I teach senior high English. Over the past few weeks I had occasion to message two people who wrote things I wanted my students to read. They were both kind enough to give me permission to make class sets of their writing and let my students read them. My students in turn wrote responses to the 'articles'. I will send them to the individual writers by message.

Big Mick: the kids got a feel for what you went through in Vietnam. I made clear to them that you didn't want to be defined in that manner--being a warrior--but rather as a peaceful person who saw no good coming from warfare. They admired what you wrote and the honesty with which you portrayed those years in your life. I don't have the words to thank you properly. That class will be watching "We Were Soldiers" as part of critical viewing. They will have read your statement again, and I know as a result will see the movie through different eyes. I think you will be a writer they remember, and your 'composition from the heart' laid bare much of the 'glorious war' crap that is shown on TV and in the movies. Thank you, brother.

Katlaughing: the grade nines and tens who read "All Horses go to Heaven" were really taken by the story. It touched their hearts, too. Many of my students could relate to the writing because they have horses of their own. You somehow captured the feeling in a person's heart when a loved one--animal in this case--passes from one's life. It is great writing.

I have messaged you for the address from which to purchase a book prior to publication. "WindWord of Wyoming" will be a welcome addition to the books I enjoy, and I will ensure that our school buys a few for the library. That will have to wait until they are published.

I hope that 'catters get behind you on this, because when you get your first Pulitzer, we'll be able to say, "Hey, I knew her when she was just startin' out." However, we'll just say that, because you are already an accomplished and excellent writer.

I am not heavy into being a fan. I only moderately like Shakespeare, but I am a big fan of Mick and Kat, as writers and as people.

Bruce Murdoch