It would be nice if we lived in a world populated only by good people who love their neighbors and treat everybody by the Golden Rule. But the reality is that we live in a world where two-legged predators see the old, the weak, and everyone else as fair game.
A couple of those types came calling on us yesterday afternoon. We live on a corner, and I was in my side yard tending to our citrus trees when a car pulled up and stopped and the passenger, a Hispanic man in his late 20s to early 30s and asked if I lived there. I said yes, and a minute later, he and an African American man were around the house at the front door trying to open it (it was locked).
I went inside through the side door and opened the front door, screen still locked, and asked what they wanted. They said they needed to talk to Miss Theresa, that she had requested them to come by to discuss her senior benefits. Having lost four family members to Covid-19, as well as several friends, we don’t let anyone in our house, let alone inviting strangers who just show up.
I said we were not interested, and they said they just wanted to come in and talk to her. Terry also said she had never asked anybody to come by, but they suggested that she probably forgot and would not take no for an answer. They were coming in to talk to us. I told them three times to leave, and then I showed them the business end of my 12 gauge coach shotgun. That changed their minds.
This is a common scam with home invaders. They either talk their way in or else try to distract the homeowner while an accomplice gets in another door. Sorry guys, not here, not today.
In other news, a friend recommended we try a documentary on Amazon Prime called Backroads USA. We watched the first two episodes, one on the Mohawk Trail Across New England and the other on the Blues Highway Through The Deep South, and really enjoyed them. If all you care about is theme parks and glitz, pass this series up. But if you like getting off the Interstate highways and seeing the real America and its people, you will enjoy this series. They talk to the people in the small towns along the way, who tell you about their history and their lives, good and bad, warts and all.
We have always enjoyed actress Ellen Burstyn and tried to watch Pieces of a Woman on Netflix, but we only made it halfway. It was just too darned dark and depressing.
And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us.
Be sure to enter our latest Free Drawing. This week’s prize is an audiobook of Big Lake, the first book in my Big Lake mystery series. To enter, click on this Free Drawing link or the tab at the top of this page and enter your name (first and last) in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. The winner will be drawn Sunday evening. Note: Due to high the shipping cost of printed books and Amazon restrictions on e-books to foreign countries, only entries with US addresses and e-mail addresses are allowed.
Thought For The Day – The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
And then you notified the police and gave them the license number ???
Scary. That double barreled scatter gun got their attention. I keep mine close too.
You just needed to speak their language….
Guess they got your “point” ! Skuh kuh kuh kuh kuh
Those two have probably driven by numerous times seeing all the vehicles and the pontoon thinking $$$$$. The Shotgun showed who was in charge of that interview.
Be Safe and Enjoy life.
It’s about time.
Yes, police were called and have a copy of the doorbell video.
So glad you are safe. My 77 year old mother was knocked down and had her hip broken by two guys and a woman that showed up at her door saying they were doing safety inspections ordered by the city. They stole her purse, TV, jewelry, even pulled her wedding ring off her finger and tore all the skin off as she screamed in pain. Then the woman kicked her in the mouth as they were leaving, breaking her dentures and cutting her mouth badly. She was in rehab for months and now lives with us because she is terrified of being alone. I am a Christina woman, but if I would have walked in on them I fear for what I would have done.
Good job Nick. You handled it just like you did when the creep broke into your bus. Don’t mess with jus old farts! We don’t have the energy to fight, so we’ll just kill you!
And what if they were just legitimate salesmen trying to earn a buck. You’d kill somebody for that?
Staci, “legitimate salesmen” don’t lie and say you asked them to come by and they don’t try to open your door when you tell them to go away.
Good work. We recently found a drunk sleeping on our porch and we live miles from the bars and such. Good response from the police is much appreciated! Happily you ‘spoke their language’. Take care.
Wow, Nick. Nice job handling the situation, and I’m glad you’re both OK.
I recently had someone come in my fenced and locked backyard to take some metal we had put aside to finish a job. I caught them and screamed at them, I know the neighbor children learned words their parents wished they didn’t. I think that this is only going to get worse as the pandemic continues on. People are desperate, to feed their family’s and keep a roof over their head. I’m glad you and Miss Terri were not hurt.