Browsed by
Tag: backroads

In the Sticks

In the Sticks

Comments 2 comments

In the Sticks-leaf-covered road through treesMany of us grew up in the sticks. We had to travel several miles to the closest town. Our travel time increased to reach a city. Some of us remain in the sticks or visit often.

In the sticks means in the country.

 It describes life in the middle of nowhere. Business usually involves plants and animals, not stores or factories.

People who hate country life describe it as:

  • Unsophisticated
  • Culturally backward

People who love country life call it:

  • Rustic
  • Back to nature

Nothing compares to country living.  

 Work is usually hard. However, the calmer, slower lifestyle makes such hard work worth it.

Our family loves our garden spot of the world. A few relatives remain where we grew up. Others live closer to modern conveniences … but not too close.

Whether we live in the sticks, visit when we can, or travel through them, we can all enjoy our time there.

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

The Real McCoy

The Real McCoy

Comments 3 comments

The Real McCoy-Penn's StorePenn’s Store, three miles southeast of Gravel Switch, Kentucky, is the real McCoy. According to its website, Penn’s Store “is not a restored landmark; it is an authentic landmark … the oldest country store in America run by the same family since 1850.”

The real McCoy means the real thing.

  • It makes no false claims.
  • Buyers or visitors get what they expect.
  • It is the original or the best example of what it represents.

Penn’s Store represents a genuine old country store. Not all stores that make such a claim live up to their ads. A visit reveals the truth.

People may also be the real McCoy.

In a similar way to stores, people show their true colors. Time with them reveals the truth of who they claim to be.

 No one knows the origin of the real McCoy.

Several possibilities exist. However, the origin matters little. The meaning matters much.

For eternal truth and life, follow the one and only genuine source of both.

Jesus offers the best life possible. He is the real thing.

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (I John 5:20 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion and to Dawn Osborn (sixth generation Penn) for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

In the Middle of Nowhere

In the Middle of Nowhere

Comments 7 comments

In the Middle of NowhereI grew up in the middle of nowhere. We lived far from stores, doctors, and other people. We drove 10 miles through hills to the nearest town. I rode a bus 17 miles to high school. Actually, I rode much farther than 17 miles. We had to travel several roads off the beaten path to pick up students. The drive took about an hour.

My sister, cousins, and I developed tough little feet when summer arrived. We preferred bare feet over shoes. The dirt and rocks on our remote country road did not slow us down.

  • We ran on rocks as easily as we can on today’s smooth pavement.
  • We picked blackberries that grew on the sides of the road.
  • We watched for snakes that sometimes crawled across the road.
  • We played games in the trees and fields around us.
  • We could make all the noise we wanted without disturbing the neighbors.

Yes, we lived in the middle of nowhere. Yet, it led wherever we wanted to go.

  • Imagination took us around the world.
  • Books fed us dreams for the future.
  • Family taught us to set high goals.

Today, many people pay huge prices to vacation in such isolated places. All I have to do is go home for a visit.

“Sing a new song to the Lord; sing his praises, all you who live in earth’s remotest corners!” (Isaiah 42:10 TLB).

Do you have a favorite place in the middle of nowhere? If so, please comment.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.