What I love about living in the south

Well, it is an absolutely beautiful spring morning at Riverview this morning. I woke up about 4:45 am, and very quietly eased out of bed. I have not stayed married for 44+ years to the same woman by being stupid. I eased out into the den, read my Bible for a while, and watched the early morning local news. It is very important to know what the weather is going to be on each given day since conversations in our community revolve around three topics: the weather, pickup trucks, and crops. I never want to be deficit on a third of the topics. As soon as it got light enough to see, I walked outside with a cup of coffee and listened to a couple of turkey gobblers trying to convince a few hens that they were the best looking guys in the woods.
 As it got even lighter, I took in the beauty of God's creation by observing the blooming Dogwoods, Azalias, and various fruit trees. There is just an explosion of colors right in my backyard. I am so blessed to get to enjoy this beauty, and it made me begin thinking about all of the things I love about living in the south. I'm going to share a few of those things in no particular order:
1) I love the sound of the wind blowing through the tops of the majestic pine trees.
2) I love seeing the Spanish moss swaying gently on those same breezes.
3) I love sweet tea
4) I love southern manners. I like hearing children say "yes mam, no mam, yes sir, and no sir".
5) I like the fact that we are all kin to one another. When Martha first moved back home with me, I cautioned her that we were kin to everyone we came in contact with; so be careful who you talk about.
6) I like the fact that when you are compelled to talk about someone, you can say anything you want to say as long as you add "bless her/his heart" as a disclaimer at the end of the conversation.
7) and finally, I like the fact that everyone has someone in the family who is crazier than a looney bug, and that's perfectly OK," bless their hearts"!