Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Because Location is Everything.

At times I miss the south so much it makes me wanna crawl into my bed with a big bowl of mac & cheese and an ice cold Co-Cola (that's the way it's really pronounced, y'all!) in a bottle. Yes, I live in Virginia, and while it's technically below the Mason Dixon line, it's not Georgia. Or Mississippi, which I lovingly claim as the soil where my roots run deepest. Yes, the Roth and Raley lineage is firmly planted in the beauty that is 'Sippy and I thank God for such a heritage. I could spread my 'Sippy love all day long, like butter on warm toast, which is pretty special in its own right. My Mississippi...it's full of the blues, belles, and black-eyed peas. It makes my southern blood ooze with pride.

But here's the real deal...

I have to tell y'all about this little town in the northwestern corner of the state. A Delta town...a town where some of the great blues artists were born. A town with absolutely the neatest name in the world. Ladies and Gentlemen (that would be Greg and Dad), I now present to y'all:

Lula, Mississippi!


Oh, this makes me happy. Can y'all hear me squealing? 'Cause I am! Woo-woooooooo!

I learned about this most fabulously named little corner of the world from none other than the ultra-cool AFRo, a Mississippi lady of the highest caliber. And because she is ultra-cool, she was fun enough to send me several pictures from the sweet little land of Lula. I so want to visit there.

Livin' at Lula...it's legendary, says the sign. Somewhere in the land of Lula, MS, is a woman who can fry chicken (only in cast iron, of course!), bake up melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, and pile a plate full of butter beans, mashed taters, and sliced tomatoes. The requisite Mason jar glass of sweet tea is on the side, of course. This, my dears, is a meal meant for legends. I know she's there. After all, it is Lula.

How hard rockin' would it be to drive a squad car with the word "Lula" imprinted upon its back? I need this car. It would up my cool quotient exponentially. And it needs to be upped, I must admit.


If this were my fuel center, y'all know I'd give my peeps old school gasoline. The gas from way back--when it was $1.05 per gallon and it was fun to fill your Chevy pick-up with a full tank and spend the evening mud bogging. Or cow tipping. 'Cause that's what we'd do in Lula. Good times, y'all. I'm not even kidding. It's how I was raised.

My darling Debbie, this gives new meaning to your "name cemetery," huh? I now have photographic, factual evidence that when God calls me to Glory, the resting place for these bag of bones will include my very nickname on a sign, in a cursive font. It's the next best thing to monogramming...and y'all know how I feel about some personalization. Scott, Dad, Mama...you know where I want to be buried. AFRo, can you suss out a plot for me, please?

To the town of Lula, Mississippi...I love y'all. I really do. My Meridian roots are now extending to your soil, embracing more of this state that I love and claim as my own. This Lula is officially inviting herself for a visit. I must get a picture next to the cemetary sign. It's my new life's mission. Oh, but it is.

Thanks, AFRo...you have effectually made this the happiest day of my week. And I always knew I liked you. I'm waiting to return the favor.

42 comments:

Unknown said...

much more panache than dubbya are.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Road trip! You simply MUST go there and have your picture taken next to EVERY Lula sign.

Oh, and while you are there, could you please send back some beans and sliced tomatoes. And maybe some cornbread too?!?

Lauren W said...

What fun! You should absolutely road trip it. It's just too good to pass up.
Meanwhile, you would have been so proud of me, I made purple-hull peas for the first time last week, and the hubby (uber picky southern eater)said they were pretty good :D

Unknown said...

*stomping foot*

I want a town!

Mama Dawg said...

I've lived in Mississippi for about 13 years in total and I've never heard of Lula. I must go visit. Tell you what, I'll go and take a pic of me at the Lula sign and send it to you! If you ever get that way, we can both have our pics taken at the Lula sign. I'll have to go google Lula, MS and find out how far it is from me. AFRo is about an hour west of me, I think.

Heather said...

Yeah, I'm pretty sure there aren't any towns named "Heather". *sniff,sniff*

You, however, definitely deserve a town. You are the blogger that refer non-bloggers to read, 'cause you're so freakin' hilarious. And real. And you leave great comments. When I grow up, I want to be just like you.

And although I was born and raised in Ohio, I heart the south! I'm pretty sure I was a southern belle in a previous life, livin it up at Oak Alley, waving my fan at my line of suitors on the lawn, sipping my sweet tea or mint julep, barely breathing around that tight-a## corset...

Anyway, lovin' this post. How great of AFRo girl to send you these pics!

Aunt Julie said...

Hey, Lula--maybe you could retire to Lula someday? Congrats, hon--you're a Grand Prize Winner in the Great Pop'rs Giveaway! Please contact me at veggiemom@poprs.com with your contact info, so we can send you your Pop'rs! Congrats!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

You know...there is a Lula, Georgia, too. It's in Hall county, north of Lake Lanier. Maybe you can start yourself a collection of Lula towns to visit...

Unknown said...

Love this post. You know you need to travel and take pictures with the Lula signs. I say start in Georgia and work your way to MS.

Anonymous said...

How ironic- I am headed up that way today- seriously!

Nan said...

Sweet tea in a mason jar! I think there is something about the glass that a mason jar is made out of...the sweet tea just tastes better in a mason jar than in a plastice cup! And oh, to have town!

Unknown said...

Seriously, as others have said, you need to take a road trip and discover your namesakes!

I just googles 'karen town' and nothing ... zippo ... nada. Sighhhh

AFRo said...

ROFLMAO. I'll check on that plot for you and when you're ready to visit you can come stay with me or there is a casino in Lula that is really the only thing that keeps that little town going.

I definitely think a road trip is in order!

Marrdy said...

You are one lucky lady. Someone loves you enough to name a whole city after you. If I even get to Mississippi I will be sure to stop in Lula!

Mama Dawg said...

Awww, girl. You can out me being from MS anytime. I'm proud of my state and I've mentioned living here before in my blog. So, no worries!

As far as my post on HP...I didn't go into details on my post about the movies. You didn't have to stop reading!

Oh, and I'm about 2.5 hours southeast of Lula. That's a day trip if I ever heard one!

scargosun said...

Oh I think you need to go on a road trip. I am sure there are lots of signs you could fashion into a cool piece of art.

thotlady said...

This has to be one of the coolest things ever...to have a town with your very own name.

I also live in Virginia, and even though many here consider Virginia in the south, I don't see it. Historically, yes...but geographically, it's hard to swallow.

I am from the Midwest (Wisconsin by way of Minnesota)originally and this is as far south as I've lived. Well here and West Virginia. Yikes!

Too cool, Lula, Mississippi.

You have one of the hunkiest men I have ever seen hailing from your state...maybe you know him...Shepherd Smith from the Fox News Channel. I love his smile.

This is officially one of the longest comments ever. :)

CaraBee said...

That is just plain wonderful! Who wouldn't want to live in a town called Lula! I'm a long time removed from my southern roots, but I feel the call sometimes.

Rae said...

I spent my high school years in Tupelo. While I miss the southern ways, Is ure don't miss the heat. I wish I could have one and not the other...

Rhea said...

That's so cool! I wanna visit Rheatown, Tennessee, cause I hear there is one...in Rhea County. My name is a family name, so it would suprise me to find out I have family that comes from there...way back. :o)

Melissa said...

Since I'm such a wannabe (see my blog today, I'll make you proud), can you think of a nickname for me? I have lived in so many places, I would even know where to be buried. If I had a cool nickname that was also a town, I could just start making payments on my plot right now. How cool would that be! I have a few from high school, but I don't think TOAST is town anywhere that I'm familiar with. My maiden name was Melba....:)

Vicki said...

You hit the big time darlin'! That's awesome. I'm pretty much certain there is no Sahm anywhere. I can't wait to see you in front of those signs.

Now, who did you go muddin' with? I used to go with some guys that went muddin' around the hills across from Corder Road (behind that church). Before Corder Road was extended and that land was all built up. Bon fire parties, muddin...and nothing else because I had to be home at a certain time.

Unknown said...

Oh, man, I am so jealous, I want a town!
Hehe that is so cool, Can't wait to see the pics of your road trip. ;)
BTW Devon is going to reread BD since you left that comment on her blog. (Yes, well, when you are 15 you are sure you have all the answers.) Plus, she thinks she really must have missed something. I think a big part of it was the stupidity that was portrayed by most of the characters re not knowing what she needed to get strong and she and her friends didn't get past that to see the rest of the story. So, now that she's over that she's trying again.
You're a good influence. ;)

Anonymous said...

If you are able to find a town called Afro, that will be hilarious! :)

sassy stephanie said...

"y'all know I'd give my peeps old school gasoline'

Lula for President!!

I know what you mean, born in LA, bred in TX. There is something about the mosquito infested Southern half you just can't find anywhere. I've seen many beautiful places but am so proud to call Texas home.

Heather said...

Guess what? Hot Tub Lizzy found my town: Heather, Missouri! I can't believe it!

And to answer your question about Becky, yes, she has read Twilight and LOVED it! I so wish you could come on Thursday...

Brandy said...

That's too cool. I'm completely, utterly jealous of you.

swilek said...

NO WAY!!! Your town is calling you!!:) I have always wanted to take a road trip to the south- I have been to Georgia on our way to Florida but never to MS or LA! Since being in bloggyland and meeting people from the deep south, it is now definitely on my list to visit...i can't wait to try the food..yummy!:) I don't think "Cracker Barrel" counts for southern cooking!:)

Heather said...

THIS is brilliant. Seriously...who knew? I need to let this moment sink in...and go google Heather, Kansas. C'mon...surely somewhere, somehow...

Debbie said...

I need the number to the mayor of that town. PRONTO! He needs to be handing you the key to the city complete with a parade, biscuits, bobbing for apples, cotton candy and grits.

Brilliant!

Insane Mama said...

Wow, you have a city? Can I be buried there too?

angela | the painted house said...

I thought you might be from Lula, Georgia!

Angie's Spot said...

I LOVE it! Now I need to see if I can find a city named Angie. Hmmm...

And you MUST get a pic next to the cemetary sign. That would be priceless!

KristiLU said...

I can't believe there is a town named Lula! Miss you guys...call me!

Pinky Roth said...

So, you have a town named after you in Miss. and in Georgia. How cool is that?

Mom

Caroline said...

That's BEAUTIFUL! You have two towns, a fuel center, a cemetary, your name on the A$$ of a police cruiser, and signs all over the place! You ROCK woman! I think you, me, Sissy, and Nan need to take a road trip to the Lulas and then when we're done, we can check out the Caroline Islands (in the Pacific - west of Hawaii). That would be our reward for searching out your stomping grounds in the south. White sand beaches, palm trees, taking a pleasure cruise through eel-infested waters...sorry, I'm in Princess Bride mode again. That happens so easily when we're communicating.

And I would love me some gas for $1.05.

Karin @ 6ByHisDesign said...

Oh my, I'm with the collection of Lulas. It's like the Mecca of all road trips for you and the fam. Scouting Lulas in 50 states.

Go for it, Girl!

Heathahlee said...

Just make sure you come during NON-tornado season...it seems like every time we get bad weather up here poor Lula gets it every time! Something about the Delta...

Tiffany said...

Road Trip. Now I need to go see if there is a town called Tiffany in CA... I am a fifth generation Cali girl....I've got some roots around here somewhere...

Rachelle Lynne said...

I absolutely LOVED Mississippi! Of course I was in Pascagoula and that wasn't the BEST part of Mississippi...I know there's an abbreviation, but I love to spell it out;)...but the best part of living there amongst the stinky paper mill was being so close to all the casino boats in Bilouxi! WOOHOO! Oh and Louisiana was pretty close too. Not to mention it was very perty down there and the people were much nicer than they are up here in Virgin-i-a.

I wish they had a town name Rachelle. :(

Unknown said...

I live on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi... and yep, I don't even own regular glasses. I buy Mason jars and that's what we use for glasses. No kidding. All drinks are better from a Mason jar! ;)

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

COUld not be any cooler than that!