My love affair with the south ...

Is the honeymoon over already?  I can hardly believe it's been a year since I moved to Aiken. Time sure flies when you are having fun in the southern sun.

When I first arrived, it was quite a drastic change for me. I was called a Yankee and was told several times to go back to my side of the Mason Dixon line. At first I was pretty insulted but now I know that it's just the Southern Way. For the same reason the saying "bless your heart" can have a literal OR a sarcastic meaning.

Some folks scratch their head when I talk and can't really figure out if I'm from Maine or the Midwest. They usually know the town of Green Bay (thank you Brett Favre!) before they recognize Milwaukee or Madison. Sometimes I just give up and say I'm from Chicago!

I don't really miss the aggressive driving and short tempers of the North. This slower, more laid-back way of life suits me well ... and of course the sandals and sunburn too. I had to get used to narrow, trash-strewn back roads and drivers that never signal or drive the speed limit (usually 10 under). Otherwise, the general population is pleasant, easy-going and wow, can they cook some great food!

Down here you have a mama and a daddy no matter what your age is. I'm regularly called ma'am, sugar, sweetie or darlin'. Everyone drinks Sweet Tea which is essentially sugar water followed by a diabetic attack. If you don't drink Sweet Tea you drink co'cola. Grits are a staple for almost any meal. Roadside stands sell Boiled P-nuts, butter beans, peaches and steaks. If it doesn't taste good everyone just adds more butter. The Georgia boys go "coon" hunting on the weekends and everyone drives a 4x4 truck - a few with Confederate flags on them.

There are just as many churches as there are gas stations that sell beer. Most things are closed on Sundays and you regularly meet someone with a daddy that is a minister or pastor. You can find a Baptist church about every mile or so.

I honestly chuckle at all of this because I truly do LOVE this place. And so I leave you with funny quote from a friend describing a rather southern individual:  "You're not a Southern Belle, you're not even a Redneck Wind Chime"

In this case, I believe the Redneck Wind Chime was a few empty Bud Light cans strung from a pine tree!