The Upsides of Dust?

“I’m so thankful for the dust!” said no one... ever.  But after what seems like the driest spell this valley has had in a long time, I’m determined there has to be a silver lining in there somewhere to the fine coating of dust that sits atop, well, everything.  You might think me crazy to look for the good in even the dust but after so long, this girl is choosing to embrace it rather than cry over it, because that just makes for a mess of mud in my eyes.

1.  The dust helps me remember I could always go for a good lotion.  There is something about the fine dust that seems to suck even the littlest bit of moisture out of my skin.  Spending time outside, or even once the dust makes it inside, makes me want to soak in a tub full of salve to soothe my dry skin.  But since I need regular moisturizing anyway, I guess I can thank the dust for helping me remember to lotion up more often than normal.

2.  Gritty dust in my teeth feels a lot like going to the dentist for cleaning.  A sheer, or more often hulking, layer of dust on my teeth, swishing this way and that, is sure to be polishing up my pearly whites.  If I’m outside in the dust enough, I just might be able to get my teeth cleaned without heading to the dentist and I can forgo my nest cleaning.  Thank you, dust, for saving all that time in the dental chair I really don’t want to sit in.

3.  Since everyone else around me is trying to avoid a mouth full of dirt like I am, all sorts of long conversations are held to a minimum.  Now I don’t have to think of an excuse to leave the conversation of a longwinded haranguer.  Instead they choose to get to the point real quick and we both move, all for the better I’m sure.  

4.  Trying to find anyone out in the fields or on the range has never been easier as the dust cloud around them provides a better location fix than any GPS could.  It’s like a little, or rather a BIG arrow is pointing out my final destination.  Sure I don’t get the step by step instructions on how to get there, but since I’m a visual girl, having the end point clearly marked out is all I need.

5.  With so many vehicles and implements buzzing around the ranch, it’s hard to keep them parked and out of the sun to avoid even the littlest bit of sun damage.  But with a fine layer of dust built up on just about everything, I think we are having our best summer yet at keeping the sun off.  Truth be told, it isn’t just the vehicles that the dust is keeping the sun at bay.  For once I don’t have to chase down my hard working husband or my sun loving kids to put a little sunscreen on.  The dust and eventual mud does a good job to keep the sun rays from wreaking too much havoc.

6.  I’ve never been one to frequent the car wash, but since my truck always looks like it just came off the range, going through the wash is on our to do list much more often.  Seeing the colorful foamy soaps and watching the various scrubbers attack the clinging dust and dirt has become a new hobby and fascination for my family.  Who knew the car wash could be such an adventure?!

7.  Farmhouse chic is still trending, a large part of the charm due to the patina, the long, well worn look.  A layer of dust always adds to the “well worn” look to everything so even without trying, my house is looking chic and trendy.  And if farmhouse chic wasn’t the look we were going for, the dust is helping me get a head start on decorating for Halloween.

8.  Since I don’t actually want to decorate for Halloween quite yet, the house does need regular dusting.  And since I have a handful of kids that are constantly saying they are bored, need something to do, or are just fighting and need a chore to keep their mind off tormenting their brother, having a job that is never done comes in handy.  At anytime I can pick up a rag and invite my children to take on the dust and it feels like I win.  Either they stop complaining and fighting or they start dusting.  Either way makes me happy.

9.  Too often the dirty clothes hamper is full of clothes that really aren’t dirty.  Sure they might have been worn for a bit but they are clean enough to put back on for another day of work or play.  But alas, the energy to hang up or fold those clothes is far too great and they are more often than not dropped in the laundry.  But now that every shirt, pair of pants, or hoodie, (you name it!) is dusty through every fiber, I no longer keep washing loads of clean clothes.

10.  The dust has helped me save on cosmetics this season as it is Mother Nature’s make up, covering up all sorts of unsightly blemishes.  No, there is no sort of color matching, but the contouring along my eyes, nose and chin sure do accentuate my chiseled features.  Men enjoy it too as now their mustaches and beards have never looked so thick and full.

Of course no one is really thankful for the dust, the result of a dry drought season.  No one really likes their house covered in dust or their mouth full of grit.  I do admit that spotting a busy rancher by his dustcloud does really have its upsides, but that’s not reason enough to want the dust to remain.  

While we still plead for the moisture we so desperately need, something we can only have by the grace of heaven, we can always try to look for the good in whatever comes our way.  Long or short, this season of drought will eventually come to pass and we can either complain our way through it or grin and bear it.  Like one of my favorite quotes says about the hard times, “You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.”  And with so much dust, crying just makes me muddy...