More from my mother

My sister said something the other day that came from my mother. No question about it. And I've never heard anyone else say it--outside our family. In fact, Lucile and I may be the only ones who ever use it now. And probably she says it more than I do. (Does all this matter?)

"It's cold as billy heck." (Or is it Billy Heck?)

No idea where it comes from, who Billy Heck is, or what. But if I hear it, there's Mama, right there in my, you know, mind's eye.

Also, if my mother ever said, "Far be it from me to . . . " whatever. It didn't matter what came after, I just knew she was mad.