I listened to a couple of songs that got me thinking about being southern. More than that, growing up as a southern girl. There is something about being born and raised down south. I feel like there are certain things that define most of us. Sure, there are things that have happened (or sadly, are still happening) in our region: racism, discrimination, poverty, and LAWD let's not talk about today's heat wave. (108 degress in Columbia. Seriously?!) First, I want to clear up some misconceptions about southern girls. We are not all racist, we do not all fly the confederate flag in our front yard, and we don't all drive around with curlers in our hair and a Salem light hangin' out of our mouth.
The beautiful thing about the women that I know (southern or not) is the variety. It is amazing to compare and contrast all women and their personalities. So what does define us G.R.I.T.S.? There are a few things, in my opinion.
- Let's talk vocabulary and level of intelligence. I might not be the brightest candle on the cake, but I believe I can hold my own when reading, writing, and speaking. I might use the words "y'all" or "baby" quite frequently, but these are logical grammatical choices :) Y'all is a valid contraction: you + all. And baby actually has multiple uses: it may refer to my small child, my significant other, or someone who's been hurt (i.e. "poor baby"). Phrases like "Bless her heart" or "Thank you, Jesus!" also come out quite a bit. To me, these phrases are pretty self-explanatory. Bless her heart = God, bless that poor girl. Give her some direction/insight/help. Thank you, Jesus = Thank you for helping us, Lord/ Glad that's over/ We are blessed.
- Forget a man driving a BMW, Mercedes, or some other luxury vehicle. I'll take a man in a truck any day. And a man who can fix things or build things? Even better. A man who can aim and shoot a gun? Thank you, Jesus! Seriously, I love my husband's sense of family and heritage. I love how he plays the tough guy role with our son, but he melts when Trafton gives him hugs or kisses. I secretly love the farmer's tan that he gets when he works and sweats outside all day. He came home the other day with tan/dirty legs and stark white feet. To me, this symbolizes self-motivation and a desire to work and finish things. You know that Chesney song, She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy? That's some southern truth right there, y'all :)
- What else makes me thankful that I was born and raised in the south? The food. I'm not a picky eater. There is something about southern, home cooking that makes you feel good. Why else would it be called "comfort food"? It's really sad when you have the number for Lizard's Thicket memorized; when you can call on your way in to town and pick up southern cookin' for you and your family. I'm not one for deep-fried Snickers or Oreos or any of that mess. (Someone actually told me that the fair offers deep-fried butter now. BUTTER?! Seriously, that's sick.) But I can put away some home-cooked veggies, fried flounder, and tea.
- Southern women are well-rounded. Remember that variety I mentioned? Some of us possess quite varied interests. I grew up dancing. I loved hairbows and cute outfits in school, but I would build a tree house or a fort with my brother in a skinny minute. I would literally take in ANY wounded animal (or human, for that matter) if my bank account could afford it. But if someone takes advantage of me or someone that I love? We'll just say it can get ugly. I like to decorate our home and shop, but I like shooting a gun and riding on the four-wheeler. I LOVE my God and His word, but I'm not going to snub you if you're not so sure about it. I may not want to live your lifestyle, but Lord knows I'm done my fair share of sinning. So I'm just gonna keep on loving you and hope that you do the same for me.
- Our ability to make fun our ourselves. Jeff Foxworthy was born and raised in Georgia. His portrayal of southerners is hysterical. Here are a few of his "You Might Be a Redneck If..." declarations:
You think "loading the dishwasher" means getting your wife drunk.
You ever cut your grass and found a car.
You own a home that is mobile and 5 cars that aren't.
You own a homemade fur coat.
Your wife has ever said, "Come move this transmission so I can take a bath."
You've ever hit a deer with your car...deliberately.
Your school fight song was "Dueling Banjos".
Your mother has "ammo" on her Christmas list.
You think a subdivision is part of a math problem.
You've ever bathed with flea and tick soap.
You think "taking out the trash" means taking your in-laws to a movie.
The dog catcher calls for a backup unit when visiting your house.
People hear your car a long time before they see it.
You ever lost a tooth opening a beer bottle.
Your kids take a siphon hose to "Show and Tell."
You see no need to stop at a rest stop 'cause you have an empty milk jug.
You consider the fifth grade you senior year.
You think suspenders are a type of shirt.
The first words out of your mouth every time you see friends are "Howdy!" "HEY!" or "How Y'all Doin?"
Hmmm, would love to say that none of these apply to us, but....well, yeah. I'm sure the dog catcher would be a little intimidated coming to our home. And you can definitely hear my husband's truck coming around the corner before you can see it. And the last one? GUILTY.
The bottom line is that I LOVE where I am from. I know that when Chris looks at me, he sees a strong, intelligent, somewhat feisty female. I know that my daddy looks at me and sees his baby girl. I am protected and loved, but also respected. I have sisters and friends who I love dearly. I see and hear so many folks knock the south and southern living- whether it be on facebook, in movies, or on television. There are folks who complain about the way we do things once they move down south. We must be doing something right- people just keep on coming. And if you are that unhappy with the southern way of life? Maybe you should move somewhere else, hon'.
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