CNN iReport

A Child's Dust Bowl Christmas - Okemah, Oklahoma 1936

"Christmas is coming but the dust blows so hard and thick nowadays, I wonder how Santa could find his way to our chimney. Mama's worried and Daddy said the wheat is ruined and the money is gone. No one would come here this Christmas, not even Santa. Everything is so dusty and even our hopes and dreams seem covered in dirt. But Sis says we're moving out West. California. Maybe that'll take us closer to Santa and we'll meet him half way to paradise. Things will be better and at least I won't get no dust for Christmas."

It's already November!  Where did the time go?  If you plan on personalizing your Christmas card with a "stylized" photo or other artwork, don't let time get away from you.  The time is NOW!   Personalized cards can be printed fairly inexpensively at a number of locations and via their websites.  But the sooner the better to avoid the holiday rush.

For our family, this year's unique greeting is a stark departure from 2008's Norman Rockwell(ish) antiseptic view of an innocent America on holiday and puts Americans back into reality and dire straights.  At just over 10 percent unemployment in California (and this state's continuing drought), it's who we really are for the time being.  The California dust bowl is upon us.   So, with that in mind, we figured we might as well roll with that dubious distinction and take little creative license to produce a family portrait -- inspired by classic dust bowl and 1930's Depression era pics.  Examples attached.  (BTW, this is all non political.  Seriously, no political observations whatsoever...just a sign of the times.)  It's all about overcoming adversity (mister, can you spare a 401?) and anticipating better days ahead.  Those WILL come.  All things must pass.