Victim of Kidnapping

 

 

Jayme Closs was a pretty, 13 years old girl who was kidnapped by 21 years old Jake Patterson after he killed her parents. It took him three attempts before he got hold of the young girl, and she was held captive for 88 days, most of the time stuck under his bed. Not many expected her to be alive after that many days of captivity, but she did survive and even succeeded in escaping on her own and getting help by a neighbor. 

Patterson was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, but the best part of this sad murder and kidnapping event is that Jayme found the strength to work for the help and rights of exploited children. As to the kidnapping she seems to have gained a certain strength in the knowledge that she outsmarted her abductor, and not only escaped, but also saw him get jailed.

Jake Patterson ruined his life by this criminal offence and one wonders what went into his head to plan a kidnapping of a girl whom he didn't even know. Did he dream of a love story of her falling in love with him, no matter what? If so, then he is a victim of another art than Jayme: He fell for a not all that uncommon male myth that ought to get debunked as soon as possible ....

 

https://morbidology.com/the-last-ride-michele-melander/ 

 

https://www.wbay.com/2024/01/11/this-week-marks-five-years-since-jayme-closs-was-found-alive-after-kidnapping/ 

 

https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Wisconsin-man-convicted-in-Jayme-Closs-case-moved-out-of-state-512789791.html 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/14/us/jayme-closs-updates-jake-patterson.html

 

Wikipedia

 

Poverty of Women, the Victorian Way

 

I've seen this photo many times, and I know that it also has made a deep impact on many others. When I saw it the first time I assumed that this poor, starving, physically and socially down-trodden woman was a former servant of a wealthy lady. The reason for that assumption was her dress: It looks like a silk dress that the woman may have had - or stolen - from her rich employer. I thought that the child might be hers, maybe after being raped or seduced by the master of the house, the husband of her employer. Actually, the picture gave me an idea of her life story that was a fantasy over the social circumstances of poor women at this time.

However, I found out that others knew - or fantasized - about it, and this fantasy (?) looks interesting to me: "This shocking image of a woman, probably in her 50s, known as a crawler was widely reproduced. It is taken on the steps of the workhouse on Short’s Gardens. Adolphe Smith says the woman earnt bread and a cup of tea by looking after the baby while the mother went to work. She was known as a crawler as these people were homeless and would ‘crawl’ from one area to another, sleeping outdoors or in casual wards."

Homelessness at its worst? No, I think it may have gotten much worse in other parts of the world, like e.g. USA.

https://mylearning.org/stories/streets-of-london-1870-1900/1246

 

Passion For A Shadow

I read this on Reddit: "My neighbor is 75 and a stubborn Appalachian woman. She does not listen to reason. She has alienated her whole family and they won't even speak to her now because of this romance scam. She has fallen for at least 6 fake Johnny Depps."

6 fake Johnnys?!!!!! That sure is true dedication to an idol who doesn't even know her and her passionate obsession with him!!!!!!

And the Reddit-tale goes on: "She is making adult videos for this man and is probably afraid that if she stops giving money, this weird man will leak her adult entertainment videos. She told me she put dildos in her body for this man. She also insists that Johnny loves her because she has been a fan since the 80s and wrote him fan letters back then too."

The Johnny Depp of the 80s isn't what he is now in the 2024-2025. A lot has happened since then and not all of it something that adds to his image in a flattering manner. I wonder how the 75 years old woman feels about that, but I suspect that she may be fluttering on a special part of "Cloud Nine" that's set up for those who simply refuse to see the realities their dreams are up against.

This imaginary "love affair" made me think of the general tragedy of falling in love with a shadow. Many years ago I had a gay friend (sadly enough now passed because of too heavy drinking) who was so very much in love with Johnny Depp. However, he didn't think of dating him because he wasn't up on that devious Cloud Nine that has its own way of luring people on into a jungle of false hopes. He just "swooned" happily at the sight of Johnny's beautiful eyes and his - at that time - boyish charm, which I hope gave him some kind of pleasure.  

As to the lady at Reddit then she may be more versatile than just sticking with one: "She also is dating William Shatner somehow." Well, good for her (I hope!!!!) ....