Holding Out for a Hero - Prairie on Fire

As a person who writes, I learned something that is valuable. The secret to successful writing is emotional intelligence. I know ground-breaking isn't it? The hook for readers is the emotional connection to the characters in the story, not necessarily the story itself.

For example, I am currently working on my new novel, "Prairie on Fire," which takes place in western North Dakota. I wanted to write something fresh and new, and something that is near and dear to my heart, yet a story that can be lived by the readers as well. I knew I had to write what I know.

What I know is this: It is rare in any novel that the hero is a Native American. What many people don't know is that more Native Americans serve in the United States military than all other ethnic groups combined. When Native Americans are portrayed in film or literature, it is the stereotypical Native American from the late 19th and early 20th century. We need a 21st century Native American hero.

The main character, Devin Goes Along the Road, is an army veteran who suffers from PTSD. He tries to live a simple life with his fiance' and her mother. The home that he has known all his life is rift with land grabbing, environmental hazards, and now, there is a new threat. 

In 36 hours, Devin's life will change - forever. Everything he thought he left in the mountains of Afghanistan has surfaced in an explosive chain of events that ignites a fire no one expected, and only Devin can put out. But, only if someone will believe him.

Watch for "Prairie on Fire," coming soon to on-line book retailers.

I'd like to thank my Native American friends on Fort Berthold for their support and consultations of "Prairie on Fire."

Simply Saturday: America the Beautiful

Every fourth Monday in May we, in America, celebrate Memorial Day. We gather together in town halls, Veteran centers, and cemeteries across the country to remember those who have gone before fighting the good fight of freedom, and those who are currently serving in various parts of the world. Never ever forget the freedoms of America were purchased through the blood, sweat, and tears of men and women since the Revolutionary War.

Memorial Day is also the unofficial kick-off to fun in the summer sun. Remember,  our men and women are in the heat of the sun, the cold of the mountain night air, and in the darkest wildernesses they have ever experienced in their lives. In pounds and pounds of gear they traverse the deserts, the mountain trails, and through the jungles. They do this for the love of country. To preserve the nation  where they grew up, where perhaps they had fallen in love, and started a family. Just as their forefathers and mothers, and the fathers and mothers before them. The price of freedom comes with the highest cost of all - life.

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In 1904, Katherine L. Bates, composed the lyrics to America the Beautiful, set to the Materna score, composed by Samuel Ward, in 1882. This song has become beloved across the nation and is most appropriate for the remembrance of those who have served, are serving, and will transcend the years to those who will serve. It is the culmination of love, life, and the pursuit of happiness in the greatest nation in the world. Despite all the current problems and issues facing our nation today, we are blessed more than any other. It is time America looks to our blessings, rather than our curses. We are men and women of great courage and fortitude. We have the ability to solve our problems through all faith and conviction in the one thing that holds this country together, and has since 1776 - Freedom.
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O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties,

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood,

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,

And mercy more than life.

America! America!

May God thy gold refine,

Til all success be nobleness,

And every gain divine.

O beautiful for patriots dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam,

Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!

God mend thy every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self control,

Thy liberty in law.

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Remember this Memorial Day weekend to thank a veteran - living or deceased - for paying the price of your  freedom to enjoy.

Simply Saturday; Simply Beautiful

Thursday Treasure: Remembering to be Thankful for Those Who Serve

Happy Thanksgiving! I want to give a special shout out to some very special people and their families. The United States Military Personnel at home and abroad. Thank you for your service to our country.

To my family currently serving: Thank you and I am so very proud of each and every one of you!

Valerie H. - United States Air Force
Sean N. - United States Army National Guard
James H. - United States Army National Guard
Bobbie S. - United States Navy
Robert M. - United States Marines


To the family who has given their service in the past; Thank You.

Charles M. - United States Air Force
Michael W. - United States Army National Guard
Bruce C. - United States Navy Veteran
Robert S. - United States Army Veteran - Korea
Hazel S. - United States Women's Army Corp. WWII Veteran
Elnora J. - United States WAVES - WW II Veteran Deceased
Robert S. - United States Army WW II Veteran Deceased - European Campaign
Ken J. - United States Army WWII Veteran Deceased - European Campaign
Spencer S. - United States Army WWII Veteran Deceased - African and European Campaign


Please remember the brave men and women who are not celebrating Thanksgiving with their families. Remember to offer a kind word, a hand of assistance and a listening ear to family members of a service person on this day and throughout the holiday season.

46 days missing

Veterans Day 2011


The United States of America is now preparing for the annual Thanksgiving feast. Families are planning their menus, seating charts, and sleeping arrangements. On that day, we will all sit around a table preparing to offer thanks giving for those things that are near and dear to our hearts.

Tomorrow, November 11th, is a different sort of Thanksgiving day. It is the giving of thanks for those who took the oath of service knowing full well the cost of freedom. Our Veterans, and current serving military personnel, are among our national treasures, to be treated with respect, compassion, and love.

As United States Citizens, it is our personal obligation to show Loyalty to those who bear the true faith and allegiance; our Duty to fullfill this obligation without hesitation; our expectation to Respect those who treat people as they should be treated; to offer Selfless-Service to those who are, or have been wounded - physically or mentally; to Honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation and their comrades in arms who grieve such losses; to act with Integrity through doing what is right - legally and morally; and to exhibit Personal Courage to assist those who face fears, danger, or adversity (physical or moral) before, during and after their service.

Thank you to all those who have served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces - at home and abroad.

The Land of the Free

As a young girl I had the honor and privilege to be a member of a very special group of young people - the Junior Legion Auxillary. My time in this group taught me many things that I have made my best effort to pass on to my children; most importantly freedom is not free.

My Grandfather was a World War II Veteran having served in the European and African Campaigns. He was an all American guy with a feverent love of baseball - the Minnesota Twins. He raised a family of five children and carried many memories throughout his lifetime. Although he returned from "over there" relatively unscathed physically, except an injury to his leg, the memories of days so dark and terrifying lived inside of him all his days.

Each year, as Memorial Day approached, he seemed to become more quiet and withdrawn as he remembered each buddy, each soul, each friend that was left behind. The boys who did not come home to raise a family and achieve the American dream. He never spoke of those days; willingly. Not to the family anyway. Perhaps during quiet evenings alone with Grandma he did. We will never know for sure. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal of the United States Army at the end of WWII.

My two Great-Aunts also served during WWII in the WACs - Women's Army Corps. My Uncle served in the U.S. Army as well with at least one tour in Korea. Each year my Grandfather, Uncle and my two Great-Aunts would march down mainstreet carrying the flags of freedom in the annual Memorial Day parade. The Memorial Day activities were a somber reminder of what freedom really costs.

I recall sitting in the bleachers of the town hall listening to the lists of names as they were read; each name reverently - one by one. Men and women who had served in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The POWs who may never be found or returned home. Men and women who sacrificed everything so that I might have some. As I sat listening with my sisters, I could hear weeping in the audience. After the town hall service we would all go to the cemetery south of town to honor the soldiers buried there. My heart would jump in my chest, my hands would begin to tremble, and a lump would build in my throat three times as the shots were fired into the air. Although I was but just a girl, tears would well up in my eyes and spill over as the lone trumpeter began to play Taps. I felt the great loss in that cemetery. I felt the sorrow coming from the family members of the soldiers buried there. It was there I learned that freedom is not free.

Today, we, as American citizens, have sons and daughters serving in combat zones. I have a niece, of whom I am very proud, serving in the United States Air Force. She is currently states side for which I am very grateful. My daughters have a cousin who just recently returned from Afghanistan - again for which we are very grateful and proud.



For my Native American friends and family members: Native Americans have more serving military personnel per capita than all other ethnic groups combined in the United States.

For my home State of North Dakota: North Dakota has the most serving military personnel per capita than any other State.

When you see the flag of freedom flying by this weekend take a moment to show respect for the men and women who are not present at the backyard barbeques, weekend at the lake or celebrating the graduation of a family member. Their Memorial Day weekend is spent in the dirt and mud, and bathed in the blood of freedom.

Never forget: All gave some and some gave all.