Clerks and Characters

Often in our travels or just our trips into town, Hobart and I run into interesting people.  Usually they are those who are there to serve us--clerks, and sometimes they are just people who catch our eyes or attention--characters. We strike up a conversation with them to see what we can learn.  Most are willing to verbally banter with us.  Sometimes we strike gold--someone willing to open up and share a peek into his life...or his soul.  The following are some of our favorites and a bit of their stories.

Billy works at Staples in Granbury.  He felt really bad when he couldn't refund our money on a return, but he always remembers us and flashes us this sweet smile.  

Carl, another Staples clerk, is a foodie.  He and Hobart bonded while discussing the best hamburger joint in Hood county and beyond.  

Marlee works at Walmart in Midland, TX.  She's a senior in high school.  Her dream is to be a veterinarian...and to get out of Midland.  

Krish was waiting to check us in at the Quality Inn in Pecos, TX.  He greeted us with warm cookies and a warm smile and directed us to the only restaurant in town, a Mexican one, of course.  

Now who would have thought that a Mexican restaurant in Pecos, TX, would be called Alfredo's?  Isn't that the name of the Italian place we just visited in New York City?  Definitely NOT Mexican.  Oh, well, bring on the tacos.

 Does this guy look like an artist to you?  Well, he is.  

He was painting this winter scene on the windows of a fancy grocery store in west Texas.  He was more than happy to pose...

..and show us his "studio"...

...and sit to chat with us about his work and career. He also encouraged us to put in a good word about him to the manager of the store.  

Val is a waiter at the Hofbrau in Granbury.  He's 40 and still going to school, hoping someday to find a career.  In the meantime he's a darn good waiter.

Character!  This is the cutest, happiest cotton candy salesman in the state of Texas.  Or anywhere else, probably.  When I whipped out my camera, he immediately struck this pose.

Chris owns a butcher shop in Granbury.  Business is good, he responds, when asked.  While we were buying ribs and a filet for Hobart's birthday dinner he told us about his eight-year-old daughter, who had just made $2.50 the day before, selling her Halloween candy.  "She's going to be a good business woman", he said, with a grin and a twinkle.

Curtis checked us out at Walmart.  When Hobart asked about his beard, he explained how it used to be lots longer, but got in the way of his work.  He will never shave it off and he explained why.  He shaved it once when his daughter was two years old and she cried because he didn't look like Daddy anymore.  The beard is here to stay.  

Ben loves working at the Lego store at a big mall in San Diego.  He has a 14 year old brother who loves Legos and Ben loves to buy them for him.  

Shelly at the Granbury H-E-B ran all over the store looking for brown sauce for Hobart.  She even made some calls.  No brown sauce, but she told us where we can get it on line.  Thanks, Shelly!

Aren't people wonderful?