Saturday, July 29, 2006
Mandy
Mandy Stavik, about whom I wrote in the last post...
Serial killer
It seems possibly the worst serial killer in US history is currently in prison in my back yard. This man, Robert Browne, is truly sick and twisted, and the story, should you click this link , is gruesome. He has 7 confirmed murders to his credit, with another 41 that he's claiming proudly. Those 41 deaths are now being investigated with an eye to this man's confessions.
When I lived in Washington State, an 18 year old girl named Mandy Stavik was abducted, raped, and brutally murdered. I cannot help but wonder if Robert Browne's claim to have murdered someone in Washington might be Mandy. Her murder was never solved. I will be following all of this with great interest, as Mandy has haunted me for many years...Of course, if you yourself have any information regarding Mandy herself, please click here. This link is directly to the webpage of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.
Remembered Angels.
When I lived in Washington State, an 18 year old girl named Mandy Stavik was abducted, raped, and brutally murdered. I cannot help but wonder if Robert Browne's claim to have murdered someone in Washington might be Mandy. Her murder was never solved. I will be following all of this with great interest, as Mandy has haunted me for many years...Of course, if you yourself have any information regarding Mandy herself, please click here. This link is directly to the webpage of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.
Remembered Angels.
Wodehouse
I am admittedly obsessed with the 1920s, and this postcard just screams Bertie Wooster and Madeline Bassett !
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Victoria and Veronica
The heck with it. I need to post something cheerful. These are my babies, taken some years ago, and is one of all-time favorite photos.
Mood
Okay, I'm in a mood. So much for posting nice, pretty pictures in order to try to regain some calmness in my own life. I want today to comment on thoughtlessness, on the forgetting that a human being is on the other side of the computer keyboard. On sending messages that say "may God give you peace" when what is really being implied is quite the opposite.
I have tried, over the years, to be a level and forgiving and supportive person, but there are times when such resolve has been deeply tested. Yesterday being a case in point, and yesterday being, in point of fact, the very last time I am prepared to put up with certain things. I had a friend, a woman I've considered a sister, and this woman, yesterday, sent me the very last e-mail I will ever read from her. She was searching for a shoulder to cry on, as she has gotten herself into a tremendously tight spot. I pointed out, as gently as I was able to, that she got herself into this mess, but that as always I would pray for her, support her. In return, I received an e-mail saying "thanks for blaming the victim" and a wish that God's peace would be upon me.
Well, pardon me for believing that when you willingly sign a mortgage in your name for well over $1,000,000 it's your own fault when it turns out you haven't the money to pay for it. I will not post further details, because I'm really not trying to be vindictive, but honestly...
I was also called judgmental.
This woman claims to be walking a path of peace, of love, of gentleness and nature and all things good and bright and holy. I have never failed to support her, not once. I have never failed to listen to her problems. I have been, in short, a very good friend. My last e-mail to her told her that if all she wants is platitudes and "oh poor you" then perhaps I am not the friend for her. I pointed out some home truths, and was taken to task for doing so. This is not a friendship. To realize that after seven years is a bitter, bitter blow to me.
Of course, I have my own problems, my own melodramas, as do we all. But I do not expect constant and unending hand-holding. I do not try to blame my adult mistakes on others. I do not treat friends as unpaid psychologists who have nothing better to do than tell me how it's all Daddy's fault, or Mommy's fault, or current-boyfriend's fault.
Sad ending to a good friendship. I mourn the loss, but I also have far better things to do with my time and my energies. Goodbye, God be with you, you know who you are though your name shall, from my end, remain absolutely anonymous. If you choose to respond to this post with your name, that's your choice. God bless you, and may He bring you peace, and I honestly mean that.
I have tried, over the years, to be a level and forgiving and supportive person, but there are times when such resolve has been deeply tested. Yesterday being a case in point, and yesterday being, in point of fact, the very last time I am prepared to put up with certain things. I had a friend, a woman I've considered a sister, and this woman, yesterday, sent me the very last e-mail I will ever read from her. She was searching for a shoulder to cry on, as she has gotten herself into a tremendously tight spot. I pointed out, as gently as I was able to, that she got herself into this mess, but that as always I would pray for her, support her. In return, I received an e-mail saying "thanks for blaming the victim" and a wish that God's peace would be upon me.
Well, pardon me for believing that when you willingly sign a mortgage in your name for well over $1,000,000 it's your own fault when it turns out you haven't the money to pay for it. I will not post further details, because I'm really not trying to be vindictive, but honestly...
I was also called judgmental.
This woman claims to be walking a path of peace, of love, of gentleness and nature and all things good and bright and holy. I have never failed to support her, not once. I have never failed to listen to her problems. I have been, in short, a very good friend. My last e-mail to her told her that if all she wants is platitudes and "oh poor you" then perhaps I am not the friend for her. I pointed out some home truths, and was taken to task for doing so. This is not a friendship. To realize that after seven years is a bitter, bitter blow to me.
Of course, I have my own problems, my own melodramas, as do we all. But I do not expect constant and unending hand-holding. I do not try to blame my adult mistakes on others. I do not treat friends as unpaid psychologists who have nothing better to do than tell me how it's all Daddy's fault, or Mommy's fault, or current-boyfriend's fault.
Sad ending to a good friendship. I mourn the loss, but I also have far better things to do with my time and my energies. Goodbye, God be with you, you know who you are though your name shall, from my end, remain absolutely anonymous. If you choose to respond to this post with your name, that's your choice. God bless you, and may He bring you peace, and I honestly mean that.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Norma Jean
Just too cool a picture NOT to blog.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Autumn Orchard
Another wonderful Flickr pic...
My mood today
I love this pic. Fits my mood today perfectly. Maybe I need a really good martini...
