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#FF — Oasis

msjadeli


PHOTO PROMPT © C.E. Ayr

Oasis

Each morning she slathered on a pharmaceutical witches brew and stepped into The Salton Sea.

Most Bombay Beach RV dwellers scuttled to their metal pods in the heat. Attenuated to the stench and light as lithium, she floated with the gulls, cushioned by tilapia springs. She could see Salvation Mountain when she prayed.

Pink, orange, and yellow sunsets joined her every evening. It was then she said her goodnights to the Sea. Taking a few steps to the freshwater pool, she rinsed off. Sipping from the brandy passed around the fire with her neighbors ended another blissful day.

[98 words]

My story today is based on a real place, The Salton Sea in California. I first became aware of it in 2004, when I saw, “Plagues and Pleasures on The Salton Sea” at a local film festival. My caring for the Sea has continued since then.

I wrote about this back in 2017 here.

Read more about the movie here.
Read more about The Salton Sea here.

 

 

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the inspiring host of Friday Fictioneers.

Published by msjadeli

mother, gardener, retired government worker, observer, reader, learner, bicyclist, woman who runs with the wolves, lover of music!

41 thoughts on “#FF — Oasis”

  8. Dear Lisa,

    Pharmaceutical witches brew set the tone for the rest of the story. I went back and reread it after watching both videos. Horrifying and fascinating that these people stay there. Well written story and well placed information.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Mike. A couple of ideas I had: 1) put a desalinization plant on its shore; 2) net and compost the tilapia and sell it as fertilizer (I think composting kills harmful bacteria.)

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      Reply

  22. I’m from California and I’ve never heard of the Salton Sea. Of course, I’m from Northern California. Your story makes it seem much more pleasant than the videos. After watching the videos, little things in your story seem much more ominous under the happy tone. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. Pingback: Ten Terrific Takes | The Diligent Dilettante

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