Carrollton, Georgia is a fine town. Not too big, not too small, with a college and a real appreciation for the arts. The Georgia Quilt Council got busy and now there’s the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum in the old cotton warehouse there. I advised them early in their planning, and they are a fun group who achieved their goal.
I’d live in Carrollton but for the heat and humidity. I think the climate encourages story telling, slowly stringing out some family lore. You just don’t want to hurry when it’s hot. If you do, you just arrive at your next worry sooner, and you’re sweaty to boot.
I am a northerner at heart, and love snow. Nine degrees and blowing snow is the best reason to hunker down, read a book, and drink hot chocolate.
Thanks, Garrison, for that nice article. I am glad that you enjoyed your visit to Carrollton, Georgia.
You mentioned collard greens. Collard greens can be really good if the cook knows how to prepare them. That is true of many "Southern" dishes. They can be really good or not so good. It depends on the cook.
I wouldn't want this comment to be perceived as sarcastic, Lord knows, but it is a great relief to me, a lifelong southerner by the grace of God, that you no longer look down on us. Phew. I can relax now. Have a blessed day.
My wife of nearly 60 years and I grew up in the South but the Navy and corporate moves have taken us all over so we've been privileged to live in many places. Every place had its challenges and its blessings. I'm so glad you were blessed in Carrolton. Did you find an Episcopal church there? Did you have shrimp and grits or red eye gravy with your country ham? How 'bout them biscuits and non-sugary corn bread? Any fried okra? uummm! Go Vols!
Reading your column made my first cup of coffee so much nicer. Most people like a pat on the back once in a while. The majority of folk around me here in deep east central Louisiana say "y'all" when meaning one person, "you all" when meaning a bunch of us. Thank you again.
Know that we too appreciate the likes of you and your reporting on good is where you find it. You seem to find goodness in many places aand share it.
As for your zipper issue, it happens to all of us guys as we enter our serenity and, dare I say, gaiety days. One way out of announcing another's forgotten zipper status was shared with me at an airport in Fort Myers, FL, southern home of our Twins. I apparently was errantly in such a state of unzipped, when a fine, elderly fellow leaned toward me at the car rental line, and quietly said, "XYZ!" My not knowing the meaning, he then said, "Check-Your-Zipper!" where X means "check" and, well, you get the rest. Southerners are very polite folks, and quick to reach out with what we likely need. I got to enjoy their "Y'all!" and even better, their "All y'all." Which, of course, covers us all.
My wife and I moved from New Jersey to North Carolina in November. Moving from the "Me first" state to the "How ya'll doin'" state has be enlightening. Less traffic, lower cost of living (for the moment) and a significant increase in pleasantries from well.... everyone. Cranky people are not welcome and will be dealt with swiftly. We have also found that there are a lot of northeastern transplants here who have succumbed to the "ya'll" and their demeanors have been revised to the local flavor. A good thing to happen.
One of our favorite places to dine near our home here in Shallotte is a cute little breakfast place called "Eggs Up". This place breeds nice people who greet you, seat you, feed you and take your money with a smile. There is no shortage of conversation either as they more than happy to tell you about their dog snuggling up to them in bed or their kid yelling at the football game on TV. Be warned though, these people also have a wonderful sense of humor and are likely to have fun at your expense should you elect to walk in with your fly open.
Don't worry though, they will tell you..... eventually. After they've had a good laugh.
As a New Englander who was stationed in the South while serving in the USAF, I must say that the folks I got to know there on an individual basis were friendly and kind; always ready to help a young man out. Yet, as I listen to the morning news and hear of books being banned and school librarians facing jail time, I am reminded of my youthful admiration of William Tecumseh Sherman.
Well, brother (our substitute name for not remembering names due to too many sausages and biscuit sandwiches), I trust you received a tutorial in whistling Dixie while in Carrollton. We proselytize at every oppty for converts. Bud Hearn
Thanks for the kind words about Georgia. I’m a Georgia native, now living in Mexico, but I have fond memories of my home state. My dad had a saying he would always use when someone pointed out that his pants were unzipped.
“No problem. What can’t get up, can’t get out.”
He used to say it about once a week and I would laugh at him about it. Now I’m getting to the age where I’m frequently using his line myself.
Thank you, Garrison- Timely- and gives me hope after some recent very cloudy days. Maybe most humans still have the capacity to be humane. God love them.
Thank you!
Carrollton, Georgia is a fine town. Not too big, not too small, with a college and a real appreciation for the arts. The Georgia Quilt Council got busy and now there’s the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum in the old cotton warehouse there. I advised them early in their planning, and they are a fun group who achieved their goal.
I’d live in Carrollton but for the heat and humidity. I think the climate encourages story telling, slowly stringing out some family lore. You just don’t want to hurry when it’s hot. If you do, you just arrive at your next worry sooner, and you’re sweaty to boot.
I am a northerner at heart, and love snow. Nine degrees and blowing snow is the best reason to hunker down, read a book, and drink hot chocolate.
Carrollton gives that notion a run for its money.
Judy Schwender
Thanks, Garrison, for that nice article. I am glad that you enjoyed your visit to Carrollton, Georgia.
You mentioned collard greens. Collard greens can be really good if the cook knows how to prepare them. That is true of many "Southern" dishes. They can be really good or not so good. It depends on the cook.
Best wishes to one and all.
what a lovely experience !
I wouldn't want this comment to be perceived as sarcastic, Lord knows, but it is a great relief to me, a lifelong southerner by the grace of God, that you no longer look down on us. Phew. I can relax now. Have a blessed day.
My wife of nearly 60 years and I grew up in the South but the Navy and corporate moves have taken us all over so we've been privileged to live in many places. Every place had its challenges and its blessings. I'm so glad you were blessed in Carrolton. Did you find an Episcopal church there? Did you have shrimp and grits or red eye gravy with your country ham? How 'bout them biscuits and non-sugary corn bread? Any fried okra? uummm! Go Vols!
Reading your column made my first cup of coffee so much nicer. Most people like a pat on the back once in a while. The majority of folk around me here in deep east central Louisiana say "y'all" when meaning one person, "you all" when meaning a bunch of us. Thank you again.
Do not mistake amiability for an absence of racism.
Know that we too appreciate the likes of you and your reporting on good is where you find it. You seem to find goodness in many places aand share it.
As for your zipper issue, it happens to all of us guys as we enter our serenity and, dare I say, gaiety days. One way out of announcing another's forgotten zipper status was shared with me at an airport in Fort Myers, FL, southern home of our Twins. I apparently was errantly in such a state of unzipped, when a fine, elderly fellow leaned toward me at the car rental line, and quietly said, "XYZ!" My not knowing the meaning, he then said, "Check-Your-Zipper!" where X means "check" and, well, you get the rest. Southerners are very polite folks, and quick to reach out with what we likely need. I got to enjoy their "Y'all!" and even better, their "All y'all." Which, of course, covers us all.
My wife and I moved from New Jersey to North Carolina in November. Moving from the "Me first" state to the "How ya'll doin'" state has be enlightening. Less traffic, lower cost of living (for the moment) and a significant increase in pleasantries from well.... everyone. Cranky people are not welcome and will be dealt with swiftly. We have also found that there are a lot of northeastern transplants here who have succumbed to the "ya'll" and their demeanors have been revised to the local flavor. A good thing to happen.
One of our favorite places to dine near our home here in Shallotte is a cute little breakfast place called "Eggs Up". This place breeds nice people who greet you, seat you, feed you and take your money with a smile. There is no shortage of conversation either as they more than happy to tell you about their dog snuggling up to them in bed or their kid yelling at the football game on TV. Be warned though, these people also have a wonderful sense of humor and are likely to have fun at your expense should you elect to walk in with your fly open.
Don't worry though, they will tell you..... eventually. After they've had a good laugh.
As a New Englander who was stationed in the South while serving in the USAF, I must say that the folks I got to know there on an individual basis were friendly and kind; always ready to help a young man out. Yet, as I listen to the morning news and hear of books being banned and school librarians facing jail time, I am reminded of my youthful admiration of William Tecumseh Sherman.
Well, brother (our substitute name for not remembering names due to too many sausages and biscuit sandwiches), I trust you received a tutorial in whistling Dixie while in Carrollton. We proselytize at every oppty for converts. Bud Hearn
Thanks for the kind words about Georgia. I’m a Georgia native, now living in Mexico, but I have fond memories of my home state. My dad had a saying he would always use when someone pointed out that his pants were unzipped.
“No problem. What can’t get up, can’t get out.”
He used to say it about once a week and I would laugh at him about it. Now I’m getting to the age where I’m frequently using his line myself.
Absolutely heartwarming. It brought a tear to my eye. Lovely.
Thank you, Garrison- Timely- and gives me hope after some recent very cloudy days. Maybe most humans still have the capacity to be humane. God love them.
Beautiful. Made my day and this is before I am off to work.