From the Publisher
Folklore is often told in vigorous, robust, and colorful language. We delight to hear a bit of folk-say phrased both neatly and laconically: "I am as hungry as a bitch wolf with puppies"; or, "My mouth is so dry i am spitting cotton."
Ideally, folklore lives in the minds and hearts of a people; those who create it sustain it. However, to print folklore helps to ensure its survival. The folklore we present here varies. We include superstitions and sayings, weather lore, and traditional observations on animal and human life. Also included are remedies and cures, as well as proverbial wit and wisdom.
Folk sayings may vary distinctly from one region to the next, making collecting regional sayings, such as these from Texas, vital. We hope our readers have as much fun browsing through this book as we did preparing it.
-INTRODUCTION
About the Author
The late EVERETT A. GILLIS, English Department Chairman at Texas Tech 1963-1969, earned a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. He taught courses in literature, poetry, creative writing, and folklore. He was active in the Southwestern Literature Association and president of the Texas Folklore Society.
Artist TEEL SALE, M.F.A. from the University of North Texas, has exhibited her work in more than fifty juried and invitational shows. She is the co-author of Drawing/ A Contemporary Approach (Holt, Rinehart and Winston ,second edition, 1986).
