WHERE Y'ALL FROM?

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!!

The title today is to let you know the direction we are taking.  The post is about the South and some of its best things.  Those of you who are already true Southerners won't need the introductions... but those who aren't could benefit from a little "edjimication" on a couple of things Southern.

"Where y'all from?" typically follows an introduction to anyone you don't know.  (By the way, "y'all" applies to one individual or an entire stateful.)  While it is not truly important where the other party is from, it does provide an immediate conversation-starter without having to think too much.  :)  Additionally, it provides one with a bit of information that might be helpful in guiding further conversation (or at least letting one know what NOT to discuss!).

If "y'all" is from somewhere nearby... or at least within the confines of the state boundaries... the next standard question is "Whoor your people?"  Yes, I intended to spell it that way.  Both of these questions don't actually require a true verb but a semblance of one is provided in the second question.

With that information in your toolbox, let's talk about a couple of things that make spring a GREAT time to be in the South!  (They could also come in handy if you find yourself hiding in the woods after accidentally landing in the South finding yourself afraid of the natives and not understanding the language!)

The following pics show you a honeysuckle vine in full bloom.  The pure white blossoms are the newest.  The slightly beige ones are older.

The name "honeysuckle" is perfect for these vines.  You can, indeed, wrangle a drop of the sweetest, honey-tasting liquid from each blossom as long as you know how.  Most young'uns raised in the South learn it from parents who were taught by their parents or from peers who have been taught.  If you aren't from around here, check out this YouTube video for proper honeysuckle etiquette.  While it is a lot of work for just a little reward, I still recommend it.  It's like eating crawfish.  There are easier things to eat... but they just aren't quite the same!

Another wonderful thing about spring in the South is the appearance of wild blackberry vines!!  We used to pick them by the bucketful as kids, eating as many as we captured (proven by our purple fingers and lips), to be made into homemade blackberry cobbler.  YUM!!  Top that with homemade ice cream... well, I don't think Heaven is going to be quite as good.

First come the bright, white blooms, alerting one to the areas where one should return for the harvest.  Next, small, hard green berries appear which nothing seems interested in eating.  After that, the green turns to a bright red where some berries are lost to creatures of the forest that apparently do not mind a VERY sour taste!  (Don't make that mistake yourself.)  Finally, the berries turn nearly black, fat, sweet, and ready for picking.  The tricky part is that every stage of berry is present on a given vine making it necessary to pick by hand.  My morning walks provide me with a couple of handsful to enjoy as I continue on my way.

I hope those of you who have yet to enjoy some of the simplest yet sweetest pleasures of life will have (and take!!) the opportunity to do so at some point.  While you are working to extract that drop of sweet liquid from the honeysuckle or carefully stepping into clearly snake-territory to capture some blackberries, you won't have time to worry about all of those things that keep you from enjoying your life.  Live a little.  And think of me while you are doing so!!  :)

Until next time...