July 2nd, 2009

Yesterday was a high point in my life with regards to my work. I spoke with Emmy winning screenwriter Walter Hill about Thunder Over the Prairie and he was very complimentary. I’ve always been a big fan of Hill’s work. In fact I have a movie poster of The Long Riders hanging in my home. He was gracious and kind and I was honored that he read the book. Howard and I will be meeting with him next week in L.A.. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and if nothing comes of it I am thrilled that it got this far. The research into the personal life of Elizabeth Custer continues. I have a specific idea about how I want to approach the story, but need a few of her letters on the subject to bring it about. I believe that the rumors about his infidelity were fueled by fellow officer Frederick Benteen. He was Custer’s nemesis. I’ll keep digging. In the meantime, press packets for the children’s book Cowboy True’s Christmas Adventure need to be created. The book will officially be launched in December, but all the press material has to be mailed by the first of August. It’s a busy time and I’m glad for that, but I miss my brother. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him or see his suffering in my mind’s eye. If he were gone from this world perhaps I wouldn’t grieve so. I wrestle with the part of me that knows how mighty and just God is with wanting to see the wicked who did this to my brother get theirs now. I can’t sleep. Rick is gone, but he’s here. At night there is nothing to occupy my mind, no one to reach out to. I am consumed with the image of his slow demise. There is nothing and no one to drown out the hurt. There is only the dream that nothing will go right for the mother and daughter who did this until they admit what they’ve done and how they’ve lied. Dreams seldom come true however.