Today we join Two SPOILED CATS
Angel Sammy and Teddy for their poetic pictorial poem.
Here is today's inspiration
English Cottage
Today I'm going to try to tell you a true story by way of poetry.
Background: my DNA is English, Scottish and Irish
1968 my first job at NC State University in: Mechanical and Aerospace Department, one of my favorite Professors was from England.
One day maybe in May
in walked Professor Bailey
He always had a smile and a kind word.
He was a little person with a huge personality.
While opening his mail he was
listening to the conversations we gals were having.
All discussing our DNAs and things
we learned from our families along the way.
I was proudly proclaiming my DNA
English with a hint of Scottish and Irish they say.
The top of Professor Bailey's head was just visible over the counter
I noticed a bit of mischievous sparkle in his eyes.
He looked at me with a smile saying,
"My Dear Cecilia you are 100% Southern American thru and thru,
not a spot of English do I see or hear in you!!"
************************
When I saw this English Cottage, the conversation with Professor Bailey popped in my head. In fact any time I'm asked my family background, I get a big smile
on my face thinking about Professor Bailey.
Maybe I'm Southern American with a splash of English, Scottish and Irish
to spice up the mix.
Interesting business, this identity question. As an Englishwoman with a tiny fraction of Scottish ancestry (from where my Scottish surname comes), and now living Scotland, it's an issue that comes up quite often. But no-one ever said I was 100% Southern American!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
that was such a great poem... and we can see the picture in our mind now... fab!!! we found out that we have even russian roots... maybe Ivan the terrible or something like that LOL
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteLOL - nicely encapsulated miss C, you Southern Belle you!!! YAM xx
Love your story and that southern drawl will give you away every single time!
ReplyDeleteEye to a Scot and Irish mixed and also a southern belle. I'm thinking that almost every American here has some Scott or Irish mixed in. I enjoyed your story and I can see it in my imagination
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising what memories a picture can bring back.I think we all have a lot of mixed ancestry. On my mother's side I have Irish blood from my grandmother, Dutch from my grandfather. On my father's side my grandmother got remarried to a US soldier. I think there must have been some sort of scandal as it was never talked about. They were a very happy couple though.
ReplyDeleteThat was very sweet. He must have been a good person with a great sense of humor. I've got the Irish Scottish mix :) Your poem has me smiling this morning!
ReplyDeletehahaha, he knew exactly!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story you told in prose. How nice that you have such a fun memory of Professor Bailey that comes to mind when you think of your heritage.
ReplyDeleteI grew up knowing that my father was from Italian stock, and my mother was Polish.
ReplyDeleteOne day, I mentioned this at work, and my naturalized-citizen-originally-from-Poland coworker exclaimed that he was sure I was mostly German! My sister, who is working on the family tree, then told me that it's true; the boundaries of Poland and Italy moved so much over the generations, that we definitely have German in us. It was a huge surprise!
Cool story.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words about Allie. We miss her so much.
The Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon
Love your poem. My family all had that southern drawl. It's most wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day, my friend. Big hug. ♥
That was such a cute poem, maybe you are from the Southern UK!
ReplyDeleteLoved your poem! It brought back a cute memory for you. I too have Scotch-Irish blood as well as English. Maternal side is Warren, paternal side is McGuriman.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very cool little memory! I'm glad you thought of your Professor - and he was right my dear friend - you are ALL Southern Lady !!! LOL
ReplyDeleteHugs, Pam
Having heard your voice on the phone, Mom says she would wholeheartedly agree with Professor Bailey:)
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
what a neat story !!! I like the ending :) ♥♥♥ and sometimes I think we all pick up an "accent" depending on HOW long we live where we do... ☺☺☺
ReplyDeleteGirlfriend? You're spicy no matter WHAT your DNA tells us.
ReplyDeleteSt. Cecilia...lol, gotta love THAT!
DeleteI say I am a Canadian myself. When all your great grandparents and most of your great greats were born in a place, that is who you are. (I do have Viking, British isles, Native American, Dutch and French mixed in).
ReplyDeleteThat was a fun story. XO
ReplyDeleteThis reminded my of Harry Potter
ReplyDeleteNo wonder I like you! Ancestor.com showed us all our British ancestors and the Scottish ones too once we input from our researched sources and Irish too. Some German! We’re twins! Sorta!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun story! Professor Bailey sounds like a very friendly and smart guy!
ReplyDeleteIs the USA the only place that we don't say our background is American? I guess all but the Native Americans are of another descent. BTW, I'm Irish/German/French by adoption, but am told I'm biologically English. I relate more to my grandmother, who came over on the boat from Irish and had the biggest influence on her daughters.
ReplyDelete