Sunday, September 18, 2011

About the Title

I grew up in Kentucky back in the 50's and 60's.  That was a time of great change in this nation.  Lots of things happened.  Things that changed our world forever.  The first I really remember was the Beatles.  I'm old enough to have watched the Beatles on their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.  I guess the second was the "so called" sexual revolution.  Not sure how much of a revolution that was as looking at the world population I believe the secret may have gotten out some time before.  Still, that is a mark of the 1960's.  Burning bras and draft cards was the "in" thing to do.

But another thing became quite popular in those days.  It had and it still has many names in many places but in Kentucky it was called "rabbit tobacco".    Every country boy (and girl) knew where to find it.  In the late summer and early autum we'd find it and roll it in whatever we  had handy.  Brown paper bags were good.   Stolen cigarette paper was best if we could get it.  Somehow it was better even than Prince Albert.  (you got to be a certain age to appreciate that). 

But they claim it is a mind altering experince and one can reach new levels of illumination.  Idon't recall ever being illuminated by it.  Actually, I don't remember being too much effected by it at all.  But at the time we'd smoke anything that would burn.  Tobacco, rabbit tobacco, corn silt, grape vines, stick weeds.... we were smoking fools for sure.

But it does bring back memories.  Lying on my back in the sun on the side of a hill in a hidden meadow smoking rabbit tobacco.  I guess that is what this is all about really.  Memories, thoughts, imaginings, walks in the woods or what was, venturing into the forest of what might have been.  Thoughts, dreams, illusions and delusions.  Smoking rabbit tobacco. 

1 comment:

  1. I googled it. Found this interesting...

    Uses
    Rabbit tobacco leaves, when smoked, are a traditional herbal remedy for sinus problems, asthma and congestion. Teas brewed from the leaves were thought to be beneficial in the treatment of a number of complaints, including sore throats, respiratory ailments, diarrhea and nervous disorders.


    Maybe I should plant some. LOL!

    ReplyDelete