Put your foot in it

I learned so many things living in CA and experienced so much in diversity in that melting pot state that make me who I am today. I'm much better off for all of it and for all the friends I have there.

I remember a comment one day at work about food. Maybe we were enjoying one of those good office potlucks. Anyway, Rosemary said, "well you really put your foot in that dish!" What? I didn't know what she was talking about so had to ask.

Let me explain that Rosemary happens to be an African American. She said, "that's what the old folks say when they cook something real good and tasty! You put your foot in it. It's a compliment."

So I learned something--here I always thought to step in it or put your foot in your mouth was not a good thing. Just one little example of how we learn from others.

Now forward here to MN, land of the Norwegians, Germans, well you get it, the Mid-West. So at church a group of women gathered to listen to a Beth Moore DVD about Immeasurable Love. Beth said while speaking on this subject once that one of the women in the audience came up to her later and said, "Girl, I was about to throw my shoe at you. That was so good. You sure put your foot in it! I wanted mine there too" Beth had taken off her shoe to demonstrate and whacked it on the floor of the stage.

The women around our table looked very puzzled. But I fell out laughing. I knew what was meant and appreciated the expression! They looked at me like I was off again! Here in the Mid-west sometimes I feel like an alien. I explained the significance of "putting your foot in it." they asked how I knew that. I told them about Rosemary and the food. So we never know where what we learn at some point in our life will come in handy to teach somebody else some day.

Update 2012, I read the wonderful book, "House at Sugar Beach" by Helene Cooper and reviewed it on my book blog.  I learned a Liberian plea or promise or emphatic way of asking is " I hold your foot,  or I have your foot."  So there is some African  connection with putting the foot in it!  This post has attracted spammers and so I am  pulling it aside to drafts.  I really do not want these spam comments that continue to plague me.     Freedom 12/12/12 by blocking Anonymous comments the spammers are gone and this post is reactivated....