My English name is difficult for Spanish speakers and for those who speak the dialect. In the Maya highlands, Marco Aurilio, a Kʼicheʼ speaker and my companion into the world of shamanism, could not pronounce it at all. Because of the fiery chile peppers I always ate, he tagged me Paco, which sounds similar to his word paqon, meaning hot and spicy. The name stuck. My wife and sons call me by that name, as do all my friends.
Anthology:
Aside from individual reminiscences of high school in Midland, Texas, I am most interested in what happened with my classmates after those formative years. Indeed, Dr. McElligott included a section of this website devoted to such an inquiry, so I expect that others are likewise curious. My contribution is an anthology of personal recollections of experiences subsequent to my Midland years. These stories contain many photographs and may take several minutes to load.
(Click on each title below)
In the Painted Caves with the Shamans
Shipwreck, Cannibals, and the Island with the Long Tail
Most Soldaderas Wanted to Fight Just Any Man
The Lone Rider from the Land of the Magic Quileli Bird
Treasure of the Round Rock Rest Stop
Blue Jackets, Bull Buttery and the Choir
Punked and Pimped at the Jardin
Wow, Paco you never stop amazing me. And of everyone I met in my life you have been the most helpful to me and I have never forgotten what you did for me. This memory has made me a rabid helper of anyone who needs any assistance I can possibly help. And I attribute it all to your time when you took me from reading at an 8th grade level to the deans list and Phi Beta Kappa. I am so glad we found you and we are now working on the Paco and Juanito foundation for anyone in need of the help you gave me. “An education” doing anything that is productive and helps others no matter what the trade. Thank you my friend and mentor!!!! Juanito
The last time I saw this “Force of Nature” I was attending Rice University. Nugent asked me to watch his apartment while he was out of town. I believe it was midterm exam time and I took advantage of the offer to use his place to study. I never discovered the library at Rice. I did have a somewhat memorable experience at his abode while apartment sitting. However, that is another story that cannot be shared on this site.
Nugent, long time no see. I still remember you racing around Midland in your Karman Ghia, among other memories. Those were the days.
And, yes, I agree with you about the surfing offshore at Mazatlan. We had great experiences at The Balboa Club with body surfing, among many other activities in the area. Mazatlan was (probably still is) a great place.
Thanks for the reports.
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. Pete
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___ J. Peter Creasey ___
___ Crehan Company, Realtors … 713-520-0270 ___
Incredible work Paco thanks so much!