Edith Ann | 07/18/2008 3:00 pm

Life in the Little Lane: Edith Ann on Daddy's Drinking

I think back on those early days when Daddy and me would just kick back and shoot the breeze – we’d talk about grownup things. We might tackle some CNN-type global issues or we’d talk about all the layoffs down at the outdoor-carpeting factory, or he might just open up some beers – and we’d put in some Jim Croce tapes, sing along or just listen close to the words.

This was before we knew Daddy had a drinking problem. Daddy and I were the last to know. In fact, I don’t think it was even that much of a problem to us.

Now, he’s in a 12-Step Program. I’m proud of him, because I am sure he would rather be drinking.

He said he stopped drinking for me. But frankly, I miss those times when he was a little high. Does anyone know what I mean?

Read more about: Disease, Edith Ann, Humor, Illustrations, Life in the Little Lane

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Thanks Blue Circle Girl. And, you’re welcome. Opening up to complete strangers … what a concept. :)

By Serena . on 07/19/2008 8:43 am

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Hey Linda! Yes, Native Americans were raped and robbed. That’s all I know. And, they tried to warn people ages ago to take care of this planet or she would retaliate. Well, we see that they were right all along. God help us all.

By Serena . on 07/19/2008 8:42 am

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hey serena, one thing i’ve heard over the years is that Native Americans are actually allergic to alcohol, their tolerance is so much lower and then there’s that whole darned oppression thing. that nasty combo showed up in my family, too, same heritage level as you on dad’s side, one generation further back on mom’s. in my grandfathers’ generation, it was considered poison, they were both tetotalers, however, one generation doesn’t necessarily break the cycle. i like you bringing up the whole seventh generation concept. we are to treat the planet well, not just for your own time on it, but in consideration of your seventh generation’s home.

By cath c on 07/20/2008 5:58 pm

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Hey cath c, that is interesting about Native Americas being allergic to alcohol. I hadn’t heard that before. They (we) were done great disservice, that’s for certain. It became so common in the bloodline it still continues today—I wouldn’t doubt a bit that it could be an “allergy” of sorts.

By Serena . on 07/21/2008 5:30 pm

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Serena: I am a true blue tree hugger. That’s what mom says. And she feels bad too about our First Nation’s People. That’s what she calls Native Americans because her mom is from Canada. I think the names mean the same thing. Mom says, “Edith, ask any First Nation’s People what our country was called before it was known as America and they will answer, “Ours”. Mom can make me understand stuff quicker than anyone. Love, Edith

By Edith Ann on 07/23/2008 4:43 am

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Hey there Edith. “Ours.” I like that. Funny and true.

By Serena . on 07/23/2008 7:13 am

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Edith, maybe no Native American in your family, but perhaps a little Français? Oui, oui? What I find so interesting about being on WoW is learning so many different things, but perhaps the biggest and best lesson of all is how much so many of us have in common. Don’t you agree?

By Serena . on 07/24/2008 7:47 am

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On the fourth of July Daddy would bring home fireworks and invite the crew that worked for him and their families and we would have a big picnic on the farm and when it got dark, they would build a bonfire and we would have hotdogs and marshmallows and Daddy would shoot off the fireworks. I think it was a Kentucky thing. It was a big deal to bring the Philco outdoors, because they would have to string wiring to the field, and we would listen to Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman and Daddy would always give me a glass of beer. This was all before I was six years old. I still can’t have a beer without thinking of fireworks.

By Mugsy Peabody on 07/18/2008 4:49 pm

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Mugsy, Beautiful Memories indeed, what you described was also quite common for us in Virginia. It was a community ritual of sorts. As a little kid ……. a little sip here and there was about all the excitement we could handle!

By Linda Clark on 07/18/2008 5:09 pm

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Me too …. I grew up in rural IL …. fireworks, corn and cold beer. Oh, and the omm paa paa band …. my mother is german I and grew up drinkin’ wine and malt liquor drinks … drinkin’ was the norm …. how strange?! It was fun sometimes … then it would end with my mother getting too wasted and makin’ an a&& out of herself on the dance floor or getting mad at my dad for looking at other women (it was all in her head). I used to plan my vacations around goin’ to the IL state fair …. big fun miscountin’ all the beers we drank, just like Kenny Chesney’s song Back Where I Come From.

By Blue Circle Girl on 07/18/2008 5:20 pm

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Mugsy: Hey, my daddy’s mom and dad are from Kentucky. We go there in the summer and catch fireflies but I always let them go right away. But I love sitting in the yard at my grandmom’s house in the country. I don’t even mind the moscqitos because the fireflies are magic. By the way, Mugsy, as you probably know, my dad and I have given up beer. I like your name. It makes me laugh. I have a cousin named fanny. Not that they are the same but both names make me laugh. Love, Edith Ann

By Edith Ann on 07/23/2008 4:50 am

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Hey Edith. Aunt Mugsy is still having trouble breathing from all the bad air, but she is doing better. She said to ask if you sometimes put the fireflies in mayonnaise jars with nailholes in the lid, and if you do please remember to let them out before you go back inside. My mom’s name is Fanny, too. Life is funny, isn’t it? She was named after this lady who was real funny like your Aunt Lily and they made a movie about her called Funny Girl. She must have been real important because they had Ms. Barbara Streisand be her. Aunt Mugsy gave up beer too. And gambling. It makes her crabby. But my mom said she was crabby anyway. The only thing I don’t like about summer is that my friends go away and there’s nobody to play with, or I go away and I wish they were with us. Um, Bye. Oh, and love, MPjr.

By Mugsy Jr. Peabody on 07/27/2008 9:57 pm

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Dear Little Friend–My Daddy drinks too much sometimes and I know cuz my Mommy has that funny look on her face that bothers me cuz she looks mean and then my Daddy tells her something not very nice and then I feel confused–––I’m using a big word here, I think that’s right––I feel confused and want to protect my Daddy and I feel sorry for my Mommy. I wish my Daddy wouldn’t drink too much––I feel better with him when he doesn’t. He’s a different Daddy when he drinks––I like my real Daddy. thanks for listening. Meet you in the sandbox later? Do you think Mugsy Jr. will come, too? Love and kisses, Phittis Doydal

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 07/18/2008 5:59 pm

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Bluecirclegirl….for real….did you grow up in Illinois??? I’m from there. Yep the good ole Illinois State Fair (the largest agricultural fair in the world supposedly)…there are more beer tents than food tents…well just about. And in the grandstand…if you don’t come away soaked with beer sloshed from the above seats, then you haven’t been to the right fair. Of course only in Illinois …there are two state fairs…one in Springfield and one in DuQuoin. HA HA HA I really don’t think there is as much drunk driving in Illinois these days. The DUI laws are just horrible. I won’t drink even one if I’m going to drive. doll

By doll lady on 07/18/2008 7:58 pm

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Yeah, for reals doll … I was the production secretary for all the Grand Stand shows ….. Barry M, Stone Temple, Willie N, you name it toots I got what they needed not to mention their crew and the time and travel management that goes along with it .. And no, there are way more fat fried food connex than beer tents …. ppfffttt. Yeah, don’t drink in drive in my neck of the woods … You make me laugh almost all the time … yeah, two fairs … ain’t that silly …. I worked them both … when were you there last?

By Blue Circle Girl on 07/19/2008 12:17 am