My Southern Comfort

This was not the South I experienced. Yes, it would be wonderful to have a place that looks like this. With acres of space and lots of parties. I'll admit, its a dream. But my childhood wasn't full of mint juleps and savannah-ian accents. Think of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Those are the fellas I grew up listening to. Grits weren't served often- they heat up a kitchen and take too long. Breakfast is cereal or eggs if you are lucky. Every summer day was spent outside, with a hose nearby if you were thirsty. We spent our days thinking of Huck Finn or the Rascals and maybe Swiss Family Robinson. Maybe fishing, but usually not because of alligators. Ask me what I want to eat and I'll tell you biscuits, mashed potatoes, fried chicken and green bean cassarole. Water? No thank you, sweet tea'll do mighty fine. Dessert is pumpkin pie in the fall and strawberry shortcake in the summer. You name it- we fried it. Elvis found his way into the hymns, heading off to the church for sunday evening service or near the holidays. Summer began as school let out in June and the Fall officially started the middle of August when you went back to school. No one owned snow boots or rain boots or even an overcoat. Flip flops can be worn year round and winter has officially begun when your pool is under 64* Which is usually some cold day in December. I spent many Christmases at the beach or a bbq. But like any place, living your life is a whole different experience. Just how many new yorkers go see their city? I do. One new thing a week. You only live once.