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Leatherwood, Kentucky, 1964. "Cornett boys sitting on porch lighting cigarette." From a series of photos made in 1964 and 1972 by William Gedney documenting the lives of Willie and Vivian Cornett, their 12 children and grandchildren. Gedney Photographs Collection, Duke University. View full size.
I was drawn to that area around 1975 by an article in the Louisville Courier-Journal describing a pristine forest which one could tour with the land's owner. Lilly Cornett Woods, according to google maps, lies about eight miles from Leatherwood. We arrived without notice, as the article's author said was the custom, and Ms Cornett, a woman probably in her seventies at that time, agreed to lead my wife and I through her forest. The land had never been lumbered and besides the old growth trees contained many rare plants. The hike was a real treat.
Then we received another treat when she invited us to follow her over to where her younger relatives were holding a coed softball game. My wife opted to watch from beyond center field while I played the game. Ms Cornett and her family could not have been more welcoming, and I treasure that day even now.
Seeing that photo, and the family name, and now knowing that they lived near her Woods; I wonder if these were some of the folks I played with in that pickup game of softball.
I had heard a rather vile expression for the lighting of one cigarette from another and to paraphrase someone else discussing the topic here it was how little monkeys are made not little turkeys.
I grew up in eastern North Carolina and those boys could have been some of my 'down the road' neighbors. And yes, smoking cigarettes was like a rite of passage into young adulthood.
All I can come up with for this is "chain smoking". Been 50 years ago since I did that and 25 years ago since I smoked at all.
The one cigarette to another method worked best when it was windy. Another couple of reminisces:
Smoke 'em if you got 'em
Field strip 'em when you're done.
I started smoking Winstons when I was 13. A friend and I would meet after school near a hollow tree in the woods behind my house and light up and be cool. I changed brands a few times and then graduated to menthols to help suppress any coughing. In time I had a 3+ pack a day habit which lasted about 40 years. One day I figured that enough was enough and I quit, cold turkey. It was difficult but still a good idea.
I'm still pretty cool though!
Amazing that they had electricity! I know the area. My Aunt lived in McRoberts and many of her neighbors did not have electricity or indoor facilities. My Aunt was fortunate in that her and the rest of the family had both. Thanks for the photo.
From the old Chevy, to the front porch, those Cornett kids lived in the same setting as my cousins back in Boone County MO. You reckon the glass cover on that watt meter has turned purple from the sun yet?
Ice Gang-I'll try and answer your question in the wholesome, family hour kind of way-It's how little turkeys are made.
The only expression I ever heard, and I heard it quite often thirty to forty years ago, is probably better left unstated in this far more genteel assembly.
what the expression was for lighting one cigarette with another, my age has let it escape me.
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