"...we part with tender relations stretching far behind us, that never can be exactly renewed..."
Scot
I can't remember the last time I had a toothache, but from you said what you're going through is a bit like the visit I had to make to my urologist, Bronko Nagurski, to check out a roaring bout of prostatitis about a year or so ago. By the time he was done with me I was ready to confess to anything. I told him that the CIA needed to bring those guys up from Guantanamo and let him work on them. If they'd give him a few days, terrorism in our time would be done for.
To this day when I hear the snap of latex against human flesh I cringe.
Hang in there.
Phil:
Thanks for that. I've spent the last few days reading your recent posts and haven't responded yet, but I will. "Conversion" is an incredible memoir that gives much to think about.
Scot
Ouch! glad you're on the mend.
Much better. Thanks, rdl.
Scot,
What a fine description complete with the soft throbbing rhythm of the blood pulsing through your head and your tooth. You seem to take it without much frustration. I notice the cat steered clear of the of the whole incident. I'm gaining more and more respect for his wisdom in matters such as these.
The writing was an effortless read.
Liz
Liz:
Good to hear from you. I appreciate your statement about the writing being "an effortless read." You are the gauge that helps me determine the effectiveness of what I have written.
Scot
Toothaches are the worst. Still don't think I'd want to resort to your grandmother's remedy. Feel better soon!
Ironic. Your comment on my lost tooth analogy and the fact that you lost a real one.
Glad you're on the mend.
Patry:
Thanks for that and for stopping by.
Scot
colleen:
Glad to see you stop by. Thanks for reading.
Scot
Scot, hang in there, I know it will be hard, just think you get to eat ice cream guilt free when they pull it.
Hey, Lance
Ice cream does sound good. Thanks for stopping by.
Scot
Too much information in that post, bud!
I just read it again. 
When you write for textbooks, you naturally look for different values than those in literary writing. Textbook writing is about How-to and getting the job done, pushing storytelling to the background sometimes. But when you write for small children, you can't allow that story to go away or you've done a serious disservice (upper grades too, but let's not argue that one) Anyway, one test that we use is whether a piece can stand up to multiple reads.
I'm smiling as I write that despite how very much dentists scare me. This work passed the test with flying colors. It could be read 12-20 times and still be wonderfully entertaining.
Interesting concept, the tooth worm; I'd not heard of it before. Describes very accurately the feeling of knowing that there's something under the tooth and, if one could just get at it, blessed relief would follow.
Scot- It's amazing you still have your wisom teeth. And one with a filling. How'd it get cracked?
Tooth pain is torture, as you described well. Life stops, as it did for you.
Here's wishing you many, many pain free days in life!!
Garnet
Liz:
Thank you for your kind and insightful validation of my work. I appreciate how you reflect and comment on the larger aspects of my writing. You are a true colleague.
Scot
Clive:
Blessed relief, yes, indeed. I'm still waiting for the dentist to decide my tooth is safe enough to be pulled.
Scot
Dave:
How did it get cracked. My dentist explained it as "cracked tooth syndrome." Apparently the filling begins to flatten over time, creating pressure on the sides of the tooth. It there's enough pressure, it can crack the tooth at the base of the filling.
Scot
Hi, Scot,
I know exactly what you're going through, having had both of my bottom 13-year molars extracted a few months ago. Hang in there!
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