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Show THANKFUL TIMES - NOVEMBER 1993 - 7 Beware of Assumptions An event occured recently that disturbed me and made me wonder and possesions unlocked and unat— tended. I would hope it will remain so. Chances are this horse ride was of innocent intent as was the time my new house was “decorated” with toilet paper whether we, as a community, are aware streamers. In both cases, regardless of of the short and long-term effects of some of our assumptions. . how innocent the intent, the owner is left with an uncomfortable feeling. What I found most disturbing in Robert Allen, one of my neighbors, came to my home to ask if I had trespassed on his property, riding my horse inside his fence, riding deliber- ately around his new construction. He said that he had found horse prints and that his son, while napping, had seen what he thought was a girl riding a horse. Robert acknowledged that someone had suggested that he ask me as I might have reason to snoop on his construction. That Robert and his little son were very distressed by this occurance was apparent in the way Robert formed the question and in his determination to find out who had trespassed. Concern about trespassing was not his issue. Rather the form and purpose were his concerns. Thinking about someone walking around my house at night unannounced and uninvited gave me a creepy feeling which I shared with Robert. I have perceived and, so far, experienced Castle Valley as a safe place to leave my daughter, animals Robert know something more about his building that they think a Planning Commission member should know? I’ve heard complaints and accusa— tions in Town meetings about other residents’ structures. Richard Stucki stated as fact that the Heddens have a second dwelling. Both Pat and Anne McLanahan assured me that my neigh- Robert’s question, however, was the assumption of my guilt implied in his asking me to “try to tell the truth” and that someone had suggested that I might be motivated to snoop. Both lying and snooping are against my very nature and it is distressing to be, even gently, accused of such. bor, Donnie Bowthorpe, had a second dwelling in his garage. Both of these assumptions were stated as fact; both are completely wrong. Neither of the accusing parties has taken the time to go to their neighbors and find out that, in these cases, Bill’s workshop is a workshop and Donnie’s garage is a garage. I assumed this suggestion came from my being on the Planning Commission. The PC has been under fire lately from a few residents for looking into situations that either may have violated the zoning ordinance or for which we received specific complaints. Doing one’s job is never popular with those who have something to hide. Nor is it easy when defying the zoning ordinance seems to be condoned. As a Planning Commission member, if I need to know what is going on in a particular situation, I will go up to my neighbor and ask. Robert Allen has a building permit for a utility building. Does the person who advised Assumptions of this kind create suspicious and hostile feelings. They create strife, divisiveness, even actions of revenge. They hurt every one of us, whether or not we’re directly involved. I, personally, would like to see this community pull together by dealing with our differences through honest and open negotiation, by choosing to check out our assumptions rather than spread rumors, to deal directly with each other whenever possible (as Robert did), and to develop ways of dealing with each other cleanly when a one-on-one means is not possible. —Joan Sangree l///////////////fl//fl////////fl//fl///fl//////fl///////////fl//fl/flfl/fl//fl///////fl////fli v, Grateful I’m grateful for . . . The chocolate chip cookies sitting up on the counter two new books to read while I am sick The rope swings outside my I Must Remember door Good friends who play with me I must remember. . .Turkey on Thanksgiving, Pudding on Christmas, Eggs on Easter, Chicken on Sunday, Fish on Friday, Leftovers on Monday. But oh, me I‘m such a dunce. I went and ate them all at once. —Contributed by Heather Nunn it." /, when I am lonely A big fat green bird who sits on her perch at the table Written & illustrated by Shel Silverstein Two big fat mules who just sit there and eat Meat! ——Katrina Funk Pumpkin pie, turkey, bread Keep on eating till you are dead Squash, broccoli, cranberry sauce Keep on eating till you grow moss. —I<atrina Funk Q |