Ah, West Texas!

I’ve been home for nearly three months now, and I am having such a great time. I knew I missed home, but coming home really reminded me why I missed it so much. People are caring, friendly, and humble. While most people do not have much, they give thanks for their blessings, with family being chief among those blessings. This community is a family, and whenever somebody goes through a serious illness or crisis, you see this community come to the rescue by giving the little they have. I’ve seen it time and time again in the short months I’ve been here. It’s great!

Of course, West Texas is doing well economically. There is an oil boom going on right now, and many people are moving in or leaving other jobs to explore lucrative positions in the oil field. This influx of people is driving real estate prices “through the roof.” I use this term loosely because, to be sure, our through-the-roof prices are relative and do not compare to most places in the United States. Only four years ago, decent family homes were going for $10,000-$45,000 (Yes, that cheap!), but you now hear about these same homes going for $70,000-$80,000, and others are over the $100,000 mark. Yes, we were in a bust period of the oil industry, but since that bust lasted for most of my years in Pecos, I cannot envision spending so much money for a house! Luckily, new arrivals are willing to pay these prices. The housing shortage continues to send these prices upward, and the city, county, and employers are exploring new housing options.

People here are also funny and different. I was at a council of governments meeting a few weeks ago, and an elderly man gave a presentation about emergency preparation to all the region’s elected officials and staff. I sat taking notes and listening to his presentation. Then, all of a sudden, silence. Silence. I looked up at the man cupping his hand in front of his face. “Oh no, mah tooth jes fell out.” I tried to contain my laughter out of politeness, but the rest of the room erupted. This guy is a jokester, and while this was unplanned, people just laughed it off as yet another story for this guy to tell.

We have a show called Hotline, and it broadcasts on the radio station heard in Pecos and several other towns. Well, people go crazy for this hour show every morning because people call in to announce garage sales and sell items. An example: “Yes, hi, Bill, I’d like to sell my ’72 El Camino. I’m asking $404. They can call my cousin’s phone, because I don’t have a phone, at ###-####.” This call is from the show on Friday. As a child, I would record all the garage sales, and then my grandmother and I would set out in search of hidden treasures. This is how I got my first tennis racquet, and I’m pretty sure my grandmother bargained down the previous owner to 10 cents. I’ve heard the funniest announcements ever on this show, and while I wish I could share one of the funniest announcements, it would shame my family name—the caller was my great-aunt. Ay, Tia, como podrias decir eso!! Anyway, the Hotline has changed a little recently, and people have begun calling in with a new announcement, one I don’t like. “Yes, I’d like to wish Marcos a happy birrday, from his abuelos and Kika. We love you mucho.” Family, take note, if you really love me, do not ever announce my birthday on Hotline. I don’t think it’s snobbery because I listen intently most mornings hoping I can buy something, maybe a new low-rider, but I just don’t care to be announced with cheap goods people no longer want.

We love and laugh much here, and I’m glad to call this place home. And no matter where I go, I hope I carry all of this—yes, all of it—with me.