Monday, November 9, 2020

My Quiet Life - Not Today

Every now and then I have mentioned my quiet life.  Today was not one of those quiet days.

My son Duane lives in the apartment next door.  On the other side of his apartment is another, occupied by a younger married couple.  I have not met them, but Duane tells me the wife is a pleasant person who works to support them both.  The husband apparently has some serious mental issues.  Duane has seen him outside in the parking lot back of our building, running around swinging a machete.

This afternoon Duane came into my apartment to tell me about what was happening.  He said the guy next door to him had been crashing about in his apartment.  Then Duane saw him in the parking lot, wielding a baseball bat, taking swings at parked vehicles.  Someone called the police.

I listened to the scanner for a while to see what was happening.  At one point the guy had a gas can and  lighter and was threatening to set the can on fire.  The police were trying to talk him out of the apartment.  Eventually he did start a fire in the apartment and that was when the talk ended and he was taken out, hopefully to a hospital for some help.

The fire department was on stand-by and quickly put the fire out.  But there was a lot of smoke and the building was evacuated.  A firemen helped me down the stairs.  A business owner a couple of doors down the street offered to let Duane and me stay in his office.  It was cold.  It was raining.  We were grateful.

When the smoke had cleared, two firemen helped me back up the stairs to my apartment.  My phone began ringing almost as soon as I was back home.  The kids were checking up on their brother and mother.  One of them had driven here but couldn't get close as the streets surrounding my building had been closed off.

I am none the worse for wear, with the exception of a bit of embarrassment at walking down the street wearing my floor length robe and big, fuzzy socks over my leg wraps.   If I had known I was going out for the evening, I would have dressed for the occasion.  :)

God bless all those, and there were a lot of them, who came to take care of a very bad situation.  And if you are so inclined, please offer a prayer for the fellow who caused all of this.  It must be terrifying to be living with the demons of the mind that would make someone do the things he did.

And now, if you please, I will go back to my quiet life.  

25 comments:

  1. Vicki,try as we might, even preppers are not prepared for everything. But the robe and fuzzy socks kept you warm and that was a very good thing. I do detect a slight chuckle behind your description though. Not many of us can say we were able to go out and about in such attire and get away with it. Giggles...
    Stay safe, my friend...CW

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    1. Yep, CW...A chubby granny stomping down the street in a robe and fuzzy socks, on the arm of a fireman, has to be good for a giggle or two. :) I am prepared for a lot of things, but that wasn't one of them. I'm just thankful it wasn't any worse.

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  2. Good Lord Vicki! I'm glad everyone is safe with minimal damage. I pray that the man in question find the right medications to help him maintain his sanity. Lord bless his Wife, give her strength and comfort. Red

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    1. Thanks, Red...The only damage was to the one apartment, thanks to the quick action of the police and fire department. I feel so bad for both the husband and wife and pray they get the help they need.

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  3. I'm glad things went as well as they did. I'd bet that he was or is a druggie to some degree.

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    1. I'm glad things didn't get any worse too, Gorges. I don't know anything about the guy except that he obviously is out of control.

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  4. Oh my goodness, your evening sounds ever so exciting! Maybe a little too exciting. Having had some personal experience dealing with mental health issues involving a loved one, it is beyond frustrating because the "system" is very protective of the rights of the mentally ill person; so protective that it can be near impossible to get them help. It is very sad. Praying!

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    1. sbrgirl...Yeah, that was a bit more exciting than I care to deal with. At first I was angry. There had been some bizarre behavior before and I just thought the lunatic was at it again. But when I heard in real time via the scanner what was happening, I realized this person must be dreadfully ill. Praying for him and for his poor wife.

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    2. Indeed, sbgirl; "social services" is very quick to push the mentally ill person back down into the family setting, even when the family says the person is a danger to himself and others. Then, when it all goes to hell, the family gets blamed for not "doing something..." 'Been there...

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  5. I lived in a few "high density" housing units during my time in the military. If there's one thing you need to prepare for, it's the fact that you're only as safe as the most unsafe or unstable resident in your complex.

    A prepper thought; keep a "weather appropriate" coat and shoes near the entrance of your apartment that you can grab on the way out the door, should something untoward happen in the future.

    Thank God the situation was resolved without loss of life or further damage!

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    1. Pete...Ours is a very old building with only 7 apartments, but the same rules apply. We never know what dangers are behind the apartment doors.

      Thank you for the suggestion, which I am embarrassed to say I hadn't thought about. Living in a state that sees ice and snow for roughly half the year, having emergency outdoor wear handy is a must.

      Having learned a bit more about the situation this morning - the guy had disconnected the gas line to his kitchen stove before he started the fire - I have no doubt that God was watching out for the rest of the residents here.

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    2. I live, and have lived, in earthquake country for many years. A couple of years back, someone suggested I keep a pair of loafers or other slip-on shoes next to the bed. It was explained that, in the event of earthquake, I might have to make a hasty exit, and that there might be broken glass on the floor. I had never thought of THAT. 'Always good to get more sets of eyes on any situation.

      "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14

      Wow! The guy disconnected the gas line before starting the fire??? He was going for broke! ...He needs to be committed...

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    3. Pete...Having been thinking about it this morning, I think I need to invest in a backpack to hold necessities. As it was, I was taken from my apartment with only the clothes on my back. No supplemental oxygen. No meds. No paperwork. No cash. That needs to change and quickly. I don't ever want to be in that position again. Thanks for steering me toward a solution to a problem.

      If the police and firemen had not acted as quickly as they did, there could have been people digging through the rubble looking for our bodies. I am forever grateful. Defund the police? I don't think so.

      My son saw the inside of that apartment. All the windows were broken out. There are holes in the ceiling exposing the rafters. That may have been done in putting out the fire, but we don't know. There was drywall and insulation everywhere. He had totally trashed the apartment.

      We also learned this was not the first go-around between this man and the police. It was just the worst. Yes. He most certainly needs to be committed.

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    4. You've got me looking at my GoBag today. Think I might relocate it closer to the door.
      I also keep a flashlight with fresh batteries in my bedside table. Also used to keep an extra leash and collar there when my four legged friend was with me.
      SJ in Vancouver BC Canada

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  6. And things like this is why I say (much to Dad's disgust) "I like boring!". Glad no fire sprinklers in the building were set off that would have been a mess. I hope the guy gets the help he needs.

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    1. JustGail...Yep. I am perfectly happy with my quiet life. And yes, I am grateful for the swift action of our fire fighters who had things under control before the rest of us suffered the consequences. Praying for both the husband and wife who are going through a horrible situation.

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  7. I am intensely grateful that you and all concerned are otherwise okay, there was no damage resulting in relocation, and that the fellow in question will now have a chance to be treated as needed. Our God is good.

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    1. Rev. Paul...I am convinced that without Divine intervention, the outcome of this situation could have easily been much worse. I pray that someone with the authority to do something, will see the need for this man to get some help.

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  8. Was concerned with all that happened but so thankful you and son were well looked after.
    Have to admit I did have a big belly laugh when I envisioned you walking down the street in bathrobe and leg warmers...Praying with others that your neighbors, both, get the help they need.
    Cheers
    SJ in Vancouver BC Canada

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    1. Thanks, SJ...Yes, we were well cared for. The police even sent the EMTs to make sure I was alright. But I expect the sight of this chubby grannie sashaying through the rain puddles dressed as I was, likely produced more than one chuckle. :)
      I pray someone will see the need to help them both.

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  9. Its a good thing you had changed out of your super hero clothes before you got caught. I do like the timid grandma look thou...

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    1. Rob...Yep. The Wonder Woman cape is in the closet. But don't get too used to the timid granny thing. You ain't gonna see her very often. :)

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    1. Thank you, LTM...We are so very grateful to those who prevented this incident from becoming a disaster.

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  11. watching dr daniel amen on pbs
    neighbor needs brain scan at dr amen's clinic
    obvious brain damage
    if i had money i would go to dr amen myself

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