Harlie Creech
Harlie Creech was over neat.
He swept the house morning and night.
He ironed his socks and starched his sheets,
And used a yardstick to get the quilts right.
South down the road lived Mildred Mays,
And in that direction Harlie would gaze.
Her hair was perfect, her shoes shined slick,
But Harlie hesitated, suspecting a trick.
Who knew what horrors lay in store,
Rumpled pillows, crumbs on the floor?
At last his love made him risk the ordeal,
And Harlie invited her for a meal.
He scrubbed the house once, then again.
With trembling hand he welcomed her in.
Then Harlie froze and held his breath,
As Mildred Mays passed the test:
She took one look and said,
“This place is a mess.”
—Mommy Goose Rhymes from the Mountains written by Mike Norris
I adore Mike’s book! The rhymes are written in the rich colorful language of Appalachia. And the book is wonderfully illustrated with photos of over a hundred hand carved and painted works by Minnie Adkins who has permanent collections in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Kentucky Folk Art Center.
It’s not just the words Mike uses throughout the book that speak of Appalachia. The manner in which they are used and the subject matter that they weave themselves around shouts of Appalachia too. Even the title of the book is perfect. I know many older folks, including a few Blind Pig Readers, still use mommy to describe their mother.
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a used copy of Mommy Goose Rhymes from the Mountains written by Mike Norris. Leave a comment on this post to be entered. *Giveaway ends December 3, 2023.
You can pick up a copy of Mike’s great book here.
Last night’s video: How to Make Deer Burgers.
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox
My 36 year old daughter calls me Mommy when she is happy! I like it too!
I would Love a copy of the nursery rhymes
I have a little great grandson who I would enjoy reading it to. I really enjoy your articles and site. I read it everyday brings back memories of how I grew up Thank You
Love the poem. Thanks for sharing. Had a very busy day yesterday so I am late posting. Lots of love and prayers going out to all of you and Granny and Little Mama too.
This poem is the cutest. I would love to read more.
There was a feller from Virginie who gave his gal a plump guinea. She said, “Don’t it beat all. It looks like gram-ma! I bet you paid a purty penny.”
Tipper, there’s an Appalachian limerick for you. I can write a thing or two. I may even write ✍️ one about you!
Sandi-Love that limerick 🙂 Thank you!
Love that rhyme! My great uncle Wintson was raised in east Tennessee, Tellico Plains. He lived to be quite old and never forgot the poems he learned in school as a young boy. I loved to hear him recite them. Uncle Wintson studied from a blue back reader. I don’t know if that was the name of the book or just what it was called from the way it looked.
Now that made me laugh.
Where I grew up you stopped using the name “Mommy” when you entered elementary school. If you said “Mommy” you were sure to be made fun of. I would like to have this book so I could ask my Mom if she remembers any of the rhymes from her childhood since she grew up in Tennessee.
That poem made me chuckle! Looks like a fun book to read next to the fire on a cold evening.
I have never heard of mother goose from the mountains! That would be a special treat to share with my grandchildren…thanks again Tipper!
If she said his place is a mess, I’m glad she can’t see mine!!
If I could add;
Harlie Creech swept ’til he was tared,
then she made him go out,
and sweep the yard!
Bed sheets won’t need ironing if you hang them ‘cross the line. There might be a crease from end to end. That becomes the line you must never cross but happily you can’t see it in the dark!
Such a cute little rhyme! Not that I am that kind of housekeeper. . This sounds like a wonderful book to have.
As my nieces and nephews and later grandchildren were young, I always referred to their mothers as mommy to them. It just seemed so enduring.
I must admit, I am a Mommy boy. Her given name was Thelma Belle but it was improper for me to call her that. So, from the day I first began to talk until the day she died I called her Mommy. She is still Mommy!
Why does Mr. Creech begin as Harlie then, along about line 8, become Harley, then back again? Is he straightening up his persona a bit to make even himself more presentable to Mildred May. Perhaps he thought that Harlie seemed to be childish and wanted to try on a more formal Harley.
The two most important women in my life were my mother and my wife, Mommy and Honey respectively.
Papaw-beacuse I’m a poor typist sometimes 🙂 Thank you for noticing! I corrected Harlie’s name
Oops, I didn’t know you typed it! I guess I stuck my foot in my mouth! I assumed the author wrote it that way! That’s what I get for assuming. I’m sorry!
Aww, poor Harlie tried, haha! Adorable poem! I just love children’s books. I call my mother “Mommy” as well. 🙂
Tipper. Perhaps I will get “hammered” for this comment, but what came to my mind is “Love is Blind!”
When I was a kid we could not afford the Childcraft books that some people also bought when they got the World Book Encyclopedia but some of my cousins had them. So when we visited them I was always inside reading the Nursey Rhymes instead of playing outside. My brothers & sister couldn’t believe that I preferred reading over playing in the above ground swimming pool (which was a real luxury in those days). But I was loved the Nursey Rhymes & memorized as many as I could. Hope Granny is good. Take Care!
I love the title of this book! 🙂
What a surprise ending to that little dittie! I got a big smile from it. Thank you for sharing it Tipper.
oh my I truly enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing.
The poem from Mommy Goose Rhymes from the Mountains is wonderful! My “Mommy” passed away in July and your videos and blogs have been especially comforting these last few months, although I’ve been a follower for some time now. I grew up in North Georgia and even though we moved away my Mom always kept her “southern accent”, lots of people seemed to noticed it. I do miss her terribly. I appreciate you and your family for reminding me of my southern roots regularly. I hope that Granny is doing well and wish you all a wonderful holiday season.
Glad to see that Matt got a grinder for that Kitchen-Aid mixer. I enjoyed the video. Ask him to start weighing and recording both the fat and the deer meat. That way he can hone in on the correct ratio.
Thanks for starting my day with a chuckle. Love your posts, Tipper.
Loved this rhyme! It will definitely put a smile on your face. After forty-seven years, I still remind my husband to please wipe his feet (shoes) on the rug at the door before he comes inside. One would think after all these years, he would remember. He says he just enjoys hearing me say it. 🙂
Love this post. Such a great story some of us can probably relate to. I have never been known to anywhere near that tidy.
Oh my goodness, that is so funny !!! So cute !!! I am still laughing !!! Thank you for setting a cheerful tone for the day , as always !!! The comments section of your blog is also always enjoyable!!! I look forward to it & am so thankful for you all !!!
that was great!
Don’t you all suppose that Harlie and Mildred both have “OCD” *meaning Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? With seeing Mildred’s reply she may be a little worse than Harlie! 🙂 What a fun little rhyme! I’d love to win a copy of Mommy Goose Rhymes from the Mountains. By the way, lost my mother 10 years ago, and still call her Mommy. I miss her so much! God Bless All
Loved the poem.
Once again, I am reminded of the little ditties my Dad and Aunt would recite for us kids. Thanks for the memory.
Tipper, I love the poem and have four little granddaughters who are voracious readers and would thoroughly enjoy the Mommy Goose book! Blessings to your family and loads of prayers for Granny and for the health of your precious grandson! Your whole family blesses me in so many ways!
I loved the poem. Mom used to read Mother Goose rhymes to us all the time: it was one of our favorite books which I still have. If you pull my name for this one, please pass this along to Bobbie Kay (above). Her post hit home with me. My Mom used to let us iron pillowcases (which she did not normally do) when we wanted to help her and she was teaching us how to iron. I guess she figured if we burned a pillowcase, it would be better than ruining someone’s clothes. Thanks for the memories today! Good luck, Bobbie Kay!
So sweet of you Jane! 🙂
I love this nursery rhyme. My grandmother (Mammaw) used to read to me when I was a child. I was blessed that she was my “babysitter” until I was old enough to start school. We read some of the books so often that I could recite every word even before I was able to read. I wish we had this book back then!
That is the best yet! It made my day with a big belly laugh 🙂 Love your show and your family!!!
I could incorporate writings like that in a sermon. I would enjoy the book. It was 13 degrees at my house this AM and I had to get out in it for an 8 AM appointment.
If only these men would really do all this, it sure would make women lives a lot easier. My husband needs to read this.
Ha! What a great ending to the poem. It was great. I would never be accused of being a perfect housewife, and as I get older it’s easier to clean up behind myself. Oftentimes I wonder who else is leaving all these messes around.
I’ve not heard of this book but it sounds like a fun one to read!
Thanks! This excerpt from “Mommy Goose Rhymes from the Mountains” written by Mike Norris made me smile. In one way or another, we all carry the ‘yard stick’ of Halie’s and Mildred’s standards, assumptions, risk assessment, and opinions about one another.
Does anyone have an address or phone number for Harlie? Overneat and can cook is unlike any man I have ever known! My siblings and I still call the sweetest woman in Heaven Mommy.
I am not familiar with this writer, but loved the poem. Thanks for sharing it.
What a lovely way to start the day. I’m also a former OCD cleaner. That changed as I grew older and got busy with children and work. One would say, we need humor to live a full life. This is a book that all would enjoy in their libraries. Wish I had one of those burgers for supper tonight. Yum. I’m not a deer eating person, but I believe I would try it the way Matt made it. I’d probably grind it a second time though. LOL. God bless you all. Jennifer
Good morning, Tipper! Absolutely enjoyed your excerpt for today! The whole subject of the rhyme reminds me of my late Grandma Bertha. She was neat as a pin and we often said we could eat off her kitchen floor. She lived in the town of Corbin, Ky, which is another beautiful area of the Appalachian region. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us!
I have wanted to get this book for a long time. It sounds so interesting.
When this poem began, I thought Harlie was going to be smitten with an untidy woman. Plot twist! Hahaha! Thanks for the laugh, Tipper 🙂
loved this rhyme, certainly gave me a giggle early and i certainly didn’t get a cleaning gene…not by any means but .i’m still mommy to my kids even though they’re grown..
Morning, Tipper. Well, today’s comments really hits the bell for me. I have written poetry for 60 of my 74 years. I love the rhythm of a good poem, yes I do, so I especially loved the one you shared. My 51 year old daughter still calls me Mommy. She’s a blessing for sure in my life and it makes me think of her as a little girl again. Thanks for making my day a little brighter! God bless you and yours!
I’ve never heard of this book before. I sure wished I had when my daughter and granddaughter were young. We would have had such a fun reading time with it. I’m glad I know about it now. After I first got married I became that way with my home. Everything had to be extra clean, things had to be put away in specific places. I was so picky about how my shag carpet looked and my bed covers had to have no wrinkles. It took driving myself crazy cleaning up after my husband and a toddler to realize as long as it is clean and presentable, then that’s good enough. My daughter still tells me sometimes that I’m OCD, but compared to how I use to be, I’m definitely not! As much as I’d love to read this book, I’ll chose to pass on being entered in the drawing for it. Let someone else receive the giveaway blessing.
Oh my daughter would adore that book! She’s very into Nursery rhymes lately and wants to learn them all!
I love this little ditty! One can imagine it in your mind! You can imagine how thrilled he must have been for her to think it a mess. Made me laugh out loud!
Blessings to all y’all!
Hi Tipper:
Getting ready for a big snowstorm here, things are starting to close early, leaving soon to pick up Victoria, I know you love the snowstorms but I don’t like driving in them still after all these years,
Love the rhyme this morning, loved when Victoria & Michael were small and reading to them, we always called my mother Mommy and sometimes people would laugh but we didn’t care, my children call me Mama and I love it, you don’t hear that much here , most children say Mommy or Mom. Anyway, Tipper I am interested in the book Appalachian Values, I guess Amazon will have it, certainly enjoying your blog, I always did but only little while back I am joining in with comments, you can certainly learn from the interesting things people have to say, okay headed out now before it gets too slippery. God bless.
Morning everyone. I always liked rhymes. This is a good one. No, I’m not that clean. My sister once told me she has better things to do then clean. I think she meant her art work. I think my problem is I have too many projects going on. Knitting, sewing, arts and crafts, house remodeling. Then I leave it in little piles in places and go and cook or bake, or garden. Then there’s cat toys on the floors. Hey, I’m retired, it’s fun time. Or I’m rebelling from the years of ironing sheets and scrubbing non existent fingerprints off walls. Yup, momma was a clean freak. Christmas is coming, I should clean. Oh no, I have decorations to make. Anna from Arkansas.
That Harlie, I thought he was a neatnic! She passed his test but he failed hers. Mercy! I’ll pass my chance in favor of those with young kids to read to. Our only grandson is ten already. I have a question for you, Tipper. Is the word “pretty” commonly used in your area as a modifier to just about any and everything; for example, pretty late, pretty cold, pretty far, etc ? I am all the time thinking of words like that and I think, “That’s a Tipper question.” Along before daylight this morning for some reason “pretty” came to mind.
Ron-I use pretty like that every day 🙂
One wonders how this perverted use of ‘pretty’ came to be. I’m pretty sure I am a guilty party.
I haven’t heard of this book before but am anxious to read it. My grandchildren will love it.
I love the Mommy Goose rhymes! Thanks for sharing!
Tipper, not much can I say I really LOVE, but this poem about Harley could’ve been written about me! I kid you not! Beside the words neat and tidy and sanitized should be my sweet mugshot for all to see! I’m a TYPE A for sure, although not as bad as I once was due to age mostly and my gentling down over the years. I still scrub floors on my hands and knees and although bleach is 6.50 a jug, I still gotta have it!!! Lol. Clean woman seeks clean man for cleanliness and gleaming shine!!! Lol
I believe one should leave enough germs around in the home so that one’s immune system will recognize them and be ready to fight when it encounters them extraneously. If one’s immune system knows only sterility how can it be at a constant state of readiness. That’s like a military who have only learned from perverted professors and politicians, and never from an enemy, real or simulated.
Of course Harlie and Mildred lived happily ever after!
You go, Girl!
I still have my childhood copy of Mother Goose. Must be 70 years old. Thinking I need a new version
Too funny! Reading the poem is a bright spot in my day.
This book sounds so sweet. I would love to have a copy. Thank you!
What a fun rhyme, I adore hearing folk say mommy, such a term of endearment.
Again, another wonderful book is shared. I think I saw it at WKU when my son was there. And it brought memories of my late mother reading Mother Goose to us and later to her grandchildren. Awe.. memories
It just goes to show you that some people love to clean. They are the ones to do it for you. My own mother was crazy when it came to cleaning. Five kids and you could eat off the floor any time.
When I taught school, I often taught nursery rhymes and jingles which most kids today never heard of but have become an important part of our American lexicon. Sadly and shockingly, even common Bible verses are uncharted territory for many children.
I required high schoolers to memorize short poems and stanzas from longer ones. To this day, when they see or speak to me … they recite them …. and they are very proud about it. So much so, their own children now them, too. Traditions make for sound families and strong countries.
This is the first I’ve ever heard of this book. I will look it up. Needs a place on my shelf . . .
My generation heard and learned lots of nursery rhymes, jingles, poems, and Bible verses. I can remember many of them and old radio commercials with catchy jingles about products, most long gone. Those are useless today, but they are still on the old hard drive, those and some material from Army days I wish I had never heard.
I wonder if others ever heard this little ditty my mother used to sing: “Bye-o baby bunting, Daddy’s gone a-hunting, to get a little rabbit’s skin, to wrap the baby bunting in”? She could have made it up.
Gene, I have heard the ditty, so I don’t think your mother made it up. Concerning your comment yesterday about stealing lunch, I know of two cases when I was in high school of exlax being put in fudge and finamint being substituted for chitlet chewing gum. It broke both boys from begging or bumming off of others. I must have misspelled those words, spell check is having hissy fit.
Glad to know that, Randy…and your spelling is close enough.
Mommy sang it, ♪♫”Bye baby bunting, Daddy’s gone a hunting, for to get a rabbit skin, to wrap the baby up in.”♫♪ Almost the same but with a few little differences. That was in the 1950’s in Southwestern North Carolina just a few hills and hollers from Tipper’s place.
“This place is a mess!” I’ve heard that before!
I wish I had known about this book when my girls were little, it is so colorful and descriptive and sounds just like a tale that would be told by a neighbor or family member ❤️
I love it. My grandbabies would love this book. I know a great many people still refer to their mom as mommy. My grandma was refer to as Mommy.
My wife says my corner in our living room stays a mess, I think it’s perfectly organized.
I enjoyed the little rhyme this morning
Hope everyone has a blessed day.
I loved the poem and our youngest grand daughters would love this book as well!
Humor works if you can relate to it. Is there any man that could possibly clean to a woman’s standard?
This book sounds like a winner!
Where can a copy of this be purchased?
Lessons galore are to be taught to old and young alike in these rhymes.
Thanks for shedding light on this book.
Carolyn
Carolyn-you can find the book here: https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813166148/mommy-goose/
I knew people who, as adults, also called their mama’s mommy. Though I lost my grandmother when I was 13, I called and still refer to her as my granmommy. Love this poem!
What a fun poem! I would love to have this book. Thank you for the updates on Granny. She is such a strong lady. I know you feel blessed to have her in you life.
Oh dear, I fear that Mildred would make the same pronouncement at my house! Housekeeping just never seems to end…the revision rhymes are fun and I would enjoy a copy of the book.
This hit home! I too used to iron pillow cases and pajamas for my grandmother. Not me, it feels good just to get them clean but I would do it all again to spend one more day with her.
Thanks for posting this one.
He does great rhymes. I enjoyed reading it(with chuckles), as I would never in my best years cleaned that much! lol I imagine it would be so fun to read his book. Matt’s deer burger sure looked tasty. This is how my son-in-love does his. Thank you for sharing Appalachian ways with us. God bless you and yours❤❤
I loved the rhyme. I didn’t get the cleaning gene in my family. I would love a copy of the book.
Mother Goose rhymes are always fun to read. Fun to read indeed.
Well poor Charlie met his match . Tipper this book would brighten anyone’s day.Thank you for this post.
Aww how perfect would this be for my grandbabies (12mo and 25 mo.) I can not wait for you to get your grandbaby Tipper, I cannot wait!!!!!!!
I so agree loved it.
What a cute rhyme! Sounds like a delightful book! Your blog and channel has brought me even closer to my roots, which I didn’t think was possible! I do appreciate you, Tipper!
Great rhyme. My house would fail the test too, lol.
Laurie
As an author myself, I can fully appreciate how local culture influences one’s literary work. I love that you recognize the fact that Appalachia is unique and you articulate it so very well in your description. I sense the pride you have for your heritage in your endearing words. This is something that can’t be duplicated. Thank you for sharing a morsel of the region with the rest of us every day.
I like it!!
The first thing that’s caught my attention was ironing the sheets, I was told my grandmother did that. I can’t even imagine having the time to do it or even caring if your sheets were wrinkled.
I miss the days when we all memorized nursery rhymes. Seems the kids nowadays don’t know much about them like we did. My 1st grandbaby was born last year and this would be a great addition to her little library. Oh just you wait Tipper! There’s NOTHING like being a grandma!!
I love how this excerpt was written. I still call my mother Momma when I refer to her. My children call me Momma too. That is common in Winston County, Alabama. It is located in north Alabama in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains.
I’ve known many people who kept their homes so neat and clean. My Aunt, from South Florida were I grew up, was one of those. Many times She would have me come over to clean her windows and screens. Doing only the outside somehow she just knew how long it should take and if I took too long to get it done well I’d hear it. She was my mothers older sister and her family was our closest family we had so her and my uncle were more like parents to my brothers and sisters at the time. She would come visit us and I could just hear those same words come from her month, “This place is a mess.” If it wasn’t done her way it wasn’t done right. She has passed on and oh how I miss her.
I had an aunt something like that, and although she never had children of her own, she was the family expert on child rearing. But we loved and respected her.
I have always loved reading Mother Goose rhymes to my children and grandchildren. I am sure Mommy Goose rhymes from the Mountains would be even more entertaining. I just watched your video from last evening about making deer burgers. We always grind a big part of our deer and I love to make deer burgers. We have never added beef fat. I would like to try that next time. I have now made your wonderful oatmeal dinner rolls twice. My hubby loved them. Would you believe that it is 12 degrees here this morning with a feel-like temperature of 7? I love winter in our mountain county of WV, but it sure has hit us hard and fast this year. Keep warm today and many blessings to everyone!
what a delightful book
Awesome! love it! ❤️
I love your Appalachai stories. My Daddy is from the depression era and he used many of the words I hear y’all use. One word always stands out in my mind is hope. He said he was going to hope somebody do some that needed something. I miss my Daddy and his talk and you remind me all the time of his life and ways.
Watched Matt and his burgers and it seems the more he is in front of the camera, the more relaxed he gets. Which is good and we do learn a lot from him. I remember when he educated us about all of his knives and remember some. The poem is too cute and the end does bring a smile, especially those of us who have OCD. When I see a picture tilted, it drives me crazy til I can fix it, don’t guess I will ever change. Looking for to Friday’s read and can’t imagine your next pick. My hubby, who doesn’t normally like fiction, is so enamored with this one. The temp got down to 32 here in upstate Florida…chilly, and is suppose to be 31 tonight. I guess winter really is on it’s way. Prayers for Granny and God’s Blessings for you guys.
I remember one year i was so excited for it to get down to freezing so that i could use the fireplace in the Florida room. Missing Florida wintertime now.
I am going to come to upstate Florida and layout and get me a suntan! Just teasing you. Last time I laid out at Myrtle Beach I caused a big disturbance, people though a white whale had washed up on the beach. This morning in Southern Greenville County, SC it was 22 at 5 o’clock and now as I write this it is only 28 degrees with the sun shining. It suppose to be 28 tonight and then warm up and set into raining for 3 days. The city of Greenville will usually be warmer because nearly everything has been turned into cement and asphalt. The cemetery my wife, daughter and many other family members are buried has a candlelight service each year on the first Sunday in December, I hope it does not get rained out. We do need the rain, after the above average rainfall during the spring, we are now about 8-9 inches behind for the year.
I love this little rhyme, how sweet! Very neat to have an Appalachian nursery rhyme book!