The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
- Dr. Seuss
A very warm spot and a place bursting with information is the public library. It is small, the books are donated, and they are all card catalogued correctly with clear fun posters to remind you how to check out a book. They also offer the use of four computers.
Library Open
I was told the children use the library during the summer when they have reading lists to complete. I would love kids to use it every week and that is because a library can become a magical place for a child or a teen – and, for certain, adults. From the beginnings of School on Wheels, libraries have opened their doors to our volunteers and students; it is a place where teenagers can go to use the computers. SOW volunteers use libraries to tutor their students living in cars, on the streets or in motels.
I will take two brief encounters with me: One lesson was to not be hesitant to approach people who you have a preconceived notion about – like the wonderful woman in this shop:
Politically We Were One
The other exchange was with a good-size truck driver. As I was packing my car last night, he was arriving to the motel. I smelled fire and it did smell great – like at Paradise Cove Mobile Park in Malibu when people have their fireplaces lit on a cold night (not like the gigantic frightening fires that destroy). I saw this fire a few hundred yards away and asked the gentleman about it. His response was, “Yep, I saw it on the way in.” I immediately asked who should we inform? What happens next? It was a good size fire that turned out to be a controlled field fire. As we went on talking, he made a remark that Texas is not at all like California where he use to live. His big example was that he was able to buy two parcels of wooded land outside of Houston and soon would be building. The land became his in the exchange of money and no huge bureaucratic nightmare to go through in doing so. It was this kind of “freedom” that he wanted, found, and enjoys. More so, he wants to keep it this way. I certainly connected with him in that the more simple things are, the better for everyone in most areas of life. I too want freedom from any bureaucracy or any thought of bureaucracy. I also realize the larger of anything, the more complex is necessary – but not to the extent of extremes that paralyzes.
Shamrock is proud of several places they would like visitors to see – I did go to a few as these are important to the people and I was impressed:
Conoco
Hastys Hamburgers
Water Tower
Magnolia
I am happy I that I stopped in Shamrock and I am now ready to drive on to Clinton, Oklahoma. I was tempted to trade in my red Yaris for this classic Dodge pick-up truck:
Old Pick Up For Sale
Goodbye to Shamrock, TX – with much thanks and affection from the “Murphy” side of me.
Goodbye Shamrock
To the rest of Texas – I am returning soon.
See You Soon Texas
