Humboldt Depression
At Ramone’s, where I stop to buy the cheapest of the spendy espresso drinks and, in pathetic defiance of the times, a discount truffle, I find hope in a young woman who, it turns out, has actually been listening to her elders. Barista Sierra Anderson, 21, says she’s noticed customers being more mindful of their choices these days, weighing their options and buying the lesser drinks and bargains. And she herself has quit going out so much.
“I used to be more free with my money,” she says. “But I talk with older people, and they say to save it.” So she does. She doesn’t have a credit card. She has no debt. She bought her car with her own money. She doesn’t make frivolous purchases.
I down my treats and head over to my bank — probably shouldn’t have bought these swell boots — to check my balance. My bank: Several months ago it was taken over by another bank, which in turn may not be faring so well.
Waiting in line, I notice a trod-upon Chinese fortune on the concrete, the cookie long gone. Pick it up, smooth it out, read the red type: “The best prophet of the future is the past.”
Indeed.
My balance, as I already know, is (barely) in the black. Well, it’s never too late. And maybe things won’t get so bad. Whether they do or not, I will wear these boots, I vow, ’til they disintegrate. And shop more sensibly. The thought makes me clomp clomp home a bit less sheepishly.
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent on the cover
May 17
Ring of Fire
Sun and moon will perform a rare pas de deux in Humboldt skies on Sunday
May 10
District Soup
Racing for the top county seat in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts
May 3
A Place in the Woods
As park closure deadline nears, a scramble to save what we can
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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THREE Comments
Comment / By Trisha Lotus / March 19, 2009, 6:47 p.m.
As always, I love the way you can turn a really difficult time into a stroll down memory lane, to show us how our beloved elders of today survived long ago when times were even more challenging. There were no unemployment benefits or food stamps to help people get through hard times, but people sharing meals to help the less fortunate make it to their destination.
Your story made me want to pass out sandwiches, or at least donate a few dollars or those canned items nearing their expiration to the food bank, so as not to let anything go to waste and helping others in the meantime.
It is delightful to observe the unique way you honor the past and blend it with the modern; and who is more modern than the high school youngsters about to embark on their adult years. Please let them loose the keys to those off road vehicles though.
Thanks for a wonderful read. Have to go get the hard copy to read to one of those elders who also lived through the Great Depression, and who will certainly enjoy your lovely story as much as I did.
Trisha Lotus
Comment / By J.A. Schwartz / March 20, 2009, 3:17 p.m.
Reading HW’s piece reminded me of some of the visual scenes of your area that were captured in columns of the “Old Dropout,” the late Max Gilroy. Putting folks back to work on much-need infrastructure projects should be among solutions for economic recovery. That, and following the slogan of a financial consultant in our area, “Save more, spend less.” JAS
Comment / By Diane Walters / March 31, 2009, 9:22 p.m.
This was one of the best articles I have read written by Heidi. I was born during the depression, and it recalled the attitudes and habits of my parents, who certainly went through hard times. I sympathized with the writer’s guilt about buying the boots she wanted as I to this day feel guilt whenever I buy something for myself, wondering if it was the right thing to do when others are wanting for food and shelter. Great story with lots of human interest.