Endless Possibilities

Possibility and faith wake me each morning. Before I roll out of bed I think about the great adventures that lie ahead. I savor that positive notion…and then a call comes from the prison and waves of reality wash any hopefulness away. How can any court restore what was taken? One of my favorite films is the Princess Bride. I particularly like the scene where Inigo Montoya final catches up with the six-fingered man (Count Rugen) who killed his father. There is a brilliant sword fighting scene that ends with Inigo ridding the Count of his weapon and he says “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” The Count is horrified and tries to make a deal with Inigo to spare his life. Inigo responds, “Promise me great riches.” The Count does so. “Promises me great power,” Inigo adds. The Count agrees. “Promise me anything I want,” Inigo forcefully demands from the Count. The Count echoes the request. “Yes,” he says, “I promise you anything you want.” Inigo readies his sword and announces to the Count, “I want my father back.” Just before Inigo runs him through with his sword there is a moment on the Count’s face that lets the audience know he is fully aware of what he did to Inigo’s father. I want my brother back, but how can anyone restore was has been taken. I want to see the look of recognition on the faces of those that brought about this forever hurt. I pray that it happens. The possibility of it wakes me each morning. Being able to write wakes me as well. I’m finishing up the Sam Sixkiller book and the next edition of Hearts West: Mail Order Brides of the Frontier. Big changes are coming to the website in September including an introductory film. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever come to being a part of a western short and I’m going to savor every moment. On this day in 1871, drover Juan Bideno, was herding cattle from Texas to Abilene. At Cottonwood River Juan couldn’t be persuaded to cross and the dispute with the other men on the drive led to violence. Bideno killed the 22 year old trail boss, Billy Cohron, and fled south towards the Indian Territory. Bideno was known as one of the fastest guns in the west. He was often a gun for hire, but in this case he was trying to change his ways and go straight. It just didn’t work out like he planned. Great adventures were lying ahead for him, but he couldn’t see past the rage brewing inside him. There’s a lesson here I think.