My Neighbors Are Vampires! (and other misconceptions) Epilogue

“Hello, is that the police? Oh, good, I’m calling about the lady next door. What? No she’s not in danger, she’s....What? Oh, I’m sorry; I didn't realize I should only call 911 in an emergency. What? A local number? Oh, OK. What? You’ll transfer me, oh, thank you. What? Yes, I’ll hold.”

“Hello, is this still the police? I’m calling about the lady next door. What? NO, she doesn't need help. Well, she might, I don’t know, maybe you’ll find that out. What? I am speaking slowly. If you just stop interrupting me, I can tell you why I’m calling.

More My Neighbors Are Vampires! (and other misconceptions)

Things that make noise in the night...

GRRZZZRRZZZRRZZZRRZZZRRZZZ! The sound was so loud it startled me awake. The first thing I thought of was that I must have been grinding my teeth in my sleep. Glad that wasn't the case. If it had been I'd have nothing left and would be making an appointment for dentures. Well then, what was that sound? There it goes again! Ughhh, it's worse than fingernails on a chalkboard. I glance at the clock on the night stand. It's 2:26am! Now I recognize the sound. It's a chainsaw.What are they doing now? I looked around to see if other neighbors had been wakened by the sawing but I saw no lights on. I listened for voices but didn't hear any and the noise didn't last long. What could someone be cutting up in the wee small hours of the morning? When I awoke again it was after nine and the sawing was like a distant dream. Maybe it was a dream. Oh hell no. This was real.

Ouch!

Ouch! You trampled my self-esteem

and didn’t even say “excuse me”.

Ouch! You slammed the door on my feelings,

and never looked to see if they were hurt.

Ouch! You dropped my fragile heart,

and I felt it shatter into a million pieces.

Ouch! You said as you held your chest,

red staining the shirt you were wearing.

My Neighbors Are Vampires! (and other misconceptions)

My neighbors are vampires, I'm convinced of it now although I didn't always feel that way. It all started when they moved into the house next door; but I'm ahead of myself. The old lady who lived there apparently had died before I moved in. I didn't realize it was her sister that I saw all the time. She would drive up everyday to take care of the house. The reason I noticed so much was that there were so many cats over there (and I live in the front house and see everything). They were always yowling and fighting, especially at night and they seemed to think my yard was an annex to theirs. I was thinking about going over to talk to her about the pesky critters, but I stopped seeing her. My other neighbor told me she had moved. Great, and she left the cats. Then one day I noticed a red truck parked out front and I saw a young guy puttering around in the yard. This went on for a while, and then one day I heard several voices (sound carries really well where I live). I went out to get the mail and looked over and saw a group of old people, sitting and talking. Well, at least I wouldn't have to worry about loud music and parties. Now if I could just get rid of those damn cats.

How Would the Story of Jacob's Deception Play Out in Today's World

This Bible story has all the elements of a Shakespearean play; lies, deception and betrayal. What makes it relevant today is that nothing’s changed. We still lie and cheat, and employ all means of deception to make sure we get the lion’s share of daddy’s estate.

The fact is Esau lost his birthright long before he gave it to Jacob, and Jacob’s subsequent deception to Isaac. Every action we take carries with it certain consequences, either good or bad.  When Esau married pagan women, against God’s law, he sealed his fate concerning Isaac’s blessing. (Genesis 26:34) God planned on blessing Jacob. He told Rebekah this, and yet, Rebekah decided to make it happen herself. (Genesis 25:23) Not only has she set herself up for some seriously bad consequences but she’s taking Jacob along with her.

My Kid Picked Your Spring Flowers

It was a warm spring afternoon when my seven year old son came into the kitchen where I was preparing lunch. He had that very pleased “Tom just ate Jerry” grin on his face, and his hands were behind his back. When I asked what he was hiding, he presented me with a very colorful bouquet of spring flowers. The stems were all uneven but he was very proud of his gift. I thanked him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, which he immediately wiped off, and went to look for a vase.

Comfortable in My Own Skin

Look at her so lonely not accepted by the crowd,

She cannot hold her head up, her inner cry so loud.

How could she understand, how other people were,

Struggling so within themselves, just the same as her.

I know just how she’s feeling, I used to feel the same.

Totally invisible, no one knew my name.

Always feeling awkward, strange and out of place.

I always stood in shadows, so no one saw my face.

Love and Fool's Gold

I awoke to loud whispers coming from down the hall in my oldest son's room. This is why I slept with my bedroom door open, so I could try and stay a step ahead of the junior members of the family. I glanced at the clock not sure if I was reading it correctly. Six thirty-five. What was everyone doing up so early? Usually everyone slept in on Saturday morning unless we were doing something special. As I padded down the hall toward the voices, I stepped on a board that creaked. Suddenly all was quiet. Sometimes, I really hate hardwood floors.

Heart Cry

I was five when I first met you

you gave me a stuffed dog

 that I never put down

you were so far ahead of me

yet I struggled to catch up

I never saw you very much

you were always gone

and when you were with me

I was a bit shy with you

The Book

There it was. The book had always intrigued the girl. It was large and ornately decorated. How could a book be dangerous? It was an absurd thought but that’s what she had always been told.  Anyone who read the book disappeared and no one ever heard from them again. As the girl pulled the book down from the shelf, she looked over her shoulder to see if anyone was watching.  Hugging the book to her chest, with her heart pounding, she quickly tiptoed back to her room and jumped into her bed. Reaching over, the girl turned on the lamp and opened the book. 

The Touch

They say everyone has this ability. We just don’t know it, so we don’t develop it.  I wish someone had told me about it before I found myself on the floor of my father’s bedroom. I had no idea how long I had been out. This is not the first time this has happened, but not for a long time. I used to wake up on the floor, sitting in a chair or even in bed. Sometimes I've become disoriented and have taken severe falls, alarming friends and family. One doctor said I have extreme vertigo. Another doctor said it was epilepsy. Either could cause me to fall. I thought the problem was gone, or at least under control, until now.

Tick-Tock

Tick-tock, the doctor is now officially five seconds late and I’m tired of counting the little holes in the ceiling. Why is it always ‘hurry up and wait’? My appointment was at ten o’clock. The doctor should have been walking in the room at ten o’clock. Punctuality is important. What if I were late to my meetings? Speaking of which, I wonder why the office has been constantly calling my cell phone

since eight-thirty this morning. Did they actually think I was going to answer it at that hour on my day off?