Driving Through Tobacco Fields In North Carolina

Singing softly in the car…

In my mind I’m goin’ to Carolina
Can’t you see the sunshine
Can’t you just feel the moonshine
Ain’t it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I’m goin’ to Carolina in my mind

In MY mind, I sound like a great duet partner for James Taylor when he sings, “Carolina On My Mind.” Of course, that is in my mind. Once I open my mouth and singing sounds come out, no one on Earth thinks I should sing anything out loud…ever. Even my parents believe I shouldn’t sing or at least not so that they can hear it.

I’ve traveled all over the United States. Actually, there are only eight states that I haven’t been in, so I’ve see many wonderful places in our country. One of the beauties of living in Richmond, Virginia, is that I am relatively close to so many other states and sights. For instance, two hours east is the Atlantic Ocean and two hours west is the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Within a relatively short drive, I can be in Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia or North Carolina and enjoy their own unique beauty, culture and history.

I was actually born in North Carolina and have many relatives that still live there. So if you combine the accent of North Carolinians and Texans, then you will know how I sound when I talk although I don’t think I have an accent at all. Let’s just say that my accent isn’t thick, but you can still hear some of the drawl.

Anyway, one of the beautiful things about North Carolina is the fields of corn, cotton, peas, potatoes and tobacco. I love the small, delicate tobacco flowers contrasted against the large tobacco leaves.

I’m sure you know some of the uses for tobacco leaves in things such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff and dipping tobacco. Those products are killers and that’s putting it nicely.

Harmful Tobacco Plant Uses And Facts

I believe it is common knowledge that tobacco usage causes many detrimental health effects.

• Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States.
• The tobacco plant has been responsible for more deaths than any other herb or plant.
• The smoke generated when burning tobacco leaves contains over four thousand chemicals of which nicotine is the best known.
• Nicotine in tobacco is the reason that most people become addicted to the product.
• Nicotine in tobacco increases the heart rate, increase blood pressure, contributes to thrombosis and atheroma in smokers.
• Tobacco causes cardiovascular disease, lung disease (emphysema, bronchitis, and chronic airway obstruction), cancer, premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth and infant death.
• Since 1964 more than 20 million Americans have died because of smoking of which 2.5 million deaths were due to exposure to secondhand smoke.

Such a beautiful plant that can cause significant physical damage if smoked or chewed.

Good And Healthy Tobacco Plant Uses And Facts

Tobacco isn’t all bad.

• Tobacco is a great insect repellent if you soak it in water to release the nicotine.
• Tobacco in dust form deters insects in the garden.
• Tobacco if dropped into their holes, will eliminate moles or gophers on your property.
• Tobacco poultice can be placed over a bee sting to draw out the stinger.
• Tobacco poultice can be placed over a bug bite to draw out the bug venom.
• There is a possibility that tobacco oils can be used in biofuels.
• Scientists using genetically modified tobacco plants have successfully produced medicines for several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
• Tobacco plants are being used to produce vaccines, antibiotics, other medications, cancer treatments and blood substitutes.

It’s amazing that a beautiful plant can be so harmful and so helpful at the same time. So I guess the best advice anyone could give is to never start using tobacco in the harmful ways so that you don’t ever have to suffer the consequences and if you are already using tobacco in a harmful way, it would be best if you immediately quit. I know that is easier said than done. I’ve watched many people try to kick their habit over and over again.

I really enjoyed the drive through one field after another filled with beautiful, large flowering tobacco plants.

Why don’t you sing with me…

In my mind I’m goin’ to Carolina
Can’t you see the sunshine
Can’t you just feel the moonshine
Ain’t it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I’m goin’ to Carolina in my mind