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Thursday Thirteen #5



Thirteen Things about South Carolina Mom

13 Reasons to live in SC. . .

1. Mild winters- it only snows about 1 time per year (unless, of course, you live in the mountains, although I don’t know how much snow even falls there). The average temperature hovers around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. On a cold day, it may drop into the low 40s. On a really cold day, it may be in the 30s, but those are few and far between.


2. Hot summers- summer is my favorite time of year. I love to swim, as do my kids, so we spend a lot of time in our pool. We also like to travel to the beach (we went 3 times last summer!)


3. Friendly people- most everyone waves as you drive down the street. Also, gathering in the warm summer evenings on the front porch is common and a great way to meet new people.


4. Sweet tea- I know you can get this in any Southern state, but I live in SC and that’s why it’s on my list!


5. Peaches and Strawberries- these are the main fruits grown in the part of the state where I reside. I love fresh fruit, especially strawberries, so we go picking every year as a family tradition. I make my own strawberry jelly, and freeze strawberries for shortcake and other delectable desserts.


6. The mountains and beaches are both only a short distance from any part of the state. I have spent time at both places, and I love that it doesn’t take a long time to get to either.


7. History- I love history, especially war history, and SC has tons of that! Battles from both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars were fought in the State, and I love to go to the battlefields and monuments. Also, Charleston is a historical city that hopefully we will be visiting this summer. I can’t wait until my kids get a little older so they can appreciate the veterans who have sacrificed their lives and families for our freedom (not just from days gone by, but those currently serving, as well).


8. Slower pace of living- Southerners, especially those in SC, understand the value in taking the time to form relationships with people rather than merely saying a brief “Hello.” I find that most strangers tend to find a way to connect with others out of sheer compassion. These encounters typically occur at the grocery store or Wal-Mart when my kids are screaming and I am at my wit’s end. Countless people have attempted to hold a conversation with me as my almost 3 year old is kicking and screaming because he wants out of the “buggy” as it’s called here. Or, better yet, as my 5 year old is busy performing janitorial work for the store because he feels it’s his duty as a costumer to pick up used tissues, chewing gum, and who knows what else. Yes, people here really go out of their way to make conversation with strangers, especially women with children.


9. Less traffic- I have lived and traveled in a variety of places both in the U.S. and abroad. Trust me, traffic is light here compared to other cities such as San Francisco, New York City, Washington, D.C., Paris, Tokyo, etc. South Carolinians get flustered because they’re in a “traffic jam” for 10 minutes heading to Charlotte while drivers merge from 4 lanes down to 3. I guess it’s all what you’re used to!


10. Rural areas- although I live in a relatively populated area, I don’t have to drive far to find the beautiful countryside farms that I absolutely love! Sadly, urban sprawl is infesting us here as it is everywhere else on this planet.


11. Bar-B-Que- this is definitely a Southern thing, and I love it! My favorite is pulled pork. Southerners pride themselves on their bar-b-que grilling abilities, and I’m almost certain there is at least one restaurant in every town in S.C.


12. Family roots run deep- families have been here for generation after generation. In the part of town where I live, I am amazed at how one family has influenced the community. They instituted the volunteer fire department, run an automotive repair shop, teach at the local schools and university, attend the same church since birth, etc. I have such high respect for this family, especially because one of its members was a former professor of mine and her daughter will be a future teacher of my children.


13. S.C. is pretty much the center of the Eastern seaboard. We are located about halfway between Florida and the New England states (depending upon which state, of course) and have a lot to offer tourists. Come check us out!



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!




Comments

Anonymous said…
My in-laws live in SC we visit from time to time. I like it there, and I can see why you are so passionate about your home state. Nice list.
SandyCarlson said…
Does your state have a specialty tea? I would love to know.

I have never met anyone who doesn't love your state!
Melanie said…
I have family in SC and it is fun to visit them!
SJ Reidhead said…
My mother is constantly lamenting the loss of strawberries and peaches now that we live in NM. She is always ordering fresh fruit from SC.

SJR
The Pink Flamingo
http://thepinkflamingo.blogharbor.com/blog
Boy, right at this moment? I am so wicked jealous. Denver is cold and the people can be really unfriendly. Sigh. It is pretty, and there's lots of opportunity....

But shit it's snowing again....

Happy TT!
Sandee said…
Sounds like a wonderful place to live. Have a great TT. :)
Anonymous said…
I looove sweat tea...hot or cold :D
Anonymous said…
South Carolina is beautiful. It's the state that brought my sister to me. (Well we have different parents, but we're sisters in heart.)

Happy TT.
tasha said…
Mmmmm, sweet tea!! I've never been to South Carolina before; it's on our list of places to visit. Happy TT!
Unknown said…
Never been to SC, but you make it sound like a place to visit.

~ The Mama Bear
ellen b. said…
Never been to S.Carolina but it sounds like I should put it on my list.
Natalie said…
It sounds lovely, I'd love to come visit. It's one of the 12 states I haven't been to yet. :)
Unknown said…
Amen girlfriend! Love all those things! The South is a wonderful place! And why would someone want to drink unsweet tea? I had never even heard of it until I went to college in Florida. I always thought some of those folks were odd down there.
Anonymous said…
SC is a great state-- but I'm not sure I could stand the hot summers. I went to college at Bob Jones U!
Joyismygoal said…
except for 6,7, and 13 you could be living right here in Fort Worth we have all those too But i so wish we had the mountains and shore too.
Laura Paxton said…
You ought to work for SC's Dept of Tourism!! You make me wanna come down and visit, and I consider SC HOME!

Both of our parents live there, plus all of my siblings and their respective spouses. One of the things we missed the most about being away from the Southeast for the last 4 years was no iced tea!!

Happy T-13!

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