fea I >. • - Desert Magazine of the Southwest

LETTERS
Continued
ing account at the bank embarrassingly
low. I couldn't go back into gardening,
because at age 74, my heart is a little
tricky and the poor old body is infested
with all sorts of minor ailments. I never
go to doctors because I've never had any
luck with them.
What to do to increase the checking
account? In 1974 and 1975, in a burst of
creativity, I wrote 84 manuscripts. All
inferior, I would imagine, but 13 of
them were published. Of these, I received
checks for six of them, netting
me a total of $250.
So I laid out a plan to do one
1,500-word story or article a month.
The one you read was the first. It certainly
is contrived. Sewing together a
number of real experiences into one
alleged experience. And when you're
V
8 November, 1981
In the midst of the awesome beauty of
Death Valley, there flourishes an
elegant oasis called Furnace Creek. In the
lush, romantic style more than reminiscent of
the great European resorts, it offers a complete
resort experience. Fine golf, swimming in
spring-fed pools, horseback riding, tennis,
and just relaxing, as found in many resorts.
But here at Furnace Creek there's more.
writing humor in the first person, you'd
better be damn good to avoid sounding
cute.
Most people, if they could write what
they wanted to write, would write
politically. You know: Make the world a
fit place for every human being to be
happy and purposeful. No hunger, no
sadness.
Every time I infused a little politics
into my writing, I got clobbered. You'd
have to be an iron man to stand up to it.
Give me perfect health, a fortress to live
in, and a 30-man body guard, and I'll
show you what guts are. Meanwhile, I'll
just go on being my customarily
cowardly self.
Thank you again for that fine letter.
Name withheld at Editor's request
When or if you or anyone else is
willing to write/speak the truth of
your experience for Desert magazine,
I am willing to print it.
Two of a Kind
The July issue (page 31), had a story
about a two-story outhouse. Belle Plain,
Minnesota does not have the nation's
only two-story outhouse. In June, 1973,
we were touring the northern states and
we visited Viriginia City and Nevada
City. These towns were restored. One of
the buildings in Nevada City has a twostory
outhouse. I have enclosed a slide
for you to use. Thought you might like
to know.
Bill Miles
Redlands, California
One of the Grec
ofth
\< ~ir
F URN ACE • CR EEK
/) V L V