Off to your right a large old fashioned looking farm, lends a feeling of Home. The house is white with green shutters. It's tin roof sparkles light, behind enormous Pecan tree soldiers standing guard. A long front porch never ends as it turns each corner wrapping the two-story abode. Odd, You think how everyone keeps waving, whenever you pass by an oncoming driver. That barn isn't near as big as the ones back home. Home Grown Produce, Boiled Green P-Nuts, Hot Biscuits/Grits/2-eggs/Coffee/$1.99, Cold Drinks, Gas, Clean Bathrooms, P-Nut Brittle, Etc….! Finally, your curiosity is peeked, the needle is low enough to warrant a pit stop, stretching your legs would feel good too.

As you open the door of the local gathering place/store, an unfamiliar voice chimes, "Hey Shugg, how are you today?" Slowly lifting your head with a look of confusion, you realize that smiling face is speaking directly to you. Nodding is the most you can muster, with a faint glint at the sides of your mouth. Before she continues, "It's sapose too be a scorcher again! Sure wish we'd get some rain. I just boiled up, them there P-nuts. They're really puuurdee' this year. You ain't from around here, are ya?" Still feeling uneasy about the friendliness of this cashier/waitress/welcome-person, you simply shake your head. Then with a look of concern she ask, "Been traveling along way? Dijeetyet?" Confusion, is all you feel at the moment, before you finally pronounce very clearly, "Pardon Me?" The cashier says slower, and much louder this time, "Did-ya-eeeat-Yet-?" Finally it hits you, "Oh! you mean, have I already eaten?" The cashier just laughs, enjoying that you finally heard her. Then continues on, with her innocent interrogation.

In North Florida, greeting perfect strangers with open arms seemed to be an everyday occurrence, a native lifestyle. I learned it from my parents, who never met a stranger. Everyone, fell into the category of, " A long lost friend ". By our heritage, southerners are instilled with the unknown ability, to sale anything to anybody at any given time, while extracting all the information they can gather. I was born and bred right here in North Florida, emerged head first in the Bonifay Hospital. Grew strong, tall and could almost beat my 4 year older brother in a foot race, on any given day. I was taught to wait for my turn to speak, behind all the oldest around. Since I am the youngest of 5 children, (the baby). I learned to listen well. Taking advantage of my natural born authority and being true to my roots, I'm feeling compelled to tell it like it is. (Now, that it's finally my turn to talk!) We grew up at the end of a long dirt road, in a hundred year old farm house, similar to the one described earlier. Many a weary traveler would happen in our drive, lost, needing directions to some place or the other. Before they knew what hit em, they'd be out of their car and in our home. It normally went something like this;
Daddy would step outside when someone pulled into the drive, greet them kindly, and answer a few questions. Usually pointing this way or that, while drawing a map with a stick in the dirt. Before long, they would slowly step out of the car to look at one of his old farm implements in the yard. And before they knew it, he'd lead them on a tour around the place. If we weren't brave enough to venture outside for a closer look, we'd all be watching to see if they were coming in, while busily picking the place up. "Yep, they're coming in." we'd pass on to Mama. She'd immediately stop sweeping or cooking, wash her hands, straighten her clothes and hair, while making her way towards the front door, for her well recited invitation, "Ya'll come on in! Make yourself right at home." Then, After all introductions were made, (Myself of course being last) Mom, would start right in; "Would you like a hot cup of coffee? I just made a fresh pot! Or a glass of iced tea? I bet we've got some of the best water you've ever tasted." (I always wondered how you could taste water.) "Aren't you hungry? We'd love to have you stay and eat with us!?! We've got Fried Chicken, tomatoes with okra, peas, corn, and the kids just picked a watermelon. All grown right here, on the farm. Would you like a piece of fresh bread, hot out of the oven?" Then with a sparkle in her eye, and look of certain acceptance she'd add, "We've got home-made butter!" By now, all feelings of stranger-ness had long gone from most travelers, who dared to enter in. Okay, Mom would concede / then insist, "You've got to at-least try one piece of my world famous, Pumkin Pie." The kids say, "It's the best I've ever made!"

It didn't matter if you'd just come from eating a seven course meal. I guarantee, before you left our home that day, Or the next. You had eaten at least one plate of something, from my mama's kitchen. That daddy grew in his hard worked garden. Laughed till your sides ached, from one of his childhood adventures, or tales of our back woods living. (I can't count the number of times, we anxiously waited to hear those tales, again & again.) And tapped your foot along while listening to some of my sisters harmony, with Guitar and Mandolin accompaniment. (I never did like the spoons or tambourine. I would gladly hand them over, to the new friends.) Everyone got the grand tour of our yellow heart pine, 100 year old farm house. Dressed out from stem to stern, with everyday antiques all the way down to Mama's beloved wood cook stove.

The true southern home served as the boarding house of every passer by. If you happened upon the steps of any native home, you instantly became part of the family. Furthermore, no one ever left empty handed. Daddy insisted their trunk be full of his beautiful fresh vegetables. He always grew more than we, relatives, and the neighborhood could eat. Growing up in the South may be fictionalized and (once) poverty stricken. But true Southern Natives, never needed the worldly riches to have their hearts desire. We grew up with the best of fresh food, that any soul could seek. Priceless possessions, that only today's riches can afford. Complimented by in home entertainment, that tops every satellites signal. If a need for something over budget arose in the family home. The Home-bred Southern Gentleman (salesman), the dedicated head of every household, would pay a visit to a well known neighbor and Horse trade (barter) for whatever they might need. Many may ponder over the contentment of our southern way of life. Growing up, what's termed as being "land rich ~and~ dirt poor", was the greatest of gifts, our most treasured possession. The largest account for the grandest wealth in a Southerner's life. Smack-dab, in the middle of a vacationer's paradise!