Southern Folks

"The South; where tea is sweet and accents are sweeter; summer starts in April; front porches are wide and words are long; macaroni and cheese is a vegetable; pecan pie is a staple; Y’all is the only proper pronoun; chicken is fried and biscuits come with gravy; everything is darling and someone is always getting their heart blessed."

Well I'm about to get real southern on yall for a minute here.
I was watching The Chew earlier today and something on there struck a nerve with me.
They were having the "country cooking" segment and they all dressed up in flannel, boots, and cowboy hats. they all kept saying "howdy" and "yeehaw" and talking in a suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuper stretched drawl and a thick twang. And they all kept making comments about "living on the ranch" and "herding cattle"

Now, I know that it's funny sometimes to stereo type southern people in this way. But that was just too much for me.  I've lived in the south my whole life, and to me, the south is nothing like this. Being southern isn't an accent or a clothing style. It isn't "herding cattle" or "living on a ranch/farm".

Being southern is something classy and simple. Being southern is a way of life. It's about appreciating the simple things that God so graciously blessed us with. It's about loving your family whole heartedly and your friends the same. It's about thanking the good Lord for everything you have in life. It's about saying "ma'am" and "sir", "please" and "thank you". It's about cooking big meals on sunday afternoon after church and then falling asleep on a porch swing and maw maw's house. It's about hunting and fishing. It's about being proud of where you came from. It's about still saying the pledge of allegiance...the right way... and taking your hat off while saying it. It's about honoring the many men and women who have fought and/or died for our freedom. It's about high school football games and tailgating all day saturday to watch your favorite college football team. It's about wearing a smile like it's the greatest accessory you own. It's about small towns and knowing everyone by their first names. It's about good food and definitely fried chicken. It's about bonfires and roasting marshmellows. It's about guitars and good music. It's about the bible being the only law and God the only judge. It's about fighting for what you believe in. It's about sticking together and always having each others backs. It's about not being scared to get your hands dirty. It's about fourwheeling and muddy tires. It's about high heels, pearls, dresses, and camo. It's about barefeet and summer time.

Southern is about community, God, family, friends, manners, love, fun, and sunshine. It's about tailgates, truck beds, bonfires, barefeet, football, and fishing poles. It's about high heels, pearls, ribbons, curls, camoflauge, and cowboy boots.

Yeah we have cows, farms, cowboys, accents, drawls, and a twang. But that's on the surface of southern people. There is a much deeper meaning to being southern.

What does it mean to you?