The Heat is the thing

I had a chance to go back "home-ish" this weekend through Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama and here is the deal, I like the South, and not always for the traditional reasons most people say. The down-homeness, the hospitality, the sweet tea (seriously - who doesn't like sweet-tea?) I like the South for the HEAT. That's right..the heat! It is undeniable, and unrepentant.

You can't deny the heat. It envelopes you like a sticky, wet blanket and coats you all the way to your bones. Most people hate it, and frankly I understand why, it's the least desirable part of the geography. But, once again I find it the reason to go back and possibly would even stay.

You have to be somebody to outlast the winters in the Northeast, the brownouts and traffic jams on the West Coast, the June bugs in Miami (or roaches - good gosh the roaches are HUGE!!) And down south it's the HEAT, or more specifically the humidity. The minute you walk outside you start sweating...and it doesn't stop. It sticks to your skin, and consequently your clothes, car seats, monkeys, kids, ideals and ideologies(???? I don't know where I was going with that?). Anyway... I digress, I don't mind the heat.

Comments

[tony]

Please! Stop, now. Heat in the lower southern 48 is nothing compared to south of the border. Deadly heat in Mexico!

[a.brain]

I hear the winters there far outweigh the comfort of summer Tom...of course - I heard it from me, so bear that in mind.

[tom delong]

hate the heat!!! HATE IT! Wish I lived in Russia sometimes...

[a.brain]

absolutely C - or could be like being from Compton, CA or maybe some place like Wartrace, TN. You know...places that are extremely dangerous or boring. Either way...

[cancer]

I feel the same way about freezing temperatures. There's something life-affirming about extreme elements like that. I find myself more aware of being alive when I'm facing down a biting winter wind. So, I might add to your article, the Freeze is the thing too.