I'm a Local

I didn't grow up in this area, my husband did.

Often people will ask me where I'm from, and I'll

say, "Out west."

After all, I was born out there, and I spent my childhood moving

around all over the west coast.

Last night, we decided to barbecue for dinner.

This area is rich with "local" foods. Foods only found

in the upstate area. One of my favorites are

salt potatoes. I never heard of them until

I moved here.
They're delicious little potatoes boiled in lots

of salt and covered with butter.

While visiting the salt museum in Syracuse,

I learned that salt potatoes were

created by the Irish immigrants who used to boil the water

of a nearby lake to get salt.

They would bring potatoes for lunch,

place them in the pots of salt water, and

so salt potatoes were born.

Salt potatoes feel like summer. As I was

contemplating this local taste , and the tradition of

salt potatoes that my kids are growing up with,

it dawned on me. I have lived here for

almost half of my life.

I've lived in this area longer

than I've ever lived anywhere.

I am, in fact, a local.