Okra Anyone?

So this post comes to you all a day late, I am now sitting at my uncle Brian's house in Ashburn, VA watching John Adams. I have a full belly and two beers in me. We had (FINALLY!) an awesome warm home cooked meal of pasta, broccoli frittatas and fresh baked bread.  There is a thunderstorm making a racket outside, a panting dog and scared kitty in the next room. I am comfortable, and my cat is getting there.

And now about yesterday. :)

We were in Tennessee yesterday hanging out with my Aunt Sharon. It was amazing. I cannot really remember when the last time was that I saw her or even her family.  Blake and I had a great time.  They took us in, fed us, and made us comfortable before taking us out to dinner and giving us a tour of their town.  We got to know my cousins while we were there, Bryce (sp) and Jessica (ooh who just had the cutest baby boy, Trevin hes only 4 months old!). Later my uncle George came home with fresh okra for me to try. This is apparently the thing to eat in the south, and  I have a huge bag of this stuff! Its a green veggie for those of you that have no idea what this is. Apparently the way to eat it is to cut it up into little pieces, and batter it up then fry it (which seems to be the way of the south).  I want to try all the ways to eat it: fried, sauteed, steamed, and who knows what else. oOh and I have fresh apples from someone's trees, which one could also find tips on how to pick apples on the local news. super!  I think the hardest part about being in Tennessee is the fact that we were in the "sticks," all through the state we were in the "country." It was hard to understand people because of the accents, and slightly disconcerting to see so many people sporting the confederate flag like it was Prada or something. According to my aunt its as if some think that the south is going to rise up again and take over so they gotta wear that damn flag proudly. haha.  However, there is a sad side to all of this, apparently the literacy levels are really low, and to become a teacher all you need is a high school degree.  A lot of government money for education never reaches the south and many people suffer because of it.  Some people also are afraid of progress and will do whatever they can to prevent it from coming to their towns (like a golf course, or electricity). I almost wish there was something that I could do to bring more education to these ares, or trust, or jeez anything. Or maybe I am too must of an idealist.  

(now check out pictures of my family: Jessica and her son Trevin, 3 months old, and my aunt Sharon; my uncle George, and aunt Sharon)