Down to the Lick Log
Sometimes, the rubber hits the road. Or, to use a more personal metaphor, sooner or later, we get down to the lick log. I know a lick log because the cows at Mamo and Papo’s farm had salt licks. My Uncle Jimmy put the blocks of salt on stumps in the field behind the barn. The cows, for God knows what reason, liked salt. They would low their way to the salt lick and, well, lick. Their black tongues worked a cupped indention in the salt block. When the cows arrived at the bottom, you could see the stump wood.
I always thought this appearance of the wood was what generated the phrase “down to the lick log.” Turns out, farmers originally made salt licks by hollowing out a tree log. Same theory, though. In either case, when the cows had almost consumed the salt lick, wood showed through.
At various points in my journey of familial discovery, I have arrived at the bottom of the salt lick. Sunday is one of those days.
An essay I’ve written entitled, “Granddaughter of the Instigator,” will be published in the Juneteenth issue of Salvation South Magazine. So much vulnerability in that. Telling my story. Admitting my ignorance. Holding myself out as able to accurately portray major historical moments. I always envision potential negative outcomes, never good ones.
And, yet, I continue to write these essays. I continue to submit them for publication. In this particular instance, I have put extravagant energy into getting the essay about my ancestor’s involvement in the Vicksburg Massacres as good as I can make it. It’s important to me to tell these stories about my ancestors. But the moment before the work goes live, I find myself thinking of black cows’ tongues, depletion, lick logs. At least I can talk to y’all about it. 🙂
Salvation South Magazine, The fear of publication, Vicksburg Massacres
Emma French Connolly
Congrats Ellen! I’m looking forward to that coming out. I always learn more about you every time. I read your pieces.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
TY, Emma. I’ll send a link. Chuck Reece, the editor, did a fabulous job. I’ve learned a lot from him about final edits.
Donna
Brava Ellen! You have an incredible heartfelt introspective perspective in all your essays. I’m looking forward to reading this one as well.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thank you, Donna. Those are such kind words. 🧡