Things I love about my South.

 

I went home for a long, but somehow still quite short, weekend. It was fantastic for many reasons, others which I will try to post about this week, but for right now I want to tell you it was fantastic mostly because of how just being there reminds me of all the things I love about being from the South.

I love riding with my windows down at night and hearing the sounds of insects buzzing as I zip past.
I love that the idea of "American Idol" has been applied to the wee town of Liberty -- freedom is certainly singin' loud and proud and in such a tune as you would scarce believe.
I love the fact that SC has a toll road where there apparently are no police folk to track your speed (gone, Jetta, gone!) and the toll booth attendants smile and greet you with a "hon" and then tell me to have a blessed day and mean it.
I love sweet tea done right (more on that below).
I love the two-finger salutes you give and receive as you pass the ol' man in the pickup truck who's creepin' along a country road, or the way people wave at you from their front porches.
I love the license plates -- "Smiling faces, beautiful places" indeed. And "Carolina Girls - Best in the world" -- Absolutely.
I love lightening bugs and the sweet smell of honeysuckle that wafts through my car just so as I hang a familiar curve.
I love riding along 183 and Jameson Rd. and seeing those patches where no one has really bothered to cut the grass just yet.
I love that we "cut" grass, while folks up here "mow" it.
Southern men, no matter their political persuasions, wear seersucker suits best of all.
And I love me some TCBY ... especially when, like Starbucks (which isn't the most Southern thing, but ubiquitous nevertheless), they have a drive-through.

In other news, I was talkin' to my lovely college friend Mirriz Bonnie today and here's an edited version of what we said. The reason I'm letting you in on this convo is because of what she said about a certain chain's sweet tea. It tickled me so and inspired me to talk more about why I love (and miss) my South.

Mirriz Bonnie:  You know i went to Wendy's the other day and ordered a small beverage. Girl that thing was 32 ounces of refreshment. 32 ounces is considered small now??? That's half a day supply of water.

Me:  I know! Good lawd. Wendy's is out of control, though. I got a sweet tea from them when i was home and when i rolled 'round to that window and saw that "big gulp"

Mirriz Bonnie:  lol.

Me: i looked at the cashier lady like, "now you know i can't fit that in my dern cup holder."

Mirriz Bonnie: as much as i talk trash about mcdonalds, they have good sweet tea and a large is only $1.07

Me: and i totally couldn't. i had to cradle it.

Mirriz Bonnie: way cheaper than zaxby's or other places

Me: well. i don't trust sweet tea up here

Mirriz Bonnie: oh yeah...cup holders have not kept up with the cups today

Me:  these people don't know what they are doing. Even chik-fil-a -- what i consider to be a beacon of southerness ... their sweet tea is naisty

Mirriz Bonnie: oooh yes I love chic fil a but their sweet tea is quite vulgar.

I love me some South because the ladies there say things like, "but their sweet tea is quite vulgar." Nobody else anywhere else is saying anything remotely as hilarious as that. And I love me some South because that's where some of my best people were discovered and are still keepin' on ...

Mirriz Bonnie -- I do declare you is a revelation to my happy Southern soul.