Guest Commentary Gettin' My Mojo Workin' by Beth Boswell Jacks

Beth Boswell Jacks is a freelance columnist and has been published widely in children's magazines and small literary journals. She's the author of one book, GRIT, GUTS, AND BASEBALL: The Stories of Coach Sank Powe.

Back when I was no bigger than a tadpole, I enjoyed lounging with my buddies on the pink chenille bedspread of Stella Roberts, who had her own apartment behind the "big house" of Margaret and Dean Pearman in our quiet little Mississippi Delta town of Cleveland. This was a black-white situation, you see, back in the early '50s. Stella was the maid, and we little white neighborhood girls were her loyal subjects. We adored her, and she ruled the roost in this little segregated corner of the universe.

Ahhh, did she ever rule. Kathy, Judy, and I sprawled on Stella's bed, stringing beads and eating soda crackers, listening to blues and barrelhouse music on the radio while Stella danced around the tiny, bare room, throwing her head back, waving her arms, moving her hips. We'd watch and question her.

"Stella, how come you don't like Perry Como? Or Dinah Shore? How come you like music like that?"

She'd laugh big and say, "Girls, one day you find out what REAL music is. One day you find out what moves your soul."

The next thing we knew our mamas were preaching to us: "Y'all can't go hang out at Stella's any more on Saturday afternoons. You donât need to be listening to that trashy music.ä

Then we gave Judy a heap of hassle because she told her daddy about some of the words--mighty mild lyrics compared with what's out there today, for sure. Those lyrics didn't mean squat to three elementary school girls, because at that point we didn't know a thing about being love-sick or having powerful ways. Fact is, we weren't too knowledgeable about much of anything.

Well, we did know a couple of things. We knew Stella could sure get down with the dancing, and we knew we kids were happy as little pine borers in a fresh log when we were in her magical presence.

The really big thing we didn't realize as we hung out with Stella and her wonderful music was that we were hearing the birth, right then, of Rock and Roll. Two years later, Mississippi-born Elvis Presley combined blues and gospel, and there you have it.

Stella wasn't around the neighborhood two years later though. She went off and left us. Headed up Highway 61 with her one little bag of possessions, moving to Chicago, hoping to find a better life. But as Kathy, Judy, and I entered our teenage years, we never forgot her. Thanks to Stella, we three took a back seat to none on the dance floor. We were the sock hop queens because of our training on the polished hardwood of Stella's tiny one-room quarters. She was the best. She put our mojos in high gear early on and taught us, yes indeed, what truly moves a young girl's soul.

What do you like best about your job?
At my age, I still get up excited each day about going to work. I best like working with the many wonderful customers throughout the Delta, many who have become good friends throughout the years. In addition, I appreciate all the fine people employed at Kossman's who really make our business what it is. I am so proud to be working with my son Edward, who is the fourth generation of our family in the business.

What do you like best about living in Bolivar County?
I love all the many fine people we have in our county. I enjoy all the things to do that are within twenty minutes from my home. Our county has so much to offer for all interests.

How could Bolivar County be improved?
My parents have always motivated me to give of my time and talents to help improve the quality of life in Bolivar County. I feel our Cleveland Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce is always working to improve the quality of life for all citizens. Also, I think we all need to give our time to improve education at all levels.