I hear this at least twice a week. Whether it’s from someone I interviewed, a co-worker at the paper, or the random person who talks to me at the grocery store, I have explained – on a weekly basis – that no, I’m not from here, nor do I know so-and-so, and I have no idea where such-and-such place is. Where am I from? I moved here from east Tennessee. No, that’s not my hometown. I actually don’t have a home, per say. I’ve lived in such-and-such cities, but I’m not really from those places either. Yes, it’s weird to not have the ONE place that I’m FROM, but it’s also WEIRD to have never left the state of Texas. (I keep that last bit to myself, but one of these days, I’ll let loose.)
Nevertheless, I do a lot of explaining myself around here. We’re like moving tourist attractions.
I don’t mind the questions, really, and I even don’t mind talking about my experience (thus far) in the Panhandle. I edit my honesty so I don’t offend, not that I have horrible things to say about Amarillo, but I’m careful not to complain about the wind, the flatness, the poop smell and dryness TOO much. (at least, when I’m talking to an actual person. The blog doesn’t count.)
Take today, for instance. I interviewed my first person for the October cover story, which is about the roots of Amarillo. The gentleman I spoke to is a fifth generation Amarilloan. His great-great grandparents caravanned (horse-and-buggy-style) with 40 other “settlers” in the mid-to-late 1800s from Chickamauga, GA – which happens to be about two miles from where we used to live. As we talked, and as I shared with this man that I just moved from that same area, he said, “Boy, I wish I could ask them why the hell they stopped here. Why didn’t they keep going?” I burst into laughter and said, “I was JUST thinking the same thing!”
Granted, when people ask me what I like most about Amarillo, I answer honestly and say the people. They really are a kind, generous and friendly bunch. Yet, I spent the rest of the afternoon wondering why a group of 40+ stopped here, why they settled in a place that seemed to have nothing to offer but a slew of tumbleweeds and a crap ton of wind. Whatever the reason, I think it’s entirely cool that they stayed. The family whom this man represents built a large chunk of the city, specifically his great-grandmother, who was the first woman in Amarillo to get a loan from the bank to buy land (in 1919). Very cool.
But I digress… I’ll transcribe that interview tonight and then tuck myself in for a long night’s sleep. I’m still trying to recover from two nights ago when I face-planted on the kitchen tiles in the middle of the night. My knee is bruised but seems otherwise all right.
The boys are ASKING for bedtime, as characterized by their wild behavior.
That awesome boy has a BOAT-LOAD of incredible expressions!
Yeah, when you’ve never left the state, you don’t know what you’re missing. LOL Like Dh said, he likes the mentality (conservative politics Although here in the metroplex even that varies with so many people here) and the people. The actual state itself? Not quite as much…although we do like the San Antonio area, and a few other places we’ve been…just takes forever to drive there so we don’t go often. lol
LOL…’he said, “Boy, I wish I could ask them why the hell they stopped here. Why didn’t they keep going?’ I burst into laughter and said, ‘I was JUST thinking the same thing!'” I love it. After living in other parts of the country…TX especially down here in the heat and humidity…would not be my 1st choice. Man if they would’ve kept going, they could’ve ended up in CO or NM. Much better.