Ode to Charlotte...

Reflections from my trip a few weeks back:

It had been a long hard while since the sweetness of Charlotte had graced my soul. After living there for 3 years, the Queen City has left a special mark on me. Not sure if it was because it was the time of my life when I was coming in to my own. After all, that's where my quarter-life crisis came to a head. It's where I decided that the driven part of me was accomplished and useful, but destructive nonetheless if self-sufficient is all that I would ever be.... Of course, there I met my would-be husband and many amazing friends. And, when it comes down to it, I just really enjoyed living there. Besides the wonderful people that I love, here are a few things that I miss most about CLT:

Red dirt.

Eternal nemesis of white shoes, yes. But there is something

about that brassy tint that makes the place feel so dang homey. Ask

me when I try to plant a tomato garden up in that mess of clay, and you will

surely get a different response, but really, red dirt: I miss you!

Lake Norman.

Oh, lakes without alligators, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I have a wild imagination...and yes, there are fish with teeth, snakes,

and maybe even an occasional U.S.O (unidentified swimming object) in lakes

north of Florida. But, the comfort of knowing that I do not have to work

around one of these while swimming just makes me rest a little easier:

I don't imagine that most of you need convincing that swimming with alligators

may be a little risky. But, just in case, above you see our friend Jim.

With the 500 pound alligator that he killed here this past summer. OMG,

I still can't believe that this is real.

OK. Back to Charlotte: Caribou!

I love this coffee place. Much more earthy and boho than Starbuck's.

Recently, I suffered from a minor heart attack when I went to treat myself one

morning to a pumpkin spice latte at Starbuck's. It was $4.74 for a grande. That's not even a

large, people. I was too embarrassed to not pay for it. But then I did not have

money for lunch. Just kidding. But seriously, I paid less for my lunch

yesterday at Moe's. Anyways, Caribou, thank you for my Mint Condition AND for

the cute little travel mug on clearance! :)

Pine trees.

Of course, we have pine trees here in the sunshine state. But, I like them better

in North Carolina. There are just lines and lines and lines of them. With no palm trees

in between. And that is what I prefer. Palm trees are for vacation.

Pine needle mulch.

Because of the plethora of said pine trees, there are lots of pine needles.

And so, why not use them as mulch! What a green idea...I love repurposing... :)

2935 Butterchurn Lane.

Oh, just punch me in the gut. This is the street sign in my former neighborhood.

I probably shouldn't have punished myself so, but after visiting with the lovely Emma

Joersz and her sweet son Beckett at the park right behind where I used to live,

I drove by the sweet little house with the sweet little wrap-around porch.

The sun killed my picture, but there she is. My dream house. :(

At least externally. The inside needed some work, but man, do I miss this place.

There has been tons of development in the area and the giant park

behind the property. I know everything happens for a reason,

but it doesn't mean that I don't get to wonder why.

Sniff, sniff. Well, there you have it. I need to go get a tissue...