Southern Charm

• A woman riding through the front yard on her horse, stopping to tip her hat and say, "Afternoon, honey."

• A man driving his John Deere tractor down the highway at about 1.5 miles an hour (just a guess).

• A woman in the dressing room at Ross, taking the clothes I didn't want and saying, "Well, aren't you just a sweetie pie! Y'all have a good day now!"

These are just a few examples of the southern charm greeting me here in Monroe, Georgia. Yesterday I sat out in the front yard, reading and playing with Rocky (Machelle's dog) for about three hours. I am not ashamed to admit that I am an avid people watcher on all occasions and being here in Georgia is a fascinating place to watch people!

A truck pulled up with two guys in it and one of them stuck his head out the window and said, "ewww ear any dogs?!" After I stared at him for a couple seconds he said, "ewww know, owlin." At this point, Rocky ran out onto the highway to say hello to guys in the truck and I yelled, "Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!" The guy looked at me like I was certifiably crazy before saying, "I don't understand what you sayin!" I stared at the guy, dumbfounded for a moment before saying, "I am calling the dog, his name is Rocky. And I don't hear any dogs howling." The driver then leans over guy #1 and says, "You speakin English?" I have to admit that the thought did cross my mind that somehow I had reverted back into Thai with realizing it. But alas, I was speaking English and perfectly good English at that! But not Georgian English. The guys both stuck their heads back in the truck and drove off. I stood there for probably a full minute in utter stillness and silence, trying to figure out what had just happened, before shaking my head and going back to my book.

Georgia is a different world. Not unlike Thailand. People are friendly here, less stressed than in Cali and they speak a different language. Interesting...