[alanmcdonald]

If there is someone who wants to move to the North Georgia/Tennessee border area, we'll be selling our home in September 2015 when we get to TV full time.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Carl. I was reading and shaking my head in agreement. I read Diane's post and thought that is how Carl feels and how a lot of people feel. I hadn't heard of the word "halfback" but I like the term someone else came up with for snowbirds in the new areas of Fruitland Park being called "FruitFlies". Many people who post on here enjoy having a little fun with words.

If any of us are defensive of where we live, it is because we have grown to love it. That happens when you become involved and make friends and connections. I hope it happens to everyone.

I spent six years assigned to New Orleans. When a new supervisory agent was transferred in, I took him to meet the Governor in Baton Rouge, the Lt. Governor in New Orleans, the Superintendent of Police in New Orleans, the U.S. Attorney, and other local dignitaries.

Without fail they all asked him how he liked Louisiana. Without fail he told them all that he hated it. He had spent most of his career in Washington, DC, (what we called a "Beltway Bandit) and was not happy about being reassigned. I made a face every time he offended the locals and he laughed at that.

Needless to say, the local officials were not pleased. It was not a good PR move for the Secret Service.

(He also ignored my advice about where to buy a home and it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Mine was untouched.)

Basically, I'm saying that Gracie is right. Locals come to love and appreciate where they live. No need to offend them gratuitously.