I remember when I first moved here feeling as though I had come to some foreign land. People said “pocket book” instead of purse or handbag and imagine my confusion when they asked me to “cut” the lights on or “mash” a button. I soon learned that here instead of giving someone a lift, you “carried” them somewhere and that the phrase “y’all” wasn’t really a mark of true Southerness. Rather, you weren’t really in the club until you could use “all y’all” (plural) and “all y’all’s” (plural-possessive) in a sentence both properly and without giggling. (I’ve yet to master that last bit).
Before moving to the South I’d never seen a June-bug, I’d never even heard of a Goober Pea or Kudzu, and I had no idea that there were actually people who considered bacon grease to be a major food group. Of course, I’d also never heard certain racial slurs said out loud. I’d never seen public schools whose student bodies were made up entirely of one race. And I’d never received literature in the mail from the Ku Klux Klan.
For all its charms, there’s still a lot of work to be done here.
~~~~~~~~
As [url=http://filbert.tblog.com]someone [/url] pointed out to me the other day, America is a huge place. Having lived here my entire life, it’s easy to forget what a massive country this is. I’m not sure I’d ever really thought about it before, but there is certainly a sense of being able to get lost here… of being able to hit the open road with miles and miles of black, curving highway ahead of you that seems to go on… well, just about forever. Sometimes I forget that there’s much (the vast majority in fact) of my own country that I’ve yet to explore.
That said… when you come to visit me, I’ll take you on a tour of the America I know.
The fake rock district. TS. and Ethel The place where I nearly got arrested. Our park. The veggie stand on old highway 66 The Stafford Farm The parping car. The mailbox that gets emptied at 11am (ya right!) … and I’ll even take you out for chicken-fish and a yum-yum salad.
Then, we’ll find our way to the train station and head north. And there I’ll show you…
At least one of Virginia’s beautiful [url=http://www.steveshaluta.com/b...]covered bridges.[/url] The spot where Thomas wanted to sing a spiritual. The [url=http://www.accommodationsusa....]Shenandoah Valley[/url] in spring with all its purples and greens. [url=http://kryon.com/inspiritmag/...]The Liberty Bell[/url] (since you know what it symbolizes) The giant colon museum. All the art I wanted to show you that day at [url=http://www.icassp2005.com/ima...]the museum[/url] where Vishnu was born. The part of Amish country they didn’t teach you about in King Pin. (*shakes her head*) … and I promise, we won’t visit a single battlefield.
Then, we’ll head south again for a stop off at [url=http://lindy.tblog.com]the home of another important historical landmark.[/url]
Once we’ve recovered, we’ll head west and I’ll show you..
Then we’ll rent a car and head north up the pacific coast highway. Along the way and when we reach my home, I’ll show you…
[url=http://www.bedford.k12.ny.us/...] Haystack Rock[/url] [url=http://uk-2-usa.com/Pictures/...]Multnomah Falls[/url] [url=http://www.snre.umich.edu/eco...]The Columbia[/url] The place where I first heard REM The house where I “broke the wine bottle” and lied. “Dead Man’s” The Park St. Mike’s The house on the hill. The house where Woody lived. The vents at the capital. The 101 loop. The woods where the bagpiper played. [url=http://s94694854.onlinehome.u...]Steamboat Island[/url] and the perfect spot for watching otter. … and a million other things I’ve either forgotten or am too excited to mention here.
Sounds great I hope you guys have fun
I miss banana puddin
posted by: jennjr (reply)
post date: 06.24.05 (3:42 am)
Reply to: juniperflux
Hooray!
If you travel my way, I can take you to see the world's largest teapot!
*wink*
posted by: lindy (reply)
post date: 06.24.05 (2:28 pm)
I'm exhausted from the trip already. You don't mess around. So... how long did you say this trip was? One thing is clear... there are miles and miles of black road stretched out before me that seems to go on forever and that doesn't get me out of the state of Texas. I envy how close you are to other states. This was a swell journey, Juni. I've always *felt* like a landmark. hahaha.
posted by: filbert (reply)
post date: 06.29.05 (12:06 am)
posted by: seagrass (reply)
post date: 07.06.05 (4:15 pm)
Hi: stoppi'n by to say what a great travelogue...anticipatory and reporting...
but I gotta say, I'm bristling about the "southeast" rendition ...fair enough to say you live there, b ut have you given its richness its due.
I could say more than moon pies and chitterlins...in may twenty five years down south, I couldn't buy a solicitation from the KKK, much less discover a random mailing in my mail box. Were we both from the "US" south?
Thank you for your comment. I have to say that I've only just scratched the surface of what there is to say about the American SouthEast. I've been here for over a decade now... and when I leave there are things I will miss dearly.
As for what makes Lindy tick... while I'm tempted to blame the bomb strapped to her chest, well, that's just far too simple a response... and as you'll soon learn, my friend, there's nothing simple about The Linders.
