That book was so great. It portrayed North Carolina in the loveliest way, which is only fitting as it is the loveliest state. It was so accurate and just convinced me of what I already knew... There is no other place for me than North Carolina.
Here are some quotes from the book:
"From the sandy, white coastline of the Atlantic Ocean to the towering peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina is full of natural wonders and breathtaking beauty."
An Elizabeth City Resident said "You can laugh if you want to but we really do believe that the sky is bluer here than anywhere else. Maybe it's just the way the sky looks against the white beaches and those dark leaves up in the mountains. I don't know. But you can travel anywhere you want- and, believe me, Iv'e been a lot of places in my life. But when you come back home to North Carolina, you'll swear this state has the bluest skies and the most beautiful scenery of anywhere you've ever been."
"Race plays an important part in the life of North Carolina's citizens. Most people-both black and white- agree that North Carolina has made great strides since the 1960s in providing freedom and opportunity for all its people."
"North Carolinians have always loved competition. The state's athletes often perform at a level that inspires fans around the state and beyond. There are few things that North Carolinians care more about than sports...The biggest sports attraction in North Carolina, however, is college basketball...During the past twenty-five years, the state has been split by the heated competition between North Carolina's two most successful teams-the Tar Heels of the University of North Carolina and the Duke Blue Devils."
"Although the two schools are less than ten miles apart, their fans are bitterly divided. Each spring, people throughout the state find themselves cheering passionately for one team- and cheering just as passionately against the other. There's just no middle ground when it comes to Carolina and Duke."
"Religion is central in the lives of most North Carolinians."
"The thing about being from North Carolina is that no matter how much you may disagree with someone, you still have a common ground as fellow North Carolinians."
"Music is another thing North Carolinians feel strongly about-and are opinionated about as well...The locals call it beach music. To local beachcombers, the music's soft, shuffling rhythms seemed perfect for dancing barefoot in the sand in the moonlight."
"North Carolina's most enduring contribution to American cooking is its unique style of pit-cooked pork barbecue. Most North Carolinians have little patience for outsiders who prefer the meat cooked in other ways. ' There's only one way to make barbecue and that's the way we make it here. Who do people think they're kidding with all the heavy sauce the put on their meat? If the meat is cooked right there's no need to cover it.'"
See what I mean? Wouldn't reading this make you miss North Carolina? It's truly the greatest place on earth. It's where I was born and where I want to be laid to rest. It's what makes me who I am and it's where my heart remains. And I must second the words of our official song:
"Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her.
While we live we will cherish, protect, and defend her.
Tho' the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her,
still our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever.
Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State."
No comments:
Post a Comment