21 May 2010 unsubstantiated rumor and concern

21 May 2010 unsubstantiated rumor and concern


Today dawned overcast with moderate temps and the promise of rain. After somewhat leisurely morning routines, I leashed Loki, kissed Gloria, and headed out for the Friday hike with Mike. We stepped out smartly for the first half of the walk, the downhill portion. Desultory conversation sprang from bits and bytes of news reports, about Arizona, immigration, and odds and ends. The reverse route is mostly uphill, a much greater delta elevation than it appears when seated and rolling. About half-way back, one of the oldest valley residents stopped and asked us if we had heard any disturbance about 2230 last night.

Apparently two males turned up on his ex-wife’s front porch. She lives about 0.3 miles downstream of us, nest house down from Mike. The neighbor diagonally across the street was sitting on his porch and stood up to get a better look. His motion triggered his outdoor lighting, which then alerted the two males who had no business being on the front porch of an elderly woman at that time of night. They turned and ran up-valley, either in the creek or on the road, the teller was uncertain.

This is quite disconcerting. This has all the characteristics of a home invasion, stopped fortuitously by chance. The woman who lives there is not wealthy and probably had no reason to expect visitors at that time of night. She would, most likely, be unable to fend off two adult males. Their flight up-valley suggests that they know the area.

I was outdoors at 2200 with Loki. The neighborhood was quiet then. Mike was outdoors at 2130 and heard/saw nothing unusual. Something turned ugly shortly afterward.

I went over handgun mechanics with Gloria when came in this morning. We’re going to make sure she gets some practice in this afternoon. The dog won’t like it but safety in the home is of greater concern. I’ve asked Gloria not to answer the door when she’s alone without her pistol. We’ve reviewed when it is allowable to shoot and when it is not.

I hope this gets investigated and whoever was there without reason to be there gets caught by the authorities. Mike and I both have a strong suspicion as to who one of the people might be. More later, handgun practice time.