Life on the Plains - Remembering the Dust Bowl and Great Depression

Recent questions

• How did families cope with the lack of resources in the small lime camp?

  Families in the small lime camp coped with the scarcity of resources by collecting fuel from cow chips and mesquite tree roots due to the absence of trees. They used kerosene lamps and later tallow lamps when kerosene was scarce. During severe dust storms, people used wheat scoop shovels to clear sand from around the house. Despite the challenges, the resourcefulness of women in managing food, animals, and children was crucial for survival. Women and girls took on tasks traditionally assigned to men, such as operating tractors, challenging societal norms.

• How did the government intervention impact the ranching days of the family?

  Government intervention led to the culling of all animals on the ranch, abruptly ending their ranching days. This intervention had a significant impact on the family's livelihood and way of life. Despite their efforts to manage the challenges of living in a small lime camp, the government's decision to cull the animals brought an end to their ranching activities and forced them to adapt to a new reality.

• What unexpected opportunities arose for the girl enrolled in college?

  An unexpected opportunity arose for the girl enrolled in college when a high school superintendent altered a check to facilitate her enrollment. This act opened doors for the girl, leading to unforeseen possibilities and a chance to pursue higher education. The girl's determination and the superintendent's intervention paved the way for her to access education and create a path towards a brighter future.

• How did the girl's program benefit deaf children in learning English?

  The girl's program for deaf children focused on teaching English through visual systems, allowing them to achieve language proficiency equal to their hearing peers. By emphasizing morphemes, the smallest meaningful parts of language, the program enabled deaf children to acquire language naturally through visual aids. This innovative approach revolutionized the way deaf children learned English, bridging the gap between hearing and non-hearing individuals.

• What challenges did the family face due to loco weed affecting some animals?

  The family faced challenges due to loco weed affecting some animals, causing erratic behavior and difficulties in managing them. The presence of loco weed posed a threat to the well-being of the animals on the ranch, leading to challenges in maintaining their health and behavior. This issue added to the hardships already faced by the family, further complicating their efforts to sustain their livelihood in the small lime camp.