October 29, 2019. Madison, Mississippi. Humble.

In many ways, living in Nova Scotia and Mississippi is similar. The people are polite and friendly. There is no major traffic issues. There are lots of artists in both. And musicians abound. But the biggest similarity is that neither folks in either place boast. You never hear them tell you how wonderful this place is. In other words, they are humble, both in Nova Scotia and Mississippi. The rest of Canada kind of look down on the Maritimes, especially Nova Scotia. But the Nova Scotians do not seem to be worried about it. The same in Mississippi. People seem surprised that you have selected Mississippi to live here. They never brag, telling you how wonderful this place is, even though Mississippi has a long cultural heritage. Texas is another story. I love Texas and I love Texans. They are friendly and outgoing as well as hard working. But they will tell you in a heart beat how Texas is such a great place to live. They are nice about it but they are definitely not humble. They are proud. Mississippi folks are proud too but in a very quiet kind of way. Nova Scotians do not even seem to care that right in the town of Liverpool is a world class sculpture garden. They certainly do not brag about it, let alone advertise it as a cultural treasure, which it is. I was not brought up in Nova Scotia so when we first moved there I read everything I could about the history and culture of Nova Scotia. It has been interesting. Right now there is a resurgence of Canadians retiring in Nova Scotia, especially from Ontario. So those people will change the attitudes. The same is true with Mississippi. I have read many books about the Civil War and Mississippi and of course I have read many Mississippi writers, of which there are many. But I have been surprised at the humble attitude I see in Mississippi. So far, being proud is not part of their DNA. I quite like living here. Writing and the arts seem to be in the air. But you must look hard because no one will brag. They are way too polite.