Taking a break from my Monday Musings to share that I recently was invited to blog over at Southern BelleView Daily, the home to some of the best southern fiction writers out there. I share Tuesdays with the lovely Jolina Petersheim. Grab a cold Coca Cola and join us over at “the Porch”! Here is my first post from Southern BelleView!

Well, what a treat to get to embark on this new journey with some of the best southern writers and simply exceptionally kind women. I say often, “I can’t ask for more than to get to do what I love.” And I could add, “And get to do it with people I enjoy.” So, thank you my fellow southern belles for the invitation to join you and to you the faithful readers for allowing me entry onto your computers and hopefully into your hearts.

With first encounters introductions seem the best place to start. So, I thought I’d share with you a little bit about myself and why I fall in the category of Southern…

I was born below the Mason Dixon Line – Maryland

I was raised in a state with South in its very name – South Carolina

I knew how to drink Coca-Cola before milk.

Macaroni and Cheese is a vegetable to me.

The SEC in my life has nothing to do with Security Exchange and everything to do with football- Carolina Gamecock to be exact.

I had a granny.

I make home-made biscuits and fried chicken and chocolate gravy – and fried steak and fried pork chops and fried potatoes. Okay, if nothing else about me made me southern that sure did.

I call both of my brothers bubba.

My favorite authors write southern fiction – All the women on this blog as well as Pat Conroy, Charles Martin, Fannie Flagg, River Jordan and John Grisham.

Did I mention I love Coca-Cola – Think IV drip or Survivor “luxury item”. And specifically McDonald’s Coca-Cola if I can’t get it in a glass bottle.

I’m madly in love with one Mr. Jones who is from the deep heart of Georgia.

I’m the bonus mom to five kids who have exceptionally southern names like Patricia and Hattie.

I now live in the hills of Tennessee and hear cows moo when I sit on my front porch and often find wild turkeys crossing the street.

I pat people – often including strangers and not just when they are pregnant.

I call my waitresses sweetie when I can’t read their name tags and they are perfectly fine with it.

Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker and Rascall Flatts top my playlist.

I’ve written a country song myself.

The settings of my novels have been Savannah, Charleston, Mullins, SC, Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee

And when I lay my head down at night my prayers start with “Father I want to thank y’all for such a great day.” – y’all referring to the Trinity.

So, here’s to our new adventure. May we laugh together. May we learn together and may we enjoy getting to know each other. And one day may we share a Coca-Cola together. But until then, I raise my glass bottle to you right now and say, thanks for the invite. I look forward to the journey.