In the course of rewriting the Sam Sixkiller book I’ve neglected a host of things. Sleep, meals, answering the phone, answering the door, checking the mail… I continue to shower, although the big Texas hair has been shoved into a Dodge City baseball hat today and I am wearing my favorite perfume. What? Lancome Miracle goes well with jogging pants and a T-shirt. The deadline for the Sixkiller rewrite is October 31. I need to add 15,000 more words to the text. I know for sure that I like having written more than writing. I’m working on two other books in addition to the Sixkiller title too. And just when I think I can’t take on anymore until this deadline is met, I’ve got to travel to Portland, Oregon for a booksellers convention. It’s my own fault. I over commit. I started this insane schedule years ago when Rick was raped during a prison transfer. I couldn’t close my eyes without seeing him being beaten and hurt. I’ve created this mess and I just have to ride it out now. Within the last month I received word that I am now an official member of the Western Writers of America. I can’t help but think that might a mistake. I’m just an author that likes to research and write about the history I find. The majority of the people involved in Western Writers of America are scholars and award winning authors of historical events. I have a feeling I’m in way over my head. I will be attending the convention the group hosts in the fall of next year in New Mexico, but know I’m going to feel wildly out of place. I hope it will be a good education. The collection of professionals that attend these events are impressive. I just don’t want to be treated like a bastard at a family reunion. With the exception of my involvement with the Single Action Shooters Society, I’ve never experienced anything but that kind of treatment when I’ve joined writers groups. Will Rogers once said, “Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.” When I attend the WWA convention I’ll be the only one in the room ignorant on every subject. I can’t tell. Are my insecurities showing? I can’t worry about that now I guess. I’ll worry about that tomorrow. Right now it’s back to Oklahoma to find more Sam Sixkiller adventures.

It is said that “change is inevitable – except from a vending machine.” Often times I think I’m just as stubborn with change as a vending machine. The website has been changed but the sentiment in the daily journal will remain the same. I miss my brother and will probably always write about that. He has value. I won’t forget him and I’ll fight to my death to never let those who falsely accused him forget him either. Oh, the sharp knife of a short life. Three very good friends of mine – Chris Frank and Tim and Joyce Smethers – lent a hand with the new video posted on the site. It was a wonderful learning experience and the closest I’ll probably ever come to being in a real western. Thanks to Chris and the Smethers for helping to check an item off the bucket list. I’ve been working day and night on the edits for the Sam Sixkiller book. The deadline is October 31. What a pleasure it has been to write about such a great lawman. I’m amazed at how fearless his was in the face of notorious bad guys like Dick Glass and Alf Cunningham. The book about this courageous Cherokee Indian will be in bookstores June 2012.