Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Ancestry of MJ

Because I know you've all been on the edge of your seat, waiting for me to write another "git ta know MJ better" post, I figured I would continue on my crazy family topic by telling you a little about my interesting ancestry (and by "interesting" I mean "probably boring to anyone but me").

Starting on my father's side, I have a well-rounded mixture of Native American and good ol' Southern white trash straight from the armpit of the Georgia swamp. That's right - while we Creek Indians weren't busy having ceremonial fires and praising mother Earth for all her gifts, we held pig races and fried everything that would fit in grandma's grease pan! This lineage led me to have the most stick-straight hair ever. I could leave curlers in for a whole weekend, and twenty minutes after taking them out, AND after using an entire can of Suave super hold hair spray, my hair would be straight again (yes, I've actually tried it).

On my mother's side, we have a more refined ancestry coming straight from England. And if we had stayed there, I would have been a damn Dutchess (WTH, great great great great grandpa?!?!?). Now a pretty little lady, known to me as my great-g-ma, took this a step further by marrying a man from the "other side of the tracks" (Side note: I always wonder where this stereotype came from... were nice houses built right up to one side of the tracks, and then they just stop? Was there some kind of unknown toxic force beyond the tracks that would prey on the wealthy, white children? I dunno...). He was a Cajun, straight from Louisiana, and they had a son who married my g-ma and was the most loving g-pa on the planet (He was also in the Navy, and his job was so classified that, upon his death, officers came to my mother's door, conveyed their condolences, and proceeded to take practically all of his Navy belongings except for his war medals. We still don't know what it is he did for them.). This explains both the origin of my French (Cajun) name and the fact that I should be a sideshow freak called "MJ the Amazing Pepper Princess!" with the kinds of spicy foods I can withstand.

So there you have it. Pretty cut and dry actually.

I have a great respect for the planet, can appreciate the many decorating options of duct tape, feel quite comfortable in a tiara, and can eat spicy foods that would make a normal man curl up into a big, wet ball of sweat and tears.

Note to Self: So what is your ancestry, and how do you see it in yourself now?

11 comments:

Anonymous social worker said...

you have great family history.
I wish I did.

Anonymous said...

Interesting family ancestry. I'm Scottish of my dad's side and a whole mix of stuff on my mom's side. If my ancestor's had stayed on Scotland we would have been Royalty. Check out Argyle Castle sometime online...

Matt said...

Dutchess?

You're saying you wouldnt?

Anonymous said...

I'm in the SAME boat w/ you on the hair issue! So ridiculously straight. I used to BEG my mom to let me perm my hair when I was little....

Now that I am older, I appreciate my straight hair and am thankful...much less maintenance that curly or wavy!

My mom is Native American - born in Alaska. My dad's side of the family is Irish. I was born and raised in Florida ( so was my Dad ). I'm not too sure how my Dad's family ended up in FL, I will have to ask... I know my mom ended up in FL due to her father being in the military and moving all over the place.

Cool ancestry though MJ :) Do you notice your tolerance for spice going down at all as you age?

Rachel said...

Mine are obsessive compulsive. My mom is very frugal...however I am total opposite. I am raising my kids differently than I was raised...and it's working!

Anonymous said...

Hi MJ,

From way back I'm Scotch-Irish, with a few other genes mixed in along the way. As to myself specifically, my g-dad made moon shine for a living, my mother got married when she was 14, and I'm the first person on my side of the family to attend college. On the other hand, my son will (crossed fingers) graduate from a top law school next year, which he's attending on a full scholarship. Proof enough I think that there's something to the theory of evolution.

the Grit

Anonymous said...

HAHA! I love how you summed it all up in one paragraph at the bottom. I actually laughed out loud. It was a great post! It does suck that they took all your g-pa's stuff when he passed. That kind of pisses me off.

MJ said...

Franco - I'm sure you have a more interesting story than you think. Your parents are just holding out on you.

Kweenmama - Then you totally understand my frustration then lol.

KPD - Perming didn't help. I did it once in fourth grade. It only lasted two weeks before it was board straight again *sigh* Those things are supposed to last at least a month. My mom went and got her money back...

Rachel - Me and my mom are so alike. If I am half the mother to my kids that my mom was to me, I'll consider that a success.

Grit - So true. Congrats to your son, that's quite a feat!

Teeni - All a matter of national security I suppose. He knew things about WWII that I never care to know.

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha, what a way to sum it all up!! Thanks for the share! Loves the southrn' sass!

MJ said...

kimmirich - Thanks for stopping by my blog. Y'all come back now, y'hear! :)

pure evyl said...

You do have that royal look to you.