Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town

You've painted up your lips  

And rolled and curled your tinted hair.  

Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere?  

"It’s a great day here at KWAP radio station, your home for great country music! Have you heard about our great “win a hit” contest? The rules are simple. Immediately after the KWAP Country jingle is played in its entirety, (not in a promotional announcement) the 15th caller on the special 555-KWAP country lasso line will win a hit! Listen up!"...

My mamaw, my mother’s mom, was a great lady. I have so many fun memories of times with her at her house or at our house or just in general. We’d laugh, stay up late, go riding around looking for rocks or cool things. We’d explore junk shops and watch soap operas. We’d listen to country music on the radio. Sometimes she’d play her records. It didn’t really matter what we did. I enjoyed it and cherish the memories.

Mamaw

When my Papaw died she moved from Roswell, NM, back to Texas. She lived in a little house behind my uncle and aunt. It was a comfortable home and I remember many good times there. The whole family would gather at Christmas and we’d eat, sampling all my aunt’s special dishes and great cooking. The cousins would gather and we’d play silly games or dream about marrying movie and rock stars; Bobby Sherman, Ricky Nelson and even Elvis.

The grownups would congregate around the kitchen table after we’d eaten and play card games. We’d giggle, listening to the laughing and teasing going on when one of the uncles was caught cheating! There were only two bedrooms and one bathroom in that house. There was another bed back in the laundry room. We’d crowd in but it never seemed crowded. It was just a good time with family who loved each other.

This little house was just 936 square feet and filled with love.

My girl cousins and I would spend time with Mamaw in the summer, sometimes together and sometimes just one or another of us. She never played favorites. She loved us all. She’d go through the entire roll call…Nancy, Billie Kay, Susan, Judi, Carla…Jamye, but she’d get there. Sometimes she’d even throw in a couple of the boys names!

Country music was a big part of our lives, at Mamaw’s house and at home as well. All the aunts and uncles loved it so all of us cousins grew up on the oldies sung by the likes of Ernest Tubb, Charley Pride, Bob Wills and Patsy Cline. I still know the words to many of those songs today. The radio was on in the background most of the time.

One of the country music greats Mamaw loved to hear.

Like anyone, Mamaw loved a prize. She’d listen to the radio, especially during the contest times and try to win. It would be one of those where you had to be the whatever number caller. Sometimes we’d call for her, hoping to be the one. Mamaw liked most all songs but there was one in particular that she didn’t like at all. We weren’t sure why but she hated “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town,” sung by Kenny Rogers. She either didn’t like the tune or the fact that they played it all the time, but she always sang the chorus. And she always called it that “damned ole Ruby” song.

One time she got lucky! Mamaw had been trying for days and was finally the magic caller. All she had to do was come by the station and pick up her prize. My cousins, Nancy and Billie Kay were visiting and they loaded up and drove to the radio station. They arrived and she was so excited! Mamaw went in while they waited in the car. When she came back, she opened the door and slung the 45 single across the front seat. When they asked what was wrong she told them she had won that “damned ole Ruby” song!

That damnned old Ruby song!

Poor Mamaw! She was so disappointed. But it was really kind of funny that she’d get that song since she hated it so. Now, every time I hear I think of her. I still laugh at the memory. I don’t know what happened to that record but I kind of wish I had it. I’d put it in a frame and hang it up. And if I had a bad day I’d take a look and smile at that “damned ole Ruby” song and remember Mamaw.

The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down.

Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town.

I don’t win many things either. But when I do it makes me happy! The other day I won a prize from a blog. Fostermummy sent me a lovely package that included a cookbook, some kitchen magnets and a cute heart she’d made out of buttons. She stuck silk rose petals in the package which was a nice touch. It was fun!

Exploring the new cookbook. Lot's of interesting things! See what others are reading here!

I started another small shawl, out of another rayon boucle from my stash. The color was called bumblebee but it's blue and yellow instead of black. I’ve done a couple out of this type yarn before and love how they turn out. They are lacy enough to scrunch up as a scarf. Or as a regular shawl, it’s light but warm for an air-conditioned office. I think I can do at least one more before I get bored with this pattern. It makes a great take along project that doesn’t require paying a lot of attention.

And I finished the pink colored small shawl I started last week. Or was it ruby colored? I even worked in the ends! Maybe I’ll call it the “damned ole Ruby” shawl!

Small shawl, front. See other's great projects here.

Back view, pink small shawl.

Squishy damned ole Ruby shawl!

She's leaving now 'cause I just heard the slamming of the door.

The way I know I've heard it slam some 100 times before.

And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground.

Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town...

Dark Lady

The fortune queen of New Orleans 

Was brushing her cat in her black limousine… 

 I went to New Orleans once, in 2004, before the hurricane. I’m not sure I’d miss it if I never went back, but it is one of those things that I can cross off and say, been there done that.

We had a good time. Tried new food, saw some things that most likely won’t be seen again and absorbed the atmosphere. It was exciting, but in a dark, almost evil way. Not everything, of course, but when there is a warning not to go past a certain street, you do wonder.

I was there for a conference, and Alan came with me. We stayed in a hotel directly across from the convention center. I’ve looked at maps and I can’t tell if the hotel is there now. It was a tall building with a lot of glass, but I don’t remember which chain. I’ve stayed in so many hotels and cities in the past ten years they all sort of run together. Anyway, we were within walking distance of Bourbon Street and several other ‘must see’ attractions.

Being a Texan, I couldn’t help but compare Bourbon Street to Sixth Street in Austin, which I’ve visited many times. To me, Austin is a lot cleaner and it certainly didn’t smell as bad as Bourbon Street. As far as sights, it’s the same type places and people. Bums and street people, the sexually confused, and plain people (tourists) out for a good time walked the paths and filled the shops and businesses. Liquor flowed freely and people carried their beverages with them in the open air. That doesn’t happen in Austin, but the rest was quite similar.

A friend of mine had taken a historical walking tour of the area and as we walked around he told us the facts he remembered; where someone lived, what was haunted, who was killed there and other assorted tidbits of the area. We ate at a haunted restaurant but the ghost was apparently busy because none of us saw her that night.

One day Alan and I were walking across a market area when I made eye contact with a lady who read palms. I’ve always had a curiosity for such things, even though I’m not convinced there’s any truth to it. Also, I’m a little scared in case there is! We were talking about whether I should or shouldn’t do it and what the cost would be, etc. She knew what we were discussing and told us a price. I thought what the heck; I’d just see what she had to offer.

I have to say she did surprise me. She told me some things instead of suggesting things. I know a bit how this works, or at least how they told us it worked, from my psychology classes. The statements are usually about general personality traits, personal validation statements that give the impression they are specific to a single person but in reality could be applied to everyone. These generalizations are known as a “Barnum statement” after the circus showman P.T. Barnum. He argued that a good statement could be applied to about eight-five percent of the population.

What happens is the fortune-teller, or palm reader or whatever they may call themselves, will say something that’s ambiguous and even contradictory and the person hearing the statement rationalizes that it fits their personality. For instance, telling a person who has a wedding ring that their spouse is a very important part of their life, will most likely not prompt a denial. Often, after such a statement the listener provides information that can be used later in the conversation.

I let her touch my hand and she began. Instead of saying something like I feel there’s a child in your life, she said, you have a new grandson. Well, that kind of took me off guard because there was nothing that said we had a grandchild at all, much less a grandson. I acknowledged but I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t going to help her out. Next she told me I had been having some trials with the boss at work, but it would work out and I would outlast him. Well, maybe her cousin worked in the store where I asked if I could have a voodoo doll of my boss to poke when he was ugly and they talked so she knew. Well, probably not. And yes, I had discussed some issues with him before the trip. Also, he’s gone…I’m still there. By the way, voodoo is not a joking matter there.

She threw in that I was married to a good man. What could I say to that? He was right there and he was the one who gave her the money so she was impressed! Seriously, he is. But that to me is a Barnum statement. Anyway, there were a few more things, including some statements that were truths. She didn’t ask me anything. Of course there were several general statements thrown in. I was consciously not answering though, just acknowledging with a shake of the head, in order to not give her any information. All in all, though, it was a bit unnerving. There were some specific things she couldn’t have known.

I thanked her and we walked on across the square. Alan asked what she’d said and I told him some of it. I turned and she was watching me. We headed to our next destination and before we were out of sight I glanced back again. She was still watching. I got a chill.

Did she predict my future? I don’t think so. It was more like she told me what was happening at that time, or about things that were bothering me. She told me I’d have a long and happy life, probably her general closing statement. I wonder though, what she didn’t tell me.

Dark lady played black magic 

Til the clock struck on the twelve.

She told me more about me 

Than I knew myself...

When I was in Charleston, South Carolina last year, I had the chance to go to a local yarn shop. Instead of going to lunch at the meeting I just took off and found the yarn store that was in walking distance. It was called Knit, and was a nice little shop in a converted house. The store was very welcoming. There were places to sit and knit and yarn and sample items were artfully placed throughout. It was there I found my first Thomas Kvist yarn.

Knit in Charlotte, SC

Converted house.

Chair seat 'upholstered' in knitting.

Comfy place to knit.

The first place I found Thomas Kvist yarn.

Later I found Thomas Kvist yarn on Facebook, and ‘liked’ their page. They are based in Sweden. Thomas ran a contest in December and every day the ‘Christmas Moose’ asked a question. The answer was on their web page. I decided to enter.

Usually I’m not too lucky. But I won! Since the contest was every day in December, I asked if I could enter again. Thomas said I could enter every day if I liked. So I did. And guess what? I won about six times! Well, I was beginning to feel a little greedy after the third or so time so I shared the contest news with my LSSK friends. I think every one of them who entered also won.

Lin 1.0, Summer Breeze, Lambada, Oh Mercy Me, Colina

It takes a long time for things to get to Texas from Sweden, but I finally got my yarn! The package was in pretty rough shape but I checked with Thomas and nothing had fallen out. He was so generous! I got a lot of yarn. And as much as there is here, I’m waiting for just a little more! It was a fun contest and even more fun to get such a nice surprise. Thank you Thomas Kvist! 

What a haul! :)

Be sure to look at Our Creative Spaces to see all the great things people are creating this week! As for what I’ll make with my new yarn? I might have to go to New Orleans to find out!

Dark lady laughed and danced 

And lit the candles one by one… 

Danced to her gypsy music 

Til her brew was done.