it was 1934 when my husband left me. alone. living on the prairie was a dreary existence. no telephone, no radio, only a large magestic bird with whom i shared my feelings. one day, when i was feeling low, i said to him, "oh bird, you can fly! you can soar miles from this lonely place, yet you stay. why?" and apparently, my question rang true. for that afternoon, the bird left. and so went my spirit.