Another Mass Shooting in the US – Michigan State University/Berkey Hall

Another mass shooting in the US. 5 injured, 3 killed at Michigan State University. Unbelievable. But yet believable. Just because we have the right to own firearms doesn’t mean everyone should have them. Some folks just aren’t responsible enough, some have mental illnesses, some…well, some have bad intentions. Some don’t have problem solving skills. Ugh.

There are far too many deaths and injuries in this country (USA) by gun violence. Not counting suicides or accidents, mass shootings are more prevalent than you might think. Some are not reported by the media – if they were then there would be at least one reported almost every day!

A mass shooting as defined by the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) is 4 or more shot or killed, not including the shooter. Do you know how many mass shootings there have been just in January of this year? Take a look below:

January 1, 2023

Allentown, PA 0 deaths, 4 injured
Durham, NC 0 deaths, 5 injured
Miami Gardens, FL 0 deaths, 9 injured
Chicago, IL 1 death, 3 injured
Ocaia, FL 2 deaths, 4 injured
Columbus, OH 1 death, 4 injured

January, 3, 2023

New Orleans, LA 0 deaths, 5 injured
Washington, District of Columbia 1 death, 3 injured

January 4

Baltimore, MD 1 death, 4 injured
Dumfries, VA 1 death, 4 injured
Cedar City, UT 8 deaths, 0 injured

January 5

Miami Gardens, FL 0 deaths, 10 injured
New Orleans, LA 2 deaths, 3 injured

January 6

San Francisco, CA 1 death, 3 injured
Dallas, TX 3 deaths, 2 injured

January 7

High Point, NC 5 deaths, 0 injured
Huntsville, AL 2 deaths, 9 injured

January 8

Albany, GA 0 deaths, 4 injured
Minneapolis, MN 0 deaths, 4 injured

January 9

Denver, CO 0 deaths, 4 injured
Philadelphia, PA 3 deaths, 1 injured
Minneapolis, MN 0 deaths, 4 injured

January 13

Cleveland, OH 4 deaths, 1 injured

January 14

St. Louis, MO 0 deaths, 4 injured

January 15

Phoenix, AZ 0 deaths, 4 injured
Homestead, FL 1 death, 3 injured
Houston, TX 1 death, 4 injured
Rockford, IL 3 deaths, 2 injured

January 16

Sanford, FL 1 death, 5 injured
Goshen, CA 6 deaths, 0 injured
Fort Pierce, FL 1 death, 7 injured

January 17

Houston, TX 0 deaths, 4 injured

January 21

Monterey Park, CA 12 deaths, 9 injured

January 22

Shreveport, LA 1 death, 7 injured
Baton Rouge, LA 0 deaths, 12 injured
Robinsonville, MS 0 deaths, 4 injured

January 23

Half Moon Bay, CA 7 deaths, 1 injured
Chicago, IL 2 deaths, 3 injured
Oakland, CA 1 death, 4 injured

January 24

Red Springs, NC 3 deaths, 1 injured

January 26

Lancaster, PA 0 deaths, 4 injured
Newark, New Jersey 1 death, 4 injured

January 27

San Diego, CA 1 death, 3 injured

January 28

Austin, TX 1 death, 4 injured
Philadelphia, PA 0 deaths,4 injured
Beverly Hills, CA 3 deaths, 4 injured
Andrews, SC 2 deaths, 2 injured

January 29

Greensboro, NC 1 death, 6 injured
Columbus, OH 1 death, 3 injured

January 30

Lakeland, FL 0 deaths, 10 injured
Dallas, TX 1 death, 3 injured

January 31

Durham, NC 2 deaths, 2 injured

Source: https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting

Still think there’s no problem?

Think of all the innocent people, young and old alike, who have been killed. Those who should still be enjoying their lives, loving their families, laughing, vacationing, etc.. who are no longer able to do so. It’s depressing. It’s frightening! It could happen to any of us. You could be at your local grocery store or Walmart, or your kids could be at school when in comes a guy with a firearm.

Some people think carrying a firearm will protect them. They think a “good guy with a gun will stop the bad guy with a gun.” Ha. Seriously? How the hell do you distinguish between a good guy and a bad guy if they’re all shooting guns? If you’re in Walmart, for example, and there’s an active shooter. You can’t see him so you don’t know exactly where he is in the store. All of a sudden, you see a guy with a gun. He’s actually a good guy trying to stop the bad guy but you don’t know that. You think he’s the bad guy! You pull your firearm and shoot him. You’ve just killed the good guy. See what I mean? When the police come in they shoot you because you have a gun. They don’t know who’s who either. 

I don’t claim to know the solution to this problem but I do know that something needs to be done. I think we can do better. We need to put aside the mentality of “it’s my right” and do what’s right instead. Anything we do that reduces deaths and injuries by firearms is a step in the right direction.

The Hospital From Hell

Last week was one I’d like to never repeat. 

It all began with Dad’s blood pressure going up…and staying up. He was having a-fib episodes. He recorded his BP for 3 days and decided he needed to go to the ER. Off we went.

I expected to have to wait; it was the ER after all. They took Dad to triage right away. His BP sky-rocketed to 203 over something. I can’t even recall the numbers now. But that was too high and he should have been seen right away. 2 hours went by in the waiting room before someone came in and took Dad’s BP again. It had gone down to 188 over something. I was glad it went down but it was still too high. He could have a heart attack or stroke! I figured they’d be calling us back soon. 

Yeah right. There was virtually no one in the waiting room when we got there but quickly filled up. There were people puking in bags, a sick Mennonite baby, an ankle injury, a 7-year-old with a life-long issue with twisted intestines who was screaming at the top of his lungs in pain, an elderly woman who fell and broke her shoulder, and numerous others. (Dad and I were wearing masks, thankfully!) Everyone was being called back before us! I was getting pissed because high BP is a serious issue! With his readings being so high you’d think they’d put him on the priority list. They kept telling us that as soon as they had a room, we’d be called back. Geez. I wondered how they had a room for all of those others they took before us! Finally, after a 7-hour wait, they called us back.

The doctor came in right away, which was a surprise! He ordered an EKG right away and a drug to bring his BP down. The nurse came in sometime later and asked if anyone set Dad up with an IV. I asked, “Why does he need an IV?” She was a snot about answering. Not very pleasant at all. I mean, how the hell am I supposed to know why he needed an IV. She told me it was so they could give him the meds to lower his BP. I said, “Ok, that’s fine but don’t they have a shot for that?” She got snippy and said, “I’ll check.” She left and came back with a syringe and proceeded to bare Dad’s arm for the shot. 

I asked, “How long will it take for his BP to come down?” She told me she didn’t know. She said it would be slow and that the IV would have been quicker. I snapped at that point and said, “It would have been nice to know that beforehand!” I mean, fuck. I was worried that she had the wrong patient and about Dad being poked and prodded while they try to find a vein for the IV. He was shivering cold, for Christ’s sake! If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of this then you know it’s sometimes hard to get a vein right away when the patient is cold. And if you have a nurse that isn’t that competent, which you won’t know until she needs 20 minutes to find a vein, then it’s even worse! Anyway, she could have explained that the IV would have been quicker and then we could decide which way to go. The bitch acted like it was killing her to tell us what was going on!

After more time passed, the nurse came back in and untucked dad’s t-shirt. She just grabbed it and pulled it up. Now, I’m not a medical “professional” but I did work in a nursing home for several years as a Med Tech and CNA. My training included intensive coverage of patient rights, privacy, and dignity. You are supposed to tell the patient what you’re doing, as you’re doing it. Dad didn’t know what the hell was going on. The nurse started sticking little tabs/sensors all over his torso. He was agitated and asked, “What the hell’s going on?” She said she was getting him ready for the EKG. Why the hell couldn’t she tell him that before she started pulling on him? I was getting pissed. 

And regarding patient privacy…every damn time someone came in they left the door and the curtain open! So, they let the cold in again and every time someone walked by they had to look in! I was getting tired of closing the door and curtain. Oh, and that snotty nurse said she would bring dad a warm blanket but she never did! 

Dad’s BP was taken automatically every 30 minutes. It went down slowly but it did go down. But then the last BP reading was higher; it jumped from 168 over something to 179 over something…and about then the nurse came in and said they were letting him go. I asked, “What about that?” I was pointing to the machine that had his last reading on it. She acted like she had no clue what I was talking about. I told her, “His BP shot back up!” and I added, “These are dangerous readings!” So, she took his BP again while she said the drug will continue to work to bring it down. The doctor came in and suggested dad see his regular doctor….DUH. He said that he will need to see a cardiologist for the a-fib. Geez. So helpful they are. 

After 8 1/2 hours, we were on our way home…in the dark, which I am not used to. We’re talking an hour’s drive along country roads. My eyes play tricks on me in the dark. The lights and glare from other vehicles, and other lights, make it very hard to see, and to have to watch for deer, possums, and other critters is scary! At one point, I heard this loud dog barking. It scared the daylights out of me! I didn’t see anything at all but I imagine it was a stupid car-chasing dog that came awfully close to my car as I was passing! He got lucky. 

By the time we got home, it was after 2:00am. We were exhausted, especially Dad. We hadn’t eaten since lunch and we were too tired to worry about it at 2 in the morning! We both slept about 2 hours.

Dad got an appointment the next day to see his doctor and she didn’t do anything either. She just wanted him to record his BP readings for a week and then come back. Geez. He always keeps track of his BP. Why add another week? Why risk a damn stroke or heart attack with another week of high readings? His BP has been better this week but it’s still too high. I am ready to strangle these people! He will see her again on Wednesday and he will insist on seeing a cardiologist. He’s worried to death and that doesn’t help his BP. I’m worried and I’m afraid to take mine! 

I don’t know how much more of this either one of us can take! The next time we have to go to the hospital, we will go to the one on the Arkansas border. It’s the same distance and maybe, just maybe they will be quicker, more competent, and more respectful. Hopefully, we’ll get Dad’s BP down and I’ll have him with me for much longer. I’m just not ready to let go…and he isn’t either. 

 

 

Pet Products I Use and Love!

I am not receiving compensation for the following product recommendations. Recommendations are more trustworthy when the person giving the recommendation isn’t being paid for it, yes? These are items that I use personally and you may benefit from them as I have.

Litter Genie – If you have cats but hate the stinky stink of a litter box, you’ve got to give this a try! The Litter Genie uses a special plastic for the bag refills that contain that stink and make it a breeze for scooping poop (and urine if you use clumping litter). My only suggestion is that instead of tying a knot at the end of the bag, use zip ties instead – you won’t waste as much of your bag refills.

My Pet Peed – This spray is awesomely purr-fect! Clean the pet mess as best you can first and then use this spray to remove the stain and/or odor. I have used this mostly on blood because my cats don’t have accidents often. We sometimes have an accidental “outside of the box” issue and this works like a charm. I can’t emphasize this enough! This stuff is Da Bomb! I was especially impressed when Dad fell on his face and busted his nose open. There was a huge puddle of blood on the carpet. I crossed my fingers and used My Pet Peed on the spot. It took a couple of tries – it was a huge spot – but it came out! Amazing!

Furry Freshness – Coming in second to My Pet Peed, is another spray made specifically for pet odor removal. Furry Freshness is the first spray I tried and I think the ingredients are similar, as it does the same thing. Clean up the pet mess as best you can, spray this on the spot and let it rest. It foams up and removes the odor and/or stain.

Pet Odor Exterminator Candles – I first discovered these candles when we changed to our current veterinarian. From the moment we first walked into the building there was no odor. You know what I’m talking about…that familiar pet odor that all veterinarian offices have. This one did NOT. The reason? The Pet Odor Exterminator candles were lit in the reception area and various other rooms. I was sold and purchased a few of the candles that day. The candle attacks and removes cat, dog, reptile, and other small animal odors…and they don’t do too bad on human stink either! These candles come in various scents and my favorite is the Orange Lemon Splash. I’ve yet to use this company’s other products but they have sprays, car hangers, and fabric fresheners.

Tomlin Immune Support L-lysine supplement – Lysine was recommended by our veterinarian when I asked if there was anything I could do aside from yearly vaccinations to protect my cats from respiratory ailments. It’s reasonably priced, considering it goes a long way! Just sprinkle a scoop of lysine on your cat’s canned food, mix it in and they don’t have a clue. Easy peasy!

HomeoPet – A great brand with various liquid drop formulas that target specific pet problems, including UTIs, Nose Relief, Digestive Upset, Fur Ball, Skin & Itch, Incontinence, Anxiety, and more. Just add a few drops to your pet’s canned food and it’s done. I have a cat who has allergies and always has a sniffly nose if I don’t give her the drops for Nose Relief.

Kitty Tube Oat Straw – If you have outside cats, or want to provide a warm place for feral cats, straw is the recommended bedding for cold weather. I have a medium dog house lined with insulated wrap and oat straw on the bottom. BobCat (he has a bobbed tail) has a place to sleep when it’s cold. Kitty Tube has insulated shelters, made in the USA and from recycled materials. I need to get one, but it’s a bit expensive. When I do, I will let you know what I think!

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What pet products do you use and love? I’m open to new ideas! Leave your recommendations in the comments!

When It Rains, It Pours…Literally!

Our house was built in the 50s and the foundation is crumbling, walls are cracked, and floors are sinking. It’s in sad shape. We’ve always had problems with the roof leaking. We’d spring a leak, fix it and the rain would find another entry. Every Spring we curse the rain, and farmers when they wish for more! This year has been…as my grandmother would say, “the physical shits.” 

My Dad’s room was an add-on back in 1995 or 1996. I helped a little but I was working full time. Dad did most of the work himself. It was the nicest part of our house! Then one year, it sprung a leak, then another. Dad put hundreds of dollars into that roof every stinkin’ year, trying to stop the leaks. The roof had been reshingled many times, (like the rest of our house) and still, another leak would pop up. For years Dad has been putting so much money and effort into that roof! 

This Spring has been the worst rainy season I think we’ve ever had and it has done a number on Dad’s room! It got so bad that buckets needed to be emptied every couple of hours! Then it got worse. We had so many buckets set up that Dad couldn’t even sleep in there anymore. He moved into the spare room; he said he would eventually move back into his own room. That wasn’t going to happen!

Dad got into his closet one morning and saw that mold had started growing in there, so we started moving things out. An old trunk, probably from the late 1800s that has photos, mementos, and heirlooms had to be moved out of there. There were boxes upon boxes of old photos and genealogy information, not to mention 3 boxes of the genealogy books that Dad published years ago. (He had too many printed at the time.) All of those things and Dad’s clothing had to be moved out of that closet! 

Fast forward just a few days. Mold began working its way up the walls of the bedroom and the floor was soaking wet. It was no use now. Things needed to be moved out of there and fast! A few of Dad’s things had to be thrown away. The office desk and 2 shelves are ruined but we saved the books. The most worrisome items were my Dad’s Victrola (photo below is similar to my Dad’s) and my mother’s cedar chest, both antiques. We needed to get them out of that room and fast! Dad and I couldn’t do it ourselves or we would have. I couldn’t get my son here to help so I had to beg friends on Facebook for help! Thankfully, my friend Angie brought her hubby and 2 other guys and they got the job done. 

Screenshot 2022-09-03 131854

We are still slowly moving things out that are up and away from the dampness and out from under the leaks at the moment. When everything is out, we will tear that room down. It has to quit raining first! I swear when it’s raining it’s literally raining in the bedroom, too! It’s awful! (If it weren’t so embarrassing, I’d share photos and video with you.)

The urgency to get our new house done now is first and foremost in our minds, which is very stressful. My son has agreed to work on it but he can’t manage to get over here except 4 or 5 times a month. I can’t wait to finally be in a house that’s not falling apart! We started building back in the early 2000s but came to standstill about 10 years ago when Dad got too old and tired and I got too…disabled. 

Another reason for the urgency of getting the new house done is that I need help taking care of Dad. The new house is big enough for my sister, who has agreed that she will move in and help. I can barely take care of myself, let alone Dad. The stress of being on alert 24/7 is very stressful. Having someone here to help lends a second pair of eyes, ears, and hands. I can still do some things but having my sister to help with the cooking and cleaning will help me tremendously! Right now I’m a mess and a disaster waiting to happen!

So, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Stay tuned for updates…

 

 

WARNING: A Story NOT For the Feint of Heart

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Annah. Annah’s mother, Becky, decided that her good friend Camile would be a better mom for Annah, so she gave her up. Camile and her husband, Daniel, adopted Annah. Annah grew up in Wisconsin, knowing her biological mother as well as her adoptive parents. Annah was on the high-end of the autism scale and had ADHD and bouts of depression as she grew up. 

All was well until Camile and Daniel began having marital problems and split up. They divorced and Camile began a relationship with another man. Annah started having issues with her parent’s divorce and her mom’s new boyfriend. She began to act out. 

Annah had episodes of self-harm and Camile was worried. She had Annah admitted to a hospital to get treatment. She was put on medication and had regular appointments with a therapist. 

Eventually, 15-year-old Annah began having issues again and Camile, being extremely worried, got in touch with Annah’s biological mother, Becky. Becky was aware of the issues Annah was having along the way. Camile and Becky decided that perhaps they could help ‘reset’ Annah’s behavior and Becky agreed to take Annah home to her farm in Illinois. 

Annah was happy being on the farm with her biological mother. She loved taking care of the animals. She became a volunteer firefighter, like Becky. She enjoyed the people around her. Everyone loved Annah and they said she appeared happy.

A year later, everything changed. Stop here if you are easily upset.

Becky called the sheriff and reported 16-year-old Annah missing. The sheriff and his deputies searched and searched the 81-acre property but no Annah. After several days they called in cadaver dogs. The dogs searched and searched and didn’t hit on anything suspicious until they got to a burn pile. The pile was built up about 6 feet tall but the dog hit on the pile. The cadaver dog handler brought in another dog, and that dog also hit on the same area. 

After disassembling the burn pile, several bones, teeth, and a jawbone were found at the very bottom. It was later verified to be the remains of Annah. 

It was later learned that Becky had drugged Annah and when she thought she was dead, she put Annah in the burn pile and sat all night until her body was virtually gone. BUT at one point, Annah woke up! Becky panicked and knocked Annah out with a rake until she couldn’t scream anymore. 

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This is definitely a horror story but do you know that this really happened? I changed the names and left out many details, but this actually happened 5 years ago in my county! 

The mother’s trial was last week and we are awaiting the outcome of the MO vs. Ruud bench trial. The judge will be making his decision later this month.

You can read more about this case below:

https://www.yourtango.com/2017306114/new-details-mom-rebecca-rudd-tortured-murdered-autistic-daughter-savannah-leckie

http://www.ozarkcountytimes.com/news-local-news/ruud-murder-trial-unfolds-springfield-recording-played-during-trial-where-ruud

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 1:

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 2:

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 3:

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 3 Closing Arguments:

I know, it’s hours of testimony and you don’t have time for that. I get it. But just in case you’re interested, I thought I’d add the trial links. It wasn’t the most professional trial, in my opinion. The audio and video also not so professional but I sat through the entire thing.

This case has bothered me since it happened. It just rips my heart out. I cannot even fathom how any mother or human being for that matter, could do what this woman has done! I know, innocent until proven guilty but she admitted that she burned the body, and after watching the trial and hearing all of the evidence, I believe she did more than that.