I Belong in the South

I've felt the pull for years.

With the biscuits and gravy, fireflies, thunderstorms, Nilla Wafer banana puddin', big porches, sayings like "I'm full as a tic", and where the church choir is made up of anyone who wants to come out from behind the pews and stand on the stage for a few hymns, I've always felt a little more southern US than southern CA.

But now I know for sure that's where I should be living. How do I know? Because "southern hospitality" ain't just a saying. It's the truth. People in the south know how to make a person feel welcome. And I think that might be one of my gifts - making people feel welcome. But it's awfully hard to do here in Orange County, where making people feel UNwelcome is normal, and even highly sought after (ahem - gated community - cough cough).

What's so special about the south then? Why are they so hospitable? I'll tell you why; Carports.

That's right, carports. No garage doors to close before you even open your car door lest someone, say, a new neighbor, wants to introduce themselves or chat about the weather or, I don't know, ask how you're doing? Heaven forbid.

I've been trying to be out front in the afternoons with hopes of meeting our neighbors as they come home from work, or the Club House, or wherever they go all day, but - so help me - they're making it really difficult! It's almost turning into a game with Ben. We watch a car coming down the street and we'll say, "This one! We'll meet these people!" but no. They open their garage doors, pull in, and shut them again. And that's that. Game over.

But that's ok. It's only been two weeks, and I have a plan.

Cookies. Once a week, we will deliver cookies.

They might resists at first. Or think we're trying to sell something. Or worry that I'm lacing them with pot, or baby drool. But we will prevail!

When I started Jr. High, and had to go to 7 different classes a day, thus spreading my friends thinly across campus, I decided to pick one person I didn't know in each class and set a goal to be their friend - real friend - by the end of the year. I did this all the way through college. I love a friend challenge!

So I pick YOU, fine people of White Oaks! You WILL be my friends by the end of the year! You can take the girl away from hospitality, but you can't take the hospitality away from the girl!!