UVM over BC, Great Dust Bowl

Just got back last night from a week in NC. Good productive business trip. Things went even better than I expected. I’ve been struggling to get one of the plants down there to take serious action in the maintenance area. It appears like I’m finally making some progress. It helps that their General Manager is pushing for it.

I didnt’ work out at all while I was there so I need to resume now that I’m home. I just found that Justin took the barbells to school so I’m without. I either need to pick some up or modify my routine. Need to look into that today.

Diane and I went out to Panera for dinner. They had butternut squash soup!  It was delicious. Then we came home and had a quiet night at home watching the tube. I caught the last period of the UVM-BC hockey game on the internet radio. UVM won 3-2. It’s the first time they’ve beaten BC in 12 years! BC is ranked #7 and UVM is #14. They play again tonight. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

 Today we’re going out looking for a rug and something to put our feet on in front of the couch. We’re nest building again now that the big baby bird  is off to college.  The weather here is in the 20’s with a dusting of snow. Not enough to XC ski but maybe a walk. I may also tackle the taxes. I’m curious whether we’re getting anything back or if I’ll have to pay in. That will dictate when I submit them. I got all the other bills and mail sorted out and dealt with today. (such an exciting life).

In the book area I’m in the middle of one about the Great Dust Bowl of the 30’s. It’s call "The Worst Hard Time" by Timothy Egan. The author interviewed the survivors from the period who stuck it out. (Unlike the folks in "Grape of Wrath" who left for California.) He follows them from when they first settled the land up  It’s a shame what was done to the land at that time. There was no real knowledge of soil conservation and environmental impact. The are in the Texas and OK panhandle, Kansas and CO had a huge area that was ruined by attempts at farming. (First the shot all the buffalo, then the Native Americans). The ground was plowed up for wheat in giant areas bigger than most New England states. They got a couple of lucky years with rain and then it turned dry. The stories of how the dust permeated everything are facinating and a bit scary. Contstantly taping up all the cracks in the house but the dust gets in anyway – sometimes 20-30 days in a row. The quantity was in the tons per acre! There are several pictures and it looks like the Sahara. Huge numbers of people died from inhaling the dust. Not to mention the cattle and horses. In 1934 they were all sold for $1-5 and shot by the government to keep the prices up. The other thing that bothers me is reading about the giant rabbit roundups where thousands are clubbed to death – not just 1or 2 roundup but sometimes every weekend!  I like hearing about pieces of history like this. I’m only halfway through right now.

Well, Diane wants to get going so…..

Namaste