Brilliant - educate me - what is that accent? Coincidentally, my wife and I spent our honeymoon in the states in 2018, and we travelled across 18 states in a 'little' Toyota - 'little' because that what the locals called it, but to us, it was just a normal sized saloon (different way of looking at things!) - coincidence because every time we entered a new state I sang On the Road Again as loud as I could. Good times.
Possibly Oklahoma. During the “Dustbowl” of the 1930s many “Okies” moved to California’s Central Valley, as fictionalized in John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath.
Very interesting - pretty sure we drove through Bakersfield too on our way to San Francisco from Las Vegas - might have even stopped off for lunch, I remember it was a long stretch!
That road trip sounds like a total adventure! We are such a huge country for exploring. You could spend a year. Cherrie is from Texas or possibly west Oklahoma.
You absolutely nailed Bakersfield, and the feel of the Central Valley. I imagined that little waitress with the tattoo was raised by a rancher, born in Texas, and he probably hated that his little girl had that damned tattoo. This little story really sparked my imagination, Sharron! Nice work!
It's a hoot trying to figure out accents, slang, and sayings sometimes. I once asked a waitress to "cut the tomato" on my hamburger. She looked at me as if I thought she might put the whole tomato on the burger. She said, as if I was goofing with her, "We cut our tomatoes, sir." Liked this, Sharron!
I once stood next to a woman in Houston waiting for the crosswalk light to change.. She asked me where I was from. I told her California. She said," Ah lock your slaves." (Excuse me? ) "Ah lock your slaves." I had no idea what she was saying until she pointed to the ruffles on the sleeves of my shirt.
Weed a big mound of volcanic rocks still wonder about the name. Humboldt is not far away. I-5 and 99 along with 395 all your stations turn out country‘cause (caws)but no Crows. Food at truck diners way to go. Try it in a VW bug. More insects on windshield than you ever will see except In Mississippi mud .
It was all good, Sharon. I spent a few days in Bakersfield in April of 1981 while working my way back to Kansas. All I remember is sleeping in the motor home in the afternoon because it was too hot to make sales calls. The next stop was Flagstaff where it snowed. Big liter-little liter and ice in the wine were cute.
Sharron, I simply adore your stories. I followed them into that cafe, smelled the hot grease and boiled coffee, saw the worn blue Formica countertop with the metal edge, and heard the murmur of the patrons. Transported, I was.
(P.s. I’m late to comment. It’s been a little busy here lately.)
Oh! Thanks so much, my friend. I am glad you liked this little piece. But I am guessing it was the snake tattoo and not the boiled coffee that drew you in. ha ha ha!
Brilliant - educate me - what is that accent? Coincidentally, my wife and I spent our honeymoon in the states in 2018, and we travelled across 18 states in a 'little' Toyota - 'little' because that what the locals called it, but to us, it was just a normal sized saloon (different way of looking at things!) - coincidence because every time we entered a new state I sang On the Road Again as loud as I could. Good times.
Possibly Oklahoma. During the “Dustbowl” of the 1930s many “Okies” moved to California’s Central Valley, as fictionalized in John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath.
Very interesting - pretty sure we drove through Bakersfield too on our way to San Francisco from Las Vegas - might have even stopped off for lunch, I remember it was a long stretch!
Yes indeed. Hwy 99 is long and tedious and rife with very large trucks that own the road. It is not famous for fine dining, ha ha ha.
I was writing Texas, but sure could be Oklahoma, based on both accent AND history.
That road trip sounds like a total adventure! We are such a huge country for exploring. You could spend a year. Cherrie is from Texas or possibly west Oklahoma.
Flew into New York, flew out of Seattle and 5 weeks of pure adventure in between, trip of a lifetime Sharron, will definitely return some day soon!
Be sure to put Santa Cruz on your itinerary driving up HWY 1 - LA to San Francisco. I have an en suite waiting for you.
Steinbeck country - most definitely Sharron!
Love this slice of life … fabulously written, Sharron.
Thank you,Barrie! Lots of interesting new plans over at Feast and Fables, I see. Oh boy.
Love it when they just appear!
Yes, that accent I can't place! I have to admit, I didn't know what aahsenit was either! I talk rather fast though so that part I get.
Yeah, that's Texas and Oklahoma. I love our regional dialects!
I'm from Texas but I don't talk like that.
Hah! I am not surprised, Kim! It's a big state. Thanks for reading it!
Cute dialogue, for sure! Reminds me of my years in the South.
Thanks Linda!
You absolutely nailed Bakersfield, and the feel of the Central Valley. I imagined that little waitress with the tattoo was raised by a rancher, born in Texas, and he probably hated that his little girl had that damned tattoo. This little story really sparked my imagination, Sharron! Nice work!
Yes, you nailed it. Texas! Daddy probably hated it that she left her home state and family as well , to be in California.
It's a hoot trying to figure out accents, slang, and sayings sometimes. I once asked a waitress to "cut the tomato" on my hamburger. She looked at me as if I thought she might put the whole tomato on the burger. She said, as if I was goofing with her, "We cut our tomatoes, sir." Liked this, Sharron!
I once stood next to a woman in Houston waiting for the crosswalk light to change.. She asked me where I was from. I told her California. She said," Ah lock your slaves." (Excuse me? ) "Ah lock your slaves." I had no idea what she was saying until she pointed to the ruffles on the sleeves of my shirt.
LOL! That's great. I'm from that area and I have a hard time understanding them sometimes. Dialects sound foreigner than foreign.
So true! It is fun to guess the home state by listening to the dialect. I am happy it amused you, Ron.
I enjoy the accent which accentuates the interactions!
Thanks, Jill. Different accents and dialects fascinate me, too!
I always thought Bakersfield was a pit too. Then I heard that Dwight Yokum (Dwahght) made his career there with the Bakersfiled sound.
Don’t forget Buck Owens!
At my peril! I remember "Together Again" and "Getting Used to Losing You". Haven't listened to him in a long long while.
Yes! I watched a video with those two and Dwight was dancing around as he sang and almost beaned Buck in the head.
We got to remember to look for the good in everything! Even Bakersfield.
They are an oasis in a very dry desert.
Sounds like central California to me.
Good! That's what I was aiming for. Thanks Janice.
Neil Diamond must have been in that bar, when he wrote: “She got the way to move me Cherry…The girl’s outta sight!”
Aw, your giving away your age Mr Wolf - Cherry Cherry 1967. GREAT SONG!
"...speaks to me very slowly, as one might speak to a spaniel." Hahaha!
I knew right away what aahsinet was but I've been hanging around the south for a while now. Bless your hourt, Sharron.
Ha ha ha. My hourt is all yours, Jim.
Sweeter than sweet tea.
👍🏻🌿
Weed a big mound of volcanic rocks still wonder about the name. Humboldt is not far away. I-5 and 99 along with 395 all your stations turn out country‘cause (caws)but no Crows. Food at truck diners way to go. Try it in a VW bug. More insects on windshield than you ever will see except In Mississippi mud .
Thanks, Richard. Sounds like you've made the trip a few times.
Yep California is a big state. Can’t see it all one round. Mountains are for me, and Trinidad by the sea.
It was all good, Sharon. I spent a few days in Bakersfield in April of 1981 while working my way back to Kansas. All I remember is sleeping in the motor home in the afternoon because it was too hot to make sales calls. The next stop was Flagstaff where it snowed. Big liter-little liter and ice in the wine were cute.
Thank, KC. The two sizes of liters and the ahss were both true. The pas-dah as well. Delightful memory!
I didn't realize this story was based on real events. Cool!
I didn't realize this story was based on real events. Cool!
Well… all except the purple hair…
Sharron, I simply adore your stories. I followed them into that cafe, smelled the hot grease and boiled coffee, saw the worn blue Formica countertop with the metal edge, and heard the murmur of the patrons. Transported, I was.
(P.s. I’m late to comment. It’s been a little busy here lately.)
Oh! Thanks so much, my friend. I am glad you liked this little piece. But I am guessing it was the snake tattoo and not the boiled coffee that drew you in. ha ha ha!
Snake tattoos are alluring, for sure.