Buddy tells his readers on page four that his much older friend/cousin has not done a great many things in her life that most people take for granted. Buddy begins by telling us that she has never been to the movies. Her reason is that watching movies is not good for her eyes and that she likes listening to stories better anyway:
"I'd rather hear you tell the story, Buddy. That way I can imagine it more. Besides, a person my age shouldn't squander their eyes. When the Lord comes, let me see him clear."
Buddy immediately begins listing a few more things that his friend has never done:
. . . she has never: eaten in a restaurant, traveled more than five miles from home, received or sent a telegram, read anything except funny papers and the Bible, worn cosmetics, cursed, wished someone harm, told a lie on purpose, let a hungry dog go hungry.
The list does a nice job of illustrating the point that Buddy's friend is used to simple living. What is great about her is that her spirit for life has not been lessened by not doing those things.
I would like to point out that Buddy immediately follows up his narration about what she has not done with a list of things that she has done:
. . . 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 oldtime Indian cure . . .
This list further illustrates her uniqueness and spirit for life. What I like about both lists is that Buddy feels that the things his cousin has not done and has done both serve to make her more awesome and unique. He loves all of those things about her.
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