Pax and I went for a row around the harbor in the dingy, and then a short walk along the river, which is still flowing, but barely. Bridal Veil Falls, the great tourist attraction, must be less than impressive.
Some time ago I read one of Abby's college textbooks—Wisdom Sits In Places—as was quite captivated by it, especially the Apache place stories. Apache people use names, stories, and other ways of speaking to create and maintain their culture.
When I finished reading the book I tried writing a place story using the Apache method and style. I printed off a few copies, and they became dispersed. Quite a bit later, remembering the story and kind of liking it, I tried over the years to find it. But no luck.
So, I have finally decided to try writing it again. Here is is, below.
I still wish I could find the original because I suspect it is better than this recreation. On the other hand I have now had fun twice.
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Finding Home
Now he gets in his car and begins driving west.
The war is over and he’s married. He’s looking for a place to live.
His route follows the railroad, sometimes on one side and sometimes on the other. He knows he will want to take the train to his job in the city, not the car.
Some of the towns he drives through are nice, but he still feels closed in.
Now he comes to a village on the river. He sees a house for sale on a quiet street facing the water. He gets out of the car and walks around. He comes back to the car and sits with the door open. He sits and listens. He sits for a long time.
Then he closes the door and starts the engine. No, he thinks, this is not quite it. I can't see it here. He drives some more, going west.
Now he looks at his map and sees a side road that snakes through a slough to the side of a lake. The narrow road winds through tall grass and cattails until it reaches solid ground on the north shore. On the lake side are some houses and on the other side are cornfields.
He sees a lane that leads down to the lake. Elm trees on both sides make it look like a tunnel. There are two houses on one side and one house on the other. That house is for sale.
That house looks big enough for a family and has a wide porch. The yard is a bit wild and has an old maple tree, some ash trees, and two cherry trees. A sidewalk in front of the house leads down to the lake.
He stops the car and gets out. No people are around anywhere. The roots of some elm trees have heaved the sidewalk, and pieces of hickory nuts are scattered over the end by the lake. A wide scoop of sand leads down the low bluff to the beach.
Now he sits on the grass and takes off his shoes and rolls the legs of his pants. He walks down the sand and into the water. The bottom is hard sand and the water is clear. He walks out deep, so his pants get wet anyway.
Nut pieces hurt his feet when he walks back to his car. He puts his shoes in the back seat and sits in the car with the doors open. He looks at the house. Water drips on the floor for a long time.
Now he is thinking. This is a good place. This would be a good place for a family. Kids would like it here. He can see how it will be.
