This past Saturday (October 18, 2025), according to some news sources over 7 million Americans joined together at over 2,700 protests held across the United States on what was called “No Kings Day II” (*No Kings Day I was held June 14, 2025). These individuals met in common bond around the concern that the current Presidential Administration is working to subvert democracy and moving at a fast clip in an autocratic direction more common to a dictator or king than what the United States Constitution proscribes for the Executive Branch of our government.
While I was not able to join the local protest due to another obligation, I had loved ones and friends who did participate. Consistent with what has been reported elsewhere, they said the local protest was peaceful, non-disruptive, and made up of people from varied age groups, ethnicities and political allegiance. In other words, it was a gathering held in the spirit of other American protests over the years, acting on the rights of free speech and independent thinking. It was not, as some critics claimed, an anti-American or non-patriotic act of disobedience – there being a distinct difference between disagreement and disobedience.
It seems to me that if over 7 million Americans were willing to give up some of their Saturday to attend and participate in such a protest, there is a significant amount of dissatisfaction being registered concerning the actions of our current Executive and his administration. In short, many people (maybe most people?) are not happy with the autocratic acts of a president who continues to circumvent congressional oversight, and overreach on judicial precedents. Many people are worried about the direction the country is heading and the unwillingness of the other branches of government to act as a check and balance on an out-of-control president.
Dear Reader: If you have purchased a copy of my book “Dakota Dreams and Hoosier Homeland”I say “thank you!”. The book, released on September 19th, has produced a fair number of sales in these early days, and I am grateful. If you have yet to purchase a copy, I invite you to do so. You will find it an easy read of just 115 pages in the historical fiction genre, exploring the period of homesteading in the American west. Both paper back and e-reader versions areavailable herethrough Amazon.
In this world of writing and self-publishing, I am not very good at the marketing and self-promotion part. Like most writers I prefer to let the work speak for itself. Nonetheless, I know that one must encounter something multiple times in our over-messaged world today before determining to act. So, if you’ve thought about checking out the book, here’s a gentle nudge to prompt you.
For those who have, or will, read Dakota Dreams and Hoosier Homeland, I would invite you to offer a review on Goodreads. You can do that through this link.
Frequently Asked Questions: Here are my responses to some of the most frequently asked questions I have received about the book, for those inclined to read a little further.
Why did you decide to write a book like this, in the historical fiction genre? The idea for this book lived in my head for a couple of years before I ever began writing it. I am a reader of both history and fiction, and sometimes historical fiction. For example, I find Theodore Roosevelt’s time in the Dakotas to be fascinating, and I have read quite a bit about it. I knew I wanted to explore my Grandfather Clyde Cash’s Dakota homesteading story, but I did not have very many facts to build on. So, I began to research the period of history in which it took place, pulled together the family anecdotes I knew of, and created a story I hope in some way reflects the challenge of that period.
Is this a book about you, your experiences in the Dakotas? While the book is about my grandparents, Clyde and Anna Cash, there is no doubt it became a way for me to reflect on my own somewhat recent experience in the Dakotas. While it has now been close to three years since I lived and worked there, I needed a way to process the experience and was finally ready to do so. Clyde and Anna’s story became a means of doing just that. So, if you were curious about “what happened” or “why did Dan come back to Indiana”, this is your chance to read between the lines a little and draw your own conclusion. For my part, the book is now closed on that brief chapter of my life, including it’s disappointments and discoveries.
Do you have any other books in the works? Someone who loves to write always has another idea or two incubating, and this would be true of me. I’m not ready to promise anything by name just yet, but I am continuing to work on a ministry leadership book I’ve been developing over recent years. I also have another historical fiction idea I’m anxious to explore and see if it my grow into a book. The writer side of me does it for the enjoyment, certainly not the financial rewards! I always appreciate hearing from readers who like my work, or feel some connection to it.
“Grandad”. I didn’t know what to expect of this new, later-in-life title I was about to inherit upon the birth of our first grandchild. People would often ask me, “How do you feel about becoming a grandparent?” “I don’t know”, was my usual reply. And that was me being honest.
But once that little boy (our first grandchild) arrived in this world, I think both my wife and I realized this was going to be great. Becoming a grandad was and is a blessed new role that’s been bestowed on me in my later years.
This role has taught me a lot. I found myself reflecting on it once again over the past year as we welcomed our first granddaughters into the family. They, like their three older boy cousins, are wonderful.
What am I learning, being a grandad (now five times over)? Here’s a working list that I have no doubt I will continue to add to:
Naps are a gift – especially when holding a napping grandchild. Babies like contact time when they sleep and it’s good for grandparents too.
It’s not always the outcome, but the process that counts. Having a grandchild help you cook, garden, rake leaves, repair something . . . what a fun thing to be able to teach, watch & encourage. The process is more important than the product.
When they show up, drop what you’re doing – it can wait. Having grandchildren has helped me learn the importance of the present. These moments are fleeting, don’t miss them.
Every grandchild’s personality is unique and should be cherished as such. Don’t play the comparison game, just enjoy each unique child on their own.
Ice cream tastes better when you share it.
Parents need a break once in a while – and so do their children.
Having some one-on-one time with a grandchild can teach you a lot about that child.
Sports feel way less competitive from the grandad chair. Every team member deserves equal playing time!
Who knew Legos could be so much fun?
Toddlers take great joy in tearing down things. Especially aforementioned Legos.
The laughter of a child is some of life’s best music.
Discipline should be the realm of mom and dad.
I’m in love with a Grandma (or “Lolly” in my case)!
Don’t worry about keeping score in cards, basketball, soccer or any other shared game. Let the grand be the score keeper if that’s important to them. Remember, they are always right.
Enjoy the wonder of discovery through a grandchild’s eyes and other senses. This world is pretty incredible. Sometimes our familiarity is a detriment to wonder – not so with a child. Let them re-teach you.
Collections are fun – sticks, rocks, bugs, Hot wheels . . . . you name it!
Spend some money on those kids. You can’t take it with you. Better to enjoy a moment together now.
Little libraries are fun to visit while on a walk.
A piano is a magnet to little people. Ear plugs might help.
There’s nothing quite like raiding Lolly’s snack cabinet. In my day it was Grandma’s cookie jar.
A trip to Rural King just for the free popcorn is worth it!
Watching your adult children parent is pretty cool.
These are just some of the things that I am learning. I’m sure there will be more. Can’t wait!
The last time I sang in a formal, organized four-part choir I was a senior in high school. That was forty-three years ago! I was a semi-jock in high school – the starting 3 guard on the basketball team – so my singing in the choir was a bit of a surprise to some of my peers. Athletes and artsy folk didn’t mix too much in our school.
But I had grown up learning to sing in our church choir, sort of absorbing how to read music and sing bass next to my older brother, Dad and some of the other men of the church. I liked it. And with a free period in my senior class schedule, joining the high school choir was a good choice for me. I still remember some of the choral anthems we sang, and I appreciated our high school choir teacher. He picked good music and led with enthusiasm.
As a pastor I always found singing was my way of worshipping. I enjoyed preaching, but that was my work. Singing was my chance to participate with the congregation in worship. I would usually stand behind the pulpit and the song leader and add my voice with gusto to the congregational offerings.
It wasn’t always a great contribution. I became a bit of a freelance singer over the years. I was even known to sing a few measures in a sermon if the mood struck and song fit my theme. I had watched a former preacher of ours do this with great effect as a child.
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