Quote 21
Presently she said, "I'll tell you what that reporter's after. He wants to get the horselaugh on us because he thinks we're nothing but a bunch of hayseeds and no-'count country people. We are, but what business is it of his?" (1.13)
Grandma immediately takes a dislike to the reporter who's coming to write a story on Shotgun Cheatham's death. She knows that a city slicker like him is just there to make rude observations about all the hillbilly folks in the country.
Quote 22
"Why, there's my grandkids now." She pointed us out with a spatula. "They're from Chicago. Gangs run that town, you know," she told the kid. "My grandson's in a gang, so you don't want to mess with him. He's meaner than he looks." (2.43)
Grandma likes to point out that Joey and Mary Alice are from Chicago because it makes them look tougher when the town bullies come out of the woodwork. Joey hates this, though, because he's convinced that his Grandma's bluffing will get him beat up.
Quote 23
"We wasn't over Decoration Day before it was the Fourth of July. Then come the Old Settlers' picnic. You can hardly get down the street for the crowds, and the dust never settles. I need me a day off and some peace and quiet."
Fresh from the Chicago Loop, Mary Alice and I traded glances. (3.16-17)
How adorable. Grandma Dowdel thinks that her little town in the boonies is getting too lively. Compared to Joey and Mary Alice's Chicago home, Grandma's town is pretty quiet and sedate.
Quote 24
"The Centennial Celebration? Nothin' but an excuse for people to mill around, waste time, and make horses' patooties of themselves. I hope I never see another one." (7.8)
Grandma Dowdel is not the kind of person who is into fairs and big celebrations. She loves her community, but she's not into big shows or lots of activity; she'd rather just carry on with her everyday life.
Quote 25
"There's no private matters in this town, Merle," Grandma said. "Everybody's private business is public property."
"Yes, and you've stuck your nose in ours!" Mrs. Stubbs said, speaking up sharp. "You got that Eubanks gal upstairs this minute." (5.137-138)
The thing about living in a small town is that everyone knows everyone else's business—and that's definitely the case when Mary Alice sneaks Vandalia into Grandma Dowdel's house.
Quote 26
"O.B. Dickerson, the sheriff," she said, "and them drunk skunks with him is the entire business community of the town."
Mary Alice gasped. The drawers on some of the business community were riding mighty low. "They're not acting right," she said, very prim. (3.75-76)
Grandma Dowdel and the kids aren't too impressed when they see all the "distinguished" men from town drunk and acting silly. These are the guys that are supposed to be the guardians of the town? What a joke.
Quote 27
"They're pulling your leg, sonny. You drop by The Coffee Pot and tell them you heard that Shotgun's being buried from my house with full honors. He'll spend his last night above ground in my front room, and you're invited." (1.54)
Even though Grandma is rarely involved in all the gossip and hoopla around town, she decides to host Shotgun Cheatham's wake at her house. This surprises just about everyone because they all know how much Grandma likes to keep to herself.