A day on the farm

Wednesday August 8

My friend Tina over at www.gardengoose.blogspot.com  is having a contest. We have to tell her in 20 words are less what the south means to you. I added a few of my thoughts but asked her not to enter me in drawing for I live here in the South.  The South is different than any where else. Not to say that anywhere else does not have it's great qualities. Don't get me wrong, the south does have it's batch of weird folks. Believe it or not, there are some people who are just like some of the tv shows protray. I like to say that they are cut from a different cloth. The south is known for it's hospitality. Yes, I have opened my home to strangers before. So, I thought for the heck of it I would list some things that the South means to me, or maybe just Mississippi.

Cotton is cheaper, Elvis, Big hair is BIG business, Strangers still say "HEY", mud pie, Mannings are as abundant as mayonnaise, no syrup, just honey, no oatmeal, just grits, the Delta,  cat-head biscuits and sawmill gravy, boiled peanuts, anybody else got a town named ' Hot Coffee', the 70's never went out of style, farm-raised catfish, catfish souffle, the River,tomato sandwiches, banana sandwiches, second helpings are encourage,black-eye peas, greens, the Natchez Trace, the Gulf, magnolias in the spring, squirrel hunting a nice pastime for the whole family, sweet tea, others have forests, we have tree farms, Bo Diddley, B.B. King, brakes last longer due to the lack of inclines, we eat both supper and dinner, redbuds in the spring, barges,best corn bread on earth, worst case of football fever on earth,overalls are business casual, everyone is related. moon pies,lightening bugs, where else can a blue tick hound sit at the dinner table, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Gumbo!!!, did I mention Elivs?, sitting on the porch, lazy evenings, everything moves at a slower pace, always looking for an excuse for a family eating, Paula Deen, some of the greatest writters are from the south, but for me just being a true Southern Belle.

I hope that at the end of the day, you wil find yourself full of contentment and joy.

hey

{ 12:22, Thursday, August 9, 2007 } { Posted by gardengoose }

hey there, now you did good here girlfriend!
lots of things I couldn't remember.
now I have no idea what mannings are though...but I do know that pork rinds are pretty popular too..that... and rc cola and moon pies :0) my daddy always used to pack an rc cola and moon pie in his lunch box when he worked in the groves.
anyhow..yep..I love the South..it's in my soul.:0)
only thing is ....that now I live in a part of the South that is NOT known for being friendly at all.:0( folks here do not know much about good old fashion hospitality and manners.
You'll be very lucky to have someone smile and wave at you and say "howdy" here. Sad to say.
But where I grew up..further South..they are nice. But here in this town..not so nice. And truth be told a good bit snooty and walking around acting like they have something stuck in their drawers most days.:0(
Its a tourist town so you can imagine.
So..here I have pretty much as of late..started keeping to myself and never expect too much in the way of meeting a decent friend or friendly folks that are good hearted and down to earth.(yes, I know that sounds pitiful..but I have lived here 17 yrs and have yet to meet a good friend..someone trustworthy and just plain nice)I do know that there are very friendly areas in the South..I've lived in some of them and visited some of them..but this particular town in the Panhandle is not a friendly place I can tell you that.Ahh well..I'm a sweety though...and intend to stay sweet...pass me some of that good ole sweet tea now why don't ya.:0)
hugs to ya,
~Tina

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{ 09:47, Thursday, August 9, 2007 } { Posted by HandsNHearts }

wait -- you forgot the most important thing I've noticed since moving here....flip flops!!! Up north, they are considered a lazy shoe; here, they are just another fashion staple.

I love your list, and I have seen just about all of that here myself. Friendliest folks you'll find around...up north folks may offer you a wave, but you really don't want to know what they mean by it...here, folks wave at every car that goes by...makes it hard to drive with all that arm bobbing going on!
And color-coordinating is taken way past art form in our area. There is the obvious matching of tops and capri pants, then it moves to the belt and purse (a BIG purse, with bangles and sparkles no less), hair accessories, and of course, those flip flops and the perfectly painted nails on fingers and toes. heaven forbid one goes out with unpainted or....GASP!!!...chipped paint....on those toes!

We are a cross between a Jeff Foxworthy rerun and Mayberry RFD :o)

Deanna

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{ 05:06, Thursday, August 9, 2007 } { Posted by gabbie427 }

Mid-westerner here, so hearing this cracks me up, but I can definately identify with alot of it. Thanks for sharing.

hi

{ 07:40, Thursday, August 9, 2007 } { Posted by Ginger }

Hi!
I enjoyed reading about the South! I lived in TX for 11 years and so I experienced alot of that southern hospitality you mentioned.
Oh, and thanks so much for visiting my poetry blog and for your compliment! :)
Have a blessed day!
Ginger
www.myspace.com/gingertallie
ginger4Christ@hotmail.com

hey

{ 09:18, Thursday, August 9, 2007 } { Posted by gardengoose }

hey there..you've been given an award...visit my blog to find out more!