Southern Traditions

    It's that time again!  The Statesboro Kiwanis Fair has blown in with the crisp fall weather.  The Statesboro Fair is an event celebrated by all ages and remains a top priority of all Statesboro residents.  The flashing lights and sweet smell of fried Oreos and Twinkies draw the southern population in like mosquitoes to a black light.
    Overwhelmed by the shouts of the Carnies begging for "just one more player", it's easy to become engrossed in the dream world.  Masses of people swamp the carnival rides that only know two directions: vertical and spin.  Stuffed animals larger than some adult beckon in the younger audiences and parents spend 20 after 20 to knock down just one stupid metal bottle.
     Why do we subject ourselves to this year after year? It's tradition! Besides, where can you watch a steeplechase for pigs, eat a plate full of pancakes, view a quilt show, show your prize calf, and get so dizzy you could vomit all in the same place?  Only in the South.

  

Long Since Gone

  I keep a shoe box full of trinkets in my closet above my color coordinated wardrobe.  The box is almost bursting forth of item that would seem meaningless anyone but me.  A fake plastic butterfly, pins and buttons, a sample bag of coffee, name tags, and photos.  A pile of junk that will most certainly be tossed in the garbage once I pass on.

   To me it is something more.  Each item represents a memory I wish to hold close to my heart.  Moments in time that I do not wish to loose.  My first prom, a beautiful "I love you", a trip to Mexico, my first real job, and the best Christmas present ever.

   Why do we feel the need to hang on to these constant reminders of the past?  A habit that can cause us to bury ourselves in times that are long since gone and miss out of the wonderful moments of the present.

  How do you incorporate the past present and future into your everyday life?  Are you creating new memories through old connections?  Live in the happy days that are yet to come.