Bennett Sewell Art

I was raised, according to my mother, right.  I got her full attention.  My place was in the home to wash and iron, to cook and garden, and to be good to her big dog.  By the time I broke loose and ran away, I was determined that no dog was going to tell me what to do ever again.  I was firmed up pretty good.  The other dogs in the neighborhood called me “Old Lady Pervis” before I had my first litter.  Then I met what I thought was my big dog, a sweet-talking buggaroo.  He said he was a big dog and wanted a strong mate.  You know how it goes.  As soon as I had a litter, he left to go to the store to get a soup bone and never came back.  Good riddance.  You might say I was firmed up a lot more after that. 

 

All my first litter ran off as soon as they could except Alum.  That was okay, I gave her my full attention; I raised her right. There were some bumps along the road in our relationship, but by and large, she settled in.

 

Last year when Alum began to wiggle when she walked, I didn’t want the same thing to happen to her that happened to me; so I arranged a meeting between Alum and Herbert Hebert.  He’s a traveling woman’s shoe salesman.  Down at the barbershop they say that if he gets to put the shoes on the woman, he has a sale.  I was looking for a dog that doesn’t know what to do with himself when he’s not working and that’s Herbert.  Sure enough, they had a litter, but not before I got Herbert tied up real good: a rent room in the basement at a good price with a separate entrance, his Friday check to me and I give him what I think he needs, a prenup, and a life insurance policy with me as the beneficiary.  If he goes to get a soup bone, it’s gonna cost him a lot more than he thinks.  He’s pretty well settled in now.

 

All of Alum’s litter ran off as soon as they could except Precious.  But that was alright since Alum could give Precious her full attention and raise her right: take her to school, pick her up, help her do her homework, select her friends, decorate her room, lay out her clothes, teach her to keep house, and to pay full attention to us.  Alum has had a few bumps in the road with Precious, but with Alum and I watching, Precious appears to be settled in okay.

 

I’m still on top of everything, especially now as I have four dogs doing right.  I know what the neighborhood dogs say about me, but I don’t care that my house is old and gray on the inside and on the outside, and that it’s shut up with the only ventilation through the cracks in the floor.  I read the obituaries every day because that’s where the truth and the biggest lies are.  I, also, read the editorial column.  One man’s opinion is worth the same as the next, not much.  I take the Farm Journal; my commodity trader has begun to call me for advice.  He doesn’t get it without an override.  So I might be, as some say, old and skinny, but I’m still on top.  Please call before you come over next time.

 

Hattie’ Mae:  First of all Ms. Pervis is not related to me; she’s a neighbor.  Secondly, I can read lips and yesterday at sundown when I went by Ms. Pervis’ house, Precious was sitting on her windowsill, the only window open in the whole house, and I saw her say, “Is this all there is?”