I Rather Dread the Return Trip over the Desert

Postmarked 20 July 1939
Los Angeles, CA Arcade Annex

Message:

Los Angeles - July 18 / Dear Anna, We came here yesterday from Yosemite. I went out to call on Nina Parker this afternoon but didn't find her at home. I left a card with our hotel address so I am hoping that she will find it before we leave. It has been a wonderful trip so far. I rather dread the return trip over the desert. / Love, Grace

In most parts of the United States, we are fortunate enough to be in a position to take access to clean, potable water for granted. Even living in Arizona for five years, we were never inconvenienced by rationing or unable to use water for whatever purpose we needed. In ritzy areas, the lavish fountains cascading water for purely decorative reasons and the presence of landscaping requiring lots of water bothered me, though it seemed not to bother people in general. We have very little idea of the real scarcity of water or its value. Water.org has compiled a list of facts about water for today, Blog Action Day:

• Every 20 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease.
• 890 million people lack access to safe water.
• 2.5 billion people don’t have a toilet.
• $25 brings one person clean water for life.
• Over 200 million hours of labor each day are consumed each day to collect water.
• The majority of the world’s illness is caused by fecal matter.
• More people on earth have cell phones than toilets.

While the statistics seem overwhelming, you can help. Visit the Solutions page at water.org to learn more and find out what you can do.

Blog Action Day Website

Thanks to Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday!