Clovis, NM {Finding The Beauty}

Clovis, NM –  - Love it Or Hate it

Clovis lacks the “city” feel so many long for.  There is no Target, no TJ Maxx, no Starbucks, no Panera Bread, no Chick-fil-a, no outdoor shopping plaza’s, no Splash Parks, no large body of water, and no international airport.  Cannon AFB is a back to the basics type of assignment where you have to make your own fun.

The upside to living here is that it takes about 15 minutes in any direction to get where you are going.   Clovis has no traffic, unless there is a funeral procession or school is letting out. We have what we need to get by (WALMART) and everything else is usually purchased over the internet and shipped to your door.  Instant gratification is hard to come by.

The fastest way to the E.R. from my house is by taking a dirt road through the middle of several fields and cow pastures. Clovis has dust storms instead of thunderstorms.  It’s sunny here 360 days out of the year and rarely rains. You can break out your shorts and flip flops by the middle of March and wear them into December.

I’ve connected with some of the most fun and caring people here that I’ve ever come across.   I owe my love of photography to Clovis and it’s lack of excitement. If I was otherwise engaged I may never have found this hobby that may very well pay my bills one day.

No matter where I move after this assignment I will have a new love for convenience and choices.   I will never walk past green grass again without remembering that it’s not a normal occurrence in some places of the world.

Clovis has shown me that next door neighbors can become your best friend and end up feeling like family.  That other photographers can help you to learn and grow, become the main source of your inspiration,  and not feel like you are the competition.

Clovis has taught me to find beauty in small things that others may walk past and not even notice.