A Boat in the Desert
I have questions
Hello Friends,
Last week I drove to see family in Arizona. GPS said it would take seven hours; it took more than ten.
Along the way, I crossed dozens of dry ditches with names like Mud Ditch and Beehive Ditch and the Colorado River, which is not a ditch, but there was so little water, it hardly registered to me as the same powerful force that carved out the Grand Canyon.
The southeast part of California is an interesting place. The land is beige and sandy in a way that makes me think it was once under the ocean but also rocky and devoid of much plant life that I think I might be on the moon.
Last year I listened to California City, a podcast about the real-life attempt to build a city in the desert, but rather than an oasis like Palm Springs, many people ended up with broken dreams.
There are parts of this drive that were reminiscent of what happened in California City. Along the I-10, there is a whole lot of nothing and then suddenly, signs of life that made me wonder about the history of this place.
There were clusters of palm trees planted in strange formations with the tops cut off. I googled it when I got to my hotel and found a message board with theories about the trees ranging from a family feud where the patriarch planted the trees to blow all his money before he died to an attempt at signaling aliens.
I came across a boat in the middle of the desert with nothing around it for miles. I wonder how it got there? What’s its origin story? Its history? Once it was brand new, towed off the lot by someone with hopes for fun and adventure. At some point along the way, it was left behind. Where did the people go? Where are they now?
When I crossed the border into Arizona, I felt an immediate shift. The grey rock was now red, and tall cactuses stood like referees signaling a touchdown.
I enjoyed my time diving quietly through the desert. The setting is a perfect place to let my imagination run free.
This is where I am today. Thank you for listening.
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Read This Week
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
I had a terrible professor of British Literature in college. She was pretentious and unforgiving, and when we read Austen, I projected my feelings towards the teacher onto the books. I've been intimidated by these classics ever since. (more)
Comedy, Comedy, Comedy, Drama by Bob Odenkirk
Mr. Show writes a book, and in it, we learn he likes obscure comedy, and he doesn't like to be cold. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and antics and felt like I got to know the author in a sense that I understand the kind of projects he likes and dislikes and his strengths and insecurities around the craft. (more)
Links to Ponder
There is a lot to stress you out in the world… Listen to Britney and experience joy. (Switched on Pod) Also, she is writing a book, and I can’t wait! (Glamour)
“I’ve been stripped down to me, and not much else, and I can’t seem to find a path back to you… To the world. To community.” (Renegade Mothering)
“An illness with an arc.” Creativity and depression. (Lit Hub)
Why I regularly talk to my sons about periods (Cup of Jo)
The beautiful and dangerous Tule Fog is back in the Central Valley, and it’s bringing back all kinds of memories for me. (L.A. Times) Thank you to my husband Nick for sending me this article. I grew up in the Central Valley and he knows how much love the fog.
A day in the life of a Montecito Realator (Curbed)
What it’s really like under the NFL lights “Now, run. Run right into the door. Run as hard as you can. Get up. You OK? Who cares if you’re not? Go back and do it again.” (LitHub)
It’s is about more than naps. (The Nap Ministry)
Better Call Saul season six is happening!! (YouTube)
Smartless is a podcast breaking all the rules by remaining “utterly vanilla” (Vulture)
Your Prompt for Today
What are you reading or listening to this week? What have you created that wasn’t there before? Post your response in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @emilykathleenwrites