Note:  The only changes to this entry are minor corrections to grammar, punctuation, formatting, and spelling.  I’ve also removed any last names which appeared, except in the case of teachers.

Copper looks at me in a way I can’t describe, and makes me want to laugh and cry, to run and to be still, to hold her and look at her from a distance.  That is how Maile makes me feel.  I wonder why I couldn’t be granted the prize of Maile’s love, her mutual feeling of the above.  Such a small thing in the grand scheme of things, and yet such an important thing to me.  I yearn to hold Maile close, to run free with her, to wake up every morning greeted by her eternal optimism.  That is all I desire.  To live forever with Copper and Maile.  Maile could have Duke with her, and as a family we could dwell forever in a remote part of Nebraska.  I already have Copper, now I just need to convince Maile and Duke to come with me.  I will plan to leave this summer.  It will be the inspiration that will keep me going.  Now if only Maile will come.  I hope she’ll accompany me.  I’d do anything for her.  She may think I’m crazy, but if I explain it to her, and describe how we could do it, and show her how happy she would be, then she might be persuaded to accompany me.  I doubt it, but it is my new goal in life.  I will begin planning now.  I’ll need to plan a route, save money for food, reserve housing along the way, and discover a destination.  After that I will be set.  We’ll either go by car and horse-trailer, or horse and on foot.  I’ll have to discover whether or not Duke could carry two…  Hmm.  When should I ask Maile and show this to her?  I’ll have to plan an opportune time.  Let me gaze at my Nebraska map…