I just found out

that’s there’s a fuck yeah north carolina website. This makes me happy because really: FUCK YEAH NORTH CAROLINA! If you didn’t know, I really, really, really love  North Carolina. Here’s why:

• I love that in two hours in one direction I can be at the beach and two hours in the opposite direction I can be in the mountains.
• I love that everyone is so hopeful that maybe, just maybe, we can be lucky enough to get some snow in the winter. And when/if we do, no one goes to work. It’s just too dangerous.
• I love that I live smack dab in the middle of a popular part of Raleigh, NC, where I could buy Chloe purses and fancy designer shoes a mile from my house, but if you’re in my backyard you feel like you’re in the country.
• I love that the summers are so hot and humid. I need that heat. And I like having an excuse to do nothing but lay by the pool. Because, really, it’s too hot to do anything else.
• But as much as I need the heat, I need to have seasons, and we do. The leaves change colors and fall. And it gets cold (and maybe a spot of snow) and then spring comes and everything blooms and then it gets really hot again.
• And speaking of blooms, I love the North Carolina state flower, the dogwood. So pretty.
• I love that there is a really awesome song written about Raleigh. And another awesome one about North Carolina.
• I really love that tonight, I’ll be going ice skating on an OUTDOOR RINK. I have no idea how they plan to keep this thing frozen throughout winters known for random 70 degree days tucked between frigid 40 degree days, but we shall see and I shall enjoy.

So, really, I love North Carolina. It’s my home.  And as much as I love to travel and learn about new places and see new things, there is no place like home. I think the only other place I could live would be Paris, but you best believe I’d be stocking up on Duke’s mayonnaise and making sure Southern Season delivers abroad before that ever happens.

What do you love most about your home town/state?

Legend of the Dogwood

Perhaps this is why it’s always in bloom around Easter:

At the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood had reached the size of the mighty oak tree. So strong and firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber for Jesus’ cross.

To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, and in his compassion said. “Because of your pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross–two long and two short petals.

“In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the center of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember.”