Let’s Welcome Paul Hennrich


Paws4Thought

PaulH

Today on Paws4Thought we welcome mystery writer, Paul Hennrich. Tell us a little bit about yourself, Paul.
I am the proud father of two and grandfather of three and a retiree from Union Pacific Railroad.  I live in Jackson, Missouri, and this year my wife and I celebrated our fortieth anniversary.  What else is there to say after that?  Life is good.
 When did you first start writing?
The first piece of mystery fiction I produced was in the third grade at St. Mary’s of Help Grade School in Chester, Illinois.  My teacher was a young lady fresh out of college.  She found out about my short story and decided to read it to the class.  At one part in the action I had a head rolling down some stairs and I notice she winced as she read that part, but she went on to finish the story without stopping…

View original post 1,080 more words

Taking a Break


I’m skipping the RHP post today and I’m just going to jabber about some other stuff that’s really bugging me. And I don’t really give a flip who gets ticked off.

 

I’m sick and tired of all the bullshit that flies around and, honestly, a lot of it seems to land on me.

 

You think I’m whining? Phhhht. Think what you want.

 

In the last six months or so, I had to deal with a kid being arrested. Yeah, maybe he did it, I don’t know, that’s for the judge to decide. The point is that I, as his mom, still had to be a mom. That means making sure he’s okay, even in jail for six months, and going to visit him almost every week. Pain in the rear, but that’s what moms do, right? Regardless.

 

All the time worrying about him, about his future, etc. And worrying about the effect on the rest of the family. And worrying about bail and money and EVERYTHING. You can’t imagine, unless you’ve had this happen to you too.

 

And then our bookstore closed. It was time. And you know what? We tried. We offered value for money to help us keep going—we didn’t beg. We didn’t ask anyone to come work and help out or donate stuff. And we closed. We’re still paying for it, and probably will for a long time to come. So there’s that.

 

Then yesterday. Some random dude drives off the road, barely clips two trees and lands in my truck. Yep, IN MY TRUCK. Which was parked IN MY DRIVEWAY. He pushed it into the garage, too. They took him away in an ambulance.

 

I felt sorry for the guy, I walked out there and stayed with him, talked to him, put his hat under his head so he wouldn’t be lying on the pavement and gravel. I was worried about him.

 

Now, I’m pissed. My truck is out of commission which means we’re down to one vehicle, and it’s about kaput. My kid has to go to school, my husband has to go to work. We’re screwed. Homeowners’ insurance won’t cover it, and uninsured motorist in Missouri is ONLY for medical issues.

 

I wonder if a nervous breakdown would qualify?

 

Repairs will be around $500 at least, just for parts. And that’s only my estimate and I have no idea, not really, not until tomorrow. And here’s the kicker: this EFFING IDIOT had no license and no insurance. A recovering alcoholic, he owes the woman with whom he lives $10K. His wife? Oh, they split up a decade ago, but aren’t divorced. And, supposedly, he was on his way to “pick up his disability check.” For the second or third time. The last time, he also “had a heart attack.”

 

Well, screw you, Mr. Burke. I hate you. I don’t feel the least bit sorry for you. I wish you’d hit one of those big damn trees in my yard, head on.

 

Too harsh?

Go ahead, judge me. I can take it.

 

I’m damned sick and tired of all the people who screw off and get by and ask for handouts, while we struggle and play by the rules. Spend a fortune on insurance, which doesn’t even help when you need it. Try to pay our bills and live up to our obligations while others just coast on through, leaving a crap ton of damages in their wake.

 

EFF OFF, losers.