It’s a new year and here in Vicksburg, it still has the new year smell. I’ve been settling in here in Mississippi and loving every minute of it. Well, maybe not every single minute, we did have the hot snap in December (80 degrees at Christmas?), but for the most part, LOVING it! (The irony of that is that where I used to live in California, they had snow on Christmas day for the first time in like 12 years. Go figure.)
Photo courtesy Google Images.
Anyway, they definitely do things different here in the south. For instance, when I went to get my new driver’s license, they handed it to me right then and there. No waiting weeks for it to arrive in the mail, hoping it didn’t get lost or stolen. No written or driving test. Nothing. Just, “here you go.” I didn’t even have to wait in line at the DMV. (And – bonus – it’s right across the street so I could walk over.)
Same thing with the car registration; I walked in, handed them some basic paperwork and BAM, they handed me a bright shiny new license plate. On the spot. No waiting. No mailing. Again, I walked right up to the window. No taking a number, no standing in line, no internet appointment necessary.
I know – weird. All my California folks will know exactly what I’m talking about.
And here’s a strange thing – daily operations here cease on holidays and Sundays. No signs posted in the windows, no ads announcing holiday hours, just lights out and locked doors. That took some getting used to. If you want to go out to eat on Sunday, you have about one choice – Cracker Barrel. (Or the casinos – need I say more.) I think that’s kind of cool though. A lot of guests here at the inn don’t get it, but I’m getting used to it. Sundays are church and family days.
Photo courtesy Google Images.
I also find myself saying things here that I never imagined I’d ever say in California. Here’s a short list:
1 – There’s an alligator in the backyard. (No, this hasn’t happened but it’s entirely possible and even very probable with the river already above flood stage. Stay tuned.)
2 – We have to get ready for Mardi Gras. (That’s right, even though we’re 2 1/2 hours away from New Orleans, Mardi Gras’s a big deal here.)
3 – Are you taking the Trace? (Referring to the Natchez Trace highway. It’s basically “the back road.” Not sure why it’s called a Trace, but it is and I like saying it. For more information visit here: http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm)
4 – It’s time to polish the silver again. (Really? Polish silver? Yup. About every 3 months that stuff has to be shined up.)
5- I’m in the parlor. (The parlor? How cool does that sound? Who even has a parlor these days?)
6 – This ballroom is hard to heat. (I have a freaking ballroom!!)
7 – You want to see my outhouse? (See this post https://jansenschmidt.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/a-peek-at-my-rare-2-story-4-hole-outhouse/ for more details in case you missed it earlier.)
Photo courtesy Google Images.
How about you readers, ever find yourself saying things that sounded foreign at one time, but now seem natural? Ever been on the Natchez Trace? Ever polished silver? Inquiring minds want to know.
Word of the Day: Uraeus
Fun fact about me: I want to host a ball. Seriously, I want to have a ball in my ballroom.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, January 2016. Photos courtesy Google Imgaes.
jansenschmidt 
You have a ballroom. I am so jealous. You seem to be enjoying your new life. I am so very pleased for you. 🙂
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Thank you Prudence. I have a ballroom and it’s painted bright red. Crazy stuff here in Vicksburg!
If you ever need to get away from the great white north, come to the slow and sultry south. I’d love to meet you.
Patricia
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You MUST have a ball in your ballroom…a freakin’ masked ball! I need to live vicariously through you while you waltz through your parlor and shine your silver. Sounds like a historical romance novel. Make it happen, Patricia!
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Well, alrighty then. Done. (I’m not sure which part, but one of those things will happen.)
If I host a masked ball, you have to be in attendance or it won’t be worth my efforts.
Thanks for living vicariously throuh me. I hope you’re enjoying it.
Patricia
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They have to wait for D/L to be mailed in CA?? O.o
Now THAT would take some getting used to. We do have to take a number in wait here in Ohio, hence I only go to the BMV when I need my drivers license renewed. Plates get renewed online.
I have polished silver before, but never taken the Trace. And you should definitely host a ball in that ballroom! It would be a great Halloween or New Years Eve party.
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Oh my gosh, Jennette, it takes weeks to get your driver’s license in the mail in California. And sometimes they get lost. Can you imagine the nightmare that is? And registration stickers each year, those take forever, too. That’s why I was so shocked here.
I was thinking new years eve for a ball. I want to have someone teach the minuet and have a string quartet, like they used to in the olden days. Maybe next year. We’ll see. Stay tuned.
Patricia
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I loved your post, Patricia. I so relate to what you’re saying. We were the only ones at the DMV in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Got everything right on the spot, too. Amazing isn’t it? No waiting at doctor and dental appointments and the biggest amazement I found was going into Walmart two days before Christmas. I kept telling Ken it would be agonizing with the crowds and grumpy clerks – guess what – didn’t happen. Clerks were waiting for people to come to the registers, nobody was grumpy, aisles not full. I knew we were in the right place. I wear my Packer sweatshirt and people stop and discuss the team. Yes, I have found football back here, too. Ken is in shock!!
Hopefully that river won’t rise and get you wet. Hugs!
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Oh Paisley, the river is rising. It’s above flood stage already. I’m safe up here on the hill, but just 6 blocks away they’re sand-bagging.
Here in Mississippi we are required to be New Orleans Saints fans. Not going to happen. And we still don’t know if we’re supposed to be Mississippi State or Ole Miss fans. College football is a BIG deal here.
And, unfortunately, our Wal-Mart is even worse than the one back in Placerville. I will avoid it all all costs. And I had to wait almost 2 hours for my first doctor’s appointment as well. I guess some things aren’t all the great after all.
So good to see you today. Have a great week and stay out of that cold.
Patricia
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My grandmother gave me her silver and it’s desperately in need of a polish. Do you take walk-in requests? 🙂 Stay safe and dry!
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Oh yes – we love walk-ins. Typically it’s the foreigners who just walk up, usually after dark, and request a room, but not always. Are you thinking of walking up?
Patricia
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You’ll have to give me some tips on polishing silver. We have a set we use for holidays and I have to tell you that tarnish does not spoil the taste of turkey. (I can’t get that silver shined up to save my life.) So perhaps we could meet in the parlor to polish silver before your Mardi Gras ball. I’ll be coming down the Trace. Hopefully there are no alligators on the road. My, how your life has changed! In a fun way!
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Well, if you’re taking the trace, you may see some alligators. No promises, but keep a look out just in case.
The best way to polish silver is to invest in a really good product. I had some that was really good, but I can’t find that brand again. I’m not sure even where I got it, but it did the trick with very little elbow grease.
I’d love to have some help polishing in the parlor. The more the merrier.
I hope you’ll come for the ball. I’ll send an invitation.
Thanks for swinging on over.
Patricia
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You’re going to be hosting debutante “coming out” parties in your ballroom in no time. Meanwhile, I sit here waiting for my car registration to show up. I’m fairly certain it got lost in the mail.
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Oh man – I feel your pain.
Debutante parties would be fun, except for all the girls. No, I’m kidding. We’re trying to get more involved with the locals as an “events” facility. Only time will tell, but I’ll surely blog about it.
Good to see you Jessica. I love seeing your paintings.
Patricia
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I echo all those other voices, you MUST have a ball. Yes! And post lots of photos! Maybe it could be a fundraiser! Whatever you decide, it will be exciting and successful. It’s so interesting to read your comparisons about life in that part of the world and the one you left behind. I hope this year brings you scads of walk-ins!
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Thanks Patricia. I hope you’ll be one of those walk-ins.
I’ll really have to be creative to host a ball in my ballroom. I’m thinking New Years Eve. Fundraiser is a good idea. Perhaps there’s a local cause in need. Again, I’ve got some work to do.
Thanks for visiting today.
Patricia
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