Books and Burnings

I like clean slates. The idea of blank canvas before me gives me some hope. The possibilities are endless. The first work day of the New Year…that clean slate promises to be filled by the day’s end. Looking forward I have three new books that are going to be released – two in the summer and one in the fall. I have three books to complete for release in 2013, a few speaking engagements, a book launch, and hopefully a Broadway musical and the development of the book Thunder Over the Prairie into a film. I am anxious to start work on the new fiction western based on the life of Laura Reno, sister of the famed Reno Gang and the completion of the mystery I’ve been picking at for eight years entitled Frogs in Paradise. There are several Bible studies I’m excited to be a part of and a full Easter production I’ll be writing and directing. Looking forward almost makes me happy…almost. It’s the looking back I still have to do that threatens to slow any real forward movement. The fight for my brother’s life continues. There will be results this year, most unpleasant results. I read a story entitled Matilda, Who Told Lies, and Was Burned to Death. It serves as an example of the results that happen when a person lies and ruins lives. I believe those who lied about my brother will be forced to deal with the consequences of their actions this year. Not in the literal way Matilda did, but certainly they will burn with the knowledge that their deceit was costly. And now, the story of Matilda. Matilda told such dreadful lies, it made one gasp and stretch one’s eyes; Her aunt, who, from her earliest youth, had kept a strict regard for truth. Attempted to believe Matilda: The effort very nearly killed her, and would have done so, had not she discovered this infirmity. For once, toward the close of day, Matilda, growing tired of play, and finding she was left alone went tiptoe to the telephone and summoned the immediate aid of London’s noble fire brigade. Within an hour the gallant band were pouring in on every hand, from Putney, Hackney Downs and Bow, with courage high and hearts aglow. They galloped, roaring through the town, “Matilda’s house is burning down!” Inspired by British cheers and loud, proceeding from the frenzied crowd, they ran their ladders through a score of windows on the ballroom floor; and took peculiar pains to souse the pictures up and down the house. Until Matilda’s aunt succeeded in showing them they were not needed and even then she had to pay to get the men to go away. It happened that a few weeks later her aunt was off to the theater. She refused to take her niece to hear this entertaining piece: A deprivation just and wise to punish her for telling lies. That night a fire did break out – you should have heard Matilda shout! You should have heard her scream and bawl, and throw the window up and call to people passing in the street. But all in vain! For every time she shouted “Fire!” They only answered “Little liar!” And therefore when her aunt returned, Matilda, and the house, were burned.