Friday, July 18, 2008

Digby and the Chitt'lins

It was a long and horrid trip from New York to South Carolina. I was in charge of the map and directions but couldn't get the pilot to follow orders. I'd say "turn here" and he'd say, "where, back there?" Of course. Turn around and go back...we had a warm conversation about how the pilot is supposed to listen to the navigator instead of admiring the scenery he's passing by. By warm, of course I mean heated. Digby was enjoying not being in the belly of the plane and she and the boys were having a fine old time in the back seat of the rental car I had wrested from the grasp of the self serving wench at the rental check out counter. There was much bouncing around and it began to wear on the nerves of the pilot who asked none to politely for them to "knock it off". So they settled down for awhile, we stopped and let Digby romp around at the rest station and then it was nap time for everyone who was residing in the back seat. Lucky them. We napped (he napped) a while, too, while I stood watch over my little family in case some ax wielding murderer should come screaming out of the trees. Then after about three hours we hit the road again. We arrived at Mama and Daddy's house about 10 in the morning, exhausted from the trip...I kept expecting to wake up any minute and find myself safely tucked up in my bed at home...in Beaconsfield. But no, it was no dream. Digby went to my mother immediately and it was love at first sight for both of them. Mama began referring to Digby as her "Granddog" and Digby worshipped at her feet as was her wont to do with me. Daddy groused about having a dog in the house (he wasn't up for it but Mama told him to go to his room, so he did.) One morning I couldn't find Digby and was frantically checking the house and the garden, where I found Mama...I asked her if she had seen Digby and she laughed and told me to go check in their room...sure enough, there she was, piled up in the bed with Daddy, who assured me she had horned in, he hadn't invited her...yeah, likely story since his hand was deep into the fur of her head and she was enjoying a rather intense massage. We only had a few days with my folks before we were headed to Mac's folks in Selma (Alabama) and Mama had been trying to convince me to leave Digby with her while we were gone. I kept insisting that I couldn't be parted with her...and I mean it, I really couldn't. I would have no more left her there than I would have left one of my furless children. One day Mama announced that she was going to fix chitt'lins for supper. I pleaded with her not to...I can't stand the thought much less the smell...but she was adament about it...she kept insisting that if I'd only try them once, I'd love them. That didn't work with the liver she was always pushing at me, so I saw no reason to believe it would work with the chitt'lins. For those of the yankee or not from the Southern States of America, that is properly spelled "c h i t t e r l i n g s" and if you want to know what it is, I'm sorry but you'll have to go look it up...the telling of it will make me heave...So, anyway, I had packed our stuff ready to leave the next morning for Alabama and was sitting at the long dining room table with my sister and brother drinking a cup of coffee and just chatting. I happened to look into the kitchen and saw Digby sitting close at Mama's knee. Mama was standing at the counter, cutting up the chitt'lins she had boiled ready to fry and I saw her hand dropping pieces of them to Digby, who was enjoying them with abandon! Nicole asked me what Mama was doing. I looked over at Mama, then back at Nicole...
"What's Mama doing? She's attempting to steal my dog! And if Digby thinks I'm cooking chitt'lins for her, she's got another think coming!"

Next Installment...we're caught in the middle of a gunfight or Welcome to the USA

32 comments:

windycorner said...

Sandi-this story tugs at my heartstrings. I can just imagine your sweet Digby and the special bond you had with her. There's nothing else like it in the world.
Holley

Christine Boles said...

I was trying not to laugh out loud (I'm supposed to be working~ in a very quiet office space! I think the uproariously laughter would tip them off!) through this entire post!

Aunt Julie said...

Your post reminds me of family car trips we took in the 60s and 70s from Upstate NY to FLA. No interstate highways when I was little, so we took US 1 the whole way! Daddy would NEVER stop at South of the Border--said it was too expensive!

Justabeachkat said...

chitt'lins!!! Oh.My.Word! No way Jose'. Yuk!

I'm enjoying your story though. You do have a way with words.

HUgs!
Kat

Gone Back South said...

Nice story, I've heard the best way to a dog's heart is through his stomach.

Wanda @ Just Vintage said...

My momma tried to convince me how good chit'lins were, too. Uh, no thanks, Mom. She loved chicken livers, too.

Does Mac still have folks in Selma?

That cat of mine is Haeger, $19 and of course I take PayPal! He's heavy, though. Shipping would be pretty steep. If you're serious and do want it though, we might can figure something out - after I made better pictures of it.

Maggie May said...

I couldn't cope with eating anything like that as I'm practically a veggie! Not quite! But definitely wouldn't eat offal.
Glad you had a good time with your folks apart from the chitt'lins and nearly losing your dog.

Theresa said...

hmmm- hope those furless children of yours weren't too jealous of Digby-- I liked that discription of you other children it made me laugh out loud.

and you sound like my mother- protecting her children from the ax murderers that lurk behind all trees- another laugh out loud moment :)

loved the story!

Jeanne said...

I love when you share your memories with us. Your words are so vivid and paint a beautiful picture of your life.

Jo Beaufoix said...

Catching up at last Sandi. So I looked up 'chitlins' and I'm with you, heave. And Digby sounds just so gorgeous. I love the image of her cuddled up to your dad. My old cat and Mr B used to have a kind of aloof relationship in daylight hours, but at night I would often find Mr B hugging Myron like a big furry hot water bottle. Snort. I wish I'd taken photos as he always denies it.
Thanks for all the lovely comments recently. You are a star and you got it spot on with your post about blog friends.

Donna said...

Don't wont no chitterlings...Hahaha...Geez! I KNOW what Those are made from!!! Happy weekend sweetie!!hughugs

Vee said...

Your mother was an underhanded scamp! LOL! Good thing I already know about her angel biscuits. You could have, at least, linked to chitterlings. Now I have to go find out for myself. Say a prayer...

Vee said...

Okay, thanks for that. LOL!

Terri Steffes said...

Digby sounds a tad spoiled... is there any other way???

I am going to look up chitt... whatever.

NeereAnDear said...

I know exactly how you feel about leaving Digby... Separation anxiety is rough when it comes to the pups... I get that way about PJ! LOL

Enjoy your visits...

HUGS

JO

Lib said...

Lol,I Love your stories:o)
Honey, No chit'lins for this ole Southern girl. I've never tried them, have no plans to try them .I know what they are and where they come from!I don't want any type liver either. To me liver is a filter not a food.lol
You have a great wk.end!
Blessins',Lib

Unknown said...

actually sandi, she has always been an excellent sleeper...bed at nine every night, up only 10 minutes for feeding a night and back down

Mrs. Darling said...

I have never had chilins nor do I know what they are! It didnt stop me from enjoying your story though! LOL

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I really enjoyed this....Have a great weekend...Mary

Georgina said...

I love the mental image I have of your Dad in bed with a huge ball of fur. We had a cat once called Timothy James, Dad said it was a stupid name for a stupid cat. One morning I caught him cuddling the cat and calling him "his little Tim Jim." Bon Weekend. Debs x

Georgina said...

OMG I've just googled "chitterlings!" GROSS!!!
Debs x

Lee said...

Ooh, Sandi! Even though I was raised in the south I had to look up what chitterlings was. The description sounds so yuck! But the origins of the dish make it even worse. When I first read about it I thought it was similar to tripe which I have seen down here in South Texas. But that is made from the stomach and not the intestines. Better but not by much. My personal organ of choice is heart.

I think Digby knew where his bread was buttered. :)

Hugs!

Mima said...

Digby is just proving how easy he is to bribe! He knows where you are really, and feels just as attached as you do!!

I looked up chitterlings and they get a serious euch, not something that you would catch me eating they sound horrid.

ancient one said...

Good chapter in this saga... I'll be back for the rest...

Kappa no He said...

Cute story! Despite being raised in the deep south, I managed to avoid chitt'lins. Just barely though!

Love Bears All Things said...

As usual, I enjoyed the story. I can relate to chit'lins. I never tried them, either.
Mama Bear

Jeni said...

This story just put a big smile on my face and I can tell it's gonna take a whole lot of bad stuff that would have to come my way today to erase it!
I love the way you tell stories, my friend! Just such a great job and done with much humor and finesse! So keep 'em coming now too, will ya please?

david mcmahon said...

Hurry with the next instalment!

Unknown said...

This story just keep getting better. It sounds like your pup had a spell on everyone. I don't even know what chittlins are so some day you will have to explain exactly what's in them. I love how much you love that pup.

Cath said...

That's all you need isn't it? A mum that nicks your dog. With chitt'lins for heaven's sake!!!

And yeah - hurry up with the next installment!

Anonymous said...

lol, this is too funny. I guess mama had to pull all the strings huh.
Chitterlings are delich Aunty Sandie, can't believe good 'ol southern gal like you would question it.

Sally said...

hahaha - I've never tried them either, and have been in the South forever!!!! :)