Where the hardware store doubles as an agricultural university

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Odessa, it’s that every single resident is not only incredibly friendly but also a walking encyclopedia on just about everything.

Seriously, I could probably walk into the post office, ask about the best way to build a chicken coop out of recycled materials, and leave with a step-by-step guide, a handshake, and possibly a hand-drawn blueprint.

This past week, I wandered into the Odessa hardware store under the illusion that I am now qualified to manage an entire garden simply because I haven’t yet killed my indoor plants. Call it optimism, call it delusi...