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