Frantastically Frances: The Sayings and Snarks of My Mama, the Senior. by Sharon Rae North
When we think of someone who has shaped our lives, we often find ourselves going back through our memories with them. We find ourselves wishing we could recall the funny stories and words of wisdom they have offered throughout our lives. We never think to write down anecdotes of our friends and family in the moment, but some of them are worth putting to page to be remembered forever.
Sharon Rae North knows the value of her mother’s words, which is why she has filled a book with her mother’s so-called “Francesisms” in her book Frantastically Frances: The Sayings and Snarks of My Mama, the Senior.
PORTRAIT OF AN INSPIRING AND WITTY SINGLE MOTHER
Frances North is part of a big family; she is the youngest of 14 children who moved around quite a bit. When it came time to start her own family, she raised her girls with no mercy. Looking back on their childhood, Sharon and her sister Ginger came to understand that raising two kids as a single mother was a challenge, and Frances wasn’t about to let two kids run her house. Frances made it clear that she was the boss, and no smart-mouthed teenager was going to get the best of her!
Frances worked her whole life raising her children and finally retired after 32 years of service with Mahoning County in Youngstown. She then moved in with her daughter Sharon, giving Sharon even more material for this book.
Sharon felt that her mother’s words should be shared with the masses, so she began posting “Francesisms” on Facebook, and people were hooked. Frances’ fans were hanging on her every word, so when there were several days in between posts, they would send messages hoping to hear more. People were even commenting on her posts on Facebook, suggesting Sharon put all of her mother’s day-to-day sayings into a book. Well, here we are!
FRANCES FEELS LIKE SOMEONE YOU KNOW
As someone with a very stern and sassy grandmother with zero tolerance for bullshit, I feel a kinship with Frances — her humor and attitude are familiar and almost comforting to me. I get the feeling my Memaw and Frances could be fast friends.
Throughout this book, I got the sense that Frances is someone who is unapologetically herself, saying things like: “You know we’re ‘bout to be snowed in, and you just ate the last two Oreos. What kinda shit is that?” In a moment that captures Frances’ straightforward demeanor, Ginger and Sharon are “teasing Ma about how big her butt has gotten,” when Frances says, “Yeah, now that I’m old and ain’t nobody lookin’ at it.” And then there’s quite possibly my favorite quote: “I might be a half fool, but I ain’t gonna be no whole one.”
This book is filled to the brim with silly and hilarious quotes; it also has quotes that have a powerful message, such as: “You can’t make no false promises to God,” meaning He will always know your true intentions. Also, “Live fast, die young, make a pretty corpse.” This one has humor behind it, but it also made me stop and think about living life while I’m young and continuing to do things that seem scary or risky. So, when I get to be Frances’ age I will know that I — like Frances — lived a life with no regrets.
As someone who has lost my grandparents, I wish I had thought to create a book like this filled with their stories, funny jokes and life lessons. It would be such a comfort. Frances North is certainly a lady that knows who she is and I love how Sharon Rae North has captured her mother’s uncensored and unapologetic attitude. Frances gives no mercy in sharing her unpopular opinions, words of wisdom and silly anecdotes, making her FRANtastic!
Frantastically Frances is available for purchase here.
About Sharon Rae North:
Sharon Rae North is multi-faceted. She is an author, a professional vocalist, a journalist and she has even done a bit of acting.
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, she has lived in an additional six states and currently resides in Northern Virginia. By her own admission, she is always looking for the next project, the next adventure, the next journey … and, just maybe, the next book. She is also the author of the children’s book My Brand New Leg, published in 2003.
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