I heard Casey Kasem once say that the Eagle's hit, Hotel California is actually about abortion.  I don't know if that's true or not, but when has Shaggy ever wrong, right? 

Regardless it's still one of my all time favorite songs. 

Some time at the end of High school, the last line of the song stuck in my brain. 

"You can check out, but you can never leave."

Then it dawned on me....It's a lot like Westmoreland isn't it?

I mean how many people swear...SWEAR, Scarlett O'Hara, as God as their witness, that they will get out of this freakin' town?  I never did.  I had moved too much already and swore just the opposite.  I was going to live here forever!  [In hind sight, I think it's important to point out that one should not make declarations for the rest of their time on earth when they are only fifteen years old.]  But most of us wanted out.  They'd never look back.

What I've noticed however, is that most...not all...but most, have returned.  Why?  Because no matter what...this is your home...these are your peeps...and this is the only place you will truly be able to call home.

For those of you that were able to cut the proverbial cord as you crossed the town line....I don't think you can ever really leave either.  We're burned into your existence.  We molded you....scary isn't it?  I'm sure eventually you can shed your Westmo, but I would be willing to bet there are still certain things that make you always think, 'crap...did I really just say that?'  or 'hey I recognize that smell!'  LOL

You're from Westmoreland and without fail, you will use the phrase, 'Not for Nothing.'  You will always put that non existent 'S' on the end of clark when referring to the neighboring town of Clark Mills.  You're still confused by the idea that roads can be paved with black top instead of crushed stone and oil.  You can still rattle at least two names off the top of your head when your city slicker spouse comments about needing a bale of hay to cover fresh laid grass seed.  And for the rest of your life...every time you see a guy...or a girl for that matter!  You see anyone at all, walk by in a flannel shirt and work boots, You Are ALWAYS Going To Do A Double Take, to see if they are hot!  C'mon!  You know you do!!!

You're from Westmoreland baby....and like Don Henley says..."You can check out, but you can never leave."