Gratitude Friday
Alabama here I come! Almost every time we drive home, Chris and I play “Sweet Home Alabama” as we cross the border. Now a days we tend to fly since we have access to direct flights but I’ll likely sing it word for word quietly to myself. But really, Alabamaians are proud of their crazy so I could probably sing it out loud and most would just join in the fun. Might consider that if I thought we could all sing it without an obnoxious UAT fan ruining the whole thing at the end. Anyway, in honor of our trip home, I present “Things I Am Grateful for in Alabama”:
Didn’t know such things existed did you?
1. Milo’s – Everyone thinks they know what sweet tea tastes like. Sure you do. We’ve all had some at the local Cracker Barrel or McAlister’s and even though those will do in a real sweet tea emergency (and yes, those do exist) none of them can compare to Milo’s. Oh the sweet, sugary, calorie laden goodness of a Milo’s Sweet Tea. You can buy them by the gallon in the grocery store (also available in Unsweet and sweetened with Splenda. Seriously). Although why would you bother with the grocery store when you wouldn’t be able to get a Milo’s Hamburger and Fries? The burger is like none other. A thin, flat patty topped with a piece of a thin, flat patty (I have no idea what the purpose is but regardless), chopped onions and Milo’s special sauce. It’s likely A1 but it sure does taste good. Add in the seasoned crinkle fries and you have a meal sure to clog arteries and give you hours of heartburn-filled excitement. Really, what’s not to love.
2. Driving – I know this will sound strange but hear me out. It’s been 5 years since my last major car wreck. Hard to believe but true. Since then I have been, well, a timid driver. I spend most of the drive watching everyone else around me. People are crazy and most are apparently oblivious to the fact that the big old ton of metal they’re driving could kill them or worse someone else. I’m highly aware of this fact and would prefer to avoid being that someone else for as long as the Lord allows. However, give me a car, a curvy back road and trees too thick to see around and suddenly I’m 16 again feeling like nothing can stop me! I know the roads at home like the back of my hand. Could drive them blindfolded if need be (granted, highly unlikely but hey never give up on your dreams). I’m fast. I’m fearless. I’m free!
3. Barbeque – Every trip home requires weeks of heated debate about where we will be getting our barbeque fix. Sometimes Chris plays along and lets me drive him crazy and other times he stops me cold with a “let’s think about that 6 weeks from now when we are in the same month as the trip”. Sometimes he’s just no fun. So mostly the debate is between me, myself and I. We have discussions often so nothing new. Here’s the topic: Johnny Ray’s or Jim n’Nick’s. It’s just so hard. Texas Toast verse Cheddar Biscuit. Baked Beans verses Potato Salad. The Colonnade verse AAALLLL the way down 280 or Hwy 31. This is serious stuff here people! Regardless, it will be the only barbeque we eat until the next trip home so we savor every morsel. We don’t do brisket.
4. Politics – You must choose sides in Alabama. There can be no fence-straddling, no wavering convictions, no passionless stance. You must choose. Come on, come on. What’s it’s gonna be? Auburn? Or Alabama? This is not some random decision. You get one opportunity to rebel against what your parents have taught you. That’s right. You were dressed in that “Future Tiger” or “Bama Baby” onesie soon after birth. You likely learned the words to the fight song (or at least Auburn fans did) right after you memorized “This Little Light of Mine” in Sunday School. Your sister wore the cheerleading outfit for Halloween last year. Your wardrobe, your education, you marriage, heck, your identity as a member of society (and the side of the church you sit on) depends on this one decision. Choose!!! (Side note: Admittedly, I am able to love this about Alabama because from Texas, the view of this rivalry is far superior than the view from the pew in Birmingham. Just sayin’.)
5. Humidity – Yes, I know everyone thinks I’m crazy. Really though, the humidity in the South is what makes it The South. During the summer, you can open the front door and literally have the breathe knocked out of you by the force of it hitting you in the chest. And frizzy hair? It’s a given. And there’s the “glow” of a Southern woman. Okay, sure that’s sweat, plain and simple, but it does keep the skin moist which is nice. I much prefer that to slathering on lotion 3 times a day. But you know, it’s those months when the humidity is the worst when you are the most grateful for the times when it’s at its least. The valleys in life make you grateful for the mountain tops. And trust me, when you step out of the airport and get that first swift kick in the gut of humidity, it reminds you that you’re home.
See all of that and not one mention of Kudzu, although I like the Kudzu. It’s nice ground cover along the highways. Seriously, the best thing about Alabama is that’s where our family is. The state doesn’t matter. Home is where they are.
Alabama here I come! Almost every time we drive home, Chris and I play “Sweet Home Alabama” as we cross the border. Now a days we tend to fly since we have access to direct flights but I’ll likely sing it word for word quietly to myself. But really, Alabamaians are proud of their crazy so I could probably sing it out loud and most would just join in the fun. Might consider that if I thought we could all sing it without an obnoxious UAT fan ruining the whole thing at the end. Anyway, in honor of our trip home, I present “Things I Am Grateful for in Alabama”:
Didn’t know such things existed did you?
1. Milo’s – Everyone thinks they know what sweet tea tastes like. Sure you do. We’ve all had some at the local Cracker Barrel or McAlister’s and even though those will do in a real sweet tea emergency (and yes, those do exist) none of them can compare to Milo’s. Oh the sweet, sugary, calorie laden goodness of a Milo’s Sweet Tea. You can buy them by the gallon in the grocery store (also available in Unsweet and sweetened with Splenda. Seriously). Although why would you bother with the grocery store when you wouldn’t be able to get a Milo’s Hamburger and Fries? The burger is like none other. A thin, flat patty topped with a piece of a thin, flat patty (I have no idea what the purpose is but regardless), chopped onions and Milo’s special sauce. It’s likely A1 but it sure does taste good. Add in the seasoned crinkle fries and you have a meal sure to clog arteries and give you hours of heartburn-filled excitement. Really, what’s not to love.
2. Driving – I know this will sound strange but hear me out. It’s been 5 years since my last major car wreck. Hard to believe but true. Since then I have been, well, a timid driver. I spend most of the drive watching everyone else around me. People are crazy and most are apparently oblivious to the fact that the big old ton of metal they’re driving could kill them or worse someone else. I’m highly aware of this fact and would prefer to avoid being that someone else for as long as the Lord allows. However, give me a car, a curvy back road and trees too thick to see around and suddenly I’m 16 again feeling like nothing can stop me! I know the roads at home like the back of my hand. Could drive them blindfolded if need be (granted, highly unlikely but hey never give up on your dreams). I’m fast. I’m fearless. I’m free!
3. Barbeque – Every trip home requires weeks of heated debate about where we will be getting our barbeque fix. Sometimes Chris plays along and lets me drive him crazy and other times he stops me cold with a “let’s think about that 6 weeks from now when we are in the same month as the trip”. Sometimes he’s just no fun. So mostly the debate is between me, myself and I. We have discussions often so nothing new. Here’s the topic: Johnny Ray’s or Jim n’Nick’s. It’s just so hard. Texas Toast verse Cheddar Biscuit. Baked Beans verses Potato Salad. The Colonnade verse AAALLLL the way down 280 or Hwy 31. This is serious stuff here people! Regardless, it will be the only barbeque we eat until the next trip home so we savor every morsel. We don’t do brisket.
4. Politics – You must choose sides in Alabama. There can be no fence-straddling, no wavering convictions, no passionless stance. You must choose. Come on, come on. What’s it’s gonna be? Auburn? Or Alabama? This is not some random decision. You get one opportunity to rebel against what your parents have taught you. That’s right. You were dressed in that “Future Tiger” or “Bama Baby” onesie soon after birth. You likely learned the words to the fight song (or at least Auburn fans did) right after you memorized “This Little Light of Mine” in Sunday School. Your sister wore the cheerleading outfit for Halloween last year. Your wardrobe, your education, you marriage, heck, your identity as a member of society (and the side of the church you sit on) depends on this one decision. Choose!!! (Side note: Admittedly, I am able to love this about Alabama because from Texas, the view of this rivalry is far superior than the view from the pew in Birmingham. Just sayin’.)
5. Humidity – Yes, I know everyone thinks I’m crazy. Really though, the humidity in the South is what makes it The South. During the summer, you can open the front door and literally have the breathe knocked out of you by the force of it hitting you in the chest. And frizzy hair? It’s a given. And there’s the “glow” of a Southern woman. Okay, sure that’s sweat, plain and simple, but it does keep the skin moist which is nice. I much prefer that to slathering on lotion 3 times a day. But you know, it’s those months when the humidity is the worst when you are the most grateful for the times when it’s at its least. The valleys in life make you grateful for the mountain tops. And trust me, when you step out of the airport and get that first swift kick in the gut of humidity, it reminds you that you’re home.
See all of that and not one mention of Kudzu, although I like the Kudzu. It’s nice ground cover along the highways. Seriously, the best thing about Alabama is that’s where our family is. The state doesn’t matter. Home is where they are.
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