You can take the girl out of the South....

Being a Southerner that lives north of the Mason-Dixon, I have to say that there are many things I miss very much about home. Having lived "up North" for much of my adult life, I still miss home as if I just left yesterday. I would move back South right now if I could. But assuming that isn't going to be on my agenda today, here are some things I love about home:

1. Southern nights. Glen Campbell had it right when he sung "have you ever felt a Southern night". Always makes me think of riding in a car with the top down and my arms in the air taking reeeeaaallllly deep breaths in the summer night.

2. The Food. Gosh, I love greens, grits and those biscuits. And don't forget sweet tea!

3. Other Southerners. Southern hospitality is no myth. Granted, the people where I live now would cut off an arm to help you in a bind, but there is something about being in the South that makes me feel I belong.

4. Open spaces. I miss having room to roam and space to be alone. Yeah, I know that doesn't happen in the big cities but otherwise, it's there.

5. Water, water everywhere. I don't know about you, but I love being close to the coast and if I can't be at the beach, being by a lake or a cool creek looking for crawdaddies will do just fine.

6. History. Everywhere you go, it's about the past, especially "The War", that is the Civil War. If you like U.S. history, the South has got it.

7. The Men. Ok, I don't want to see steam coming out of my husband's ears over this one so I'll explain myself. I miss men holding doors open for me, letting me cross in front first when walking, and the general feeling of respect men give women in the South. Sure, I sound super old fashioned. But after experiencing the other side of that treatment while living other places, I'll take southern men any day. Now I'll sit back and wait to be torn apart by all the feminists out there :)

Sweet Tea

1/2 gallon cold water, distilled or filtered if possible

13 regular size tea bags (I use decaf)

1/2 cup sugar (or more), to taste

Boil the water for at least 1 minute. Turn off heat and add tea bags. Let seep until tea is still warm enough to dissolve sugar. Take out tea bags, trying not to squeeze them out too much, and add sugar. Stir to dissolve. Put tea in gallon container, add cold water and stir.

http://www.gagirl.com/southern/southern.html

Always forgive your enemies. Seldom does anything annoy them more.

-wisdom from a tea bag tag