A Collection of Sayings of Mama 'Nem: The Wit and Wisdom of Mama, Muhdear and Othermothers is an intergenerational collection of folk expressions (or sayings) that heralds moral lessons, discipline, wisdom, and love of women (sometimes referred to as village elders), whose sayings and teachings were designed to press into our psyches rich lessons they knew we would need as we came of age and beyond.

Mama 'Nem is a timeless treasure that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat - laughing and at times close to tears - as you muse these stories and their impactful lessons and recall those of your own mama, muhdear, and othermother.

Mama 'Nem is a folk dialect derived from the shortening of Mama and them to refer to our mother circle, be they grandmothers, aunties acting on behalf of our biological mothers, caring teachers, mentors, church mothers, or women within the community. At times, sayings and lessons were even gleaned from the wino down the street.

These mothers and mother-type figures, aka othermothers, imparted folk wisdom in ways as colorful as their characters. Sayings such as "Every tub must stand on its own bottom," "Root, pig, or die," "A cow needs its tail more than one fly season," and "I'm going to tell you up front so you don't stick out behind," are timeless treasures that speak to strength, discernment, purpose, and correction.

The promise of this audiobook is that listeners across multiple backgrounds, ethnicities, classes, and cultures will draw strength from the sayings for decades to come. We believe the listener will enjoy visiting the cultures, communities, and home places of these village mothers. Their hospitality of mind and spirit awaits you. You are invited to sit back as if you've just stopped by to have a glass of lemonade. Fill up. Quench your thirst with the sayings of Mama 'Nem and be blessed beyond measure.