WAS TO DIE FOR. MOST PEOPLE HERE IN MISSOURI HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CHOW-CHOW IS. REMIND YOUR GIRLS THAT THE FIRST TIME I FLEW INTO ATLANTA I REMEMBER THOSE STEEP ESCOLATORS AND I HESITATED BEFORE I STEPPED ON. I HAVE NOT HAD FRIED BISCUITS. MOM HAD AN OLD HOOSIER CABINET AND SHE WOULD SIFT FLOUR AND MAKE BISCUITS. SHE WOULD USE A ROUND HEAVY DRINKING GLASS TO CUT THE BISCUITS OUT. WHEN SHE WOULD MAKE SOUP BEANS AND BAKE A CAKE OF CORNBREAD CUT IT INTO SLICES AND I WOULD PUT HOMEMADE BUTTER IN IT BREAK UP THE CORN BREAD LADLE THE SOUP BEANS WITH A FEW PIECES OF PORK AND POUR TWO BIG SPOONFULLS OF CHOW- CHOW OVER IT THAT WAS A MEAL IN ITSELF. MY DAD REALLY LIKED BUTTER MILK, HE WOULD TEAR HIS CORNREAD UP AND PUT IT IN HIS BTTER MILK. WHEN I FIRST CAME TO SAINT LOUIS ONE DAY I STOPPED TO GET A BREAKFAST OF EGGS BACON AND BISCUITS N GRAVY. THE PLANT CLOSE BY WAS CHANGING SHIFTS AND SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES CAME IN AND ORDERED A BRAIN SANDWICH AND A BUD. WE ATE EVERYTHING ON MOM’S BISCUITS. BUTTER AND BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES ON HER BISCUITS AND SOP IT UP OR GRAVY ANF BISCUITS WITH SLICES OF TOMATOES ON IT. WE EVEN POURED GRAVY ON CANTELOUPE. ENOUGH SAID FOR TODAY. HERE IS A TEST (WHAT DO NEWBORN BABIES DON’T HAVE AT BIRTH ?) ANSWER KNEECAPS. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AS I THANK GOD EVERTIME I GO YO BED AND EVERTIME I WAKE UP AND EVERY TIME I EAT A MEAL. WHEN I GET DOWN I SING TO MYSELF. THAT BAPTIST SONG (WAYFARING STRANGER.) TIPPER PLEASE KEEP ME ON YOUR PRAYER LIST ALLEN
Late entry
My mother, Blount county, Tennessee, born 1907, often used the term. However I seem to remember her using it as a caution: That is it isn’t right to make light of serious subjects, joking or poking fun about religion or death or things that others may have tender feelings or convictions about. Maybe now we’d might say, “some things just aren’t funny”. Or made to seem trivial when they are seriously important. As in “Don’t you make light of that! Grandmother has believed that all her life!”
Oh yes! I have heard it and I have said it!!
Yes, I have. Sometimes, I think I’ve only survived this long because I use humor, sarcasm, you name it too make light of situations. I’ve been sick for a long time and when it gets bad, I make light of it to ease their concern.
OH yeah, been using that phrase for years!
“Make light of” is used all the time here, but usually as “You shouldn’t make light of (something that’s being mocked or not taken seriously).” Like, “You shouldn’t make light of so-and-so’s problems; he’s going through a tough time.” So it’s got more of an edge to it than the kind of friendly teasing you described, Tipper. And oh, that ballpark story made me roar! Wish you had a picture of Miss Cindy’s face when she heard that question! 🙂
That’s way I’d heard it used
Many, many times Tipper..
Yes, I have heard and used that phrase many, many times. I don’t want ot make light of the fact that this phrase is a well-used one.
I think that the ability to make light of sometimes serious issues is a great way toward a long and happy life.
yes tipper i have heard that said .. and used it also..
as for making light.. i love it.. my father was just like the deer hunter and it still makes me smile now when i remember things he used to do and say… your girls are lucky to have their dad the way he is… and im sure they know that.. laughter is important and makes love even stronger.. 🙂
actually it was one of the reasons i married my husband, is that he had a good sense of humor.
sending big ladybug hugs to you all
xoxo
lynn
Tipper, I have heard that expression. My Dad loved to tease us, too. That was one thing that was so special about him. One of my favorite stories that he would tell was about a lady in Haywood County who had that opaque glass over her grave. He would say, if you went and looked down at her grave and asked, “What are you doing down there?” She would say, “Nothing at all!” When we were very young we would ask, “Really?”
Tipper,
There ain’t no tellin’ at all the
old foggie stuff I’ve told my girls when they were growing up.
Probably never told them any
better either…Ken
Tipper: just found your blog and I have to tell you how much I am lovin it. I am a farmgal of sorts, sorts bein that I am a Connecticut Yankee. Husband is a barely housebroke half Cherokee injun from NC. We farm together and are growing old here in upstate NY (and the hilltowns of the Adirondacks are very similar to Appalachia for those who don’t know)Good thing we both have a sense of humor. I mean no disrespect by callin him my injun since my family is also Injun, but from Maine and Mainiac Injuns are different from southern ones. Anyway, I know dearheart will enjoy your blog even as he lets me know it’s me that’s different in this world, the world that is all southern hills no matter where they may be.
I like the fact that my fella makes light of most things – in a good way. I use to be serious enough for the two of us. I have improved with age :). I firmly believe that humor is a big reason why I am still alive after 6 years with no chemo or radiation. Attitude is huge and science can prove the Bible correct concerning joy, positive thinking and loving-kindness. So, if you make light of something for laughter’s sake that’s a very good thing in my book!
I’ve used it, but not lately as it’s not common where I live now and folks here, when I fall back on the language of the mountains, start giving me dumb looks and I hate to embarrass ’em.
Makes the heavy parts of life better if you try to make light of them.
My husband, Dale, used to tell stories to our kids about things that had happened to him. He has a scar on the left side of his face that runs from the top of his lip on a diagonal to his cheek bone. He used to tell the kids he got it while fighting pirates.
The best story on him was after our young horse bucked him off and he landed on a sharp rock. The emergency room doctor put in 16 tiny stitches with black thread from his right eye to the top of his cheekbone and then smeared him with dark antiseptic grease. Of course he had a shiner, making him look as mean as a junk yard dog. The next day he flew to California for a business meeting, where he was going to negotiate a contract.
Before the meeting started somebody asked Dale what had happened. His negotiating partner said, “He had negotiation with another company yesterday. You ought to see the other guy!”
They did well at their meeting.
Yes, have heard it and used it all my life. Also, “can’t hold a candle to”. I love to tease my daughters as well with tall tales.
our greats said that Roy’s name was Pop AGGRAVATION Crane!!
I can remember being told not to make light of things and been on the receiving end, too. I’m sure I’ve had Chitter’s expression many a time
I use the term quite often and have been accused of taking life to lightly many times. I think I inherited this trait from my Dad and my Maternal Grandfather so I got it from both sides of my family. This tends to aggravate some people but it sure makes life easier if you don’t take yourself and others to seriously. I’ve always contended that most problems are caused by people who take themselves to seriously so folks lighten up and enjoy life,”that what don’t kill you will make you stronger”.
I use that saying all the time. The Deer Hunter is asking for trouble when the girls figure him out. Maybe I should say, when they get the nerve to give him some of his own medicine.
Oh yes this sounds like my honey, he makes light of people and tells these tales, people are never sure if he is making light or not!
I’ve heard of the term, but can’t say that I use it. I might use it as a way of telling someone that he/she made light of something, but not necessarily as you have implied. However, born at a baseball game by the garbage cans – interesting imagination. I am a bit gullible myself, so I may have believed him, but …….
Maybe he is a good storyteller.
Tipper–Don was also hit in the noggin by a wayward baseball along about the same time period he decided to consume some of the baseline down towards third base. Reckon it left him a bit addled?
Jim Casada
http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com
P. S. He wasn’t under my “care” at the time but that of our sister, and I think baseball coach “Pee Wee” Jones gave her what for in connection with letting Don get in the way.
sure have, sure do
Sure do. Still say it at times.
I’ve heard it all my life and said it all my life. My family is mostly Scott-Irish, English, and German with a little Cherokee Indian. Most of my ancestors came over in the 17th and 18th centuries.
I have heard the phrase, but I have not used it.
this message is for Chitter—beware although I am sure it is all in fun–however do keep reminding him of his old age and who shall be taking care of him—-you might also want to write down these “crazy” things he says for a later-in-“yours and Chatter’s” life memory!!!!
Yep, I use it that way.
I wasn’t born up at the baseball field above the house on Black Hill, but I did eat the lime going down the first base line when I was a lad.
Oh yes, I know that expression very well. I’ve never appreciated having things important to me made light of.
Chitter looks like she is about to say something that you wouldn’t want to print here. Her Dad has a knack for eliciting that reaction from her. lol
The Deer hunter has always been serious minded with a light side that likes to laugh and play practical jokes. He would, however, never have lived to be a grown man if he had poured a glass of cold water on me in the shower, like he did to you. He does love to laugh!
The Deer Hunter was born in a Haywood County Hospital in Waynesville NC and don’t you believe anything else.
I have heard that one, and used it. One of Pop’s sayings was “can’t hold a light to” as in ‘He can’t hold a light to Joe when it comes to plowing’. That would mean Joe was a lot better at it.
This site brings a lot of good memories of my own time spent in Kentucky. And the songs-love them!
I don’t think the Deer Hunter was making light. You see he was just a baby when he was born and babies tend to remember things a little different.
Many a time!
Tipper,
Have heard and used that sayin’ many a time…
I live with one of those teasers..always making light of something I say or do…Sometimes I don’t realize what I’ve said until he makes a joke of it..At times it will make me mad, sometimes it makes me laugh too..
Our grandchildren think he is so funny. One grandson said he would wish that he could always be happy and funny like Pappaw, and how he finds so much to say and laugh about. They say he is always happy..I think that is a great compliment. Who would think a teaser would get that kind of compliment.
Thanks Tipper, I can’t imagine the girls making light of their parents in their old age. They just seem too sweet and caring.
Oh yes, still use that phrase.
Tipper,
I have been known to tell someone that was really down about something that they should make light of the situation. What I am trying to tell them is that learn from every situation and if it was a mistake and they learn from it then there has been something gained.
One of my favorite saying is ” Learn from the mistakes of other fro you will never live to make all of them yourself. Have a super day. 🙂