May 20th, 2010

Over the last few weeks I’ve been involved in organizing and directing a western melodrama to be performed on May 21st. The proceeds from the event will go to help a gentlemen in our community who is struggling with stage 4 cancer. It’s been a positive experience to see so many people come together to help their fellow man. I’m a cynical individual. Events that have taken place over the last six years has left me convinced that most people are self-absorbed and will do just about anything to further their own agenda. I’ve met a few exceptions to that rule in my lifetime; Lois Stark, Edna Kirsten, my Aunt Maryann. I believe the cast and crew of people working on this western are some of the most giving I’ve ever known. It’s been a pleasure to be around them. Producers on the Purple Sage will open tomorrow night, for one night only, at Abundant Life Community Church. The show starts at 7 p.m. and promises to be a group of grins! At the conclusion of that program I’m going to be removing myself from a lot of activities I’ve been preoccupied with for so long. I want to concentrate solely on my writing for awhile. I have several books I need to complete and I need to make some serious changes to make that happen. Apart from the finishing the book about my brother I’m still writing more westerns. And speaking of which, here’s a western history note for you. On this day in 1895, the outlaw, Little Bill Raidler, killed a townsman, Joe Seaborn, during a bank robbery by the Doolin Gang in Southwest City, MO. The same shot hit Joe’s brother, Oscar. I’ve almost got the Elizabeth Custer biography finished. It’s been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. She was an extraordinary woman.