I love this! Sharon said, " (For those who don't know, pert'n-nigh means pretty near. Yes, I do speak a whole 'nother language; it comes from the branches and hollers of the Appalachian mountains, right proud of it, too, I am.)"

Yes, there is another take on this language. It is a national treasure because it has disappeared from the culture and values of this region. I remember well the lessons from many old timers and others who spoke this quaint dialect. I have to laugh whenever there is a television film or movie where the actors are required to portray characters using an Appalachian dialect and expression. They simply cannot accurately capture the accent, style, terminology or articulation of the 'language'! To hear the real thing is a treat. One of the best portrayals for language adaptation was in the film "The Yearling" in 1946 starring Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman. The character Jody (the son) was especially good with language and accent.

I hope Sharon will forgive me for being long-winded, but I want to add a couple of my favorite expressions from memory:
1. "I'm about as poplar as a hair in a biscuit!"
2. "'pon my honor" = Upon my honor! (This was bad when used with #3.)
3. "Aye'l git a switch and whoop you." Or "Yore gittin a whoopin'."
4. "Hush, youngin's! (You are too noisy: Quiet down.)
5. "I reckon so." (I think so.)

It is late here and I feel some of those "Poe days" have been here quite a bit lately: Rain and clouds- just enough to keep things gloomy. One final comment: The cedar is an excellent nesting site here for Chipping Sparrows. 'Pert'n nigh bedtime. Apologies to Sharon.

I love your words, Leon! I reckon we could have a rite good conversation jus' 'bout anytime we got together. You are right on all counts, and there's a rhythm with the spoken word that those who try to mimic the language just don't get. It's a really unique sound and sometimes I fall right back into it without even thinking. I get a lot of weird looks even here in W KY when that happens because even these KYians can't quite get that sound or that mountain rhythm.

I had forgotten 'pon my honor. 'Pon my honor, if ya don' hush, y'll git a switchin' on them legsa yurn.'.

'Don' ya clim uppin th' tree no hire. Y'ain't no monkey'.

I can still remember the sound of the rhythm in those words.
Thanks Leon! Great reminders. Never any apologies from you!
And yes about the sparrows.

Y'r rite, pert'n nigh bedtime!

Very cool, mind you I'm but half awake.


I'm a reader/book collector as long as it's non-fiction. Exemption being Poe-try.

Forever enticed with "Nevermore"

I was half awake at that hour too, Wes.

I think it's the rhythm of The Raven that's kept it in my mind for such a long time. Repetitive rhythm. Amazing how Poe could do that.

I would like hearing about your book collection. Old books?

I read so many of his books so many years ago.

Great story and I had no problem at all understanding the language.

I am, however, concerned/worried about those tree branches. I vote to at least call the electric company and give them heads up.

Well I did that after the ice storm of '09, then again last winter when another one hit though on a lesser scale. They said they'd check the tree out.

I haven't seen them anywhere near here, nor have my neighbors. In the meantime one of the limbs fell but fell toward the grassy lot, not toward me. You can probably see in the picture where that limb broke away from the trunk. There is a lot of attic space above me as well as the brick arches, their foundation is deep underground, which means for insurance purposes they should hold up under tornadoes. So the limbs I think would be stopped at the interior brick arches which are about 12' over my head. I hope. I hope.

I do a lot of praying during wind and/ or snow and ice storms.
Thanks Vic!

Same here Sharon - all storms put me on my knees right quick