C. T. Suddeth

When Dad (Charles G. Suddeth) was a kid during WWII, he listened to WHAS & WAVE radio in Louisville. They advertised: “Giddy up, giddy up with spur—the drink that has the promiser.” I discovered the ads were for Spur Cola by Canada Dry, and Spur is still around though not in Louisville. Wished I could have found out in time to show Dad.

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Louisville candy: Modjeska (caramel biscuit) was invented in 1883 by Louisville candymaker Anton Busath and named after actress Helena Modjeska. After a 1947 fire destroyed the candy shop, Muth’s Candy’s (east Market, Louisville) took over production. Schimp’s Candies in Jeffersonville, Indiana and Bauer’s Candies Lawrenceburg, Kentucky also produce great modjeskas—both places have been around since the 19^th century. I have visited Muth’s and Schimpff’s, Bauer’s is next on my list.

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Janie Speaks

Charles Suddeth

She was single, way past forty,

Baggy dresses, silver-grey hair,

Seldom talked, never smiled,

Went to prayer meetings with Mom.

She came once for Sunday dinner,

Our dining table stacked high,

Dad said grace, and we dug in,

Chomping, lip smacking, chewing.

Janie shoved it in like she was starved,

Roast beef, mashed potatoes, red-eye gravy.

She grunted once and quit eating,

Her kitchen knife clanged onto the floor.

“I’m in a family way,” she mumbled.

Dad coughed and spit coffee on his tie.

“That’s really good,” muttered Mom,

Famous for her terrible rages.

Janie gulped her iced tea down,

“I’m a real God-fearing woman,

I ain’t never been with a man,

I can’t lie to Almighty God.”

Dad buttered his cornbread again,

Eyes hard, Mom poured gravy

Until it flowed onto her lap,

I nibbled, gawked, dared a grin.

Janie belched like a windstorm,

“It must have been that old soup,

Those greasy pinto beans and ramps,

I guarantee I didn’t cook it.”

Dad stuck a napkin over his face,

Mom stood and served apple pie,

I didn’t speak or look up or breathe,

Never saw Janie again.

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