The Muse is Loose

During World War II our family pulled up stakes in Arkansas and headed for California. There were jobs there in war plants that paid good money. The seven of us Pogues' loaded in a 37' Oldsmobile, with all our belongings on the roof and in the trunk. No trailer! A water bag hung from one bumper to save us in the desert. We connected with Route 66 and it was "California, here we come"! When we arrived in the El Monte area there was NO place to stay. I mean NO place! A kindly gentleman gave us access to a large chicken house that had recently been emptied. The aroma of chickens stayed behind. The seven of us slept on the floor of this hen house. We were off to a great start! Soon Daddy did find a rent house and a job in a war plant .
I had left a small country school that had all twelve grades in one building:three grades in each room! Now, I found myself in an elementary school larger than I had ever seen. Our accents and dress soon gave us away as Arkansas hillbillies, and the teasing came with it. I hated that school! Daddy bought some white rabbits. They were not for fun. They were for profit. I had seven does and two bucks. It was not long before I had almost thirty rabbits. The young ones went to market after only a few weeks. The meat was sold and the hides were stretched and dried for selling. I liked raising rabbits. I also liked my church. It was different from the country church in Cavanaugh, Arkansas; but that was okay. The thing I liked best was when the preacher played hymns and gospel songs on his saxophone. He had played in a dance band before he became a preacher so he was really good! Mother and Daddy weren't too sure about that, but they adjusted. After a year and a half the homesick seven loaded up and headed back to Arkansas to a little town near Bentonville, Arkansas. You have heard of Bentonville, I am sure. It changed from a sleepy little town, to headquarters of the world's largest retailer, Wal Mart.
Two things saved the day for me in California: Rabbits and Religion. When we find ourselves in new places and with big changes it is good to seek out a church family. The common ties through Christ can help make it all easier. Usually church folks reach out and accept new folks into their homes and hearts. Not always, but usually. You can also try raising rabbits if the law allows, but I think I would start with a church. Raising rabbits can be a hare-raising experience!