I made a passing comment the other day about how we sometimes hear g*nshots from our house---but seeming that they're always several blocks away, and late at night, has prevented me from fretting too much. Well, I had to gulp yesterday afternoon while one of our sons was out taking Opal for a walk. After he'd been gone for about 20 minutes or so, he called my cellphone which was at the house (he always carries someone's phone with him), and one of the other boys picked up. Turns out that there was a shooting in the path of his walk, and it had happened just minutes before he came by that way. The police were already there and the guy who got shot (in the leg) was sitting on the curb.

Not what we wanted to hear in the middle of a lovely Sunday afternoon. And the awful part was that this was only a block or so away.

I needed husband hugs after that. Sure put a damper on the afternoon, let me tell you. I'm thankful for God's timing that this son wasn't where he didn't need to be a minute earlier.

Btw, don't let this mislead you into thinking that I'm into g*n control. Far from it. Let the legal guys have 'em, because it's mostly the ones carrying illegally who are causing all the trouble.