Porch people are iconic story-tellers and many times, the family library.
Generations of tales are shared and re-shared over the years.
If you are smart, you will listen, learn and especially…laugh.
Here is one of my favorite stories…
Years ago, farmers had no fancy check writing machines and paid the farm workers in cash. During the busiest time of the year, one farmer forgot to go to the bank for pay day. Late in the afternoon, one farm worker named, Bi-Mi-NICIALS, was making his way to the farm house to be paid. As soon as the farmer saw faithful Bi-mi-nicials, he realized his mistake.
“Oh, I am so sorry, Bi-mi-nicials,” said the farm. “I forgot to go the bank!”
“Welllll,” drawled Bi-mi-nicials. “Can you write me a check?”
“Yes, I will be glad to,” replied the farmer.
As the boss man proceed to write the check, he realized that he did not know how to spell, Bi-mi-nicials.
“I am embarrassed, Bi-mi-nicials. I don’t know how to spell your name,” said the farmer.
“Oh, just make it out to, JW Jones.”
“JW Jones?” asked the farmer. “Who is that?”
“Well, Sah, that is me.”
“What!”exclaimed the surprised farmer. “You have worked for us for over fifteen years and we have always called you, Bi-mi-nicials.”
“Yep, I thought it was strange. The first day when you hired me, you asked me what I wanted to be called by and I said, you can just call me, by my initials.”
Jane Jenkins Herlong is a Sirius XM Humorist, international best-selling/award-winning author, professional singer, recording artist and funny motivational speaker.
Jane is a member of the Speaker Hall of Fame and one of the 232 men and women to be awarded this honor including former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and the late General Colin L. Powell. Jane has also achieved the distinction of becoming a Certified Speaking Professional by the National Speakers Association.