Columbus OH

Recently cousin Michael (Julius & Elizabeth's eldest son) sent an email about g'ma's old house in New Braunfels. He said that recently the US Post Office placed a bright yellow sign on the mailbox saying "vacant house". Predictably, someone tried (ineptly) to break in. Of course Michael immediately removed the sign that advertised the house as a target. But while that attempt failed, it is only a matter of time before someone succeeds and either removes all the valuables (?) or else trashes the place. So something more definative will have to be done.

Trying to secure the house physically is impossible. It is all wood, and any physical measure can only slow down and/or annoy a serious perp.

Social obstacles are more effective. One such obstacle is an alarm system that rings into the police department. However, many police departments (I can't answer for NB) have notoriously slow reaction times, thus their protection is limited. And such a system is an expense.

Another social obstacle is a commercial service that physically goes by and checks the house frequently; I've no doubt that such a service is available in NB. The downside of of such a service is (1) the expense, and (2) the limited amount of time that someone actually is on the premises.

The best social obstacle is an occupant. At this point Michael tells me he knows of no relative who wishes to live there. That being the case, I wish to offer rent-free occupancy to (1) Irene Bulgerin's clan; (2) more distant relatives, such as the Franke and Schudde clans; (3) someone referred by a local church. I am going to email Irene, and also will contact the local clergy. However, if any reader knows of anyone who would like to stay in the house, please do contact me.

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MEDICAL REPORT:

LEW: the same. He spends too much time searching for files whose location he forgot to note.

BOBBI: still taking opiates, and had an MRI of the offending hip on Friday, but as yet does not have the report. Nevertheless, she was well enough to work the entire day today in the prison hospital.

BOBBI'S BROTHER-IN-LAW: died on August 19th.

PAUL: still going to his nursing program and doing well (the class curve-breaker).

SMOKEY: as usual, we are treating infected spots on his skin, including weekly medicated baths. But he is responding, and the current crop of infections are clearing up. Despite his 2 surgerized knees, he sometimes does bounce around like a puppy. But mostly he just louts around.

SAPPHIRE: age is slowing her down a bit, looks like she has some arthritis in her knees (which is to be expected). So is less eager to bounce around like a puppy. Another lout.

KITTY-POO: she has gained weight to 8 pounds. Thought by far the smallest, she remains the most aggressive of our pets, thus dominates and rules over the other 3. She also acts out her dominance on Lew, and he lets her.

LUCKY: our black panther slinks around, but vitiates the effect of his silent pace by demanding food in the loudest voice; he actually talks. And every night when Lew goes to bed, he runs in and lies down next to him, spending most of the time there until dawn breaks. He is overweight, so we restrict his food intake. However, he has developed a taste for people food: crackers, dry Cheerios (but not with milk), and his favorite - oatmeal cookies!