I caught most of it (after being in the ER with DD from 1pm to 8pm last night). I didn't realize the technique of terracing utilized to minimize soil erosion, that was employed during the Dust Bowl era. Also, the dust storms, particularly the one that dumped 3 feet of dust - can you imagine? The lady that told the "joke" about a fella finding the farmer's hat on top of the dust, picking it up and finding the farmer underneath buried in the dust, and the buried farmer then commenting that it wasn't as bad for him as the horse he was atop! She said humor was one way they dealt with the issues. The migrant farmers from Oklahoma - Okies, then a derrogatory term - well, that's another story about the conditions they lived thru. Not much better than the Dust Bowl they left behind to forge a new life. Okies were certainly relegated to a minimum societal status in those times in that region, too. Living conditions, if you can call them "living" conditions in which they had to survive, were pitiful, meager, and extremely hostile. I was painfully close to tears watching the program, and yet, drawn to it at the same time. Can you relate? Maybe it takes getting older to really be able to sympathize and struggle psychologically with these times that our relatives endured. But, endure they did, and were much stronger for it. I cannot question the heart of an Okie after seeing this documentary, the photos, hearing the stories from people who actually lived it. It leaves me feeling humbled by the people of Oklahoma, who I don't think I really, truly appreciated until I saw it in the eyes, frail frames, quivering voices, and the indisbutable, hard-boiled narrative of the images of the thrashing storms they suffered. We had a few dust storms back in the 80s when I lived in Norman. Dust storms are not like thunder storms. Rain doesn't get inside and coat your nose and throat with grit. The severity of the storms astounded me and shook me like I was a dirty old rag being manhandled by a hound. I just cannot convey how profound an experience it was to sit and watch this documentary that just seemed to literally jump out of the tv at me. I don't know how any of you felt about it, but I will always carry those pictures and words in my mind. Susan, who'll be watching Part II tonight

Morning all! Fran, I put in a bit more postage than what it was for me to mail my package to you. I don't think that I'll get back what I sent because we have a lot of veggie growers here, BUT if by chanace you dont have enough postage I'd be happy to send more if you need it to get my package back to me. I'm so glad that I bought the veggie seeds, I could almost hear how excited people were when I offered them up for grabs! Thank you to anyone who sent flowers in for me, I assure you that every single seed will find a good home. Lisa

Good Afternoon Everyone!! I'M SO SORRY it has taken me this long to post. Bracing for Sandy, and then, after Sandy...we've been a little busy. But, thank goodness no where close to the aweful devestation in lower NY and NJ. My prayers are with those poor people. We only lost power, a part of a tree went down and some siding blew off the garage. Even with that little bit we are just now getting back into the swing of things. Those poor people I'm watching on the news, my heart just breaks for them. :( Maryanne, so glad the package made it to you. I was a little worried with the way it was a kinda overstuffed, lol. The pumpkin walk went terrific. We did have splendid weather for that. We had over 200 kids show up to claim their pumpkins. For a first year event, we think it was a super success. :) The packages are certainly flyin.... AND...drum roll....PARTNERS.... vina (flowergirl34) sends to maryanne (earthlydelights)***SENT***REC'D*** melissa (hazelnutbunny) sends to vina (flowergirl34)**SENT**REC'D*** maryanne (earthlydelights) sends to melissa (hazelnutbunny)**SENT**REC'D*** michelle (micyrey) and dianne (moonfire) send to each other ***Michelle SENT*** Dianne REC'D***Dianne SENT***Michelle REC'D*** annie (canyonwind) and sue g. (sguanzon) send to each other***Annie SENT***Sue REC'D***Sue SENT***Annie REC'D*** katie (kchd) and shirley (brittneysgran) send to each other **Katie SENT**Shirley REC'D***Shirley SENT***Katie REC'D*** I'm loving all the picture...Blues Brothers are priceless! And, I believe this wraps up this swap... THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE!! THIS HAS BEEN A FABULOUS OCTOBER!! Now, lets get ready for some Turkey...yum!! Talk to you soon! vina

Maddie, many thanks!---you're such a good singer!!!! lol. Wow! That's quite a compliment you gave me. I finally caught up on my reading and found I will miss you this year in KY. Bummer. But you still need to come to Seattle and so this makes the trip more necessary, don't you agree? My mom and dad and I will miss you SO much! We're missing the Colonel's pic nic this year since my dad thinks it'll be a madhouse in its new location. Anyway, I'm a love-a, love-a, love-a you and wish you the best in your at-home biz. You shine, sister! Go girl! And you WILL have an auction house someday---check out how far you've come already! Have a great trip on your upcoming vacation! Raeanne~ Thanks for the e-card---I love Maxine! You are so cool to start my day like that! Smoochie! Hey! You've got to start checking in more----you're kinda quiet lately---me too. I have had my hands rather full of DD with mono and spring break, but this weekend, I'm catching up on laundry and life and diet chat. My older sis sent me a book called The Crystal Bible. SO COOL! You'd love it! The local star gazers shop has just about every crystal you can imagine, so I've been reading up on them all---and of course, every time I crack the book, I think of you! Amy~I just got a new domain name registered for a website I'm building, but TIME---I need TIME! You ideas sound like a lot of fun! My oldest DD has started drawing this year and is having a lot of fun at it. I love her stuff. She does realistic-looking drawings of all kinds of stuff. She aslo dabbles in abstract photography. It's been great! Back later to finish this; my dryer is buzzing at me! Love to all!