A bit of a crazy day here

Well, it has been an interesting day.

For starters, I forgot I had an appointment for a haircut at 10:00. I remembered it not long before noon. I called, full of apologies, and the other stylist said that mine, Danielle, was out. I was flustered, and he didn't help it when he said that she was really upset about it, was stomping and fuming. I kept apologizing, and he started laughing, then explained that she wasn't upset, that she had taken advantage of my absence to run up to the school and take care of some things there relating to her kids. He rescheduled me for 1:30.

I jumped in the shower and got dressed, and was at the shop about 1:15. No, Danielle was not at all upset with me, but I apologized probably six or seven times. Anyway, the hair was cut, and I feel much better.

Since I was in town I stopped at the market for five things. And I left with 15, of course. All were things I needed, but I just hadn't remembered them till I walked the aisles. As I was checking out, a man walked up and began bagging my purchases. I started talking with him because it was my neighbor who brought me the lumber. I said that I owed him a dinner for the lumber, and he said it sounds good. Just them the checker spoke up and asked if she could come, too, and I grinned and said sure. Then he took off his dark glasses and tipped his hat back, and I realized it was not my neighbor!!! I started laughing and explained myself, and the checker said "Well, I was wondering what my husband had done for you, but I figure a free meal is a free meal!" Lawdy, I was embarrassed!

I'm watching a program I recorded a few days ago. It is called "Black Blizzard." The title refers to the dust storms of the 1930s. It is very interesting and somewhat disheartening. My parents were newlyweds trying to farm in the Panhandle of Oklahoma, right in the heart of the area that was hardest hit. The rich topsoil that had built up over many millinea was simply blown away, all across the Northeastern US and into the Atlantic Ocean! They said the amount of topsoil that blew away would fill the Grand Canyon halfway!!

My folks talked about the trials of the time, and it was horrendous. I can't imagine living through that, especially with three children born in the first two years of marriage (twins in '31 and another in '33) and yet another in '37. It's a miracle the babies lived through it. Many didn't. Our house was a little better built than many in that area at the time, and it probably helped, but Mom spent her days trying to block the horrible influx of powdery dust around doors, windows, and cracks.  If you see this on the History Channel, watch it. It will take your breath away.

The saddest thing is that the farmers actually caused it by stripping the prairie grass from the fields to plant wheat. The root system of the grasses kept the rich topsoil in place, even during drought. No one knew this or that it would happen, but it totally changed the landscape of the Midwest in that decade and forever more. It's an amazing show, and adds to the information I gleaned from my parents' stories, and a book I read a couple years ago called "The Worst Hard Times." My parents were struggling pioneers to a much greater degree than I ever realized.

I "practice packed" today, everything I plan to take on my trip. I took everything except shoes, jewelry and underwear, folded them and slipped them into "space bags." I used the vacuum to pull the air out of them, and there was more than enough room in my bag for the remaining, unpacked items. I've decided I will check a bag, because I couldn't find one that was small enough to be a carry on, yet big enough to accommodate the space bags. And both airlines allow me one or two bags checked and one and a personal bag carried on. The one I'm taking is barely larger, but enough to allow me to fit in the space bags. I feel much better, and now I know I won't have a last minute panic to throw me off.

Is it time for me to go yet? NO??? sigh. Ooookay.