Glennalicious

Your hometown sounds alot like the one I grew up in and the one I live in now.

Can we take you to lunch somewhere amusing in Manhattan? Weekdays are fine.

The church sign reminds me of one of Tammy Faye Starlite's songs, where she sings to gay men that "the only man should should go down on your knees for is Jesus."

http://www.tammyfayestarlite.com/

The photos are so foreign to a foreigner--even a foreigner from a rural island like me, for whom America is nothing but big cities and big lights. Thanks for sharing. I remember all too well the feeling of going back home for a funeral.

Lordy! Clovis reminds me of TooStoned in many ways (except all that flat land!) And that Trailer Church! I've never seen one! Although, I'm sure at least one is hauling itself somewhere around this state! My first thought was "First Trailer Trash Church of God".

BTW - I think you do look like yer dad!

Your web page is fascinating. Judging from your father's photograph, I must be about his age, perhaps older than he. I'm in my mid-sixties, married, father of three, grandfather of two. I lived in Lubbock, Texas, for 10 years 40 years ago. It is so strange to go back to the Bible Belt. I doubt my wife and I will be doing much of that any longer since her beloved mother passed away in West Texas. Every other radio station is Christian in format, religious symbols turn up in the strangest places. Many years ago my friend and I drove to the Texas/New Mexico state line, where a saloon on the New Mexico side was commonly known as "The Bloated Goat." Why? Christians objected to placement of the bar there and hung a sacrifical goat on a fence post, where it became swollen in the broiling sun and finally burst. When we arrived, we could see the remainder of the corpse hanging there. Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother.

The New York Times just this week ran an excellent article on Fort Worth. I think that is where I saw it. It has a great summary of where to go and what to do, including the legendary Joe T. Garcia's for Mexican food and the three outstanding art museums: the Kimball, Modern Art Museum, and Amon Carter Museum of Art, all jewels. Every place you're visiting on your trip are "my old stompin' grounds," as they say in Texas.

Have to LOVE the Assembly of God Church sign. My AG church use to always put up "slogans for Jesus" like that. Love 'em. LOL

I grew up with G and any failures he writes of were not apparent to me. But then again I didn't know the complexity of G's situation back then. I only knew the good times we had together and specifically at his house. It was at G's house I first saw "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and where I first experienced the business end of a cattle prod. Where I learned how much fun the combination of a "booger ball" and ceiling fan can be... and how it can ruin a perfectly good latex paint job. It was at G's house I learned that sometimes it's justified to bring the garden hose into the house during a water fight.

G and I didn't always get along but I have only fond memories of growing up in Clovis with him. But if you do get on his bad side, expect late-night prank phone calls from cattle and assorted cow parts adorning your car the following morning. MOOOOOOO!

Funny, I think I first saw "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" at G's house, too. I watched it again last night. G, you were the first person I knew who had an answering machine (wow) and I always knew you were destined for bigger things than Clovis. Not that it's all bad, but...it's mostly bad. Thanks for posting the pictures. Taco Box did have good tater tots, pumpkin-pie shakes, and vanilla Dr. Peppers, I have to admit.

I'm very happy you landed in NYC, even though we rarely get to see each other!

"It is a place I grew up, it is a place I fled from."

I feel the exact same way about my hometown. Amazing how many levels of feeling these places can touch. I wonder how we will feel about New York in 20 years?

Welcome back, Galicious!

Yes, I hated it. I just want to say hi and sorry to hear about your mother. I did not know. Going back there myself in September and only because I do have family and I know I'm going to leave. Hope all is well for you.

Wanda Arevalo