If you are a Ken Burns fan, like me, I recommend tonight's PBS program on the Dust Bowl. The first half,aired last night, was gripping, gritty, and thought provoking. And now we complain about our electricity being out for a few days!!

Excellent program.

I recently listened to the book on tape as I drove to/from a group outing in southern Coloarado, 1 county removed from the one being discussed. The outing had been outside in the grasslands sometimes down on hands and knees getting familiar with the dirt. (surveying an old WWII airfield)

The main thing about the dust bowl that impressed me wasn't the magnitude, it was the duration of the disaster. We can deal with things that are short-term but the disaster lasted for so many years that it consumed everyone's margins which makes it hard to comprehend.