Vostok

The saguaro cactus, when exposed to subfreezing temperatures will produce a wobble. One can see this wobble on a hike through the desert. The tender cells atop each column are given the responsibility of producing the next years growth. Quite a task for youth. The wobble, a dip in the vertical rise of the cacti, occurs after sustained cold temperatures.

This morning in my car (heat blasting), I heard on the news of a buried Antarctic lake. A blue heart, liquid menthol within a white square of peppermint gum. The lake (Vostok) lies beneath two miles of ice and is the size of New Jersey. Russian scientists are drilling down for a sample of ancient water.

At 5:15 am I turned on the water in the bathroom, but all that came out of the faucet was a belch of cold water no more than a quarter cup. Not enough to wash my hands let alone a shower. I circled the house in search of busted pipes, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. It seems our tiny bungalow is frozen solid. Tucson has become Lake Vostok, and somewhere down in our pipes is liquid water. Nothing to do but wait for the sun to thaw us out.