LIFESTYLE

Southern Charm // Meridional Ladies Never Age // Special 85th Birthday Tribute

On July 27, 2020
By Kimberly

“Nothing changes.” “You can’t make sense out of non sense.” “Don’t go to the goat house to get wool.” Have you ever heard such excellent advice!

Five years ago September, I had the pleasure of attending the 80th birthday party of a true Southern Belle named Lavelle Wisenbacker Quinif Davis. (far left) Roll that off your tongue; “Lavelle.” You know, Southerners can stretch that name out into three syllables. Go on now; try it. I’ll wait.

The first humorous moment was when I was introduced to her. You see, she looks 50 or 60 years old. I kept wondering, “Where is the guest of honor?! The 80 year-old woman?” Right in front of me, looking as fresh as a morning gardenia. Nothing changes.

Although I had heard a little about her life as a sharecropper, a wife, and a mother; nothing tells the story like the love and adoration of someone’s friends and family. Plenty of that was in full evidence that evening.

The relative sitting across from me, Libby, possesses the sweetest Magnolia Mouth I have ever heard. From Birmingham, Alabama, I could have listened to her recollections of Lavelle all night. Seems one of them involved Lavelle teaching Libby how to pick locks, but we’ll leave it at that.

As the evening progressed, stories unfolded, memories were relived, and family ties strengthened.

❤️ ❤️ Romance at 77 ❤️ ❤️

One story was told to me by her husband of three years. Yes. Three years. The ability to continue to love and cherish throughout life, surviving the loss of a beloved husband, and having the strength to love again and start a new marriage at 77 was heartwarming.

He told me of their courtship, his persistence, and their successful relationship based on love, trust, and a lot of common sense.

“Nothing changes.” “You can’t make sense out of nonsense.” “Don’t go to the goat house to get wool.”

🎂 Happy 85th Birthday 🎂

Happy 85th, Lavelle, and many more. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I wish your every day to be filled with lots of love, laughter, happiness and, of course, the warmth of Southern sunshine.

Fun Quick Reads:

From the original magazine all us Southern Ladies grew up on, Southern Living: 12 Quotes About Southern Women That Are So True. If you have any to add, please put them in the comments below. I love a good quote!

I’ll start this. From Suzanne S. the “Erma Bombeck of the South,” “Nothing good happens after midnight.” It’s actually her mother Edna’s saying. We grew up on that saying, and I believe it is true to this day!

From Garden and Gun, which I pronounced “divine” from their first publication date. Still referring to it, our Unofficial Magazine of the South: Redefining the Southern Belle: Meet a new generation of Southern women

Athens, Georgia. Can you even say that without an accent? Ronda Rich: Southern women know to make criticism as sweet as vinegar pie

P.S. – If you’re looking for a signing tree like the one above, they’re really had to find. I found that one at a local boutique. Online, I found some signing trees that use thumbprints instead of names, or ones designed for weddings that can easily be personalized for a birthday or anniversary instead.

I Don’t Go Anywhere Without:

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MyMedic Individual Bleeding Control Kits, this link and my code “DeepWH15” will save you 15% on your purchase. We take ours everywhere.
North American Rescue CAT tourniquets. Use code “MAY25” for 20% off through midnight on 5/31/20. This is a huge savings!
Airbnb, “Kimberly gave you up to $55 off your first trip.”
Airbnb says, “Deep gave you up to $415 off your first adventure.
Uber gives you $2 off your first three rides.
Travelex is our trip insurer – click for a free quote.
Girls That Scuba – members discount card for all things diving.
REI Co-op for great sports equipment and travel clothes.
Sailo for $100 off your next boat rental! Discount Code: “KimWa1”
PierShare to rent your dock out or rent a dock.
BoatUS for your boat towing insurance! Code: “HEWAF88”
RoadId for $5 off your cycling/running/kayaking/travel id.
Dazer Ii Ultrasonic Aggressive Dog Deterrent Repeller Dazzer – keeping dogs at bay while we cycle.
Guardline Security Wireless Driveway Alarm – alerts us when someone approaches. Less expensive directly from the company.
Thank you for using my links – your price does not change, but they may gift me a small percentage of your sale in return for my mention, which allows me to continue to bring to you fun content.
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