Yee haw!

Ok...so...it's come to my attention in the last several weeks that I have become ...quite ...the ...HICK! What??!??! When did this happen and how do I reverse the effects??!??!

I blame it on "living in the country." It's kind of a running joke in our house that since we've moved out of the Austin city limits (not the studio where the show is filmed or the park where the festival is held, but the ACTUAL city limits) we officially live "in the country." Some examples of my descent into hick-ness:

Last month when in the midst of conversation I could find no better word to describe "someplace off in the near distance" I let slip the word "yonder" out of my mouth. I have been reminded of it ever since.

A few weeks later, when leaving a message of support for friends whose child is in the hospital, my son promptly bursts into laughter and teases me about how "southern" my accent sounds.

Finally, a few days ago, when discussing the plans for a pool and entertainment area we're having designed for our back yard, Joshua again laughs at my choice of words. He was saying how all the extra areas around the pool were a bit extravagant, how we didn't need all those tables and chairs. I was explaining that the pool guy was just using those furniture pieces as references so you could "see" how much space he was designing, that we weren't going to have that many tables and chairs, that we'd probably have more chaise lounges or "sittin'" chairs. I meant, as opposed to barstools or dining chairs or chaise lounges, those deep chairs in which you just sit and relax.

As soon as I said it, "sittin' chairs," I knew it was true. I'd become a little more country and a little less rock 'n' roll. I guess I'll just have to tuck in to all the traditions of the country like making strawberry jam, baking my own bread, sewing a quilt or twelve, and waving to the black cows for good luck.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!