The only question about handwriting styles used to be “Palmer” or “Spincerian”. Today, the question is whether children should be taught cursive writing at all – and that is a sad commentary on our culture.

During the trial of George Zimmerman, one witness took the stand and famously testified that she could not read the letter that she said was sent by her but written by a friend. The reason she gave when cross-examined? “I can’t read cursive.” Have we descended that low? Has the cold, sterile printed word replaced the smooth flowing character of cursive? Will the next generation be incapable of reading anything that doesn’t appear on the screen of the latest digital gadget? If Common Core Curriculum is allowed to take root, then the answer will be “yes”. Cursive writing is nowhere to be found in that indoctrination system masked as education.

It wasn’t until just a few years ago that I “rediscovered” cursive writing. Coming from a technical background, printed characters were the standard. One of my early jobs out of college was designing material handling equipment for the textile industry. At that time, drawings were done on paper, using a T-square, pencil, and drafting instruments. In college, we were taught exactly how to print in the Drafting classes, and that’s how it was done on the job.

The text on technical drawings was always printed in a very standardized style. Now, however, I try to use cursive writing whenever possible, and almost always with a fountain pen. I started by paying close attention to my signature, and then using that same care in notes and letters. Since I now make my living writing software, there is little room for cursive other than making notes to myself, but I still use it whenever I can.

Among the collection of home schooling books that we have for our grandchildren is the Spencerian Penmanship book.

Subscriber “UK Fred” sent a link to a BBC radio program about Southern food – specifically about the Southern Hog Roast. You can listen to it here – the section on the hog roast is from 16:35 to 20:50. This reminded me of a hog roast that was held at our church on New Year’s Eve last year.

The fire pit was built from concrete blocks stacked up. There were no specific plans – we just stacked blocks until it looked about right. The hog was split down the middle and laid out on a metal rack built for the purpose. A section of light weight field fence was placed on top of the hog and fastened with twisted wire to hold it in place.

I don’t recall how long the entire process took, but it was pretty much an all-day affair. A group of us took turns watching the fire, adding wood as needed, raising or lowering the hog depending on the heat, and adding sauce using a mop and a bucket. When more heat was needed, we would also place a section of corrugated metal roofing over the top of the hog to help hold the heat in. While the meal itself is often viewed as the highlight of a hog roast, the fellowship involved in the all-day cooking is where the real Southern tradition lies. A hog roast – like most outdoor grilling, is strictly a man’s world. While the ladies prepare the side dishes and make sure that everything else goes smoothly, the men stand around by the fire while discussing the best way to roast a hog and other matters of great importance.

Later that evening, when the “senior hog roaster” decided that it was ready, it was taken off the fire, cut up, and placed in metal serving trays. Between the church folks and the crew from the county fire station next to the church, we came pretty close to finishing the entire hog.

The Southern hog roast is one of the great traditions of Southern culture. If you are ever invited to one, don’t pass up the opportunity – and be sure to take a turn at the roasting pit.

Some terminology
Hog – a swine weighing over 120 pounds.
Pig – a very young swine.
Butcher Hog or Market Hog – a swine weighing from 220 to 260 pounds, usually 5 to 7 months of age.
Barrow – a castrated male swine that is the basis of the pork industry. In case you’re wondering, uncastrated male swine (boars) have an unpleasant taste (known as “boar taint”), they gain weight more slowly, and are more difficult to handle.
Feeder pig – a young swine usually between 40 to 70 pounds, produced by one farmer and sold to another farmer to feed out to market.

To that end, this is a list of tangible things we can do, presented in no particular order.

1. Boldly proclaim the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Leading a soul to eternal salvation is a greater accomplishment than anything else in this life.
2. Live a virtuous life at home, at work, and in public. Always speak the truth. We are ambassadors of our great Southern culture and must serve as an example of what that culture stands for.
3. Be part of a church that truly believes The Bible ¹. as the literal word of God – and acts on it. There are far too many modernist churches that lower standards and try to become like the rest of the world. If you’re in one of those modernist churches, leave and find a real church that is not focused on entertaining the congregation.
4. Use the power of the spoken and written word to advance the cause of restoring civility to America.
5. Dress more formally than what is customary in today’s society.
6. Pay close attention to manners and etiquette, and make them a part of your daily life.
7. Pray – not a vain repetition, but pray like you are talking directly with The God who created the entire universe, because that’s exactly what you are doing. He listens to “specks of dust” like us.
8. Seek out like-minded people, and form strong bonds with them.
9. Treat others with respect. As conditions worsen, there will be those who proudly provided for their families in the past, but find themselves without work or, if they are fortunate, doing menial work. Your turn may come. While those who willingly live off of money stolen from the productive deserve our open contempt, resist the urge unless pressed.
10. Follow the Boy Scout slogan of “Do a Good Turn Daily”. Find some way to help someone who would not expect it.
11. Follow the Boy Scout motto of “Be Prepared”. When hard times come, you can depend on no one but yourself and your closest friends and family.
12. Produce some of your own food by gardening or small-scale farming, and raising chickens. Those are valuable skills that cannot be learned by just reading a book. It is also the key to our Southern Agrarian culture.
13. Understand what Southern Agrarianism is by reading I’ll Take My Stand, by Twelve Southerners.
14. If you are living in an urban area, move to a semi-rural or rural area. The cities are not only increasingly dangerous, they are corrosive to the soul.
15. Arm yourself and learn and practice to become effective in the defense of yourself and your family. Armed men are free men – disarmed men are slaves.
16. Turn off the TV, cancel the cable subscription, and disconnect the antenna. TV has done more than anything else to destroy our culture. Don’t allow the filth and propaganda into your home.
17. Home-school your children and help and support other home-schoolers if you can.
18. Take control of your future by investing your retirement savings yourself so that the government cannot gain control of it ².
19. Make your home more self-sufficient: dig a well, own a sewing machine ³ to make and repair your clothes, install a wood heating stove, increase the insulation in your attic.
20. Secure your home. Rampant crime is just one of the results of a decaying society where civility is no longer revered.
21. Embrace old-school ways of doing things: use paper and pen rather than an electronic device for taking notes (bonus points for using a fountain pen ⁴); shave with a double-edge safety razor and brush and mug rather than the latest multi-blade gizmo; resist the temptation to automatically upgrade to the latest technology; consider using open source software and Linux rather than falling into the Windows/Mac trap.
22. Resolve to give no credibility to political correctness. When it comes up, question it and force the source to justify what was said or written. Don’t accept it.
23. Watch your language. Make a conscious effort to avoid any obscene or profane word coming from your lips. Crude language identifies the speaker with the worst elements of any society. That such language is now commonly used by “celebrities” is reason enough to shun it.
24. Cherish those who are close to you and resolve to repair any relationships that need repairing. Your family, your spouse, your friends – those are more important now than ever, and will become even more so in the future.
25. Display the Confederate flag – any one of them – on a regular basis. (see the Code of Confederate Flag Etiquette)
26. Sharing a meal as a family is a time-honored tradition. Make the extra effort to have a more formal, structured dinner.
27. Resolve to take away the power that the word “racist” has over us; at the same time, remember to treat all men with the respect they deserve.
28. Language is an important part of any culture – the English language is the language of our people. Don’t allow yourself to slip into the sloppy language habits that have become a mark of modern popular culture. Writing and speaking well are the marks of a civilized man. Use correct English in your speech and writing. ⁵
29. Collect books – not digital text, but real paper and ink books that can be read without batteries. As the popularity of digital text increases, there are bargains to be found in used books. ⁶
30. Carry a pocket knife. A generation ago, every Southern male carried a pocket knife – it was almost a rite of passage. Somewhere along the way, the Nanny-state took over, and an incredibly useful tool came to be viewed as a dangerous weapon and a threat to be banned.
31. Get out of debt as quickly as possible. Make it a top priority.
32. Reduce or eliminate your income dependence by laying the foundation for your own business. Find something that you truly enjoy doing and that others are willing to pay for, and acquire the tools and the skills to provide that service or product at a profit. ⁷
33. The Christmas season has become the emblem of materialism in America and a brief glance at the mayhem of “Black Friday” shopping will confirm that. Turning away from the greed and materialism is a wonderful opportunity for a family lesson in setting priorities. Rejecting materialism now will make life easier later when it is forced on America by a failing economy.
34. Find something that you can grow or make at home to give away to others. For some, it is home-canned vegetables or preserves or home-made soap; for my wife and I, it is vanilla extract; for our son, it is egg nog in a variety of flavors. Turn back the clock a bit to a day when people didn’t buy everything from the store, but made it themselves. We also give away much of what our garden produces, and the surplus eggs from our chickens.

This list was inspired by a list posted at The Thinking Housewife blog. Be sure to read the Thinking Housewife post since it covers some things that I did not cover in this post. What can you add to this list?

Today’s post at Art of Manliness is titled “Ace Your Exams: Study Habits of The Gentleman Scholar“. Let me quickly point out that one does not have to be a full time high school or college student to benefit from this post – it applies to anyone with the natural curiosity and hunger for life-long learning that is a mark of the Southern gentleman. In my own case, I know that I need to put more effort into studying God’s word. I have made a number of attempts to seriously study The Bible, yet I never seem to gain traction – I end up wasting time, wandering off on other topics, and just never studying The Bible as I know that I should. The same thing applies to my need to stay up to date with the latest technology and trends in programming languages – my business depends on it, yet it is so easy to get bogged down in the details of running a business that I can quickly lose sight of the long term needs. In other words, I need to learn better study habits. I suspect that you do, too.

Here are the key points from the AOM post. Be sure to read the entire post and become a better Southern gentleman scholar.

• Time & Energy Management
• Reading Assignments and Homework
• Make the Most of Class Time
• Getting Extra Help
• Create an Outline or Study Guide
• Memorizing
• Self-Testing: The Master Key to Academic Success
• Study Groups
• Great Resources on Improving Your Study Skills

Webster’s Dictionary defines an ambassador as:

a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or soverign as the resident representative of his own government or sovereign…
an unofficial representative.

That, sirs, is the role that should be assumed. Being a Southern ambassador does not mean criticizing Northern culture, nor does it mean boasting of the superiority of Southern culture. It means being a Southern gentleman

• Can someone be a Southern gentleman when they are not in or from The South?
• Is it appropriate for a non-Southerner to use and display the Confederate flag and other symbols of The South?

The answer to these and similar questions is a resounding “Yes”. The state of being a Southern gentleman is no longer restricted to those living below the Mason-Dixon Line, and perhaps it never was. A Southern gentleman who accepts a job transfer to Maine or New York or to Scotland or Italy is no less a Southern gentleman after his move than before. A man living in Massachusetts with solid Northern roots and not a single drop of Southern ancestral blood can decide to take on the mantle of the Southern gentleman and become a far greater Southern gentleman than a direct descendent of Robert E. Lee living deep in the heart of Dixie.

Being a Southern gentleman is a state of being. It is a lifestyle based on the ancient code of chivalry. It is a mindset of putting others first and having a truly humble spirit. It is a respect for others – and for oneself. It is respecting the dignity of all men, no matter what their station in life may be. It is a deep and abiding reverence and respect for women, coupled with the manners and etiquette that outwardly demonstrate that reverence. It is the understanding that we are not self-made men, but we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. It is a reverence for the God who created us, and who is the source of all of our many blessings.

Southern gentlemen can be found at every level of society from the janitor who cleans the toilets with the same pride in his workmanship as the finest craftsman, to the men occupying the highest positions of leadership in the land. It is not about money or occupation or social standing. It is about being a Southern gentleman.

Outwardly, the Southern gentleman can be identified as the man who always dresses well – not to impress, but out of respect for the dignity of those around him. He can be identified as the man who is at ease in a hut or in a palace – and always makes those around him feel at ease when they are near him. He has taken the time to learn the rules of social etiquette and practices them at all times, yet never points out the errors made by others. He understands the needs of women and accommodates those needs. The Bible speaks of women as “the weaker vessel”; the Southern gentleman discretely protects women and is prepared to actively defend them if no other options are available. He is quiet and soft-spoken. The Southern gentleman is seldom heard in a crowd unless he is speaking to you since his voice is kept soft and low so as to not call attention to himself; even when angry, his voice, like his demeanor, is kept under control. He never calls attention to his own success but points to the success of others. His leadership style is one of firmness and confidence such that others naturally look to him when leadership is needed.

Understand that no one possess all of these traits. Most of us are fortunate if we can successfully cultivate even a few of them. What sets a man apart as a Southern gentleman is that he understands the goals, knows that they are important, and strives with every fiber of his being to be a Southern gentleman. When he fails, he is determined to do better next time and never makes excuses.

Being a Southern gentleman is a journey. It is not a destination.

When Laura and I were married, we wanted to make our Southern heritage a part of the celebration that we shared with friends and family. At the front of the church where we said our vows, we had two Stainless Banner (2nd National) flags displayed – one on each side of the altar. When the ceremony was over and we walked back up the aisle to exit, our friends played Dixie on the piano and trumpet. People stood and clapped; both to wish us well and to recognize the culture we – and they – lived by.

Another way that we make our Southern heritage a part of our daily lives is the 25′ flagpole in our front yard that always displays one of the Confederate flags or the Florida state flag. We celebrate Confederate Independence Day (February 22) by hosting a dinner at our home where the theme is Southern culture. There are plenty of decorative items around the house with a Southern theme – from the portrait of Robert E. Lee overlooking the dining room, to the large matted and framed Confederate Seal over the fireplace in the office, to the various displays of photos of Confederate ancestors and SCV and MOS&B items.

We make a real effort to include our Southern heritage in our daily lives in a tasteful and appropriate manner. Look around a bit – are there ways that you can include Southern culture and heritage into your own daily life? We have such a rich heritage to draw from. Don’t let it go to waste.

We have probably all seen the advertisements for a “Work at Home” income. Aside from the fact that they are almost always a scheme to separate the gullible from their money, they also usually paint a picture of working while wearing pajamas and slippers. Perhaps there really are some people who can work that way, but my experience has shown just the opposite.

I have worked from my home, full time, since 1995. I am what many would consider an entrepreneur – I started a business after designing and writing a software program that turned out to be very popular within its niche. I have seen less than a half dozen of my customers face-to-face, so I could easily get away with spending my days unshaven and wearing whatever seemed to be most comfortable. While I have done just that for very brief periods, the effect it has on my attitude has proven to me that good grooming and dressing well are every bit as important – if not more so – than in an office filled with co-workers and clients.

While I sit in my office at home, I make sure than I shave each morning and put on nice dress clothes. At a minimum, I wear dress pants and a long sleeve white dress shirt. On occasion I will even wear a coat and tie. I have found that it has a profound effect on my productivity, my level of professionalism, my attentiveness, and how I deal with my customers on the phone. All are greatly improved as a direct result of my outward appearance – something that typically only I and my wife will see.

(Originally posted on May 27, 2010 – re-posted on June 30, 2011)

Grand Old Days
by Nancy B. Brewer

The ruffled dresses, petticoats and fancifully ways,
Ice tea, fried chicken and all our Southern ways,
Are slowly fading down the river,
Like ships upon the bay

Poise and manners have gone astray,
Replaced by the rude awakening of modern way,
Our Southern independence fought and lost,
Souls pass and bodies decay.

Yet, who will shed a tear or shout hooray?
If only I could beg or plea you to stay,
Would you smile and kiss my hand,
Just once more.. for the grand old days?

Mrs. Brewer is an author of historical fiction, reenactor, and story-teller from North Carolina. She is the author of Carolina Rain and Beyond Sandy Ridge. Her web site is http://www.nancybbrewer.com/

An occasion like this is one that calls for bringing out the silverware and fine china that usually stays closed up and unused. Make it a special occasion.

You could do this as a family or you could invite as many guests as you can accommodate. You could invite your fellow Southerners who may already be familiar with Lee-Jackson Dinners, or you could invite your friends who are only vaguely aware of Lee and Jackson – and educate them in the process.

Why not turn this into a home school project? Assign your children to read and do reports on Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, have them research what a typical “fancy” meal would have been like in the 1860’s, have them learn what children of their ages might have worn then and dress in period clothes. There are all sorts of ways to approach this as a home school project.

What ideas do you have for a Lee-Jackson Dinner? With four months to go, there is plenty of time left to plan a first-class Lee-Jackson Dinner, so mark your calendar and start planning!

If a Lee-Jackson dinner does not fit into your schedule (and it usually doesn’t for us since our church holds its annual Bible Conference at that time), you can plan for a Confederate Founding Day dinner on February 22 – the date that President Jefferson Davis was inaugurated.