Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Here's to the Magnolia State

Warning: sentimental ramblings ahead
If you don't know it by now, you should. I'm a born and bred Mississippian.
I grew up in an antebellum home with a tire swing hung from the magnolia tree in our front yard two blocks from historic downtown where I was allowed to walk for ice cream as a child (for all you North-of-the-Mason-Dixon-liners, you can't make this stuff up). Everyone in church knew your name, the teachers at the high school taught your older brothers, and on Friday nights the whole town was at the high school football game.
College took me down the road to Oxford to the University of Mississippi or, more endearingly referred to, Ole Miss, where they "redshirt Miss Americas" and speed limits on campus are chosen by the legendary jersey number of Archie Manning. Where art, music, and good food are valued as much as higher education, and on any given day one might bump into Morgan Freeman, Eli Manning, Joey Lauren Adams, John Grisham, and a handful of other celebrities who are inhabitants/frequent visitors of our little town. Home of the 2008 Presidential Debate, this little town has done big things. 
Sidenote: be sure to watch Top Chef Masters on Bravo this Wednesday night, where Oxford's own John Currence, owner and chef of legendary City Grocery and a monopoly of our other favorite restaurants, will compete again. 
I guess the point of these sentimental ramblings on the Great State is that for the first time in 23 years, I'm aware that I'm leaving it for good. I'm 100 percent positive that I'm accepting a job that will force me to change the state logo on my license plate. And while since the tender age of 16 I've known I was "so getting outta Mississippi", I'm also 100 percent positive that the Mississippi will never be completely out of me. I will always cheer for the Rebels. I will always love the smell of sweet magnolias, I will always think 50 degrees is freezing outside. I will always use the word 'huggie' over the word 'coozie'. I will always eat 'supper' and drink a 'coke' (even if it's actually a Dr. Pepper). I will never wear a white dress before Easter. I will always root for the Delta. And I will always, always say 'yes ma'am' , 'yes sir', and 'y'all.'

So here's to the crooked letter state.

2 comments:

Jessica said...

and I will always appreciate you rooting for the Delta.

Jeri Anne said...

I can't tell you how much I want to vomit every time I pull out my Illinois license. Yuck.
Tennessee wasn't so bad because Memphis is basically in Mississippi. But I don't care how cool Chicago is, having a MS license is a lot cooler :).

 
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