Growing Up Catholic in a Small Texas Town

Austin, Texas When It Was Austin, Texas

So, it’s 1977, and I’m finally living in Austin. It might not be a small town, but it’s still Texas (sort of), and I’m still Catholic — sigh.

Back then, 6th Street was dangerous and gritty before it became cool and avant-garde and then reverted back to dangerous and gritty. MoPac’s massive road construction had only reached Northwest Boulevard. Whole Foods Market was merely a gleam in the eyes of a group of health-minded business people. Armadillo Headquarters still…