Today, I chose this prompt for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop:
4.) The first time you ever heard your parent cuss.
But I’m fudging a little on this prompt. The closest I ever heard my Mom come to cussing was this: “As Papa used to say, that’s not worth a Continental damn!”. (I guess by prefacing it as a quote from her father, she didn’t feel that she was officially “cussing“. )
The event I’m writing about today was actually the first, last and only time I heard my grandmother “cuss”.
Grandma lived only about a half mile from us, and Mom and I visited her everyday. I was sixteen when she died.
“Cussing” was not something my Grandmother did. Ever.
Except one time, that I knew of anyway. When I was in my early teens, some of Grandma’s children decided that she needed new vinyl flooring in her kitchen, and she agreed to have this done. However, once the flooring was in place, it was so shiny, Grandma was certain that it was slippery, and therefore, she was sure that she would slip and fall.
One day, Grandma made a comment to me about “that damn floor”. I remember wishing we could rip up the new floor and put back the old. I was devastated that my Grandma was distraught enough to use such language.
I thought the world was ending.
It didn’t, of course, and I don’t recall Grandma ever falling because of the new floor. But I do recall that one time I heard her “cuss”.
Linking up to Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop.
these days of mine 
Such a cute story. I never heard my grandmothers cuss but I am sure my grandchildren have heard me! Shame on me!
Aww — how distraught she must have been to have uttered that. My grandparents never cussed, either. They never smoke or drank “Lips that touch alcohol shalt not touch mine” was a favorite quote of theirs. I love when you write about your Grandmother/Mom/memories of years past.
MJ
Thanks, MJ – those are some of my favorite memories!
I can tell! 🙂
I don’t ever remember hearing Grandma ‘cuss’. Although Mama said a couple of words she wouldn’t want her young children to repeat. One was about Jimmy Carter…she was very distressed when he was elected president. But the world didn’t end!! LOL!
Oh dear….she must have been quite distressed over that new floor! Cute story….
Pam
This made me smile. My mother used to say “Grannie wouldn’t say sh** if she had a mouthful.” And I am sure it was true!
Cute story Dianna. I have to say I come from a long line of cussers.. 😳
What a memory! It must have been such a big deal for you to remember it so clearly. Shame on her kids for insisting on that new floor 😉
Yes, every time this memory crosses my mind, I think of what a big deal it must have been for me to hear her say that! Thanks for visiting!
This is a good one! …. I remember this story, but not the picture …
too cute. 🙂
What a wonderful picture of your Grandmother. I had an aunt that said sh*t so much we called it “Aunt Mae’s word” (sorry Aunt Mae for tattling). But other than that we never heard much of the cussing either.
Sweet story – my grandmother rarely cussed either, but when she did, she let it rip!! Love the picture, too! Thanks for sharing with us!
good story. It is so stunning when you’re not used to it.
Good one Dianna! My Dad was Hungarian and had an accent. When he hit his thumb with a hammer he would yell, “SAC-AR-AMENTO-CAL-I-FORNYA! I never heard of Sacramento as a child so for years I thought he was really using a terrible swear word.
I don’t recall hearing my grandmother using bad words, but when my daddy remarried after Mama’s death, I heard him call his bossy new wife things I would never have thought he would say. It does stun a person!
I don’t remember either of my grandmothers cussing. I remember then getting mad and boy you would know when they were mad!!
My grandma never cussed either. Matter of fact, she would be absolutely APPALLED at the language people -men and women – use today!
I’m APPALLED at the language – especially of young people – and MOST especially- young girls. Re: my post from yesterday: most young women today don’t receive respect because their actions don’t “deserve” respect!
Can’t agree with you more!!
Very well said, Diaana.
Oh dear, now a days there is far too much cussing going on . xx00xx
Mollie and Alfie
They say actions speak louder than words, but when those words are ugly, I would turn that phrase around.
I missed this yesterday…at my mother’s…and had to weigh in… I didn’t want you to think I was avoiding the topic. 🙂
Like you…I never heard either of my grandmothers cuss…but I’m pretty sure they wanted to at times! Fun story! And love the photo…looks like lunch at a church social! ~ Sheila
Awww poor Grandma! I know sometimes those kinds of changes can just rock their worlds. I can actually see where she’s coming from. I’m glad she got used to it. 🙂
You go, girl! love this.