Kudzu, Sweet Taters and Biscuits
I’m not even used to writing 2008 on my checks yet and already this year seems somewhat craggy. The lights are dimmed, the glow is gone. New Years resolutions are teetering on the edge. I’m already snuggled into a familiar rut. For Southerners, the ruts around us can be as warm and delicious as buttermilk biscuits on Sunday morning. And if not, then there’s something to be said for the familiar.
That’s what makes Benn Johnson’s shop in Birmingham, such a kick in the pants ! Southernness was founded in 1997, with its inspired (and by the way trademarked) 7 Signs of Southernness, he celebrates all things Positively Southern. Now branded, his products are found in all sorts of upscale boutiques throughout the south, from Alabama to Texas to Virginia. (read: below the Mason Dixon Line)
Anyway, I found Benn’s shop online while I was scanning for post holiday bargains for gifting throughout the year (ya know…baby showers, wedding gifts and so forth). And what grabbed my attention was his 2008 Positively Southern People, Places and Things to celebrate in 2008. True to his claim there are 2008, no wait 2035 (guess someone got carried away) people, places and things to celebrate which are Positively Southern. I read ‘em. All. Several times. I’m thinking of the old adage about kudzu here. Nonetheless, there are a few things he’s missed and I thought I’d add em here.
- Fried shrimp - and lots of it!
- The world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge, the “last great American roadhouse”.
- The tallest Ferris wheel in the southeast at The Wharf.
- Flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts.
- Mullet madness at the annual Interstate Mullet Toss.
- The Bird of Paradise, a restored open-cockpit plane.
- The ferry from Fort Morgan across Mobile Bay to Fort Gaines.
- Sucking down a Bushwacker…or two.
- Fried green tomatoes and L.A. caviar
- A big ol’ plate of Royal Reds (shrimp)
- Watching the weigh-ins when the fishing charters bring their catch back to the marinas in the evening.
- Oysters…Slimy, maybe, but oh, so good.
- Looking for sea turtle trails left by mama turtles coming ashore to nest. (They look a lot like tire tracks)
- The handcrafted cheeses at Sweet Home Farm, a working organic family dairy.
- The Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival.
- The Blue Angels at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola.
- Stuffing your pockets with beads and MoonPies at a Mardi Gras parade.
- Salute our fighting men and women at the USS Alabama Battleship Park in Mobile.
- “Silver Queen” corn.
- The Elberta Sausage Festival.
- Going to lunch by boat.
- A sandcastle-building contest.
- Crabbing at Lagoon Pass.
- Going out to lunch in your swimsuit and flip flops.
- Sweet Potato Queens at Hal and Mal’s (Jackson Ms)
- Sweet Home Alabama
- The Redneck Riviera
- Nehi Grape Soda and Orange Crush
Got something Totally Southern to celebrate? Email us here and we’ll add to the list!
