MURDER IN THE OZARKS

A serial killer has struck in the Ozark mountains. He comes in the night and leaves total devastation to those foolish enough to be in his path. The young and healthy fall to his cold brutality. The bloom of youth is stolen by this fiend and he revels as the discarded and crushed carcasses pile up. Mercy is not in his make up and he laughs at our feeble attempts at protection. Pure strength can not stop him.

He goes by the name of Jack and unfortunately he is well known by all, but few can stop this ravenous monster. He plunders with impunity and glee, mocking those who try to thwart him. Some attempts will slow his rampage but he will not be stopped. If he missed your tender loved ones this night, he will get them on another. He counts on you being negligent with your defenses. One careless night spells disaster.

Jack's favorite means of torture is to slowly reduce the body temperature of his victims till the limbs hang limply and the body bends in agony. He insidiously continues to apply cold till all fluids cease to flow and life drains slowly but painfully away. His methods are so brutal that it is often hard to recognize the victims when he is through. The word carnage comes to mind.

Below is a sketch artist's rendition of Jack. Even knowing what he looks like will not help you. I can only warn you to be on the look out for this monster and when you feel his presence, try to protect those you care about. Hide them from his cold grasp. With constant diligence, you can stop him but you can not stop his accomplice who waits patiently. Jack Frost has weaknesses, his mentor, Hard Freeze who lurks in the future, has none.






The following pictures of Jack's victims are not for the faint of heart nor meant for those under 13. View with caution.



Basil??? If I wasn't sure of the location, I would not be sure. The roses to the left are not gone yet but are badly wounded.


One day ago, these were proud, orange headed Zinnias. They are unrecognizable now.

Yesterday this was a bountiful bowl of blooming Begonias. Begonias--begone. Sorry but I do I love alliteration.

Be brave my friends. Realize that some of your loved ones are just sleeping and will recover when warmth once again becomes a daily blessing. They have learned to outsmart this fiend. Put your faith in them and say kind words over those will need replaced come Spring.

Ok, it was my fault for not protecting them. In Florida we had a few bouts of frost but not like here. There, no one ever threw away old sheets, towels, tee shirts or blankets. When the threat came, we covered all our perishables and slept easy. Of course our yards looked like homeless camps in the morning but it worked. I didn't do that the other night and I wanted someone to blame besides Bad Patti.

Do you fight nature or do you accept the inevitable, add your losses to your compost pile and dream of Spring?