I Make No Apologies

He'd say you've got to stand for something
or you'll fall for anything.

"You've Got to Stand For Something", Aaron Tippin 1991

As I shared over in Life According to Iva, I am a Yankee. (Is there a 12-step program for this?) It is what it is and I just can't help it. However, after being in Georgia for eight years, I'm evolving (this is the only time you'll read about evolution on this blog, rest assured!) I have compiled a list of why I love being a Yankee in South East Georgia:

1. We believe in God. I know a lot of you reading this (who are unfortunate enough not to live in GA) believe in God, too. But you don't understand - we believe in God. We don't keep God confined to church on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights and Wednesday nights (we're Baptists, after all). We keep Him everywhere. Last night, we had prayer before the PTA meeting at a public school. The ACLU would have a field day with us.
2. We believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God. Our sermons aren't always head pats and tummy rubs. They always preach the Truth. This means that they don't change regardless of who is in office. The Ten Commandments hold just as true today as they did when God gave them to Moses.
   
3. We believe in guns. The turtle house doesn't own a gun - yet. But we plan to. Don't tell the Man Beast I told you this, but he's never shot a gun. Really. And guess what else? I have. (Shooting at bread in a pond counts, right?) Georgians defend what is theirs. Moreover, they shoot (and eat) whatever God puts in front of them. Fish. Deer. Bear. It's all fair game. (Oh, I made a funny!)
   
4. We believe that abortion is murder. Period.
5. We believe that the death penalty is not.
6. No, we do not believe that this is hypocritical.
7. We say 'Sir' and 'Ma'am'. Our children do not say, "What?" when you call them; they say, "Ma'am?" or "Sir?" I didn't realize how used to this I was until I went home to VA for Christmas a couple of years ago. It's a true sign of respect. In some circles, we take it a step further and call elders by their first name and a title (Miss Iva or Mr. Jack). The respect is still there, but it's a bit less formal.
8. We have rednecks. I know a lot of y'all have rednecks (there are, for example, rednecks in PA - who knew?). But y'all don't beat us Georgia rednecks. We are awesome (yes, I just included me ... a Yankee ... in to this category). Rednecks are loyal, laid back and loud. Just like the Man Beast's people. (Oh, did I mention that all of TMB's people are Yankee's, too? All of us, with the exception of Bean Pole, JayBaby, The Boy and BabyGurl were born in CA. BP and The Boy were born in VA - Yankees. JayBaby and BabyGurl - GA! In the same hospital! Woot!) But make no mistake about it - country don't mean dumb. (Tummy rubs for whoever can name that line).
9. We cook with butter. Paula Deen's restaurant is in Savannah, y'all.
   
10. We've got awesome weather. Okay, not really - at least in the traditional sense. We don't have four seasons down here like regular folks. And I can't say we don't get snow because Atlanta just got some not too long ago. We've got humidity - lots of humidity. We've got bugs - big bugs. Still, there is something to be said about being able to wear a tshirt and jeans on Christmas day. I really do love the fact that we have a very short winter. Here it is the end of March and we're getting 80 degree weather. Gotta love that!

And because I wear my heart on my sleeve, I have to give the following disclaimer lest you all say mean things to me: My list is broad generalizations. They apply to me. My people. My friends. My circle. Certainly the whole state doesn't fit my whole list.

Just most of us.

Until next time...