I suppose we have become well known for leading very quiet, simple, but well-organised lives; I am amusingly known as a 'hermit'. The most animated activity around here is either mowing or log sawing; otherwise we are very disciplined people who do everything by 'routine'; probably a result of our mutual strict schooling.
Therefore, it comes as a shock to us (as it has on a couple of other recent occasions) that certain people's lives can be so thoroughly erratic and turbulent that they verge on the psychotic. Something so alien to us that it is totally incomprehensible.
I don't wish to go into details, but the person in questions' life is totally chaotic and without aim, other than controlling everyone around them by outrageous demands, threats, and even violence.
I try never to allow other people's problems to become my problems, but in a few recent cases it has been unavoidable, and amazingly (probably in most similar cases) the miscreants try to turn accusations of 'guilt' back onto us; not unlike accusing a teetotaler of being 'permanently drunk'; a very puerile tactic, only semi-believed by the very gullible.
It is extraordinary that a single disturbed life can have such an effect on so many around them. Luckily our own involvement with this person has been transitory, but for some it has been permanently life-changing, and dramatic.
The above illustration is Lady Magnon's souvenir of a recent encounter. Not pleasant, but we try not to show animosity. Mental health problems are complicated enough as they are!
Heavens to Betsy, that's up close and nasty. It must be so frustrating, and frightening knowing that you've done nothing to deserve this, and not knowing what's coming next. I hope you can keep your distance and be left in peace to keep to your quiet lives
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what we try do do, but just occasionally people bring their problems to us. We try to be diplomatic!
DeleteThe 'permanently life changing and dramatic' part of your post is very disturbing. Have you a maniac in your midst and are you all safe?
ReplyDeleteWe are safe (I think), and the problem is only transitory. Still, quite unpleasant!
DeleteHow sad that this "violence" has entered your quiet domain. Poor Lady M; how frightening to be assaulted and have done nothing to deserve it, not for one minute however does that mean violence is meted out to a deserving cause.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland
This individual is not well, and we try to accept it as such. It's not always easy.
DeleteThat is awful, so sorry for Lady M.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the photo I thought we both have one of those at the moment but due to far different causes. Mine was The Dog ,after a squirrel, pulled the lead under a horizontal fence rail. Himself had a voluntary injection of something at the surgery and that caused a huge bruise.
Lady M was knocked over recently by a neighbour's large dog, and received a huge bruise as a result. She does seem to collect bruises.
DeleteI love my blog simply because its done at a distance and I never actually meet the people who read it. I am not a people person and like yourself we keep ourselves to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteMy experience of people over my 73 years has done nothing to endear me to them preferring animals every time.
Briony
x
I'm afraid that I think very similarly. We started off 47 years ago living in an idyllic paradise with just 2 charming neighbours, very different to how it has now become.
DeleteIt's sad and also a little scary, I hope you're protected.
ReplyDeleteIt was scary; and I was very annoyed, but you can't let other people's actions get the better of you. We hid away!
DeleteSadly I know exactly what you mean, we are again just like you, quiet life, non interfearing, but just one family member!!!
ReplyDeleteThese things are sent to try us! I'm pleased to say that we weathered the storm.
DeleteVery disturbing. It is difficult not to dwell on these things. Hope you are able to keep it to a minimum.
ReplyDeleteYes, but the (Lady M's) bruises live on.
DeleteOne of my sisters hit me over the head with half a brick. Mind you, she was 4 and I was 7 and I was so concentrated on the game of marbles that I was unaware of her presence and she never explained why she did it. But I think it was because she felt I was ignoring her. I had a lump that felt like an egg on my head for a few days. Maybe your assailant has never developed to his full potential and is frustrated. You can be happy you don't live in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteChildren tend to be unaware of the damage they can cause by such things, they tend to end-up saying "Woops, sorry".
DeleteA lesson in never being alone with this person until/if they recover. I once had a client in front of me whirling a chain over his head, with a heavy wrench on the end,indoors, and talking complete gibberish. Drink and drugs I think, although he wasn't the most grounded of individuals at the best of times. My (very supportive?) staff were hiding in the corridor!
ReplyDeleteWe are keeping well away, which is not difficult.
DeleteI hope that you and Lady M are able to avoid this character in future or is that likely to be difficult? Several years ago a close neighbour suffered domestic abuse on a frequent basis. We had been unaware of it until she rang our doorbell one evening when I was away on business. My OH told me that she had a black eye and was covered in bruises. She went to stay with a friend for the night but returned home to him afterwards. I don't think I would have done so.
ReplyDeleteWe are staying home and not visiting again. Certain situations are best avoided.
DeleteA domestic?
ReplyDeleteNo, just someone who can't control themselves.
DeleteThere seems to be a lot of people about who suffer from uncontrolled behaviour which is labelled as a mental condition. I think strict and disciplined schooling is frowned upon now and considered oppressive.As I age I can really see the importance of that kind of formative experience and the benefits of it. I hope L M eventually recovers from the shock of this assault. Lunatics are scary and dangerous without their medication.
ReplyDeleteShe has recovered mostly by staying well away from the person in question. We have had several unpleasant experiences over the past few years, which have shocked us (not all involving violence), and they seem to follow a 'trend' in human behaviour. The world is becoming an unpleasant place, with people happy to behave however they wish; regardless of the feelings of others.
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