I was talking yesterday with Sebastian, who used to be a Bright Lights Book Project volunteer. We found him a job, working with a friend of ours who makes concrete vaults. So he no longer does BLBP volunteer work. This is our loss because he did a good job and also was politically astute.

Yesterday I mentioned to him that sometimes I think about the future, and the way the world is going; one of the things, I added, that I think about is what might happen to the book project if the government decides to shut us down. He said, “Yep, you are the intelligencia, they’ll take you away.”

I had given this some thought, but Sebastian’s statement got me to thinking even more about this. I could be burned at the stake, and the books would be fire starter.

And I wondered, if and when they come and knock on the door, will I go willingly? A tough question to answer. I know for sure that I would not deny my involvement or position in the project. I also would not go kicking and screaming.

The other question is, would I be supported by the BLBP board or would they run in the opposite direction? I think that most would deny being involved in the organization. Standing up for the project would not be in their best interest.

Now, should there be a court trial, there would be evidence that indicated that mine was a subversive activity. There are, of course, the books. And there are also these dispatches. If they wanted to have a case against me, it would not be hard to come up with this information.

It would be strange, hearing my writing voice, as bits and pieces of my own writings were read to a jury. And I probably would not have a jury trial. I don’t know how such things work.

I do recall what happened when I was the lead planner on the Buffalo Mine/Soapstone Community Council comprehensive plan committee. I still have it in our outhouse, a written document that was composed by a naysayer, saying ridiculous things about me. She went straight to my dispatches and then took things out of context.

The way things are going in our country, the above is not totally beyond the realm of comprehension. Add to this, I have a very good imagination.

I liken myself at times to Joan of Arc – she too was resolute in her beliefs. But there are differences; one of which, of course, is that she did her good work as a teenager. She was burned at the stake at age 19. Now back then people didn’t live all that long because medical care was nearly non-existent. And she didn’t have the depth of knowledge that comes with age.

The main difference, however, is that she was directed to do all she did by voices. I do not hear any voices. Actually, I have a conscience, and at times it does let me know when I’m overstepping my bounds, which is quite often. However, this voice does not dictate my day-to-day activities.

I am now living by the statement, “Tomorrow will be another day.”

Next: 92. 4/3/25: Siphon City