Tales: If the Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss

Reviewing If The Creek Don't Rise

If the Creek Don't Rise is a fiction novel about Sadie Blue and the handful of residents of Baines Creek, North Carolina in 1970. Life in this remote and impoverished Appalachian town is terribly hard. Relationships are even harder. 

I found myself reading in every spare moment; while waiting in lines, first thing in the morning, and until I couldn't hold my eyes open any longer at night. This story had me hooked from the first shocking paragraph to the last paragraph that made me cheer aloud. Really.

About the ending, a reviewer describes it the best with: 

"The ending is the cherry on top of the best sundae you've ever wanted to have. After a carefully concocted blend of flavours, it ends with that bit of zing you weren't quite expecting"  - Cheri on Goodreads

But I'm getting ahead of myself. The story begins with Sadie Blue and how at age 17 she found herself married, pregnant, and the wife of the devil.

Sadie Blue

The story begins and ends intimately with Sadie Blue. With all the chapters in between glimpses of what others think about young Sadie, her abusive husband, and what it's like living life in Baines Creek. Each character distinctly different. 

We learn that Sadie's mother left the family while Sadie was very young. Her father, while he still speaks to her, has passed away. She was being raised by her grandmother when Roy Tupkin smiled and her heart fluttered. It wasn't long until she became pregnant, and with his hand on her belly the baby kicked.  

"Right then, with one baby kick, that man with the dark soul grinned, and it turned his face into something beautiful I never seen before. A light shined in his face on this cloudly day and wiped away shadows that lived behind his eyes"

That Thursday, they got married. They gathered her things and she moved in with him. 

"Now I stand on wobbly legs and whimper like a hurt puppy cause I can't help it. Today was beating number three since I got legal. I figure Roy don't need a reason no more. I close the trailer door against the chill, then shuffle to the bathroom to wash off the dried blood." 

Roy Tupkin

The villain is Roy Tupkin. He's a typical abusive, womanizing man.  Still a boy really. Good ol' Roy is easy to hate - then we get a peek into his life. While nothing excuses how he treats others, we get a glimpse into what causes him to be so maladapted. I didn't like him any better but I did understand where his problems began.

Roy isn't the only resident of Baines Creek who is maladapted. But most of them are likable - perhaps even lovable. Eli Perkins is the preacher who brings Ms. Shaw from the outside to teach the children. Prudence is his spinster sister who has secrets. Billy has a not-so-secret crush on Sadie. And so on.

Each character tells their story one by one in alternating first person narratives. Each voice is clear and memorable

The Author: Leah Weiss

If the Creek Don't Rise is a debut novel by Leah Weiss. This is a character-based story rather than plot-based. We get to know each of the many characters intimately and because of the glimpses into each of their lives, and each voice was easy to recognize. I was determined to know what comes next as soon as possible.

"The first stories I wrote were about my mom, Lucy, and her life on a tobacco farm in the 1930s. She was one of fifteen children living in an unpainted house without running water or electricity. She and I found a special bond talking about her childhood, which she thought no one care to remember. I didn't know that in a few months Lucy would die of cancer and I wold be left with grief and amazing fodder from those conversations." - Leah Weiss

To me, that explains how she got the voices of strong women who live in poverty in isolated, rural areas so correct.  I nearly didn't read this book, half expecting the usual condescension or trivialization that happens when outsiders try to describe lives such as these. But Ms. Weiss hit it spot on.

I will remember Sadie Blue, and who saved her, for a long time to come. 

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Travel: Conowingo Dam for Birding and Fishing Day Trips

Conowingo Dam and the Fisherman's Wharf area.

I have visited Conowingo Dam fishing area multiple times over the years. I enjoyed each day trip to the area whether I'm fishing or birding (or both at the same time). Today's visit wasn't spectacular in the birding category, but it was a good visit all the same. When I move away from Maryland, this will be one of the spots that I will miss immensely. At the risk of sharing my already not-so-secret spot, I decided to write about Conowingo Dam so that others can plan their own visits. 

Also, the Fisherman's Park of Conowingo now includes a wharf and stairs system that allows everyone (including children and families) to enjoy the area. Bring your cameras, fishing poles, family/kids/friends, and a picnic lunch and have a wonderful day.

Birding and fishing in one awesome spot

Conowingo Hydroelectric Plant

Conowingo Hydroelectric Plant opened in 1928. It is in the lower Susquehanna River, approximately 5 miles south of the Pennsylvania-Maryland state line. It is located near the Maryland small towns of Conowingo, Darlington, and Port Deposit. It is one of the largest non-federal hydroelectric dams in the US. 

It is an easy, but rural, drive just off US 1 or I-95.

The view from under the dam

Early morning view of the island where birds congregate

The fisherman's wharf is a beautiful system of stairs, rails, and concrete seating ledges. When I initially moved to Maryland, the fishing area at Conowingo was only a parking lot, and rip rap along the shoreline.  The fisherman's wharf was built in 2009. Many times, I am not a fan of building up natural areas, but in this case I am glad someone had the idea and carried this out to fruition. 

Wharf stairs and multiple overlooks

Multiple ledges for seating

View from a portion of the wharf

There is also a boat launch for small boats. However, it was closed today - I believe the sign said due to higher water. 

Bird Watching at Conowingo

This area has become a well-known Bald Eagle viewing area. A large population of Herons also are in the area. Today, we spotted many other bird species. I am not at all reliable at identifying bird species, but I am certain we saw Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Cardinals, Crows, Osprey. and Black Vultures. We also saw what appeared to be cormorants, gulls, ducks, and swallows. We certainly heard a Pileated Woodpecker. 

There are many articles online written by more experienced bird watchers. For more accurate bird information, please consult those articles. My intent today is to increase awareness of the ease of access to the Eagles and other birds while I am still becoming better at viewing and identifying.

Bring your binoculars and camera and enjoy the day with the birds.

Bald Eagle spotted today

Great Blue Heron flying - and I need a zoom lens

Fishing at Conowingo

Before the wharf was built, I came to the area to fish for catfish. And I caught several. 

Information shows that people fish the area for bass, shad, catfish, walleye and more. Today, we watched folks walk out with large fish - a mixture of bass and catfish. The question, "any luck?" was not needed. Their catches were obvious. I was happy for them and found myself wishing I had brought my pole.

I saw mostly large rigs (poles and crankbaits) being used in the cast and reel quickly fashion. But I also saw some poles propped up and waiting for the tell-tale bobbing of the tip of the pole indicating "fish on".  That's more my style of fishing. And I saw plenty of that style too. Whether you use a lure or bait, crank or bottom-fish, there was someone having luck at it today.

A lovely morning to go fishing

Fish on!

Be Aware and Beware  

There are important signs regarding safety around the property. Read them and heed them.

* * * * * * * *

photo by W.L.S - with permission

Be aware that the red flashing lights and sirens indicate the dam is opening and releasing more water. It does not open suddenly, but it does create a higher water level. You should be aware, gather your things, and move to higher ground.

Signs indicate that the vultures may damage vehicles. This is NOT an understatement. The numerous Black Vultures in the area perch atop you car and in our case, removed the rubberized portion of the windshield wiper. 

Related Links:

Conowingo Fisherman's Park brochure - general information about directions, fishing, birding, and phone numbers for more information.

A very detailed article of interest to birders is provided by the Harford Bird Club. It was originally written in 2002 by Rick Blom but shows that there have been updates since. 

*This article may contain affiliate links. If you shop via one of the affiliate links, I may earn a small commission - at no additional cost to you. I am very appreciative of every reader who visits my articles. Thank you.

3 Reasons I Want to Build a Small Home

The Shack 

There are many reasons to build or live in a very small home. There are as many different reasons for living tiny as there are people who are doing it. The three main reasons I want to build small are: lower cost, less clutter, and lower negative impact on the environment.

Over the decades, I've always tended to live in smaller spaces and I guess as a result, I am more accustomed to smaller spaces. As an adult, I've only lived in two "large" homes (meaning, over 1,400 sq ft).  Over my lifetime, the American Dream seemed to be that big house with the picket fence. So I felt a little strange about admiring and dreaming about the small homes.  

Fortunately, somewhere along the way I decided to live my dreams - whether it was popular or not. And somewhere along the way, small homes became the America Dream for more people.

This is being written during the process of planning for retiring off-grid. Or being on-grid but as self-sustainable as I am able to be. I have purchased my land with a currently off-grid, dry, hunting cabin that I lovingly call The Shack. 

This is more about the three reasons I am planning on building small.

1. Low Cost - Moving Toward Debt-Free Living

Please be clear that I'm not knocking people who live in large homes with large price tags. There are many reasons to live in a large home and a lot of people dream of living in a large home. And I think everyone should live their own dream. Some people choose to buy a large home in a desirable area as a retirement investment. I think that's a fantastic idea for some people. But that's not for me. 

My plan had been to pay off the land, then pay cash as I go to make the improvements; the septic, water, then the house.  My plan was to do this over years and be debt-free when I retire. My idea of the American Dream is to retire with no debt and very low monthly bills. A very small (or no) mortgage would help this happen.

As time goes on, and my desire to be there sooner as opposed to later, my plans change. I may not get up there debt-free, but I still want my debt to be as low as possible.

I am not able or willing to remodel or build my own home. So I'll hire someone. That will increase the cost. But even so, building a modest home at less than 800 square feet carries a much lower price tag than building a large home.

The current house plan I have in mind is approximately 640 sq. feet. If it costs $100 per square foot, my 640 sq. ft. home would cost $64,000 while a 1400 sq. ft. home would cost 140,000. I really like the difference in those price tags!

2. Preventing the Clutter and Excessive Consumerism

Oh my gosh, I am my mother's daughter. She was a hoarder. And probably could have been a guest on the hoarder tv series.  I'm not quite that bad. But I easily could be. And living in large spaces only invites buying A LOT of things. 

I like to have things. But I think overall, Americans overdo it in regards to having "stuff". I personally want to live in a small space in order to help keep that excess consumerism from setting it. I don't want to buy a bunch of things I'll use once or twice then have to make room to store for the rest of my life.

I'm certainly not a minimalist. But having less things makes me happier than having a literal ton of things.


Reduced Time Spent Cleaning?

Related to the topic of clutter, some tiny-home advocates report that the time spent cleaning a tiny home is significantly reduced.  I'm not completely sure that I buy into that argument 100%.  Yes, it takes less time to mop a kitchen floor that measures 6 x 10 than it took to mop my old house kitchen that probably measured 10 x 14 (or larger. It was a HUGE country kitchen). But, I think that keeping everything in it's place in a small home, with multiple use spaces, is also time-consuming.

For example, when camping at The Shack, I get all of my bedding out of the mouse-proof containers and make my bed. Then I put the bedding away, into the storage containers. Because where my bed is made is also my "living room" floor. Every time you have a "multiple use" space and have to spend time storing things away, it takes some time. 

So I think the reduced time for cleaning may or may not be true depending on the area. If there isn't an overabundance of things that need to be stored, getting them out and putting them away each day won't be as time consuming. 

3. Low Environmental Impact 

When people refer to reducing the environmental impact, they are usually referring to having a small carbon footprint. 

"A carbon footprint is historically defined as the total emissions caused by an individual, event, organisation, or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent" - wikipedia

My desire to live in a really small home has to do, in large part, with a desire to keep heating/cooling/energy costs and usage as small as possible. Reducing that carbon footprint. I previously owned an older, 1,400+ square foot home and cringed at how much energy it cost to keep that place remotely close to comfortable.

I also think of low environmental impact in the aspect of visual pollution. Personally, I don't like seeing the farm land that was turned into a subdivision of 100 homes. I don't like seeing forests cut down to make way for manicured yards.  Again, I'm not insulting people whose dreams include living in those situations. Live your dreams and love it. Don't try to please anyone other than yourself. However, it's not for me. Those sights are usually visual pollution to me. As are homes that are built on the top of a mountain or ridge and can be seen plainly from the valley below.

My plan to build a small home in place of The Shack has a lot to do with not interrupting the view from below. If I plan this right, my small home will be invisible from the valley below and that thought makes me happy.  I want the neighbors to gaze upon my trees - not upon my house.

Related Small Home Links:

Small home plans

The Big Book of Small Homes Plans is FULL of awesome home plans under 1,200 sq. ft. This book has given me many great ideas for the inside layout options and exterior options.

Lancaster Cabins

Are you interested in a tiny house on wheels or a park model? I toured Keystone Kabins (now named Lancaster Cabins) and LOVED, loved, loved those cabins. If my land was unrestricted, one of these cabins would already be parked there. They are a must-see for tiny home lovers. 

The Shack - A Quick Peek

And here is a quick peek (and a first video attempt) of the inside of The Shack during the before stage. 

*This article may contain affiliate links. If you shop via one of the affiliate links, I may earn a small commission - at no additional cost to you. I am very appreciative of every reader who visits my articles. Thank you.