These are two of the librarians at the Stanton County Library. They served donuts, juice, water, and granola bars to any cyclist who walked in.

The library seemed to double as a social center. Nearly everyone who came in stopped to catch up with one or another of librarians. Several people plopped down across from me, and, when I looked up, started a conversation. I can't say they were annoying -- the people who started talking to me asked questions, told me things I might want to know about town, and entertained me with stories about themselves or other people in town.

The woman on the right speaks Spanish fluently.  I asked where she had learned:

"Well, I married a Mexican guy, and I learned from him.  I took one hour of Spanish in high school.  That was the first day.  I was in there for an hour and said 'I am dropping this class.'  So I haven't had any other classes.  I just picked it up from my husband and his relatives."

Can I ask you a personal question?  You don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable. . . Is there any stigma associated with marrying a Mexican guy?

"No.  I don't think so.  Maybe ten years or so ago there might have been, but no.  I it's not an issue."

I noticed in Holly and Johnson City that Latinos seemed to be very integrated into the towns.  At last night's baseball game in Johnson City, the people in the stands were all mixed up, and I've seen signs congratulating students with Latino surnames for various achievments.

I don't know whether the librarian is right or whether the Latino/White divide is really ignored, but it's nice to think that it might be.  Maybe as these small towns shrink, the need to accept one another grows.