By Any Other Name

Family.

I have had a lot of questions as to what that word means. I wonder, is it just the blood relatives? Is it just the married-in people? Or can it be people that are neither but just seem that way?

The Beat Goes On

I realize it has been a while since I posted anything. I know this because I can't remember posting and the date on the last post indicates it has been about two months.

I am in awe at some like Seth Godin who posted his 5000th daily post today. Even more in awe that his posts are so good too. If you don't know Seth Godin, finish reading this post and Google Seth. And then enjoy the wisdom I enjoy every day.

What Am I Up To?

I have been revising my Work in Progress and have spent any extra time making that book make sense. I have corrected verbs, fixed sentences, and cleaned up the story. I am pretty proud of it.

My next job is to get the book to market (which can take a while) and at teh same time start a new project. This should get me back to writing mode and although I'm not sure I'll hit 5,000 consecutive days, I should be around a little more often.

So that's what I'm up to. I'll spare the details for now but fill you in as we go forward from here.

What a Quote- Wish I knew who said it!

Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy cow ...what a ride!'

A Touch of the Past

Every once in a while, two paths cross: the past and the present.

I've been zigzagging across these paths for a while now and especially over the last few weeks. Following along the Pony Express Trail, passing old stations and land marks known and marked from history, sometimes the past just doesn't seem so long ago.

This past weekend, I came across the preserved cabin built by Porter Rockwell in Eureka, Utah. It stands outside, under a protective roof, like a proud trophy or monument to a remembered hero. While I stood admiring the work that must of been used in order to move and protect this old structure, several other passer-thru's stopped to look as well. Ol' Port still can draw them in!

I snagged a picture and touched the cabin. Although the oils of our hands didn't mix, the act of touching something that someone who died nearly a hundred years before I was born had touched, made that person real and become a part of me.

Within the echoes of the past

Stirs the whispers of the future.

The Lord and Mr. Rockwell

“You know, Brother Rockwell, the Lord would rather that you don't drink.”

“It’s all right.” Porter calmed the situation and offered the lady an explanation. “The Lord would that I not do a number of things I do. I figure, one day I’ll oblige him and do right. For now, I do appreciate your concern.”-Excerpt from AIN'T DEAD YET.

"It was an experience calculated to undermine one's religious convictions"

Hey y'all!

Sorry again for my awayness, but I have been businessing. Of course my busnessing is writing, or something so related.

I have been hanging out in the desert- the Utah Western Desert to be exact. The crossing of such caused Mark Twain to pen the sentence from which I drew my blog post title.

The stories of which I am writing are set in and around this environment, especially my second book CURSING BLACK'S TRAIL. I love this area and being out in it makes me feel connected. It makes me feel the story I want to tell. It makes me return to those thoughts that drive me to want to write in the first place.

So again I must apologize for my awayness. But I am out there, getting to know my characters and my story better. And getting a good dose of religion to boot.

If you need me, just howl like a coyote and follow my howl back. I'll keep the 'dutch' warm until you get here.

Tough Week

So far since last Friday-
One staff member lost her mom, one staff member went AWOL for 3 days due to continuing grief after losing his son last month, one staff member after being missing for three days ended up in the hospital due to multiple health issues that I can't even begin explaining, and another staff member requested time off, starting next week, to be with her daughter while she undergoes a mastectomy. In addition, a past staff member died of a heart attack just hours before his wife lost her battle with cancer.

Whew!

And counting my blessings.

Branstorm Mad!

Another short exchange from my WIP AIN'T DEAD YET. An exchange between Charles Dunbar and Porter Rockwell:

“I’m assuming he just figured out we crossed back the other way.” Dunbar commented with a laugh.

“Yeah, I imagine so.”

“He’s going to be pretty angry if he ever catches up to us.”

“Yeah, I imagine so.”

“Do you do this kind of thing all the time?”

“What’s that?”

“Get people so hopping mad at ya, they can’t do anything but scream your name at you?”

“Occasionally, but mostly just with the wife.”

Need Not Be Commanded in All Things

"Do not approach the Bison"

I read this several times during our day trip to Antelope Island. Located in the middle of the Great Salt Lake, away from the civilization of the Wasatch front, the island is teaming with wild life. You know, the animals that don't eat from a provided food dish and water bowl. Deer, antelope, rabbits, coyotes, Mountain sheep, and buffalo all roam free. Throw in a few badgers and bobcats and it's a Western Style Safari.

The massive buffalo roam free and are seen grazing in nearly every open grassland field, which is the most of the island. Some were close and some were far away. I have even been stopped by them as they crossed the road and really don't care because, well they are big and they are wild. They need us for nothing and they, well, like I said, they're big.

I have never, ever thought of petting one. It surprised me that warnings would have to be issued. I mean, really.

I figure if you get to the point in your life where you travel on your own, or even with others, and haven't figured out that life is not a petting zoo, that bad things can happen when humans leave the comforts of their houses and cars and mingle with wild animals, or that it's no one's job is to make sure you're not too stupid for yourself; maybe a good buffalo sized lesson might be in order.

Just saying.

Old Tricks

“The old throw-the-rock-to-my-side-to-distract-me-trick, eh?” Branstorm called out. “I thought you were beyond that sort of nonsense, Rockwell. Did you really think I would fall for that?”

“Not really.” Porter spoke up, standing right next to Branstorm, having approached from the other side, his gun held ready. “But it seems like it always works.”

Excerpt from WIP- "AIN'T DEAD YET". 

A Deliberate Life

"No one owes you happiness."

That line hit me hard last night watching what I thought was just another fishing film at the IF4 showing last night in Orem, Utah.

You have to make your own happiness, the film went on to say. You have to want it, find it, and accept it when you have it.

You have to fight for it. You have to fight for everything anyway, why not for the things you love and want.

I might be a little guilty of waiting around, waiting for happiness to find me. I've been working on a few things, but maybe not hard enough.

The words of last night echo in my head.

Am I going to let another 20 years go by waiting and picking at it? Why not life a deliberate life of happiness?

What is my happiness? Why not go and get it? Why not be happy now? Right now?

What about you?

http://vimeo.com/53914270

Natural Order

If I do it, I'll do it.
If I don't, I don't.
Leave it to fate,
And your will, it won't.

Insecurity

“The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel.” ~Steve Furtick

AIN'T DEAD YET- Looksie

“I didn’t figure you much of a religious man, Rockwell, but,” Wells held up the bottle. “To the wheat and the tares!”

He took one last drink and handed it back to Porter who returned the gesture, re-corked the bottle and slid it down into the saddle bag.

“I just believe in God’s judgment.” Porter concluded.