What to do on a blistering hot day like the one we’re having in Kansas? Find a cool place to curl up with a good book or sink into one of those gigantic chairs at the air-conditioned theater for a great movie. The book and movie I’ve selected are serious in nature but well worth considering.
If you like history, you’ll find Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann fascinating reading. This nonfiction work is a serious, heartbreaking story, yet it reads like a fictional thriller and has stayed with me since I read it last winter.
The Osage Indians once lived in Kansas before being removed to Oklahoma. Ironically, they landed on oil rich land, and by the 1920’s the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation. One by one, the Osage began to be killed off. The family of an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, became a prime target for their oil rights as members of her family were dying under mysterious circumstances. As the death toll rose, the newly created FBI took up the case, and the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history. I’d never heard of this until I read the book.
A movie based on Flowers of the Killer Moon is set for release this October. Directed by Martin Scorsese, I read one account of the movie: “As brutal as they come.” Yikes. I may be satisfied with the book alone, which is a lasting story.
And the movie: If I were to ask a friend to a movie about child trafficking, ten out of ten would probably say no thank you, myself included. For some reason, however, I didn’t look away this time, and I’m glad I saw Sound of Freedom. After rescuing a boy from ruthless child traffickers, federal agent Tim Ballard learns the boy’s sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her. He journeys deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his life on the line to find her. The rescue plays out like an action thriller, only it really happened.
In spite of the horrific nature of the film, I came away with a sense of hope because of Mr. Ballard’s success in rescuing children amidst the darkest of circumstances. I learned something of the extent of child trafficking and the challenges authorities are faced with in recovering them. Those whose life work is dedicated to pursuing traffickers and rescuing children are a breed apart. In my opinion, the movie is worth seeing.
Pretty heavy themes this month, right? I’ll leave you with a couple of images that I hope make you smile.
Marcello is traveling again! My friend Micki sent this from Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Isn’t this a beautiful sight? Thanks, Micki.
George is the last of the family pets to endorse Marcello’s Promise. I’d say his copy of the book was dog-eared but that might be a misnomer. Cat-eared? I caught his picture before he drifted off to sleep in his cat tree.
My husband and I are taking a river cruise in Europe about this time next month so I’ll see you in September with what I hope will be great pictures and memorable stories to share. Until next time. . .
Hi, Jane! Thanks for the note. I didn’t get the pics , and I was looking forward to seeing your cat. Unlike Marcello, did I miss the boat??
Read the book. Looking forward to the movie of same. Also want to see Sound of Freedom. Thanks for sharing.
RE: YOUR INTEREST IN KEMMER, WY. 1. I worked all my high school years for the Ames J.C. Penney store, so Kemmer was a significant part of that store’s history. 2. I have travelled through Kemmer in June 1965, on my way to Oregon for summer work as a lookout on the Fremont National Forest. I also stopped to visit Becky Von Bergen (RIP) in Ontario. 3. Finally, Kemmer is now undergoing a significant metamorphosis:
(From the internet) Bill Gates-backed experimental nuclear power plant heads to tiny Kemmerer, Wyoming. It has been selected as the preferred site for a proposed nuclear power plant project by TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy The nuclear power plant will replace a retiring coal-fired plant and generate 345 megawatts of power using Wyoming uranium . Construction is set to begin in 2024 and the project will employ as many as 2,000 people during construction and 250 once operational. The plant will cost about $4 billion, half coming from TerraPower and half coming from the United States government. The Natrium design represents the future of advanced nuclear reactor technology and is well-suited to provide clean and efficient power to communities across the United States.
Hi Stuart,
Thanks for your interesting information about the proposed nuclear power plant at Kemmerer. This is a significant change for that small town. On the face of it, it sounds like a good proposal. That area of WY used to be fairly isolated and I suppose it still is. I’ve been there a few times doing family research and looking up relatives. I have second cousins who live near there but have lost touch with them.
Today I read the FB page of our class and our recent reunion which I was unable to attend. Lots of great pictures. Mary Ellen sent me some as well. I read your FB post from June on the class website and wondered how you are doing? If you remember Terry Cook from our class, he has Parkinson’s which he traces back to Agent Orange and Viet Nam. I don’t think I know where you live now either. I read your reference to Udorn Thailand and that brought back memories. Dick was in Korat from Nov’72-Nov’73. You were blessed to survive your missions. Casualties were so high, but I don’t need to tell you that! Thank you for your service. How many years were you in?
I enjoy your pictures and your comments. Any time please!
Take care and Blessings,
Jane