Getting To Work On The Canals

PROGRESS REPORT

New Words: 2100 on Chapter 1 ("Those Who Came First") Section 3 ("The Canal Builders") of Arizona. A bigger count today since I didn't have to be at work till 2 hours later than usual. Kwewu takes the first big step towards taking the Hohokam from their small Santa Cruz River canals to their giant Salt River ones, which will allow them to colonize a big chunk of central Arizona.

Total Words: 41600.

Reason For Stopping: Getting ready for work.

Book Year: 754.

Mammalian Assistance: None. All small animals were sunning themselves on the bed.

Exercise: Walking Tucker around the neighborhood; walking down to campus.

Stimulants: Dr. Pepper.

Today's Opening Passage(s): “You cannot leave!” Judumi told him.

He and Kwewu and Tohbi were sitting outside Judumi’s pithouse, their first time together since Judumi’s campaign two months before. Less than a month from the Winter Solstice the night was frigid, but they had no fire and did not even sit close to one another—the two Bears were immune to the cold, and Kwewu’s memories of his salt pilgrimage across the Sonoran dunes were still so raw the night felt refreshing. They had taken a supper of venison and roast corn with Judumi’s family earlier, and afterward, going outside to watch the courses of the stars together, Kwewu told them his idea.

“You cannot leave,” Judumi repeated with more control. “This was the land given to us by Elder Brother. The Land Between the Rivers, where we were created. We stay here.” As far as Judumi was concerned, this ended the matter.

Darling Du Jour: (Tohbi) pointed to a stream nearby that, even without a canal, had a sizeable village clustered near the banks. “They already know the blessings the canals bring. You just have to show them that the blessings will come elsewhere too. Go there yourself and start building the irrigation first...”

“Be alone.” The idea was anathema to any Hohokam. Living among each other was a power, a joy, and a love unto itself. To be apart was to be a desert with no water.

“Not totally alone.” She flashed him an oddly mischievous smile. “Do you think it’s odd that I haven’t married yet?”

He didn’t answer—he’d always been a little afraid to mention this. The fact that she carried her spear with her at all times didn’t help. But he’d thought perhaps she hadn’t cared for marriage; or perhaps she was one of the occasional people who preferred their own sex.

“There are some men who would share my mat,” she told him, “and I would bring one into my house if I was certain he was the right man to join with. But I’ve never known the right question to ask to make certain. Now I do.”

Kwewu guessed it at once, his hope rising: “‘Will you join me in a house beyond Hohokam land?’”

“You’re missing the rest of the question,” she said. “The rest is, ‘…And help me make it Hohokam land?’”

Submissions Sent Out In November: 2.

Total Submissions Out Right Now: 5.

Non-Research / Review Books In Progress: Michener; Nemesis by Lindsey Davis.