In the Truman Capote short story "A Christmas memory" Buddy says of his older cousin and friend
"Here are a few things she has done, does do:
- killed with a hoe the biggest rattlesnake ever seen in this county (sixteen rattles),
- dip snuff (secretly),
- tame hummingbirds (just try it) till they balance on her finger,
- tell ghost stories (we both believe in ghosts) so tingling they chill you in July,
- talk to herself,
- take walks in the rain,
- grow the prettiest japonicas in town,
- know the recipe for every sort of old time Indian cure, including a magical wart remover." We know too
- she always spends thirteenths in bed and
- puts whisky in her cakes
