Snuff Jars and Jelly Glasses by Brenda Haynes Brown

Brenda Sue, as her father like to call her narrates tales of the good ‘ol Mississippi. She leaves nothing untold. She talks about the little nuggets of wisdom she derived from her roots. She pays homage to her home. Her place of sanctity. Her birthplace. She honors the legacy that was bestowed upon her by being Southern born. She outlines how her life experiences have shaped the person she is today. She is nostalgic and appreciative of the fun times at Sunflower Plantation back when she was growing up. Returning years later did not erase her connection to the place. 

Brenda Brown is not looking to merely tell her story. She is looking to pass a message. To leave a mark. She is looking to reiterate- those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it. She understands the role the past plays in the future and lays out a story about her birthplace and the people therein to pass this message. She was and still is a country mouse. Having moved to town has not changed the most intrinsic parts of her. That much can be appreciated in understanding the role of childhood and hometowns in the true nature of a person. 

This author is absolutely brilliant. The flow of her narration and prose is so silky and smooth, almost effortless. She does not work too hard to keep the reader hooked on to every single word on the page. The country scents and warmth of a homey town waft right out of the book. She is vivid and patient. She takes her time and does not rush the plot. The reader can see and feel that this is a book that nagged at the author’s psyche until it was written. It is beautiful and passionate. It is thought provoking yet with a measure of humor. To cap it all, it carries that warm Southern spirit. 

If you choose to read this book, do it whole-heartedly. Do it without doubt. This book will change something in you and it will do so unapologetically. Ensure to be ready for a ride. It will not be a wild ride but you will enjoy it. The twang takes a bit of time to get used to. However, once you get the hang of it all will be breezy. Though you might find yourself thinking in the twang for a few days after. 

“Those who seem dimwitted are not necessarily stupid. The poor are not necessarily impoverished. The greatly educated are not necessarily intelligent.” 

Dare not to carry that around with you for a long time.