Sue's
first experience with the desert was accompanying her husband,
Pete, to a job interview in 29 Palms for a teaching position in
1957. At first blush, Sue was not impressed with the place,
sitting under an elm tree in the June desert heat and then moving
from Texas, in the middle of August, with their three young
children. But, she agreed to try it out for two years - 60 years
later, she's still here.
After
discounting the pink desert mountains in a John
Hilton painting as artistic license, her mind was
changed when she witnessed them with her own eyes. The beauty of
the desert and the kindnesses of its community members kept her
here.
Sue
spent 40 years as a substitute teacher in the Morongo Unified
School District, gaining a reputation for being tough - her husband
nicknaming her 'Mrs. McMean'. These days, she loves filing
historical data in the Research Room of The
Old Schoolhouse Museum and giving tours to the
third grade classes who come to see a classroom with an actual
chalkboard.
In this
episode, Sue shares memories of the annual Weed
Show and talks about some of the books, by local
authors like Art
Kidwell, available in the gift shop of The Old
Schoolhouse Museum and the current expansion of the museum to
accommodate the growing interest in historical programs hosted
there by The Desert
Institute.
Sue's
children, two of whom are also now retired, left the area long ago
and worry a bit about their mom remaining in the desert at her
advanced age. Sue understands, but loves the place and the people
with whom she has made a life and feels strongly that she is still
fulfilling her purpose. Sue's not ready to leave her desert home
any time soon.
About the Podcast
Desert Lady Diaries: 30-minute conversations with women who live in the desert. Find out why they came, what they do here and why they stay.