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I've never really believed in reincarnation,
but my fascination with and ties to the Old West
are undeniable. I lived there -- breathed in the dust,
listened to the coyotes, stalked bad men down the creaky
boardwalks - and I still live there.
As long as I can remember, I've been drawn to that era,
when life was less complicated but just as dangerous as
today's world. I grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico,
50 miles north of the Texas/Mexico border. I traversed
the desert, explored ghost towns, rode horses, and
headed for a life in rodeo, riding barrels - until I
moved to the Philippines at the age of 15. Height of
the Viet Nam war and all that. I learned of living on a
Naval military base, worldwide traveling, and lived through
many experiences that few people believe. Certainly no one
in the Old West would believe me.
Funny how life's turns change plans. I moved back to
Las Cruces attended New Mexico State University. Teaching
seemed the path of least resistance, so I got married,
moved to Albuquerque, and started a career of sharing
life's lessons with teenagers.
All the while in front of the students, my mind raced with
gunfighters, cowboys in stampedes, women struggling to stay
alive in a rough world, men and women of the Old West. They
wouldn't let me rest. My friends from a past life were
knocking on my door and I let them in.
Since then, I've shared their life tales in novels and
short stories. Come with me. Read some of their trials
and tribulations. I still don't believe in reincarnation,
but the tendrils of the past are just as strong as ever.
The Old West springs to life every Sunday when I perform with the
New Mexico Gunfighters in Albuquerque's Old Town. As "Mad Mel",
facing a Colt .45 gives me new perspective into the lives of outlaws
and people who lived and died by the gun. I know what it feels like
to shoot a sheriff (fortunately, ours gets up to play again) and get
"shot" myself. Our season runs February thru Thanksgiving. Come visit.
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