Geography Woes

I have discussed before the fact that I am geographically challenged.  It’s not that I haven’t gone to places, or read about places, because I have.  And in many other areas, I’m pretty smart, or at least I can hold my own.

               But geography escapes me.  I would like to blame my fifth grade teacher, Ms. Ferrero.  She interrupted a wonderful day dream I was having about Africa and what it must be like to live there.  In doing so, I was embarrassed and from that day forward, I have had a mental block about all things geographical.

               I know, I know, it’s not really her fault.  But I have to blame someone!

               Anyway, this deficiency pops up occasionally in my life, and often when we are playing word games.  The other day, I was playing a game with my husband, and wouldn’t you know it, but the topic was geography.  I’m sure he mentally gritted his teeth, but he tried very hard to get me to say a word.

               His first clue was “Tennessee city.”

               (I’m sure most of you have guessed it already.)

               I responded, “Chattanooga.”  (And honestly, I’m pretty impressed that my first guess was an actual city in Tennessee.

               With his lack of response, I continued, “Talladega.”  (Yes, yes, I NOW know that that is a city in some other Southern state.  I want to say…Florida?  .But in any event, not in Tennessee).

               Never being a quitter, my husband tried another tack completely. He said, “Walking in….”

               Ow.  I thought hard and replied, “the woods?  Moonlight?” (What in the world could you walk in that was also a city name?)

               That’s when it got really ugly.  He tried another clue.  He said, “Egypt.”

               (Egypt?  He’s giving me another geography clue to get a first geography clue that I clearly don’t know??)

               I tried the only two geographical things I know about Egypt.  “Nile?  Cairo?”

He tried one final clue. “Mississippi River,” he said. (Seriously?? yet ANOTHER geographical clue for ME?)

“Mississippi!” I yelped, incredulously. (I didn’t think that river went anywhere near Tennessee, and it clearly showed on my face.)

               He finally gave up. Obviously, I was not going to get this word.  Turns out, it was “Memphis.”

               Well, okay, I did have to confess that I’ve heard of Memphis.  I might have even known it is in Tennessee.  It just didn’t pop into my head. (Although Walking in Memphis is a really good song.)

               Also, I must confess that there is absolutely nothing he could have said that would have made me think of it.  I don’t know anyone there, have never been there, and have no connection that could be made in my head.  So, that was a tough word for our team.

               Now, ask me anything about books and authors, poetry, cooking, or history and I have a better chance of hitting the target.

               Just don’t try geography.  Or directions.  I’m not good at those either!