Comments from the canyons: Privilege to listen to someone who lived history

Recently, we have visited about the different calls I have received about our area history and the fun I have had in trying to find a few answers. Most such calls come from younger people who have the notion that I am almost as old at the mountain. Frequently, they want to know about happenings in the early 1900's and seem almost surprised that I wasn't around to witness such events.

Last week, I was most honored to receive a call from Rachel Sparks, who still maintains her home at lma but who now lives with her daughter in Clovis. Rachel and I have known each other since she moved to the lma community in the early 1940's and have kept in touch through the years. She began our conversation by saying she knew I wasn't around during the Dust Bowl, but she wondered if I could remember stories from my parents and grandparents.

Of course, I was pleased that she knew my age and that I wasn't around then. She said she was to be interviewed by some students from House, and she needed to find a few more stories to tell them about those dusty days. Well, we began to talk about her memories and the stories I could remember. As we talked, she began to think of more personal experiences she could share. She talked about how her mother had to cover all cooking and eating utensils in order to keep the dust from settling on them. She even covered the dishes on the table between meals so they wouldn't collect the settling dust, which sifted in around all doors and windows.

We then went into a discussion of the Great Depression which occurred along with the Dust Bowl and the problems people experienced in just trying to make enough money to buy necessities. We talked about how precious each item was to people of all ages. Because no one had very much of anything, each person appreciated each item. Because I could remember the end of the depression, I could talk a little about some personal experiences and the joy of receiving a penny to buy a piece of candy.

Just visiting with a friend from the distant past was a major pleasure, but the fact that she asked me to help her recall some of her experiences was a rare privilege. As we talked, she began to realize just how much she remembered, and she added to my collection of facts from that era. I just hope those students are aware of how privileged they will be to listen to Rachel and to be able to ask her questions about her memories. They will most definitely be in the presence of a living collection of history.

Lynn Moncus is a Tucumcari resident and can be contacted through the Quay County Sun by calling 575-461-1952.