How very sad. I'm sorry. Sheesh. That really is scary how personal it becomes when characters involved are your friends and when you pretty much just missed the incident. What a tragedy.

Heidi, I am so sorry. I wish I had something to ease the pain and disappointment, but I really don't.

These things happen even in the smallest and happiest of communities. All we can do is rally around each other and let others know how much we care about them.


As my mom used to say, "Keep looking up. This too shall pass." I really hope so.

That's really awful.

My sister-in-law has a list of 3 places she doesn't enter unless she has to. Banks, Convient Stores, and the Post Office.

I'm not going to tell her about this.

Oh hon! That's no fun at all. Sending you peaceful chocolatey thoughts.

I've just been wanting to find a nice cozy cave somewhere and ride out society's demise in peaceful ignorance. But then my family would turn out all "flowers in the attic"ish and that would be bad. So we're riding it out here in the hood.

There is a deal of tragedy in this sometimes joyful world. I know a woman who has ten children. Her fifth child was her first son, and he died of SIDS. Her youngest child, fourth son, died in a car crash four and a half years ago while driving to his high school graduation (freak accident, he was totally sober and not speeding), and last month her husband died of mesothelioma. He was in his early sixties. I don't know how she bears it, but she's a sunny soul.

Woah, that's strange. When I saw "murder" in the title I just figured it was going to be like the snow story, not real murder.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I finally got a hold of your book, I requested it at the library, and I think they bought it just because I asked them too, maybe. I am really enjoying it.

What an awful story. I can't imagine what his family must be going through... And to think that you could have been there to see it - or worse.

That's crazy.

But wherever the crazy stuff happens, it's somebody's small town, or neighborhood, or something.

Lisa--it is not a good feeling but it isn't as bad as living two miles away from Columbine high school when THAT happened. Scarlet-thanks! I probably shouldn't have posted about it but I mentioned it earlier, so . . .Sue--I think your sister is very smart! I love our post office, though! boo hoo! Jami--you make me laugh! Pam--oh, that poor woman! It seems that there are some people who get the double or triple barrel--it makes no sense! Heather--I guess I use Murder in my blog titles too often. And, yes, I am sure they bought it just b/c you asked for it so thanks! Kate--I know people who did see it. Yikes! It's just not what you expect living here. I think that's why it's extra upsetting. Lara--very good point. I think it being in a small town makes it more newsworthy and sensationalized, too. Another murder in Oakland is just no big deal (even though it is).

It makes me so sad. Crime is on the rise and it's just the beginning. I am so very sorry for your little haven.

Whenever the big wide scary world invades my private hiding places I want to huddle up in my warm blanket with a bag of popcorn and a book... the fact that I've been watching the news lately has caused me to gain a few popcorn pounds!

I'd recommend a good book - but I'm pretty sure you've read my latest "feel good" suggestion, being as you WROTE it!

Here's hoping for a better tomorrow, and peace and comfort for that man's family.

So let me get this straight, you started talking about how crime was on the rise and then a crime happened?! The power you yield Miss Heidi....shocking! :) Sorry to make light of the situation, and of course I mean in no way this was your fault. I have a problem. I know it. Sorry again.
Honestly I would like to murder my son right now if he bites me one more time while he's nursing!!!! Heck no!! OWWEEE. (Sorry, there I go again.) :(

What a very sad, scary situation. I think it really hits us harder when it's in a place where this kind of thing rarely happens.

somebody succumbed to the pressures of life and committed an act of random murder

How blamelessly you say that. You have such a kind heart, Heidi.

*sigh* and I love my P.O. Box. Going to get mail is one of my stress relievers.

Jan--me too. We'll get over it just in time for it to happen again. I hope we never have reason to get "used to it". T--does it make me selfish that I like the part of your comment that's about my book the most? Melinda, have you tried giving him the flick with your finger when he bites? It sounds so cruel but it does work. Kristina--exactly! It's one reason why people live here and pay big bucks for the pleasure (except us--we got in on a really swell deal). Laura--I so appreciate you! You are determined to see the best in me every time! I do feel a lot of compassion for the man who did it. When I saw the picture of him when he was being handcuffed--the look on his face--- I knew he was mentally ill before I was told. Since I have a son who is mentally ill and vulnerable (except he has too many other problems to be unleashed unsuspectingly on the public)to the stresses of life in ways others aren't, I feel a ton of compassion for him. And for his parents. Of course I feel horrible for the family of the victim but it is the parents of the guy who did it to whom I most relate in this situation. They must feel just awful. I hope they have already passed on. This is one of the biggest fears of a parent with a mentally ill child who is out on her/his own.

I love how positive and uplifting you are, but when something shakes you up, by all means share! Our struggles and worries are such a big part of what makes us human...and makes the positive moments all the more beautiful.

So sorry tragedy has touched your home like this.

CR-AZI-NESS! Sometimes, it's okay to write about stuff - Next time, make it a little more haunting and exciting, like with special forces dropping down from the roof and in the middle of the night phone calls from a mysterious man with a raspy voice who does nothing laugh maniacally and in the morning, when you wake up, there's a fog that's settled over the town, and all the neighbors have locked their houses, closed their blinds, and it now looks like a deserted ghost town....
Or you know, whatever... :)

BTW, I am sorry to hear about your kind postmaster - I sometimes should just not say things - afterwards they come out not quite how I intend!

Yikes! Scary. I guess these things happen no matter where you live.

Kim--thanks! That means a lot to me! Abra--you are so great at writing that kind of thing! And no need to be sorry--I totally get it! Rachel--so true. So, lock your doors!

Damn Bay Area. Just when you thought it was safe to go outside again.

Just be glad you aren't on my side of the bay...you know...in the not-so-Mayberry-esque town of Oakland, aka the Ghet-to.

I am returning to my bunker now. Thank God I have an internet connection. I may never leave.

-Francesca

Francesca--you crack me up! I just wish Fenton's wasn't in your neck of the woods.

how sad! i heard one of peggy's neighbor's was arrested for murder. creepy!

I am so sorry Heidi. Just when we feel comfortable with where we live some kind of crap happens (sorry for the swear word, but I think the situation calls for it). 2 attempted child abductions happened within a couple blocks of my kids' elementary school right after the school year started so even though I only live 2 1/2 blocks from the school they don't walk home anymore. Are we ever going to feel safe? I hope the man's family has support!

Oh, wow. How sad. I don't even know what to say. I hope his family will find comfort.

Jessica--eep! I'll have to get the lowdown on that. Julie--ooh, that is scary! Melanie--yes, so do I. The whole town will get together and have a candlelight vigil at our downtown park complete with gazebo a la Gilmore Girls. Somehow it seems kind of ironic.

I am so sorry. That gets creepy when it is so close to home. I remember about 8 years ago when a crazy man stormed into the hospital where I had delivered three of my kids and shot a doctor. It had been a couple years since I had been there, but it was still very haunting.

Heidi, I'm sorry. these are the kinds of things you can't just NOT write about. It's what is on your heart and mind as it should be. (and you were still funny with the going postal thing.)

If you took this stuff lightly...well, you wouldn't be the lovely you that you are. Your blog is a fun place to visit and get a laugh. And on the occasion you're more serious, it only makes you more lovable for your transparency and real-ness (totally a REAL word)

Peace to you and yours,
Heather

Oh, I am so sorry! I feel so bad for the man and his family. How devastating that must be for them. And how threatening for everyone who lives near by. We had someone dump a dead body at the end of our street when we first moved out here. That was so creepy and made us not want to leave your house at all. It will probably be a while before you will feel safe at the post office again.

I'm so sorry, Heidi. I know firsthand what that can do to a community. It will all get better, but it will take awhile.

Kazzy--I can surely see how! Heather--thank you so much! Joy--eep! How awful! Yuck!! Randi--yeah, I know, I was there for Columbine, too. I just read an article in Good Housekeeping about it last night (10 year anniversary) and I was just sobbing--it brought it all back. Littleton was not a good place to be that year.

It's never fun to have something like that happen. My kids were in lock down at school last week because a nephew took after his uncle and shot him. Sometimes I get scared to keep going, but the alternative is not an alternative.

My prayers are with you and your town.

You are right that people get a little more, ok, maybe a LOT more desperate when times are tough. And crazy people seem to be able to wander wherever they can.

I'm sorry for that man's family. :(

Wow. That really hit close to home for you; don't feel bad for writing about it. I'll keep your little Mayberry-esque town in my prayers.

WILD!

Our town has been stressed out too. The high school was on lock down twice this past week due to vicious fights. And both the elementary and the high school are victims of repeated grafitti.

Frightening.