Today’s picture reminded me of my grandparents during the dust bowl in Colorado. All this is true from the Percheron horses to the watering hole. I’m quite proud to be a descendant of such fine people. I hope you like them.
Clara listens to wind work fine dirt around sheets taped over the windows. Tears well. Everything is covered with grit. Plates, floors, beds, her children. Lord knows she tries but there isn’t enough anymore. Not enough water to go around or food to share. Funny, though, there’s plenty of time to worry.
Last week lightening killed William’s Percherons. Thunder cracked so violently her chickens stopped laying. The cattle are raw-boned and milk-free. She can’t go on.
William enters saying, “I’m tearin’ down the fence ’round the waterin’ hole. We’ve got water, neighbors will, too.”
Clara smiles. She can’t quit – not with a man like this.
Up From the Ashes 
I think that’s a great piece of American writing. Just love it.
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Appreciate your lovely comment. Those were hard, hard times. My Mom has passed down gobs of stories that she remembers while growing up in Bristol, CO.
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Lots of feeling in this. “Quit” laying, though?
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Yes! Yes! Yes! Thanks for the catch. I loved my grandparents – true pioneers, they were – on both sides of the bloodline.
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So hopeful in the midst of despair–I suppose that’s what kept those people alive in those desperate times back then…
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I think hope was pretty much what they lived and breathed. Thanks for reading.
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My pleasure!
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This is an interesting piece and the thought that you have so many more stories from your mother is like a treasure. I hope you have notes.
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I’ve recorded both her and my father’s stories about that time – sitting in the backyard, asking them questions and writing the answers down so I could share them with my sisters and others.
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Awesome! Not only can you get a biography of sorts but it should spawn all kinds of flash fiction…or maybe even longer pieces. A true treasure!
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i felt the emotions on your story. great story.
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What a nice thing to say – thank you.
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Could be a clip from the Grapes Of Wrath: well done.
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Indeed. A lot of people lived through those hard times and came out a little bit stronger – or broken. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment
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A poignant piece indeed.
Visit Keith’s Ramblings!
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Thanks! I loved the integrity of Clara and William Humbarger and hope some of it was passed down to me.
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A delightfully heart warming tale.
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
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Thanks!
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My mother told me of the hard times they went through. “We didn’t think too much about it at the time. Everyone we knew was in the same boat.” Great story, Alicia.
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They really were. And I think that bound them together and they helped one another as best they could. Thanks for reading, Russell.
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I can imagine her desperation, and then William’s optimism. Great slice of life!
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You caught their personalities perfectly. My grandfather was ever the optimist while Grandma was the practical one in the duo. They made a well-balanced team.
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This is what make me hopeful of humanity.. What a struggle it must have been.
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It truly was, but they did what had to be done to make life as comfortable as possible. Thanks.
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Alicia,
Strong characters and evocation. I was there in 100 words. Really great piece.
Tracey
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Thank you, Tracey. I’m glad my 100 words took you to a different world.
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A beautiful tale about determination in the face of hardship. 🙂
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Oh! They were strong people! Thanks for reading.
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Great tribute to human courage and spirit with a striking last line. And I learned a new word!
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Percheron I presume? Thanks for reading, Perry, loved the story of your and Russell’s grand adventure.
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Percheron is a new word for me, too. Ah, the dust bowl, nothing feels drier and more desperate. I had that dusty feeling driving down the 5 in California. It gets very brown in the summer. You capture it well with your grandfather and his big heart at its center. There’s hope. Nicely written, as always.
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Thanks, Amy. Maybe I should have attached a link to Percheron. Their so “in my world” I didn’t think. Glad you liked the story.
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This is a great story, wonderful that you wrote down these memories. The hope and love of this couple shines through, which would have made their lives bearable, and even good at times. I had to look up percheron, too. 🙂
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The love these to had was truly amazing. Thanks for noticing. Alicia
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That’s beautiful–both the writing and the sentiment!
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Thank you, Jan.
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You really took me into your dust bowl and had me ready to throw in the towel. I loved that community love at the end that gave you your last sentence “She can’t quit – not with a man like this.” Just lovely.
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I’m glad I could take you to a different world for a short time. Thanks for reading!
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Nice balance – she can’t go on / she can’t quit. A powerful story of perseverance, survival and neighbourliness.
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Margaret, I appreciate your noticing that. Thank you.
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I guess that exemplifies what they say about hope springs eternal in the human breast. A great story of courage and fortitude.
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Yes it does. Thanks!
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Dear Alicia,
Thank you for sharing your heritage with us. Well told and heartfelt. You had me right there.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome. Thanks for reading. Alicia
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What a wonderful story though heart breaking…
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Thank you! The cool thing is they came out of it without breaking.
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Great description, Alicia. I could see the scene. I could also feel the despair. I hope they make it. Well written. — Suzanne
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Thank you, they did make it!
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