Why I don't watch the local news

Gena had the news on when I came home from work this evening, and as I sat down beside her to eat my dinner the reporter said, "Sleep with your windows shut tonight! A woman in Vancouver was raped last night by a man that is still on the loose!"

That may not have been exactly what happened, but they did offer a friendly reminder to peer fearfully out one's window at the slightest provocation.

So, here I am at 2:30 in the morning. I'll need to wake up in about four hours to go to work. The neighbor's dog started barking in a strange way about fifteen minutes ago and I have convinced myself that there is, more likely than not, a predator stalking around our house, looking for a way in. I got up and shut every window in the house, but even that wasn't enough. Amanda and Joel are on their honeymoon, Melissa is never home these days and Gena rarely is, and my cat won't frighten off anyone.

If I could think of someone to call and have stay over I would have been on the phone with them five minutes ago. Instead, I have carried my blankets and pillow out into the living room and will be sleeping on the floor tonight with the house phone next to my head.