Dear Christine,

We remember.

I don't understand it

It was announced via news media channels today that the actor Lee Thompson Young took his own life in the early hours of this morning. Most recently know for his role as Detective Barry Frost on the show Rizzoli & Isles, Young's body was discovered with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

This got me thinking.

I don't understand suicide.

I know that depression is a real thing, and that it can take you to places within yourself that are dark and lonely. I know that sadness can linger. I know that there are times when it feels like emptiness will swallow you whole. I know that everyone has inner demons to fight. I know that loss, and addiction, and pain can build a prison of despair.

And I know that for some they feel driven beyond control. They stand on the edge of the cliff looking down into their personal abyss and believe that there is nothing left to hold on to.

And they let go.

I know that.

But I don't understand it.

I don't understand because I have never been there. Sad, yes. Lonely, yes. At a breaking point, oh yes. But I've never been there. I know that the sun will rise in the morning. I know that dawn will break and waves will crash, and clouds will roll by. Wind will rustle the leaves and the grass, sway the mighty oak, awaken a chorus of birds who will fill the air with song. I know that in the light of a new day things that seemed so big in the dark hours of the night will be shown up without their shadows.

I know that.

And I know that for some people, the horrors of the night can still be seen even in the bright light of a cloudless day.

I know that.

But I don't understand it.

If you or someone you love is in need, please reach out for help.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

This post is dedicated to the memory of Lee Thompson Young.

For Your Consideration

So...we have a fenced-in backyard at VillaDiva.

Which is seriously screaming for an awesome new pet.

I'm leaning toward one of theses....

Cause OMG!!PYGMYGOAT!!SOCUTE!!!

What do you think?

- HistoryDiva

A Little Random Funny

- HistoryDiva

Radio Silence

I know it's been quiet around here.

But it's not my fault.

Blame videogames.

- HistoryDiva

Quick Update

2013 Book Challenge

New Titles 

My Booky Wook - Russell Brand

I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This - Bob Newhart
The Body in the Library - Agatha Christie
A Princess of Mars - Edgar Rice Burroughs
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Deborah Moggach
Shakespeare's Landlord - Charlaine Harris
Hero at Large - Janet Evanovich
Cat Among the Pigeons - Agatha Christie
Devil in the Smoke - Justin Richards
Murder on Monday - Ann Punser
Nightwoods - Charles Frazier
The Casual Vacancy - JK Rowling
The Regatta Mystery - Agatha Christie
The Underdog - Agatha Christie
Three Blind Mice - Agatha Christie
Baby Out of the Blue - Rebecca Winters
Their Miracle Twins - Nikki Logan
Sweet Home Colorado - C C Coburn
My Cowboy Valentine - Jane Porter and Tanya Michaels
Behind Palace Doors - Michael Fraquhar
Booky Wook 2 - Russell Brand
The Nemonite Invasion - David Roden
The Rising Night - Scott Handcock
The Forever Trap - Dan Abnett
The Day of the Troll - Simon Messingham
Pest Control - Peter Anghelides
Dead Air - James Goss
The Last Voyage - Dan Abnett
Is It Just Me? - Miranda Hart
Below Stairs - Margaret Powell
Then Again - Diane Keaton
A Grown Up Kind of Pretty - Joshlyn Jackson
New Europe - Michael Palin
Thinning the Herd - Cynthia Ceilan
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - Douglas Adams
A Big Hand for the Doctor - Eoin Colfer
The Nameless City - Michael Scott
The Spear of Destiny - Marcus Sedgwick
Life, the Universe, and Everything - Douglas Adams
Pendragon: Merchant of Death - D J MacHale
Promises to Keep - Jane Green
Dear Fatty - Dawn French
Summer Falls - Amelia Williams
In the Sanctuary of Outcasts - Neil White
Pittsburgh's Rivers - Daniel J Burns
Emma - Jane Austen
Ten Little Aliens - Stephen Cole
The Roots of Evil - Philip Reeve
The Convenient Marriage - Georgette Heyer
Reawakened - Odette Beane
The Forgotten Army - Brian Minchin
Tip of the Tongue – Patrick Ness
His Good Opinion – Nancy Kelly
Sylvester – Georgette Heyer
So Long,  and Thanks for All the Fish – Douglas Adams
Himalaya – Michael Palin
River Monsters – Jeremy Wade
Nuclear Time – Oli Smith
The Dovekeepers – Alice Hoffman
The Ghost and Mrs. McClure – Alice Kimberly
Last Bus to Woodstock – Colin Dexter
Last Seen Wearing – Colin Dexter

Re-Reads

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

Persuasion - Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie
Murder on the Links - Agatha Christie
Poirot Investigates - Agatha Christie
The Labors of Hercules - Agatha Christie
The ABC Murders - Agatha Christie
Sad Cypress - Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
Three Act Tragedy - Agatha Christie
Thirteen at Dinner - Agatha Christie
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding - Agatha Christie
Appointment with Death - Agatha Christie
The Big Four - Agatha Christie
Cards on the Table - Agatha Christie
Dead Man's Folly - Agatha Christie
Death in the Clouds - Agatha Christie
The Magician's Nephew - CS Lewis
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis
The Horse and His Boy - CS Lewis
Prince Caspian - CS Lewis
Voyage of the Dawn Treader - CS Lewis
The Silver Chair - CS Lewis
The Last Battle - CS Lewis
Around the World in 80 Days - Michael Palin
Pole to Pole - Michael Palin
Full Circle - Michael Palin
The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
The Fellowship of the Ring - JRR Tolkien

Currently Reading

Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories, Volume 1 - Arthur Conan Doyle

The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn – Colin Dexter

- HistoryDiva