Trying Not to Shame the Family

Hello folks, thanks for dropping back by the porch. I’m fresh off the road and ready for a visit with friends. Grab a cup of coffee, have a seat and let’s chat…~smile~

My very first TV special aired here in northeast Louisiana on Super Bowl Sunday. We called it The All Things Southern Super Show. Right now, I don’t know if I’ll be producing these things regularly, or not. I’ll be honest. It was hard for me to watch, and I was peeking through my fingers! I’m my own worst critic that way. My southern mama, however, runs a close second. Bless her heart. I’m not being ugly. I think it’s in her contract.

People are always asking what Mama thinks about something I’ve told in a book or on the radio. What they don’t understand is that Mama doesn’t have the time or inclination to concern herself with the content of my work. Seriously, I’m not sure she even hears what I’m saying. Mama’s too focused on my hair, my clothes— and yes, whether or not I have color on my lips. Mama’s missed a lot of my speaking engagements over the last few years, and she’s able to let her guard down when I do radio, but television’s visual impact tried her soul. She was moaning in the phone before the kitchen segment ended.

“Oh, Shellie! Why didn’t you tell me you needed a new cookie sheet? That old thing was embarrassing.”

After explaining that I hadn’t given my cookie sheet a second thought until the show aired, I told Mama I felt like our family would be able to live it down. She wasn’t so sure. Mama reminded me that these things wouldn’t happen if I would slow down. I know she’s right. As my author friend and I were just saying, we’re going to do that— soon as we figure out how. FYI, River’s been taking this go-go vitamin juice that you spray under your tongue. Yesterday, while hurrying to an interview, she ran through the kitchen, reached for that spray and accidently gave herself a good dose of her dog’s hot spot medicine instead. Ruh, roh.

The good news is that River reports she isn’t itching anywhere. Now, if I could’ve just caught that on video for the show…

Hugs,
Shellie