Grits? What’s a “grit”?

“Grits”, is not the plural form of “grit”. It’s like the word “gas”, there is no such thing as “ga”.  Would you pull into a filling station and say, ‘Hey buddy, I don’t have much cash so let me just get a ga.   But, … come to think of it, I can’t think of another word that ends in “s” that isn’t a plural form except for “yes”. Hmmm…

Anyway, grits is (not “grits are” because it’s not plural, remember? Would you say “gas are”? Of course not) the dried kernels of corn which are ground to a determined coarseness. Technically, corn ground that way is called “yellow grits”, but the typical serving of plain old grits is made from corn hominy. Hominy is the kernel which has had the hull and the germ removed. That’s done by soaking the kernels in an alkaline solution. The hominy is then dried and ground. “Quick grits” is (not “are”) grits ground finer than normal grits and then steamed before drying again.

To cook grits you just boil water and add the grits, cooking to the desired thickness. The proper ratio is 4 parts water to 1 part grits. After you reach the desired thickness, turn off the heat and let them cool ‘cause at this point they’re hotter than a boiled monkey and because of their density and semi-plastic nature will stay that way for a long time. Add butter and salt, a little black pepper and your eatin’ southern style! Do NOT add sugar! Only Yankees do that.

So, with the understanding of correct grammar as related to grits, you now understand why “Grits is good.’

“Grits is good” is (not “are”) a sampling of what ever is going on with me at the moment I feel like letting you know. It’s cathartic. It’s spontaneous too, so you might read something that’s not necessarily correct or that you don’t agree with. See, that’s where you, the reader, come (not “comes”) in. If something cranks your motor, yanks your chain, blows your skirt up or just plain makes you want to respond, then do it. Just click on the title of the page (usually the date) at the top and the page will re-open with a comments block at the bottom.

I (David Starns) am the author of this page. I am a 50 year old man born and raised in the south, but through circumstances God has allowed me to be in, I now live in Oregon, a state where grits will sit on the grocery store shelf unti they grow blue hair before someone woud buy them.

I write these pages to share my thoughts and experiences with anyone who will listen. And I too will listen if you will respond by clicking on the title as previously mentioned.

Visit this blog often enough and you’ll not only be able to say correctly, but understand confidently why “Grits is (not “are”) good!”

Blessings!

David (aka Cooter to some)