I went back to Oxford, Mississippi Saturday with fellow Arkansas author (and friend) Stacey Jay for a book signing. We had a great time...signed lots of books, met lots of great people, and I got to see a bunch of old friends who I have missed dearly.
Jill and Square Books Jr. treated us right and the most awesome book club in the world hung out the entire time.
I miss Oxford. I never thought I'd say it, but I really do. I miss the people, I miss my house, I miss the slower way of life, and I miss hanging out on the square.
I also miss a few little quirky things. Like the way they pronounce certain words. You know, every state, city, town, region has their own individual eccentricities, and Northern Mississippi is definitely no different.
Like the time a few years back we went to a cookout and the street name was pronounced "Lauder." The directions weren't that clear, so we stopped and asked for help. The attendant said it was "just up the road a spill to the right." But that couldn't be correct because we'd been up the road a spill and didn't see it anywhere. Then we decided maybe the street sign had been stolen. So we go back up the road a spill, don't see it, turn around...and just as we're driving back by, I start laughing. (<---laffing)
"Lauder" was right in front of us...only it was spelled "Laughter."(<---lafter) Now I don't know about you, but I pronounce that word a little differently from the way the locals do.
Bastardizing a pronunciation weeds out the outtatowners, you know...
I lived in Lafeyette county. Pronounced here: Lu FAY' ette NOT lä-fE-'et as it is in the rest of the world.
We had a Marquis Cheveron. Pronounced Markus not mar 'kee
We had a China Royal. Achem. Pronounced, China RoyAL.
Need I go on? These things used to drive me nuts, and now after a little distance, I find them very charming.
Oh, and while I'm thinking about it, I finally got a picture of my favorite street name ever on the way home. (the sign is almost always stolen...) Seriously, this is real. I totally want to know the story behind it. C'mon...you know you do, too:
