I’m not a true Southerner. That’s right, I’m not. At least that’s what someone told. I was born here, in Arkansas but I grew up all over the states. Before I graduated high school, I had lived in five states and had been to twelve different schools. Since then, i added three more states to that list before returning back to Arkansas. I was a military brat, and then I joined the service myself. The US Navy took me all around. At times I wished that I had stayed in just for the travel, but I had to get out because it was just too political.

Why am I not a true Southerner? I hate cole slaw, potato salad, tuna salad, in fact anything followed by the word salad. I only watch the first few laps of NASCAR and the last laps. I honestly don’t understand other than left turn, left turn, left turn for how many laps? I do know what the flags mean and how fast the cars can go. But that’s it. I don’t know anything else about it. Once upon a time I knew a few of the drivers by their car numbers, but I haven’t watched it in years and can see that the cars, numbers, and drivers have changed.

Baseball on the other hand is something I know a little more about. When I was growing up, I was a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan, collecting every card, knowing who was playing that day, their jersey numbers, first, middle, and last name. I even knew their birthdays and stats, what position they played, and who was batting and when. My sister Jaci went as far as to know who they were married to and how many children they had and their names. We kept up with who was traded and to where, and who the newbies were. Now days, I’ll only glance at a game if there’s nothing else on.

Something else I don’t like, catfish. I’d rather have Salmon or maybe some Icelandic Cod. I don’t like to hunt, nor have I ever been. I fish now and then and have even been deep sea fishing.

Oh yeah, is camo really a color? My sister goes crazy for camo decorated everything. She’s more of a country girl than I am. I must’ve been in the city too long. She cannot pass by a Bass Pro shop without going inside.

I don’t use the word’s Ya’ll or Ain’t. I do have a bit of a southern accent, that’s from living here for a while. I imagine if I were to move away, possibly somewhere up North, it wouldn’t take me long before I have a Yankee accent.

I think the only thing I really love that come from this state is the Razorbacks. It didn’t matter where I was living; I always rooted for the HOGS! I love football and have come to know the sport a lot more. Now I start going crazy if I know my team is playing and I can’t watch the game.

I honestly don’t know what really makes you a true Southerner or a true Yankee, but home is where ever you plant your feet. I’ve lived in Arkansas most of my life and know a lot of it’s history. I can tell you what city to visit and what attractions they have that you might be interested in. Maybe I’m not a true southerner, but I am an Arkansan.