People who know that I worked in Washington, DC for many years have asked me, “Why write a book about Buffalo? Why not write about some of the things you must have witnessed—the political intrigue, scandals, or behind-the scenes shenanigans—in our Capital City?”
My answer to that is always the same: I don’t find that stuff interesting.
The truth is, I find Buffalo, and the people of Buffalo, fascinating. Why? Because it’s real. It’s the kind of town where families put down roots and stay for generations, where they know their neighbors as well as they know their own families.
It is the kind of city that produces people who are tough and resilient. Buffalonians know how to bounce back from heartbreaking losses (Scott Norwood’s missed field goal in Superbowl XXV, anyone?) and economic ups and downs. They know how to deal quickly and efficiently with the kind of snow that would make a Washingtonian crawl back under the covers and weep. They are also unfailingly kind and generous people who are ready to step up and support a friend, a neighbor, even a stranger, in time of need.
I am proud to have been born and raised in Buffalo. And I am proud to call myself a West Sider. So my new novel, Virgin Snow, is my love letter, of sorts, to a place and a people I love.
With the perspective of watching Buffalo’s evolution for many decades, I wanted to begin a narrative that would trace the city’s arc from the time it saw its first warning signs of a collapsing economy to its darkest days when the city lost half its population, to its eventual rebirth and revitalization. With any luck, Virgin Snow is the first in a trilogy that follows that evolution full circle.
Yes, the book is intense in places, and it looks unblinkingly at some of the mistakes we’ve made here in the past. But if you love something, you love it warts and all. You take the good with the bad, the ups with the downs, the prettiness with the grittiness. That’s how I feel about Buffalo, and that’s the kind of book I wanted to write.
How do you feel about Buffalo? Do you live in Buffalo now? Are you part of the great Buffalo diaspora who moved during the late ‘70s and ‘80s? Or, are you a returnee who has recently come back home? I love hearing your stories, so please leave me your comments, below.
Moxie Gardiner is a writer, gardener, and traveler who grew up on the West Side of Buffalo, NY. In a previous life she was a journalist, magazine editor, speech writer, and policy wonk. Back in the day she made three solo parachute jumps, flew in an F-15 fighter jet, and crawled through mud pits at the Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama. She now meditates, grows tomatoes, and practices yoga. Virgin Snow is her first novel.
I took was born and raised in Buffalo on the West Side. My childhood was far from idyllic but I still love Buffalo. I am a poet. Been told I should write my autobiography but that might scare people too much. I love the architecture and the art museum probably the most. Oh, and Forest Lawn was a haven for me as a child. I was fascinated by all the mounmrnts to loved ones and the stories behind them. I love walking down Elmwood and Delaware immensely. I lived at North and Mariner, EB Green building and also on Delaware. Just couldn’t handle winters any longer. Went south, then Uganda. Now Tucson. Hope to visit some family in Buffalo one day soon. Love it all. And I’ve lived many places.
I was born and raised on the west side, graduating from Burgard Vocational in 1980. Like many of my generation we didn’t have great prospects for employment in Buffalo, so we went into government jobs, in my case the military. In my case 31 years in the Air Force, and 14 in civil service in Virginia. I miss Buffalo, but have been gone longer (43 years) than I lived there (17 years). I go back for family visits, am happy with the raise from the rust belt status and enjoy it there but would not survive the winter there. If not for that I would move back in a minute.
Enjoying the book so far. I only wish you would have translated the Italian words and phrases ( put in parenthesis) . I would reread areas around such words to figure out what I thought the words, phrases were Have you relocated to living in Buffalo?
One day in Orlando Florida I said “I am going home.”With that aha moment I started to cry. It was that simple. In three months I moved back to Buffalo after living in Florida for 6 years. I had so many trials in Orlando, too many to mention, but the moment I came back all the troubles faded. I left a partner behind and that was so sad, however it was time to be with my hometown friends and family that I’ve. Granted I have not seen a February in six years ask me again after that. LOL
Dolores, thank you for sharing your story. Yes, Buffalo is the kind of place that welcomes home its sons and daughters with open arms. Don’t worry, you will get through February. Once a Buffalonian, always a Buffalonian, and there will be old friends here to help you.