Southern Thangs.

I was tagged by Andi to share some "Southern Thangs" ...

Well ... you could say I know a little something about being Southern. Considering I was born and raised in Central Florida for the first 36 years of my life we lived in Winter Haven, FL. And I would like to point something out ...

FLORIDA IS THE SOUTH!!

Not many people think of Florida as "the south" ... but it is as south as you can get ... lol.

Now ... these "Southern Thangs" are coming from a gal that wore this seafoam green Cypress Gardens Southern Belle dress (complete with hoop mind you) to her Senior Prom at Disney World. And yes ... that is my dear sweet husband Mike ... we are high school sweethearts (been together 22 years).

So ... here goes ... not sure if this is the way I'm "supposed" to do it ... but it's how I'm doin' it.

What I know about "Southern Thangs" ...

First off ... FAMILY is the most important thing. We love our families ... and would do anything for them. Like most southern children I called my Mother by the name of Momma. And I called my Father by the name of Daddy. Still do. Even though I'm almost 40 years old and they are both deceased. They will ALWAYS be my Momma and Daddy.

FOOD ... now that's a biggie ... I could write a book on southern food. We have our FRIED okra, FRIED green tomatos, peas with snaps and cornbread. Now, there are lots of other southern foods ... like neck bones and rice ... but that might gross you out. I was raised on southern food. And I love it to this day.

Southern children know shopping carts are called buggies. And they know when you say "gimme some sugar" it doesn't mean to pass that fine white granulated stuff. They know "gimme some sugar" means give me a kiss.

Words such as "Hey", "ya'll", "yon't" are freely scattered among our normal every day way of speaking. Although some of us try to clean it up a bit when not around other southerners.

We have memories of eating watermelon cut in half out on the picnic table with our spoons and salt shakers. We have memories of running barefoot eating popsicles as they dripped gooey, sweet goodness down our sticky little arms.

And you want something to drink? How about some BREWED sweet iced tea. None of the fruity flavored instant mess for us. BREWED sweet iced tea is most definately the Housewine of the South.

Afternoon thunderstorms is another southern thang. Oh my yes ... you can count on it. Every afternoon you can count on a shower or thunderstorm to come through ... but in the south rain dries up quickly and we'd be right outside again ... in no time flat.

And finally KINDNESS ...

Kindness matters in the south. Some folks call it southern hospitality. It's so very important to be kind and show others you care about them. Doesn't matter if it's family, neighbors or the newspaper delivery person. Just be kind and treat others like you want to be treated is ingrained in southern children.

Okay ... that's a little bit about what I know about "Southern Thangs" ...

Care to share yours?