Her bless-your-heart benedictions are her southern way of saying, “you’re addled, child.” Her mothball-scented hugs mean she loves you anyways. Come sit on the veranda, and have some sweet tea, you’ll feel better.
Doretha
My journal of big words and pretty pictures
Thin spiral notebook 
Yup reminds me of granny god bless her.
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very nice – great atmosphere you’ve created in only 33 words 🙂
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Well, bless your heart, I’m from the South and we do say that easy. At least we old timers do. That was one of the phrases I can still hear my father saying.
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Lovely, Southern, grandmotherly, huggy. Sweet!
Love the bless-your-heart benediction!
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This is sweet, like the tea. Pretty cute with the hyphens at the start.
I like your new pic with the dog.
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Thanks! That is my newest adopted furkid, Asta. A little Lab/whatever mix.
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Beautiful piece of writing! I want to be on that veranda.
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This felt so Southern! I absolutely love the tone of this and that the person understands that the hugs meant she loved her anyway.
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Lovely!
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This is sweet and very descriptive. I feel like I know Doretha. 🙂
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I have a soft spot in my heart for elderly women-mothball-scented hugs and all. I love the title of this piece too-it makes it seem very personal-and it makes me miss my grandma, who was named Dorothy:)
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Doretha was my great-aunt, my maternal grandmother’s sister. She was a petite woman whose perfume was reminiscent of moth balls, and who would engulf you in a smothering hug whenever she saw you.
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