[Fire and Ice]

Originally Posted by Cackalassie

Hey folks,

My husband I are planning to flee the mess in NC (specifically politics and the blight of land consumption). We're looking at Middlebury, Montpelier, and St Johnsbury. We've visited all three in the past, though not as a potential place to live, as we were wearing our rose-colored tourist glasses. My husband has a job and can telecommute from anywhere. I'm thinking we'd be okay up your way financially, at least when I've run the numbers we are - he makes $100K and I don't work. We want up there what we have down here and is being encroached upon by "progress" - a small farm, but the way it used to be. That way of life is long gone, even in the nooks and crannies of the deepest mountains.

Thing is, I'm Southern. I wouldn't normally have considered that a big deal, except for the shock of the winter season, but in reading past threads, I was floored to learn that Southerners have a reputation of being fake. Seriously, that was news to me. I'm from a rednecky, farming family in the NC mountains, and the NEK is right up my alley. Junk and plunder on the front porch is part of the scenery down in these parts. I've got an accent, and I say funny things that even folks down in the NC lowlands scratch their heads about. So while I might think I fit in just fine in the NEK, I've gotten the message on the forums that a big-time NYC urbanite might be more welcome than the likes of me? Is that accurate? If I were single it'd be one thing, but I've got kids, and I want them to fit in and find the Vermont love. I tend to jabber, flirt with babies and old men, and sometimes touch strangers for emphasis when talking. I don't even think about it. But if that's going to alienate my family, I need to find somewhere else to put down roots.

We're liberal, certainly crunchy by NC standards, secular homeschoolers, who like to do a lot of outdoor sports, specifically xc-skiing, fishing, and sculling. We're looking for a super-solid community of friends and neighbors. I know that comes with time, I'm from the mountains, after all.

Any clarity on the Southern issue would be appreciated, or any other moving thoughts. Had no idea folks felt hostility for Southerners. I just thought it was a German/Italian, Labrador/Shepherd sort of thing. One is friendly and boisterous, and the other more stoic and reserved.

Thanks a bunch!

Flirt with babies and old men? Wth?

Originally Posted by Cackalassie

Yes, we will still homeschool. Thanks for the MRV suggestions, will take a peek at those.

Don't be so sure Mtneer, your Yankee folk get a little antsy when they hear me speak, fearing I'll go all Deliverance on them or fry them for vittles.

Though I am afraid to ask, what the heck is a vittle?

[Cackalassie]

Vittle can be a multitude of things, mostly food, though my granny used it to refer to her husband's "unmentionables," as she also called it, for which I'm grateful never made it to her crying pan.
What? Y'all are so stoic that you don't flirt with babies? I don't believe it for a minute. And old men down here are the biggest flirts we've got. I suspect our notion of flirting is just a difference in semantics. I'm not talking about teenagers coming on to each other kind of flirting, but I'm beginning to get the idea how a southerner's way of communicating is misinterpreted by other cultures.

[Cackalassie]

That'd be a frying pan....

[Fire and Ice]

Originally Posted by Cackalassie

Vittle can be a multitude of things, mostly food, though my granny used it to refer to her husband's "unmentionables," as she also called it, for which I'm grateful never made it to her crying pan.
What? Y'all are so stoic that you don't flirt with babies? I don't believe it for a minute. And old men down here are the biggest flirts we've got. I suspect our notion of flirting is just a difference in semantics. I'm not talking about teenagers coming on to each other kind of flirting, but I'm beginning to get the idea how a southerner's way of communicating is misinterpreted by other cultures.

I am just not sure what you mean by flirt with babies...? Do you mean play with them?

[Cackalassie]

Well, play, of course, but more like when you see a baby passing you in a cart at the store or sitting in a carriage on the street, and you'd play peep-pie or something to interact with them to get them to smile - just open their world a bit bigger.

[FrugalYankee]

I just had a baby flirt with me at the checkout just now and I am about as Yankee as you can get.

Just be yourself hun. (But don't wear a Yankees t-shirt )

[Cackalassie]

Now see, I knew there was some jelly underneath that shell!

I can't even imagine how deranged I'd have to be before I willing wore a Yankees shirt.

[happeemommee]

Lassie- sounds like we are very close to the same part of the NC mountains. My family and I are also looking to escape to Vermont, hopefully next June.

Btw, I totally knew what you meant by,"flirting with babies and old men", lol.

[Cackalassie]

Ooo! Why are y'all leaving? And do you know where in VT you'll land? I think I saw that you're up at blowing rock? Did you grow up there? I hate to leave my beloved mountains (and my hot, sticky beach trips), but I'm done.

[FrugalYankee]

I'm headed to GA myself hun. Paula Deen country. Guess I'll have to get a bit more flowery but I don't think I can handle the drawl. Can't wait to get outta here.