"BEADS!!!!" (Said the Snowbird)

"There, there!  Over there!  Quick, get them! 

 * MUST * HAVE * BEADS!!!"

- A Snowbird at the Knights of Ecor Rouge parade
Fairhope, Alabama, February 2, 2013

                                                                       

Look here Snowbird friends, I have news for you. You may want to sit down.

The Mardi Gras beads are not real.

We are so happy you are down here spending your money with our businesses.  We love that you look startled when people speak to you on the street.  It's kind of cute. We even find it somewhat quaint  when you blow your horn and you aren't even saying "hello" to anyone.

But please, stop trampling our children for the Mardi Gras beads.

KOER Parade in Fairhope 2013

Don't try to deny it.  I've witnessed it myself for several seasons now. This year, it was a handsome couple - the man wore an Uncle Sam hat and stood in front of Buck's Diner.  Two little girls around 8 years old had the beads snatched from their sweet little ole' hands by the Senior Citizens from Michigan.

How do I know they were from Michigan?  It could have been the matching jogging suits, or their serious business- like demeanors. But something told me they were from further north than Montgomery.  So I said,

"Where y'all from?"

 The woman literally - and by my God's truth, didn't understand me, so I translated for her and said, "Where are YOUSE GUYS from? (I'd been studying foreign language courses on-line: withallduerespect.com)

"Michigan!" Came their brief reply.
Inside thought:  Ha!  I knew it.  Outside remark: "Well, we're so glad y'aaalllll are here!" (smile).

Throw me something, Mister!

So, Snowbirds, I was troubled all night about the beads. What do you need them for? Do they keep your neck warm back home?  Do you make cat costumes out of them?  Are they really worth big bucks and we are just too stupid to know their value?

Pearls, Rubies, Emeralds, Amethysts  . . .  really?  Just plastic and string. Really.

We give you permission to tell us how much better you do whatever it is you do "up there." We can smile and be polite throughout the entire lecture.  Heck, we may even listen long enough to learn about something good. Like who and what Tim Horton's is.

Now you're talking.

Let us know if you want the beads for your grandchildren. We'll gladly help you catch the sparkly trinkets.  But otherwise, please don't trample our precious babes for beads.

Now Moonpies . . . that's another story.  I've been known to step on a few darlin' lil' ole' hands for those.

But at least I have the decency to act horrified, bless their little hearts, and pretend it's an accident.



Read this story and other fun bits at: Savvy Southern Style, My Turn For Us, French Country Cottage, Mockingbird Hill Cottage, Be Different, Act Normal, Boogie Board Cottage,  Lovely Crafty Home , Coastal Charm, and Embracing Change.