As a North Carolina native, I grew up watching The Andy Griffith Show. While it’s not one of my favorite shows, I definitely got a good laugh out of it; and it was cool to watch people on television talk about places I knew about in my home state or had visited.

Apparently North Carolinians aren’t the only ones to truly appreciate this show. This article on CNN.com, discusses a married couple who have made their home into a bed and breakfast that is an exact replica of Andy Taylor’s home on the show. The couple met in a chat room about the show.

As a guest at the bed and breakfast, you have the option of staying in Andy’s room, Opie’s room, or Aunt Bee’s room. Perhaps the only thing about this bed and breakfast that isn’t a true representation of the show is its’ location–it’s located in Clear Lake, Wisconsin.

I’ll be honest and say that I never considered traveling to Wisconsin for any reason other than graduate school at UW-Madison or a Green Bay Packers football game. However, my discover of this little bed and breakfast that provides a snippett of North Carolina history may have changed my mind. Any one care to join me?

My aunt sent me this via email (she always sends me cute forwards when she’s at work, making me wonder if she REALLY has a job) and I really liked it, so I thought I’d post it here:

COMING BACK BLACK

In a round table discussion about whether reincarnation was really possible, a financially struggling single woman said, “I want to come back as a rich white woman’s poodle that’s pampered and rides around all day in her luxury car.”

A tired waitress said, “I want to come back rich and make a lot of money and be a mega-super recording star”.

The frustrated computer tech said, “If I can come back, I want to be the President, so I can change a lot of things about this world near andfar.”

Another woman thought about it and said, “I don’t know if it’s possible, but if I can… God, please let me come back a BLACK WOMAN.

I want to come back with a mind fierce and sharp, with a spiritual faith that never waivers or doubts. With a smile that is warm, and a body divine – with honey, cinnamon or chocolate skin, draped in purple and gold. And, whether young or old, always have enough money so the words broke, layaway, overdue, or postdated check isn’t in MY vocabulary.

I want to be a sister to my sister.

A woman wise when choosing my mate or a date.

I want to be able to cook greens, barbecue chicken, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, a peach cobbler and a lemon pound cake all at the same time.

I want to come back a BLACK WOMAN with self-esteem, worthy of being treated like a QUEEN by my King.

A woman with patience, love, and wisdom for children.

A BLACK WOMAN with subscriptions to Essence, Jet, Ebony, Black Enterprise, and the Wall Street Journal.

I want to come back a BLACK WOMAN with at least one great diamond from the Motherland on my finger.

I want to come back with the quiet courage of Rosa Parks,
the voice of Ella Fitzgerald,
the political courage of Ida B. Wells,
the determination of Harriet Tubman,
the spiritual poise of Susan L.Taylor,
the business savvy of Oprah Winfrey,
the eloquence of Dr. Maya Angelou,
and be the author of bestseller books like Iyanla Vanzant.

I want to come back as a BLACK WOMAN, who can stay focused on GOD regardless of the circumstances.

I want to be SAVED from the penalty of sin.

I want to never let what a person says or do change my demeanor.

I want to be humble, and to love and be loved unconditionally.

I want skin that is flawless and soft, eyes of discernment, and lips that speak ONLY the truth.

I want hands of gentleness and feet of prosperity.

I want to be a lawyer to enforce the laws which man has broken.

If reincarnation is real, please let me come back as a BLACK WOMAN!!!”