It’s that time of year
When we feel nostalgic
The tree stands tall
And Jingle Bells we hear…..
Phrases are often what triggers the memory of a person, especially once they have passed on.
Rick Sikes’ favorite saying and one he lived by was, “Always do the best you can with what you have where you are.” It was coined by Teddy Roosevelt, but fit Rick’s life philosophy.
He said lots more and many of them passed down through his family such as, “Colder than a well digger’s ass,” and “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
My mother had several, but the one I heard hundreds of times throughout her life was this bit of advice – “Just back your ears and do it.”
Anytime I face a difficult task today, I can hear her saying it still. When she passed, I wrote Mama’s House as a tribute to her in song. That phrase had to be included in the lyrics.
My grandpa, who died when I was a teenager, had a pat answer whenever anyone asked him how he was getting along. He would always say, “Oh, fair to middlin’.”
It has been said that as long as one person on earth still remembers you, that you are never truly gone.
I’d love to hear some of the phrases that have stuck with you and that you remember someone by.
Merry Christmas and Happy Winter Solstice day! 
And, just in case you are still looking for a Christmas gift, I have specials on books and CDs through my website.
great sayings, Jan. The one I really like and I don’t know who said it is, “today is the day you put everything off to, yesterday.”
I love it! The ultimate quote for procrastinators. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Ha ha ha, Jan. Thanks
Love these. Lines like this go a long way to establishing fictional characters too.
So true, Craig! Thanks for stopping by.
My mother had a habit of saying “Don’t faschanaut it” (don’t call attention to it…and yes, there was an extra “a” in there) mostly said with tongue-in-cheek.
I also often think of the phrase “this too shall pass” when troubles arise.
“Just back your ears and do it” is a great one, Jan.
Merry Christmas!
I love that saying your mother had! She knew the importance of not feeding something you didn’t want to grow. 🙂 “This too shall pass,” has been said often in my house. Wonder what my girls would say in answer to the question I posed in this post. 🙂
Merry Christmas, Mae!
When someone asks, “How are you doing?” I usually give them a response I remember from ages ago, however I cannot recall the source… “If I were any better, I’d have to be twins!” <3
Ha ha ha! I love that one!! Thanks for sharing, Annette!