“I tell the young people that times are not like it was when I was growing up in Hope. Everything was separate then and black people were not allowed to use or enter the same way as others.”
- Donald, resident
Donald is younger than I am. He was born and raised and has lived his whole life in Hope. Donald is a walking history book on life and on the City of Hope. He loves Clinton and is proud that he was born in Hope.
Sign at Depot
When our conversation arrived to the topic of homelessness, Donald has firsthand experience with his brother and sees homelessness from that point of view. “My brother is homeless because he just won’t work; he is lazy. I have worked two jobs every day all my life.” He was very sympathetic for the children who are homeless – “it is not their fault,” he repeated twice.
Stamp Shop
Louise, a woman in her fifties, without hesitation remarked that she loves the city of Hope because of the people. She moved here in 1984. “Everyone is so friendly and helpful to each other; although there are always the few who are not.” She was a salesperson so our conversation was cut short.
Art Works
A young girl, in her twenties, working at Subway, said she was born here and has been here all her life. She has graduated from high school but has not been able to go further. “The city is good, alright, but too small for me now.” Her dream is to go to Florida some day and she carries that thought in the back of her mind every day. When she was younger, she visited Los Angeles and loved being there. I regret not knowing her name, but when she moves from Hope, I sense it will be Hope’s loss.
Train Depot
Today, April 30, is “Relay for Life” for all communities in our country and around the globe celebrating those who have survived cancer and raising money for research. I have learned about this because our motel is full – two high school track teams are staying here and will participate in Little Rock today.
Life
“By lifting the weakest, poorest among us, we lift the rest of us as well.”
- Bill Clinton
Cutest Baby
Bill Clinton’s first election and win was in the cutest baby contest in Hope, Arkansas. From there, he went on to study and prepare for being president.
Clinton Desk
Future President
Play Time
It was fun to visit Clinton’s home in Hope where he spent the first ten years of his life. The people running the museum and home were warm and knew every detail of Clinton’s life.
Museum Entrance
Yard
Home
Not everyone in Hope were Clinton fans. A gentleman who owns a home right on the property will not sell it to the museum because he does not and never did like Clinton. He does not live in the house, but allows a car to park there to look like he does.
Not a Fan
To be fair, almost everyone in Hope is proud to have Clinton as a former resident. I met ‘republicans’ who liked him and still do. They miss him being president. The home and the museum is worth a trip to visit and their map shows that people have come from around the world and the USA to do so.
As promised, a picture of me from every state, I chose to have this one taken as I cook in the Clinton kitchen. An absolutely wonderful kitchen!
Hello from Arkansas
“Welcome to ARKANSAS – The Natural State – Buckle up for safety.”
- Arkansas State Welcome Sign
Welcome
I am so very happy to be in Arkansas! As I was driving down I-30 east, lined on both sides with tall full trees, I could not help but laugh for the gladness I felt. Why? I do not know and it doesn’t matter.
State Motto: Regnat populus – The People Rule
Some interesting websites with both background information and present day info are:
To celebrate a new state I walked to a nearby restaurant called “ Dos Loco Gringos”.
Fun Food
For me, I measure a good Mexican restaurant if their chili is hot. It was hot! The menu was interesting and it tried to reach out to everyone’s taste. If I wasn’t trying to be careful with what I eat, I would have ordered any of the following or all:
- “Hot Onion Scoops and Jalapenos Bottle Caps”
- “Apple Pie – hot skillet with brandy butter sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream”
- “Sopapilla – Flour tortilla fried and sprinkled with cinnamon, sugar and honey with a scoop of ice cream.”
This fun place is in a wonderful town which I would never pass by without staying.
Hope Arkansas
The last place I stayed I was with the Army – in Hope, it is the National Guard. Their vehicles are parked all around so I will fall asleep tonight without thinking about my car. One of their vehicles is right next to my Yaris.
On Guard
I will be out tomorrow to roam around “Hope” and at the top of my list is:
President William J. Clinton’s Birthplace.
I am very excited to do this. I did not vote for Clinton in the primary, but I voted for him twice to be President. A lady here in her forties, said: “We love him here in Hope. He was the only president who did something for the people. He should have been elected for a third term.”
A fund raising event is happening this weekend for cancer research. The runners will also be staying where I am.
Relay Race
In blogs to come, I will share the report card on child homelessness in Arkansas and whatever I discover about Hope.
by Agnes on April 27, 2010
in Texas
“For a few precious moments… I am back in Old Texas, under a high sky, where all things are again possible and the wind blows free.”
- Larry L. King
Blowing Free
“He who is humble is confident and wise. He who brags is insecure and lacking.”
- Lisa Edmondson
In my view: Texan politicians could learn from Lisa’s quote so Larry’s quote could happen again for every Texan and every visitor. Key word: every.
A “friend” came to stopped by on my last day in New Boston and in Texas. A great surprise as the New York car drove right up beside mine and we had a knowing good laugh.
Soul Mates
One last drive around the neighborhood:
A Favorite
A Bank
A Church
A Diner
And one more stop before leaving. The owner expressed that she wants people in my blog to know that all the little towns in Texas are friendly.
Just a Dollar
I carry many differing thoughts and conclusions and learned lessons with me as I leave Texas.
Leaving Texas
