You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start in the Morning by Celia Rivenbark

Started this earlier today and it is hilarious! I love Southern humor and sarcasm and this book drips with both. It also has some great recipes in it. I am going to try a couple of them this week. They sound really yummy. I hope to finish this tonight before I go to sleep but I may finish it tomorrow instead.

Well I ended up going to sleep last night so I finished it this morning. It is a hoot! I read a lot of negative reviews from people who did not find it amusing or did not understand the humor. I guess you just have to be able to relate. I have three girls. One is almost 15 and the other two are 11 and 9. So I understand the school issues and the disease spreading by other kids who come to school sick and make mine sick. I understand the school projects and the never ending fundraisers and all that. I can relate to so much of it.

I have also heard people say that Rivenbark is not laughing with Southerners but AT them. For those people I ask you--- Have you seen some of these people around the South lately? Holy smokes! I have to laugh at them too. Otherwise I would curl up in a ball and worry that my kids someday might be reduced to dating guys like that. Sometimes you do have to laugh AT them. People in the south are most certainly a different breed and if you don't get them, you don't get them.

My favorite chapter was 18 when she was talking about her dad. I know how hard it is to take care of someone who is slipping in the memory department and how hard it is to deal with that sometimes. But there are always lessons to be had, even in those hard, dark places. I love how she took her "dad" for a walk and was not ashamed to tell everyone she met what was in the urn. :)

Now this is not a book for the fainthearted or for those who cannot stand harsh words and stong language. It is a bit raunchy and trashy but that is what makes it so funny in part. Also, the recipes sound so good. I am going to try the pecan pie later this week. All in all a super funny book. Don't read it if you are easily offended by "green" bashing or don't want to hear her opinion of Gwyneth Paltrow's advice to all the lowly folks of the world. I loved it!