On Sarpy Creek

I read this book to participate in "One Book Town." My discussion group is set for June 11th at the library.

On Sarpy Creek was written by Ira Stephens Nelson in 1938; it was the only book he wrote. It was re-printed in 2003.

The book details the ordinary lives of a community of ranchers on Sarpy Creek from the mid-1920's to the mid-1930's, when the drought pushed out all but the most hardy settlers. The story opens with a birth in a wagon, and continues through a brutal murder; adultery and redemption; anger and joy. At the center of the story are Case and Sareeny Gyler, a young couple who come back to Sarpy Creek to make a life near Sareeny's family, the Gores. Their lives and the lives of their neighbors are intertwined in a way familiar to anyone from a small community.

I can't but help compare the book to Ivan Doig's "This House of Sky" series about the valley south of White Sulphur Springs. The writing styles are different; Doig is far more sophisticated. But the storytelling is accomplished, and Nelson's simpler approach does not make his book any less readable. The characters are well-developed and real, and the situations played are believable.

Rx: Lemon Drops

The right side of my face started swelling after lunch on Wednesday. It diminished a bit, then swelled again after lunch on Thursday. That freaked me out, so I went to Immediate Care for an expert opinion.

Parotitis.

Yeah, that's what I thought, too, but it has nothing to do with parrots. It's a blocked salivary gland, the parotid to be exact. The same gland swells when you have the mumps. Such an attractive look for me! She felt there was a calcification, or stone, blocking the duct.

The nurse practitioner who saw me brought in a colleague to feel my neck; they'd been discussing this VERY THING earlier in the week. Glad to be of service to humankind . . .

Anyway, aside from the HUGE horse-pill antibiotic I was prescribed, I was advised to apply hot compresses, gently massage my face, and suck on lemon drops. The sour stimulates the gland, apparently, and will produce saliva which -- I gather -- will eventually expell the "stone" blocking the gland's duct.

And I worried I wouldn't have anything to say!

Happy Birthday, Bro

A sharp-dressed man, circa 1969.

Here we go!

I just got home from a presentation about blogging delivered by Karen, Randy and Craig. Their presentation has inspired me to create a blog, even though I don't think my life is particularly interesting. Worse, my opinions on various things are not worth repeating.

Notwithstanding these limitations, I have decided to try this out. I used to enjoy writing, and I still write letters to a number of friends. It's not that I'm without material -- but the quality of the material will be significantly less compelling than some of my favorite blogs!

We'll see how long I can keep this up.