I am wondering if I should alter my methods of writing these desert memory stories. I
understand that the popularity of these stories has spread. The diversity of the readers
may go far beyond the originally intended local community. I ask myself, "Will these
non-desert folks be able to grasp the essence of stories of our past?" I believe the
biggest obstacle in my path is DRS (The Desert-Rat Syndrome). What do you think? Can I
overcome this challenge? How should I handle this problem in the column?
I am sure you have all come across DRS, perhaps you have just not recognized the
telltale symptoms. DRS is an affliction that strikes many of the urban peoples of our
country.
Here is an example of DRS. "Snow in the desert? You gotta be kidding." It is
that sort of statement that I have heard for years and is a sure sign of the onset of DRS.
I think people expect us desert people to be full of far fetched tales. There maybe is
some truth to merit their apprehensiveness. After all, who doesn't remember all of the
books and movies with the old grizzled desert rat sitting on a rock out in the middle of
nowhere feeding colorfully exaggerated desert tales to a group of gullible city fellers
just to see how much they will swallow before they catch on. This DRS stigma is something
we desert people must learn to live with and try to overcome in every conversation that we
have with these city folk. We must be constantly aware of the fact that, the minute we
mention that we live in the middle of the Mojave Desert, this immediately triggers DRS in
city folks. The memory light-bulb goes on, indicating all tall tale defense circuits are
energized and ready. Consequently all other statements made by you after that light comes
on are taken with a grain of salt (or is that, a dose of salts)?
I run into DRS almost daily with the new people I meet on ham radio.
Him: "You say you live in the Mojave Desert, well what do you do out there in the
desert Bill?"
Me: "I live on a catfish farm."
Him: "Sure you do...... Well it's been nice talking with you Bill...... bye."
You can imagine how this conversation would have ended if I had also included other
facts about desert life in Newberry Springs such as; "My neighbor was almost stomped
to death by his ostrich the other day." Or, "I just saw a newborn Buffalo calf
on my way to a water ski meet down the road".
Do you see what I mean about the Desert-Rat Syndrome? Sometimes we can't win fer losen
because of it. Any suggestions?
Copyright 1995, William E. Smith, All Rights Reserved
Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 116
Newberry Springs, CA 92365
Phone: (760) 257-1072
