Just after my last post, I received this little ditty from my Aunt Marlene. She is still in Wisconsin along with some other relatives. They are now getting what we just got from Old Man Winter. Reading this was fun, and all too real a reminder of whence I come. Just a little F.Y.I. – it’s ok to burst out laughing at this – actually; that would be a pretty normal response (which is what I am still doing as I post this).

 

You Grew Up In Rural Wisconsin If:

• You know how to polka, but never tried it sober.

• You know what knee-high by the Fourth of July means.
• You know it is traditional for the bride and groom to go bar hopping between the church & reception.
• You know the difference between “Green” and “Red” farm machinery, and would fight with your friends on the playground over which was better!
• You buy Christmas presents at Fleet & Farm. *You spent more on beer and liquor than you did on food at your wedding.
• You hear someone use the word “oof-dah” and you don’t break into uncontrollable laughter.
• You or someone you know was a “Dairy Princess” at the county fair.
• You know that “combine” is a noun.
• You let your older siblings talk you into putting your tongue on a steel post in the middle of winter.

 

• You think Lutheran and Catholic are THE major religions.
• You know that “creek” rhymes with “pick”.
• Football schedules, hunting season and harvest are all taken into consideration before wedding dates are set.
• A Friday night date is getting a six-pack and taking your girlfriend shining for deer and then out for Friday night fish. *Saturday you go to your local bowling alley.
• There was, one if not several, in your class who had to help milk cows in the morning.
• You have driven your car on the lake.

• You can make sense of “upnort,” “bat-tree” and “warrssh.”
• Every wedding dance you have ever been to has the hokey pokey and the chicken dance.
• Your definition of a small town is one that only has one bar.
• The local gas station sells live bait.
• At least twice a year some part of your home doubles as a meat processing plant.
• You think that the start of deer season is a national holiday!

All of this was part of my upbringing (scary thought isn’t it!), and I am very proud to say I SURVIVED! WOO HOO!!

I do have to give credit where credit is due – my mother, Wilma. She taught all of us (especially my dad) how to laugh at ourselves. I think that is how I have made it through the toughest times in my life – finding the funny.

Yes, there are times that no matter how hard you try, you just can’t muster that giggle. But through most of it, I found the silver lining.

So I say – bring it on life, I can make it a belly buster!