Tag Archives: murder

Writing Prompts

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Writing Prompts

Here on WordPress, writing prompts are suggested for those days when you want to write and are struggling to come up with a topic of your own. I scrolled through a few today and I’m not inspired to write using even one of the suggested prompts. And I think back to that creative writing course I took back in college. The prof’s advice….Write about what you know.

Having been around for more than a few decades, I think I know a lot. Yet I also believe that there is still a great deal for me to learn in my lifetime. After all, you can never know too much.

Or can you?

I have gingerly gone back to reading daily newsfeeds. Locally, the news is all about the ongoing manhunt for a father accused of murdering his three daughters. Nationally, the headlines deal with the political situation. Globally, all eyes are poised on a potential World War lll.

On a happier note, I attended a luncheon the other day for a woman in my book club who was celebrating her 99th birthday. She is moving to the other side (a Washingtonian knows this means to the other side of the mountains) this week. We’ll all have to travel next year if we want to attend the 100th.

I’ve learned a lot about American history in the past few months. Book club has focused on historical fiction. The current read is all about Patsy Jefferson, daughter of Thomas Jefferson. I find it to be lengthy and long-winded, although a few others find it most interesting and a delight to read. However, I must admit that I do find American history to be much more colorful than Canadian history.

I wonder what the history books will say twenty or thirty years from now. It will depend if they’re written by a Democrat or a Republican; or in the case of Canada, a Liberal or a Conservative. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine the world I’m living in now. Enough about that.

Back to happy. Come to Cashmere this Saturday for a Founders Day celebration. I’ll be volunteering at a book sale organized by Friends of the Cashmere Library. Other events include a classic car show, a parade, games for kids and entertainment.

I decided to end this post with a Johnny joke, because we can all use some humor in our lives.

Teacher: “If I gave you 2 cats and another 2 cats and another 2, how many would you have?” Johnny: “Seven.” Teacher: “No, listen carefully… If I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?” Johnny: “Seven.” Teacher: “Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you two apples, and another two apples and another two, how many would you have?” Johnny: “Six.” Teacher: “Good. Now if I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?” Johnny: “Seven!” Teacher: “Johnny, where in the heck do you get seven from?!” Johnny: “Because I’ve already got a freaking cat!”

Groan………..

Hug Your Kids Tight

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Hug Your Kids Tight

Last week a horrendous event occurred here in the Wenatchee Valley. It wasn’t an accident. It was cold-blooded murder. While I don’t personally know the family involved, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by this senseless tragedy. Actually a myriad of feelings fill my head. Frustration that an amber alert hadn’t been called immediately when a distraught mother reported that her ex-husband hadn’t returned her three daughters after a custodial visit. Anger that the father had done the unimaginable. He had murdered his three daughters. Compassion for the mother deprived of the opportunity to watch her children grow up, sharing in their joys and sorrows. And fear because this dangerous man is still at large.

While today more than ever people are encouraged to seek professional help when mental health issues arise, they are often reluctant to do so. Sadly sometimes the resources are not always readily available. There is also the danger of a misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. The system definitely has its flaws.

Wild speculations about the circumstances that led to this horrific event fill Facebook, fueled by the fact that the father was a veteran who had served in the military. This isn’t a time for Facebook gossip. This isn’t an internet soap opera. This is real life involving real people.

Instead, this is a time for prayer; for the mother, the three little angels now in heaven, and even the father.