Southern Ways

I always thought I was a southern girl, since I grew up in North Carolina and lived there my entire life until the age of twenty six.  I drank sweet tea, ate grits and Y'all was a common phrase.  However, now that I have lived in Alabama for the last year I realize that to people here I am a Northerner.  I live in one of those small towns where people never leave, everyone knows each other and everyone is family or like family.  Moving in as an outsider is hard, because most people have bonds and connections that go back many many years.  Sweet tea is the drink of choice here, everyone goes to church, as there is a church about every block or so.  Northern Alabama is very much the Bible Belt and you don't curse, drink or smoke.  There are no temptations like bigger cities  such as night life or Adult clubs or stores.  There is only one High School in the city same goes for elementary and Middle school.  Therefore, the town is very supportive of its school system and on Friday Nights your at the High School football, basketball or baseball games.  Its one of those places where people still leave there car doors unlocked and sometimes their houses as well.  The town is very connected and when something happens they come together and support one another.  When falls rolls around the town like most of the state will divide, based on weather they say War Eagle or Roll Tide.  Football lives the hearts of most people in the great state of Alabama and is talked about 365 days a year.  I may miss my NC roots and the city I grew up in, but I couldn't have found a better place for my children to grow up.  A place where everyone has taken them in as family, teachers who teach them taught there dad, uncle and cousin's before them and they get to be apart of such a great community that is full of love.  Where is the small town I speak of in Alabama?  Well, its Tuscumbia Alabama the birth place of Helen Keller, and five miles from Muscle Shoals, which was legendary back in the day with musicians who came from Fame.

So if you ever find yourself in Northern Alabama Swing by Tuscumbia and walk the streets of our cute little town.  You want be disappointed with the southern hospitality and be prepared, because people here like to talk!