It's hot. It's not even June yet and it's hot. If you've ever spent a summer in the south, you can probably relate to this alphabet!
A - Arnold Palmers
What or who is that? An Arnold Palmer is the best cool drink on a hot day. It's half sweet tea and half lemonade - and no, there isn't any other name for it.
B - Boiled Peanuts
These little suckers go great with Arnold Palmers as you lounge by the water. You can get them from almost any street vendor, like my personal favorite, "The Peanut Dude."
C - Crabbing
Some of the best seafood is found in the south - especially hand caught blue crabs. Most kids have gone crabbing at least one summer in their life!
D - Dock Days
Dock Days are some of the best days in the south. Grab your friends, that one friend with the boat, and head on out to the dock for a day of fun in the sun!
E - Exquisite Eats
It is commonly known that some of the best food can be found in the south. I personally enjoy spending my summer eating my mom's home cooking - from shrimp and grits to biscuits and gravy.
F - Fried Chicken
Fried everything, for that matter. A few favorites are fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and fried seafood. Nothing beats some greasy fried for dinner! Am I making you hungry yet?
G - Grilling Out
Summer evenings are perfect for fighting off mosquitos and eating food fresh of the grill!
H - Humidity
Oh it's hot in Arizona during the summer? Try adding a humidity level of 99% to your temperature! In the south, it is common to sweat the second you step outside of the air conditioning.
I - Iced Tea
This is a no-brainer. The south has the best sweet tea and when it's hot outside, iced tea usually does the trick!
J - Jack Rogers
Commonly called "Jacks", there are very few girls who don't have at least one pair of these in their closets. They're the best shoes for all summer events, from church to a wedding!
K - Kayaking
A fun summer activity in lakes and in the ocean - don't get caught in the rain!
L - Lemonade Stands
If you were raised in the south, there is a high probability that at least one of your summers was spent making and selling lemonade at a lemonade stand.
M - Monograms
The sun's out and so is everything monogram! From bikinis to beach towels, there's even manly monogramming for tervis tumblers!
N - Night Swimming
Groups get together and go swimming at night - whether it's at the beach or a lake, night swimming is always a thrill.
O - Ocean
Whether you live by the ocean or not, a trip to it is a must during the summer! The breeze, the sandcastles, and the sun make for a great day on the coast. There's nothing quite like watching the sun rise over the ocean.
P - Pluff Mud
As Pat Conroy best put it, "I love the marsh, I don't know of any place that smells like this. It's a magnificent smell. It's the smell of where all life comes from. I love that all shrimp, all crab, all oysters are born in the marsh." What he's describing is some good ol' pluff mud!
Q - Quality Time With Family and Friends
The best part about living in a southern town is that family gatherings are important. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings come together often to indulge in some southern cuisine and good ol' quality time.
R - Roo Cups
Kangaroo gas stations offer a deal during the summer where you can purchase a "Roo Cup" for $7 and fill it up at any Kangaroo all summer for just a quarter! From slushies to sodas, Roo Cups are perfect to fill up before you hit the beach!
S - Searsucker
Seersucker attire is common during the warm montsh because of "its crinkled texture and breezy quality. Seersucker’s texture creates a space between the skin and the fabric that helps improve heat dissipation and promote air circulation, making it perfect for summer dresses, suits, pants, and jackets."
T - Tomatoes
In the south, tomatoes come in all shapes and sizes. From fried green tomatoes, to tomato pie, tomatoes are one of the best parts of summer in the south.
U - Umbrellas
Unbrellas not only add a lot of color to the beach scene, but also provide you with plenty of shade. Umbrellas are common in all sunny parts of the south - not just the beach!
V - Vacation
There are endless places in the south to spend a great vacation - only a short drive away! A word to the wise: Myrtle Beach is not one of these places.
W - Watermelon
The best summer snack! Don't lose the watermelon seed spitting contest!
X - eXes
This might be a stretch, but if you were raised in the south, chances are, you can relate to this scenario: you come home to your small, southern, town and run into one of your exes at a party - oops! All part of that southern summer living, and I wouldn't have it any other way! If you're doubting me, check out Sam Hunt's "Break Up In A Small Town."
Y - Yeti Coolers
Essential to every boat day, beach weekend, or even a road trip, Yeti coolers are the best of the best.
Z - Zinc Sunscreen
The sun is hot, but zinc on your nose is hotter! Just ask a surfer or a lifeguard. Southerners gotta get that SPF.
