A selection of comments from actual readers of the Avocado Memories website (emphasis mine)
“Warmest congratulations on your web site. In my opinion, this is the most satisfying site on the web. You have captured the relish of youth in words and pictures.”
“Your pages are written with such gentle humour and obvious fondness for the people that you talk about that it's impossible not to become part of it. Not only did I enjoy your subject matter, I found your style of writing terrific.”
“I have not laughed that much in weeks!!!!!!!!!”
“My children are forever asking about what things were like when I was a kid, what were my parents (both deceased) like, etc. Your ‘Avocado Memories’ in many ways could have been a tour of my childhood. My 12-year-old daughter laughed ‘til she nearly cried.”
“[At 4 a.m.] I thought I'd surf on over to Geocities to see what was on their pages. I figured it would take me oh - ten or fifteen minutes and then off to bed. Somewhere along the lines, I stumbled upon a link to your page, and here I am, at 8 a.m. I just finished reading it.”
“I hated finishing your site!”
“...you made me cry today. Shame on you! Haven't been home in 15 years. Living in Michigan now. But you took me home this morning, and I enjoyed the trip. Walking into your home was like walking into mine. Right down to the red sofa.”
“If you ever decide to put all this in a book I'll be one of many in line to buy it.”
“I stumbled upon your site as a result of it being one of Yahoo's ‘Surfer's Pics’ -- how apropos! Boy, did I relish everything you put into it.”
“I must admit I read the whole page in one sitting.”
“And I found Avocado Memories. Powerful stuff, to be sure. Wow--way. And I was looking at the site again, pleased and happy to see that it still exists. It is a bit of an oasis of sorts … and I just gotta say, thanks for keeping it going. Thanks for the documentation and the history... thank you, for the memories. “
“You may not believe this but, I was randomly looking through Google for images of Frankenstein (don't ask why) and as I scrolled down the image gallery, your picture with Jimmy comes up; you acting like Frankenstein with your arms extended. … Hours later, I found myself looking at every picture, watching every 8mm video you posted on Youtube and reading every line about you and your family. … Thanks for posting all those amazing photos and videos.”
“…I found your amazing website, Avocado Memories. I wanted to thank you personally for putting in the time and effort to bring your memories to life in such an immediate, touching, and entertaining way. I'm halfway through your house tour, and I already love your parents madly. …there is so much I can relate to in your memories that it's astounding. It's a small world in many ways, and I appreciate you sharing yours so generously!”
“I can't tell you how much I LOVE your website. … Your site is so HUGE, I'm sure I've never seen it all, but man, can I relate to much of what you write about.”
“You are doing such a wonderful service… I've heard that 1 out of 10 people share their thanks - it might be 1 out of 100 - so please know that my voice of gratitude joins many others who may not have let you know.”
“Several years ago I emailed you saying how much I enjoyed your site. I seem to revisit every year to see what's changed, and back there again tonight. I am in Australia and can relate to some of your experiences, despite the cultural differences. “
“Wow! Just spent the day and had an absolute blast on your amazing website. What a GREAT vibe your wonderful recounting has given me. Wanted to sincerely thank you for that and tell you specifically how special your life is and this site are. What priceless treasures your life was filled with growing up. It seems, and you did a magnificent job of conveying this fact, that your most personal, heartfelt ultimate treasure of growing up was your parents. Now that, my friend, is enough to over fill anyone's heart with true joy. Thanks for inspiring me! You Rock!”
“I have been reading your site for many many years. … had most of the day to kill. Luckily I had brought along my GPS and thought to myself, "Maybe I can Find Wes' house up in Burbank." I could not remember the address to save my life, but I remembered Lincoln Street. So I punched in a street number randomly and off I went. I not only lucked out with the number it was the number of a house right next to your old childhood home. So I was able to make the "Pilgrimage" that all Avocado Memories Fans should make. Hahaha.”
“Your missive had me laughing so hard and crying too!”
“I just spent about 2 hours reading your entire website wesclark.com what a treat that was. And I don't think I'm done but I have to go to bed now. Really really loved it. …
Anyhoo, I feel a strange sense of "knowing you" even though it's probably a strange understanding people can have even though we grew up millions of miles away from one another or even on two different dimensions apart.”
“…I wish I had the photos to preserve my own family growing up during the 1960s and 70s, but in a way Wes, your memories, while very personal obviously, are sort of memories for all us boomers. Visiting the Clark household from the 1960s and 70s is sort of like visiting our own homes, and our own memories, in a way.”
“What an excellent website you have. It ought to be a movie! Your celebration of the mundane....is sublime! Thanks so much for putting it up there.”
“Just wanted to tell you that you are an excellent writer - you had me laughing out loud and soaking up your philosophy on life and growing up. I hope you have, or are writing a book.”
“While I am only 23 years old… While looking through your photos, I felt like I had stumbled upon a rabbit's hole to the past and was watching your family's life play out before me. I feel almost as if you're a long lost friend. While I wasn't born until '87, I always felt I might have missed my true era by a few decades.”
“Your website just really made my night. I don't know why I felt so connected to your pictures, or even what I Googled to get me there, but I was stuck, and looked at everything. Your writing is amazing, and the pictures were awesome. I wish I had such good photo memories of my past.”
“Been a fan of your collection of memories for a long time. What a wonderful surprise to find such a great website. The first time I stumbled upon it I spent hours reading the text and looking at your pictures. What a fantastic treasure to have and what a pleasure to jog memories of my own youth. Again thanks for keeping the website up and running. As much work as it obviously has taken you to compile everything...we do appreciate it. It's as if we know you and your mom and dad personally.”
“Wes, I came across your Avocado Memories website by accident today. I am still laughing and smiling…”
“I LOVE your site! I have spent days looking at all of it. It brought back so many memories.”
“I'm a faithful reader of AM. It has been one of my favorite websites for almost ten years and I love to read the updates.”
“Avocado Memories would be a great film. Movies were playing in my head while browsing your site. It would be so funny to recreate all those images -- school, the scouts, home, toys, etc. Not to mention the culture of the early 60s, especially mom and dad speak. What a soundtrack. Talk to your friend at UCLA. I would love it.”
“I have been enjoying your site, laughing, crying, reflecting, as it reminds me so much of my childhood. I still have a lot of ground to cover.”
“I just want you to know that, over the past week, I've spent hours reading through your web site. I referred it to my mother who also said she read it "until her eyes gave out." … Your site is proof of my contention that everyone has a story and every story is interesting in its own way. Your self-deprecating humor is priceless. Thank you for taking time to document your life. I feel like you're an old friend now.”
“Man, I just love this site. I have more fun looking through its pages than a grown man should be allowed.”
“Although I'm from a later generation … I can't believe how much you remember.”
“…I've just been reading your website which I stumbled upon by accident. I was thinking: "Wow, this guy grew up on the other side of the country from me at the same time and we seem to have a lot of the same memories."
“I stumbled upon your site by accident last week and thought it was absolutely fantastic, humorous and touching. Well done to you sir!!”
“I have been following Avocado Memories for several years after stumbling on the site. It is by far the best description of that time period that I have seen.”
“…wanted to let me know that you inspired me to do my own memories page!”
“Man, that stuff is great. …Wonderful memories have come pouring into my brain thanks to your site.”
“I followed a link … to your Avocado Memories site and spent way too much time there today.”
“I stumbled upon your website by accident tonight and stayed on it for three hours. It sure brought back fond memories of my own childhood. … I will be back on your site in the future to continue reading your reminisces. There's way too much included to digest in one evening.”
“It was very nice to get back to my own 60's memories through yours. I was born in 1964 in Portugal, in the city Oporto. In spite of being away from the USA I somehow could share and recognize some of your memories.”
“I also enjoyed your website for your photos, and the way the stories came out through your words and the picture quality. It makes me want to go through my old photos from when I was growing up in the 80s. Thanks for it!”
“Last night I could not sleep, so I turned the computer on and found you. I am so glad I did.”
“I am hooked on your amazingly wonderful site and have been since 2001... LOL. Thank You!”
“I only had 20 minutes or so to peruse it, but I smiled, reminisced, and admired the content. I really enjoyed your observations and tales of events in your youth (especially with your neighbors). Thanks for sharing in such a well-written, well-documented, entertaining fashion.”
“I had to keep the streak going and tell you again how much I enjoy your site. I visit often and still find it as charming and touching as ever. Thanks for one of the best sites on the net.”
…these are just a fraction of the many, many compliments I have received for this site since 1997. You can see them all by going here: http://wesclark.com/am/letters.html