Ten years ago I had no idea what “Roll Tide” means in modern American culture. Now it’s a part of my life. The expression–its history and even Bear Bryant’s life story; someday I might even make it to a Bama game.
If blogging has done nothing else for me it has introduced me to America–all of it–not just New York, the NY metro area, New England, South Florida, Southern California–well you get it.
Besides meeting people from all over the USA and becoming intimately involved in some of their daily lives either through blog posts or email–now texts and the dreaded Facebook IM (hate all IM’s) I got up off my Upper West Side of Manhattan tush and moved to North Myrtle Beach, SC.
I did spend the first several years in a fog though a very productive fog. I wasn’t sure whether the ghosts of my parents were mocking me for making this move, wishing me well, or laughing at me. As they loved to do the last two….
My best friend kinda followed me to Atlanta which is an easy six hour car ride, glorious ten and a half hour bus ride (really) or 40 minute plane ride which somehow can take all day.
Anyway I’m now over the shock of the move–I somehow bought a house and renovated it down to the floors (from mud wall to wall carpeting even in the bathrooms to bamboo with tile baths and sunroom.)
I began gardening, another thing that shocked even me, and had a glorious garden. However months (or so it felt) of rain and/or gloom made it into Pia’s many many container garden of weeds–and five kinds of hot peppers because they’re pretty and I like them. Next summer I plan on planting all different kinds of grasses–even in the containers as they’re pretty, hardy and somehow I’m convinced weeds won’t take over. I did have four good years.
The garden is in a multi-level deck that resembles a tiki bar. Basically because before the recession the contractor specialized in making bars. He now specializes in “outlandish” for South Carolina homes and gives me a lot of the credit! At least I think it’s credit!
Before I had him make the deck nobody realized I had any grounds. Turns out…..(Pictures coming.)
The next several posts will contrast my life in New York with my life here (tune in the theme song from Green Acres)Â though as I remember it they moved to upstate New York so I’m not sure that counts.
I have a football game to continue watching as I think of my friend Bone who is probably tearing out his remaining hair. (He shaves it so I will get away from this analogy because yuck!)
Let me just end by saying that when I began reading Bone’s blog I went on a successful (if I must say so myself) mission to have a few others I liked read his blog.
The boy can write. He’s a storyteller in the grand Tennessee Williams meets Seinfeld tradition. Oh it’s no tradition you ever heard of? Is now.
That was an incredible part of blogging ten years ago. You could call anything a tradition and who could argue?
I realize most bloggers now offer advice of one sort or another. Irony: I’m a licensed social worker; I have written about rape, abuse, disability and politics and more. But now once again I’m a girl who just wants to have fun.
Yeah, today isn’t a good one for Bone and lots of others from Alabama… Btw, Myrtle Beach isn’t exactly Green Acres 🙂
It’s a different world than NY is
I think any Southern heritage story begins with college football. When John and I first moved from Charleston to J’Ville, we happened to be at a sports bar called Mudville Grille for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon. We had no idea that day was Florida-Florida State or what the game meant to the region. We were in awe.
The UF Gator fans were gregariously obnoxious as Steve Spurrier spit and threw his sun visor to the ground in disgust. Coach Bobby Bowden was gracious as always. Can’t remember who won the game but we’ve been FSU Seminole fans ever since. We snickered at Spurrier’s unsuccessful year in the NFL.
But now Spurrier’s doing a really good job as head coach for USC Gamecocks. Clue: Clemson Tigers is the other SC team. Don’t root for them unless your an ACC fan. As Bone will undoubtedly note, both the Crimson Tide and Gamecocks are in SEC.
I didn’t know you lived in Charleston!
I have to be very careful with my Bama like here as I do know people who go to every Clemson home game–make a weekend out of it
Pia, You do know this comment was waiting to be moderated and that you didn’t have to approve it, right? I’m mean, you’re the one who said you have to be “very careful with my Bama like.”
It’s not my fault the ‘Noles are ranked first!
Ha Karen–very careful with my Bama like!
Great post. Has anyone explained how galling it must be to Bama fans that an ACC team is ranked first?
That’s not going to be my next post : ) Thanks!
I also adore that blogging has introduced me to a national and in some cases international community of women. Would love to know more about the contrast between NYC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
To somebody who believed the South was Miami it’s immense. Yet….
I have lived in Southern California all of my life. In the last 8 years due to meeting new friends from Tennessee and North Carolina – I learned about Roll Tide and so many more Southern things! (My friend from TN went to Alabama).I used to make fun of them and asked them if they had running water. I no longer say dumb things like that. Additionally, blogging has opened so many new doors full of new people, new adventures, new things to learn. I think its the greatest job ever. Wonderful post!
Thanks! I was almost worst. But I learned from blogging….and that translated to living here…
I’ve moved around a lot (8 states but more than one city in a few of those states). My move from Santa Barbara, CA to Shepherdstown, WV was probably the most jarring. It wasn’t just the change in landscape. I couldn’t believe how much people talked about the Civil War when it concluded a century and a half prior. But we were a very easy drive to Antietam, Harpers Ferry, and Gettysburg–so I guess a lot of locals were very connected to the history of the land. And to be fair, people in Utah talk about the Mormon pioneers a lot. California was probably the place where people talked the least about the state’s past.
I used to laugh. Then I was ashamed. Now I laugh at me laughing….
First off, GREAT title for this post. I could go on and on…
Saturday was a tough day. I’m just now to the point where I can show my face in public.
You have bamboo floors?!?! OK, you probably told me that, but that was before I had a house. Then it didn’t matter. Now it’s the first thing that jumped out to me about this post. Well, after the title. Have I mentioned how I loved that?
Methinks your Upper West Side Manhattan tush sure can write.
I think Bone needs to take you to an official southern football game.
That would be nice. He should ask.
I’m a huge Bone fan…which somehow sounds wrong as I type it. Anyhow, I love the connection with you and Bone, and I’m looking forward to your posts comparing SC to NYC!
Hello stranger 🙂 It’s been a long time… I’m arm twisting my way into blogging again, and the name of your blog appeared in my head this evening – so here I am, adding you to my reading list, and hopefully reading about your adventures once again 🙂