.....okay, the correct spelling is "Southern Hospitality". My husband and I just returned from a trip to South Carolina to see our #1 son. He moved there (near Charleston) last September to take a new job. It was great to see him and to experience delightful "Carolinanes", who are exceptionally hospitable, welcomed us with extensive greetings, fed us oh too well, asked at every juncture if we were enjoying ourselves, and encouraged us to pack up our bags and "move on back"!

I am usually in such a rush, ever so structured, my hair's on fire and the faster I run, the higher the flame becomes, I like organization and timeliness, and strain to maintain a fairly rigid schedule.....so I found it quite refreshing that the pace there was distinctively more relaxed to what I'm accustomed to. One evening, the "dinner" experience lasted from 5PM to 11PM. Normally, that would drive me crazy, but for some strange reason, I was at ease, and was thoroughly enjoying myself. Folks that I had only met that morning, felt like age-old friends. I suppose I was so relaxed because they set the tone for the evening as soon as we arrived...we went out to the "piazza" as they say and enjoyed a cool breeze, a spectacular view of the city lights over the Ashley River and the luscious green marsh, while "Ed" smoked a sweet-smelling cigar and recounted the history of the area and the recovery after Hurricane Hugo.

We also experienced some "touristy" activities and were taken back in time as the tour guides recalled the devastation of the Civil War period (more than 650,000 lives were lost, and the destruction was enormous, it's one thing to read and study it in a history book, but to be there and see the remnants, it's overwhelming).....they refer to it as the "unpleasantness" and that there are still "cordial" divisions and sentiments about the way things were.

Oh, but it's good to be home...it was a great respite, a good visit, and now back to some "normalcy", you know, the rigors of the healthcare industry....but I'm going to really try to slow down, just a bit, try to keep a proper balance of forging ahead, but at a reasonable pace, and try to be a little more "at ease". Okay, Okay, I know that won't last long, but I'll sure try ya'll!