Dying in Mississippi

In a recent read, the question was posed: "Where do you call home?" .... and instead of it being the place you were born, the author considered it more the place you want to die. Hmm...I don't often think about dying, so that was a bit difficult for me to immediately answer. However, after musing on it for several days, alas....I am confident that Mississippi is my home. At least for now; most likely in some respects, forever.

As my cousin's Facebook page proudly displays:

"Growing up Southern is a privilege. It's more than where you're born, it's an idea, a state of mind that seems imparted at birth. It's more than loving fried chicken, sweet tea, baseball, bibles, and country music. It's being devoted to screen porches, magnolias, coca-cola, and each other. We don't become Southern, we're BORN that way."

Despite the soaring heat and the humidity, I love being home now. I am so lucky that coming home each and every time still feels like the first time (at least for me, not for everyone who is now 'over' my comings and goings) and the excitement is always there.

In true fashion, I was welcomed this time with a remarkable Mississippi summer -- hot as hell! The moment I stepped off the plane, to even be able to catch my breath, I was forced to inhale deeply to compensate for the invisible bucket of humidity that floated in the air. That, on top of the soaring temperatures, made for a rude awakening home. It's all quite ridiculous really and certainly a factor I consider as I am actively thinking 'where I want to live' (Do I really want to live in a cauldron?).

I immediately relate the heat to increasing global warming, siting the fact that it was never this hot when I was a child & point out the same to my mother as she thinks back on her childhood two generations ago. Also, in true fashion of the South,  I was immediately shot down for being the 'green hippie' : "No way! I don't believe in global warming", I was told. (what the?!)

Anyways, aside from the weather, home has been fantastic. I arrived at the height of the garden so nutrition has been the least of my concern (which is often a worry in this fat laden state). Daily consumption of our tomatoes, cantaloupes, watermelons and berries -- not to mention fresh pesto, creative basil concoctions, plus okra, peppers & the like have satisfied me to no end. Somehow Southern summers always pair good food with good friends in a we're-so-hot-so-we're-just-going-to-sit-here-sort of way, so enjoying porch sitting, cooking out and just sitting around talking has comprised most of my days. It's been great! and as per usual, I already hate to think about leaving again soon. .....