South Carolina

We have sat, many a time, in our ever-changing settling spots here in Alaska, and played our "South Carolina Playlist," which always makes us lean back, close our eyes, and take a deep breath of the smell of memory, like a drug. 

The songs? James Taylor singing "Carolina In My Mind," (the Patten family sitting in front of a fire after a chicken and mashed potatoes dinner at the old place on the east side of Greenville, falling asleep quizzing each other on The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Pupus looking on protectively), watching my Dad lean against the stereo with closed eyes listening to Steely Dan's "Do It Again," "Give Me Just A Little More Time" by Chairmen of the Board (Clemson spring break on Sullivan's Island, Station 22, shagging with buddies), Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around And Fell In Love," (Caesar's Head nights the first year we were married and living in a tool shed, the baseline and tinny beat drifting from open windows to the hammock with a view of the stars through treelimbs), Nanci Griffith's "Wing And The Wheel" (back porch cigar-smoking and grape juice from wine glasses late nights with Katie and Emily, talking about what college would be like) "Every Time You Say Goodbye," Alison Krauss (a rainy day drive to Taco Casa and a quick look around Half Moon, then home for a nap). In short, we miss South Carolina, and getting to go home in May was like a dream.