Growing up on the prairie of South Dakota I discovered that time was beautiful and a moment could last forever if you would be willing to stop and let it burn it’s imprint into your soul.  I spent those moments absorbing the beauty of a barren land without powerline and fence where man long ago gave up the notion of erecting a city that would draw massive amounts of people looking for the American dream.  This would never happen in a land where time had to stop for six months while the blinding snow and furious wind washed the land timeless again and there the weather found it’s playground.  With the marvels of man and the mountains left behind, the wind found an unhindered vastness and beat the prairie grass mercilessly.  During summer  storms the thunder slammed its fist into the ground with a force that would bring to life the deepest sleeper.  The wind twisted and turned like a caged animal suddenly set free.  The twisting and rocking trees testified to its indecisive inability to find a single path.  Though appearing helpless to the forces tearing at them the prairie trees were no stranger to this power and with their roots firmly embedded in the rich soil, they laughed at the storms.  As a detective depends on the criminal in a partnership of emnity so the trees of the plains draw their strength from the relentless wind.  To find strength one must face adverse circumstances.  Our offensive force upon a weaker foe is not a revealing test of strength.  Only a stronger foe can allow our limits to be known.