I found at least a hundred useful country sayings while doing research for This New Mountain. I included about two dozen of my favorites as part of the book’s chapter headings. Here are a few others that were new to me when I came across them and, like most good sayings, are still stuck in my mind like flies on poop:

1. It’s hard to put a foot in a closed mouth.
2. He fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.
3. Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.
4. Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
5. Nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
6. Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit.
7. Don’t pee down my back and tell me it’s raining.
8. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
9. Let the hair go with the hide.

The last saying is on the top of my list at the moment, mostly because it’s a very practical piece of summer advice. It also conjures up a visual that’s hard to get out of my brain.

   10.  Never kick a cow patty on a hot day.

What’s your favorite saying that hits the nail on the head?