A window of opportunity

Last week while Carol and I were at work some creep(s) took the opportunity to pry open a window and made off with our flat screen TV, some cash, a backpack with a sleeping bag and MY laptop. I came home first to discover the break-in and called 911. A Deputy of the County's Sheriff Department was dispatched to investigate and take our statement. He was very thorough and we were very impressed with the job he did in gathering evidence and asking us questions. Definitely a fine example of law enforcement in our region. Some folks have speculated that I must feel violated to have some stranger in our house going through our stuff. No, that's not how I feel... I'm angry, angry that someone would enter a regular person's home and take "stuff"!! No diamonds here, we have no fancy jewelry, no famous art pieces, no weapons, no prescription drugs, just our STUFF including my simple not too fancy but likable laptop. I do find it difficult to define the perpetrator as a thieve. A thieve must know what he's doing, the risk he is taking is worth it - can you imagine the possibly of doing jail time for taking someone's stuff, please. I know, it happens all the time. Actually, in the twenty-five plus years we've lived here this is the third time we had a break-in, each time while we were away at work and each time nickel and dime stuff but this was the first time a TV and computer were taken. Unfortunately we've been keeping the dogs out back in the kennel. Now one resides in the house while we're away. We have a few ideas to improve security to protect our stuff, this is a work in progress, we'll get there

That time of a election year

More mentally painful than scratching fingernails along a blackboard - this election year's ads. You'd thing that each of the candidate's opponents were axe-murders or jackboot wearing contestants on "The Taxes are Right". Well in some cases accusations may be close but please if they'd just run the ads a little less I'd appreciate it. If there's truth in an ad then it's exaggerated, if not then they stretch the truth. Good thing truth is resilient but you need to dig to find it. Read the candidate's website for documented claims then track down the facts elsewhere. Check out the news sources, do they seem to have their own agenda? This is not work for the faint of heart. Just know that what you want may be flawed if you don't weight the consequences of one policy/issue against the ramifications. One truth is that maybe this elections is no worst that past election year's but it sounds like it to me.

A day to remember

Today is Carol and mine 35th wedding anniversary. I think she likes me.