Straight from The Horse’s Mouth

One of the reasons we love to travel is because it allows us to be in a state of being which is open to, and not protected from, the environment. As a tourist we walk in different time zones where our purpose in looking is not just to find our way but to let the place touch us. You wouldn't expect Buffalo to be a tourist town, but it is. At the bookstore/coffee shop we often visit with travelers from all over. Last week we had 'Drive-By' guests from India and Venezuela. Luckily the couple from Delhi spoke clear English (with that lovely accent), while the gentleman from Caracas rattled his dialect with such speed I had difficulty understanding him. Mas dispacio, por favor! They were wide eyed and curious, soaking in our town with pleasure. It reminds me to also be wide eyed and see what they see.

What is it about Buffalo that intrigues them? Is it the old architecture, the uniqueness of an agricultural community? Walking into the bookstore they are surprised to find culture mixed with small town graces. They are comforted to find Locals open to asking questions of their homeland. They often have preconceived notions of what we are like. We have a reputation for being, how shall I put this, gun toting and traditionalistic. (I know we are, and that's not necessarily a bad thing!) I came to Buffalo after being a Week-Ender for 40 years, and a Move-In for 2 years, also with preconceived ideas. Yet, now having the unique vantage point of watching 'tourists' every day at THM, I see they are noticing our open-heartedness and creative spirit. When foreigners, those from other states and other countries visit places like ours we act as ambassadors. We are able to show our brand of Southern hospitality and share our history.

Many times they ask questions that I cannot fully answer. What are the details of our past, and where are we going as a town? This brings me to an idea that you can take part in. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a book full of your stories on the table for visitors to thumb through? Think of all of the memories you have to share; handwritten accounts that secure the past, old letters perhaps, or typed recollections that would explain the way it was. Tell us how you spent your summers, what the school was like when there was no electricity. Remember how the icicles grew those long winter nights? What about having no television and stealing a peak at it through the store window?

I'm certain many of you read my column and think to yourself, "I could write that!" You most certainly can, and I invite you to join our 'Writer's Group' this Thursday at 6:00 to talk about writing down your history. We'll help to get the creative juices flowing and put the stories of Buffalo out there for all to enjoy. To start off the project we'll place the stories in a binder to sit on the table. When it is full enough we can have it hard bound as a real book of Buffalo Texas History.

Imagine coming for a coffee and relaxing a while with the stories of back-in-the day you may not have known about. It is heart warming to see the older Locals look at the Old Town Buffalo photos on our walls. It would be such a blessing to have their tales written down, informing the future that they lived, brought up their families, and thrived in Buffalo, Texas.

Please do not feel you have to fancy yourself a 'real writer' to put down on paper the memories that have created who we are. It is as important an effort as any I can think of. We all have important stories. Buffalo is growing by leaps and bounds, and we don't want to lose what we were/are. This does not exempt the new Move-Ins from adding what they have experienced, however. The question to you is what drew you to Buffalo, and how has it evolved since you've been here, yet still maintained it's uniqueness?

Join us Thursday, or just pop in to say hi and drop off your essay(s). The holiday season is approaching, and many of you will be bringing your out of town family to visit. Imagine their pride when they find your story printed in a book at your local mom and pop bookstore. On a larger scale, the tourists will read your accounts and take what they learn back home to share with the rest of the world. It's an easy thing to accomplish as long as your eye to the past is wide open and you can let your pencil fly across the page. See you Thursday.