Oh My Sweet Carolina

This entry is long because North Carolina is the best...


What compels me to go?

I got to spend Easter weekend in the most beautiful place on earth, North Carolina.  I had the most amazing weather and got to see my family, which is always such a treat.  Sometimes I just have that feeling like I need to put my feet on North Carolina soil.  Almost instantly, I feel more grounded and reminded of who I am (and how handsome southern boys are.  JESUS they don’t make ‘em like they make ‘em down south!). 

This was probably the best trip home that I’ve had in 5 years.  The weather was exactly what it should be - -In the 70s and sunny.   

On my first layover in Charlotte I spotted my first southern boy.  GAH.  Strapping, flannel shirt, boots, looking like he knew how to drive a tractor and carry something heavy.  Holy moly LAWDY JESUS I am home.  I immediately had the urge to eat a gigantic BBQ sandwich and smoke 12 cigarettes.  After two layovers I arrived in my hometown big Ol Greenville North Carolina (yes there is an airport there (barely)). 

Fatty Fatty No Friends

Lunch with my mom and after a quickie dinner of Chic-Fil-A with my folks and my 14 year old brother I started my laundry… in my parent’s laundry ROOM.  Yes, a room the size of my kitchen in NYC dedicated to making my clothes nice and fresh without even having to pay someone to use the machine. 

Saturday I had lunch with my Mom’s parents and my mom and an afternoon pedicure (OPI’s “No Room for the Blues”), which my mom called “interesting” which is southern for ‘weird and not generally done around here’.  My brother learned two songs on the piano so that we could jam together.  Turns out he’s not a fan of learning the bridge to any song, which means he has an extensive catalog of 300 or so songs of just the verse and the chorus.  But he actually learned the bridge to “Someone Like You” and we hung out in the studio and played.  I must be getting some ‘cool points’ back (even though I still use the term “cool points” circa 1993) because I actually got to talk with him a lot and it was awesome.  

Saturday night’s Easter service at church was great.  I don’t sing in church.  I know that seems strange, but I don’t like to sing in church.  It feels like work and I judge how I sound so I just listen.  There is nothing quite as beautiful as a bunch of off-key voices just living in church.  Slow singing and slow praying.  I also had a really special night with my Dad that I will remember forever. 

I had coffee in the park with one of my besties, Dan Bass on Easter Sunday.  We watched all the kids Easter egg hunting and I realized how lucky I was to have childhood memories like that.  It was so adorable watching the parents realize that they hadn’t counted the eggs before they put them out, making it just as much of a hunt for them.  My Grandma Hart made my favorite broccoli salad and corn bread (I hope no one else wanted any) and pork roast and casserole.  Delish.  We got to spend the evening there and topped things off with cheesecake puddin'. 

Monday was family day.  So I slept in and we watched Passion of the Christ as a family and grilled hot dogs and hamburgers.  Again, my brother ACTUALLY TALKED TO ME.  It really warms my heart.  My Grandma Joyce stopped by and I had a cup of coffee with her (which means I drank coffee).  She gave me a cute Easter gift to give to Baby William and she gave me some C-Zash!  Yeah!! 

The Cutest Baby in the World and yes,
my ovaries hurt and my heart melts.

My cousin Jack and his wife made an awesome steak dinner and I visited with them on the porch and played with Baby William until bedtime.  Simply.  Perfect.  I couldn’t imagine not having this life eventually.  I know I always say I don’t want kids… but damn, their life is beautiful and I love being a part of it when I come home. 

I miss my family and southern manners.  I can honestly say that if I could do what I dream of anywhere in the world, I’d do it right there in North Carolina.  It may be Heaven on earth.