Well put Lisa. As a former Yankee now living in the south I must say it is much better here than up there. I am originally from NH and have lived in both SC (3 years) and now NC (a little over a year). Every time I go back North (notice I didn't say, "HOME"...the south is our home, praise be to GOD hopefully forever) I say to myself, "I lived here for 33 years? What was I thinking!" Last year before we moved to NC I was at a gas station in SC and a gentleman a little older than me just walked up to me on my blind side while I was pumping gas, stuck out his hand and said, "Thank you for your service to our country." I turned around and took his hand but didn't know what to say, I just stared at him for a little while and said, "Thanks". (I have an airborne sticker on our minivan so he must've seen it when we pulled in.) I never got that up North. (I'm not trying to bash the north, but it is what it is and having lived there I feel I can weigh in on the truth.) Being a veteran in the south truly MEANS something, and I cherish that true American Patriotism and love of country

. It still exists in many parts of this country and has not been extinguished regardless how badly some people want to strip it away.
People I work with always ask me how I like the south. The best way I answer them is that I was born "geographically challenged". If asked if I will ever go back up North the answer is always the same, "Unless it's somewhere north or Lewiston Maine, probably not." I love complimenting southerners on their hospitality, religious values, great food, and how awesome the Carolina's are in general. The history is rich, the pace isn't high strung (oh how I don't miss that!), the scenery is gorgeous, the cost of living is affordable, you can own a gun (or even TWO) and not be considered a militant wacko. The list goes on and on. Alissa and I also home school our two girls and it's waaaayyyy more accepted here in the bible belt than it is up north and TONS of families down here do it too, and there are a lot of Co-ops and organizations to join if you are a homeschooler. Blessings, blessings, blessings!
God Bless the Carolina's, two of the best places I've ever lived and definitely the way life should be! Thanks for starting this thread Steve, I feel we all need to see and talk about some of the positives still left in the world. God Bless.
Greg