Readers of Not Without My Father can’t forget Miss Ethel Banta, doyenne of Natchez, Mississippi’s Hope Farm. When I grow up, I want to BE Miss Ethel. Few people could unseat her near the apex of favorite people I’ve met.
During my Trace Corridor book tour, MTM and I went out of our way to see her in Natchez.
Any trip to Natchez is worth the effort. When the Trace was booming, Natchez was one of the richest cities in America. Set on bluffs high above the churning Mississippi, one can spend a weekend or a week touring mansion after mansion after mansion.
Mealtimes are a tough call. “Do I want Cajun? Or soul food? Or Mexican? Or do I drive out to Mammy’s Cupboard for an, *ahem*, eclectic dining experience to be found only in The South?”
Miss Ethel first told me the story of Mammy’s Cupboard.
“People used to come from all over to eat under the skirt of that Mammy doll. But civil rights came along. The South had to adapt, and Mammy’s adapted along with it. I still don’t understand why they changed that Mammy doll into an Indian, though…….”
Miss Ethel beckoned us by phone. “I’ve got my flu clothes on, but come on over!” (Flu clothes: a black velour tracksuit and pumps.) She met us at the door and exclaimed, “Why, MTM! You are a HANDSOME man!”
He worshipped Miss Ethel for an hour.
But nothing beat our photography session. “Let’s stand here in front of my portrait…..oh, that’s a terrible idea, isn’t it? Showing how old I look now?”
“You look amazing, Miss Ethel.” MTM snapped and snapped. “But you need to smile.”
I put my arm around her, flu clothes and all. “I know how to get her to smile.”
And I uttered those immortal, picture-posing words bestowed upon me by the great Nathalie Dupree.
“Sex sex sex sex sex.”
When Miss Ethel finally stopped laughing, she sputtered, “You got every take with my mouth open, and I don’t care. I’m going to stand on my front porch in my hoop skirt during this year’s Pilgrimage, and every time somebody asks for a picture, I’m going to cozy up next to them and say sex sex sex sex sex! Priceless! I can’t WAIT!”
I can’t wait, either, Miss Ethel. I may have to trek to the Natchez Pilgrimage this year to see you shine.
The Natchez Spring Pilgrimage runs from March 7 – April 7, 2015. You can find out more about it HERE.
What are you waiting for?
Get your copy of Not Without My Father: One Woman’s 444-Mile Walk of the Natchez Trace everywhere, and get started making a memory of your very own. In Natchez. Or anywhere.
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17 Comments
She sounds like a riot. Would love to spend some time on the front porch talking with her.
She doesn’t sit on the front porch, Carnell. You have to grace her sitting room.
Ohmigosh, I want to meet Miss Ethel and hear her say SEX! Too funny. I can feel how special this woman is through your post. You and MTM have been very blessed to meet her and make her smile.
This experience made me many times fortunate, Mary. She is a treasure.
Gosh she looks like my mother! Track suit and all.
Your mother is saucy like Miss Ethel, too.
Miss Ethel is truly a wonderful lady. Her stories, he marvelous house, and her voice – part Eartha Kit part Grandma. She is amazing!
She does have a little Eartha going on, doesn’t she?
A life rich in characters is a very rich life. You are a wealthy woman.
Wealthy in the ways that matter, yes.
I love her! If you ever run into a photo op where sex,sex,sex doesn’t get a laugh you might want to try my Grandma Emma’s favorite line – “smile and say s***.” She shouted this at us in every state park and campground we visited as kids. 🙂 My parents were horrified but the kids loved it and we always shouted right back. 🙂
I laughed out loud reading this comment, Lisa. So, so funny.
she is fantastic. i love the picture of her laughing )
I love that one, too.
Flu suit. Love it – and Miss Ethel, who looks and sounds like a real gem.
She is a delight, Penny. Everyone needs to meet Miss Ethel.
I can’t wait to get my copy of your book through the door – I suspect that a guy from Amazon is swimming over the English Channel with it strapped to his head as I type. Miss Ethel looks like real fun – I love being around people who know how to “let it go” and don’t put on those “photo booth faces” when someone takes out their camera. Lucky you to have met someone so entire. Has MTM got over the shock yet?
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