I've been SouthernFried... In Mississippi!

I get a kick flying through the South. I adore wide brimmed hats and the Southern drawl...

yes, ma'am,

honey,

darlin',

sugah.

I'm enchanted by plantation homes with tree lined streets... Spanish moss, lanterns, shutters, magnolia trees and the scent of Southern fried food.

Genteel Poverly

                                                                       

On a recent layover I wandered through the streets in Jackson, Mississippi wondering why I straightened my hair... the humidity creates chaos to my already naturally curly hair. I figured my hair could use Truvy's help (hair dresser in Steel Magnolias played by Dolly Pardon). Did this group of Southern women really exist? Could there be a Truvy, Annelle, Clairee, Shelby, Weezer, and M'Lynn? 

First Baptist Church 

I passed a church and thought of Annelle (A quirky religious girl played by Daryl Hannah) and suddenly heard Gospel music. I wandered in and asked Shelby, a cute Southern Belle what was going on? She told me in her sweet Southern drawl that the Mississippi Mass Choir (who sang at Obama's inauguration) was recording a DVD with the First Baptist Choir. All I can say is the SOUTH was ALIVE! My new Southern friend told me this was a historical event. The First Baptist Jackson church is a "white" congregation and this was the first time a "black" choir performed here. Wow, things are different in the South. 

Meanwhile Weezer (yes, she does exist) told us if we were going to keep talking we needed to leave. Seriously... we were in the back of the church and we were whispering.

After a long day of being SouthernFried I was plum tuckered out. I sat in front of the Mississippi Capitol and watched fire flies buzz by a group of Magnolia Tree's. 

It was the end of an amazing layover in Mississippi.

Judd Patterson