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Ann Rule's Guestbook and Web Log
True Crime Writer Ann Rule's Web Log and Guestbook
Ann Rule's Guestbook and Web Log 
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Hi Ann and ARFs! I love the new website. I just viewed the video on the Ted Bundy update link and it mentions that DNA will be used to investigate whether Ted was responsible for the death of a missing girl from 1981. As the video goes on, I believe they are referring to Ann Marie Burr. I thought she disapppeared in 1961. Wasn’t Ted behind bars in 1981? Did anyone else catch this?
Thanks, Michelle! Our friend, Rebecca Morris, wrote a book called TED AND ANN about the connection between Ted and Ann Burr. Rebecca got very close to Ann Burr’s mother who die recently. Ted was a teen when Ann Burr vanished. For those of you interested, you can see and or order Rebecca’s book via Ann Rule’s Recommended Books page. http://authorannrule.com/Recommended_Books.html
Thanks, Leslie! I read that book recently. It was really good. I’m so sorry to hear that Ann Marie’s mother died recently..still not knowing what happened to her daughter.
Vanc. Nan—Oh I pray that you will find your little doggie friend. Pets are so important to us. Even tho my little cat, Mimi, is an inside girl, she’s gotten out a couple of times, and I panicked. Thankfully, she was always found. I hope you find your little guy, too.
She’s so tiny . . . only 6 lbs . . . and she thinks she’s ferocious. I just hope she didn’t challenge a big doggie that wouldn’t be nice to her. It’s scary to sit and wait. I’m scanning family photos onto my FB page. It keeps me busy. Sigh! Anyone else going to Gresham on the 31st?
I lost my little Chihuahua on Friday. We were napping and I left the french door in the bedroom open so she and her brother (Springer Spaniel) could go out if they wanted while I napped. This girl clings to me like Velcro. When I woke up she was nowhere to be found. I have alerts out everywhere and she’s on CL too. She has a microchip but happened to be naked, no bling (name tag) or cute little shirt on. I haven’t been able to sleep. I have gotten a lot of gardening done and housework too to keep me distracted. I’m so scared for her.
I signed up as a FB friend for Ann. I am Nancy Lynch-Jackson and do come by and say hi if you want. I just posted photos of my two darling great-grands. Both adorable IMHO. I do worry that FB won’t be as personal as this list is and I feel like ya’ll got me thru one of the most horrifying times of my life. Jo is doing well and her prom photo is on my FB too.
“I’m so proud to know ya!”, quoting one of my favorites, Ms Minnie Pearl!
hugs ~nan
Nancy, so sorry your dog is lost. Check with neighbors to make sure she didn’t get shut into a garage or shed. Also, post on Craig’s list, if you haven’t already. And call local vets. We will have an ARF Group for my mom on FB. It looks like we can set it so others don’t see ARF posts. I’m organizing this for my mom so everybody be sure to “friend” me and send a message saying you are an ARF. It’s taking awhile to get everything organized. We’re trying to get the new website in order and we’ve got the Gresham thing coming up. One more thought on the dog. . .This may sound farfetched but some pet psychics are very good. Sometime around 1992 I did a feature article for Woman’s World magazine about psychics who work with pets. I interviewed one who actually was able to locate pets over the phone! (I also interviewed her clients). I just jumped off here and found her link! I was astounded by the info she gave me when she “read” my pets over the phone. She knew things she had no way of knowing. http://www.lydiahiby.com/
Hi Leslie! I just got home from meeting you and Ann. I am so thrilled. I am in shock! Can’t wait to get the photo to post!
Now back to Buttercup. I looked up Lydia and she isn’t ‘doing’ lost animals anymore. She had a link to a lady, Suzi Dalling at Connect in Harmony (web site.) When I called her (Suzi). She got very upset with me for calling her a physic. (I don’t know no better! Golly!) And she wants $150 for a min. one hour ‘session’. She is an ‘intuitive transformational guide’. I am a cynic and I just wasn’t feeling that she was going to be helpful. She did tell me that she thought I was wasting my time with Craig’s List and the Humane Society and that Buttercup would be thirsty by now and seeking water. (Duh!) I’ll think about it and read more on her site. I’m getting my tire fixed so I can go cruise, looking some more and post more flyers.
I was very amazed that both you and your mom recalled every thing that I have written about on this site. Wow! You both have incredible memories!
Hugs ~nan
It was so nice to meet you, Nan! That’s too bad that Lydia isn’t helping with lost pets. I don’t know anything about that other psychic. If she’s not a psychic, why is she charging $150 an hour? What’s the difference between being psychic and intuitive? If it’s politically incorrect to use the term psychic, it’s the first time I heard about it! What a shame that she got so defensive when you need help! Buttercup might not be thirsty. Someone may have taken her in. I hope you find her soon! Leslie 🙂
Today is my day to go to the shelter. I always cry while going through and want to take all the poor little guys home. Sigh! I have the neighborhood children on alert with a reward to find her. If someone took her in, chances are they will take her to a vet, though she is very healthy. All vets scan for chips (so I’m told).
I’m am still amazed to have met you and Ann. I immediately started on the update on Mr. Bundy. LOL! I have an addiction that I don’t want cured. I have plenty of summer reading to do now – and yet the weeds keep growing.
Hugs ooOOOoo ~nan
We’ve added a victims’ resource page to Ann Rule’s new website:
http://authorannrule.com/Resources_for_Victims_4B3F.html
Yay! Leslie . . . excellent work on the new site. I have a note that you and Mom will be in Gresham on the 31st. I hope I can still RSVP. I ‘lost’ track of my note to myself. I haven’t met either of you but I am an ARF from way back. So glad to have this opportunity to get to know both of you and not just your writings. I have only read your ‘Angels’ book so far. It’s in the genes ladies! LOL! Luv ya’ll
ooOOOoo Nan
Thanks, Nancy! I hope we see you there. I have no idea if the seats are filled. I think I posted the reservation number on the “coming events” page of Ann’s new website.
I got the info and the reservation. I am so excited! I’ll see you there. Can I bring a book to have signed? Will ya’ll have books too? I understand it’s a fundraiser for education . . . so cool!
Nancy, yes you can bring a book to be signed. Last I heard, the Bagel and Books people were planning to have our books there to sell and for us to sign. I hope so! If you bring a book in, you might want to show it the sellers so they know you brought it from home and won’t try to charge you for it!
Perhaps I’ll just copy this email and put it in the book . . . LOL! How could they doubt YOU! Can’t wait to see you and your mom. I’m excited!
God bless you Leslie. I just checked out the victim’s resource page and hope it will help countless families. You and your mom do so much good work. God bless you both! C/C Rosie
Thanks, C/C Rosie! The links go to some amazing websites, often run by people who have lost someone to violence. It’s so touching to see them work to help others when they are hurting. I’m impressed by Chuck and Judy Cox who are thinking of others in the wake of their unbelievable tragedy. The link to their website is included on the Victim’s Resources page.
Remarkable woman! Just passing by to wish you sunny days. Good luck on your house-sale!
P.P.S. Does anyone on here work for United Airlines or know how to use my Mileage Plus miles (68,000!) to get an upgrade? It is so difficult. I waited on the phone for 35 minutes, finally got connected with someone in India, and then got disconnected in 2 minutes. It used to be so much easier! Does it help to go to the ticket counter at the airport and ask for the upgrade? I did manage to book flights to NYC and back, but sure couldn’t find a way to use my miles! We have two months before we leave, but flying and booking flights sure isn’t as easy as it used to be!
I’m glad publishers don’t send authors on 40-city book tours the way they used to when I only had a few books. Again, back to writing!
Thanks for any tips.
Ann
And my maternal grandparents in Stanton: Anna Koch [Cook] Hansen and Christen Hansen.
AR
Hi Ann, I don’t have a clue about how to upgrade your flight. Sorry. I am, however, glad to see that you are NYC bound. I’m in the DC area but would gladly drive up the road to see you!! I’m excited!!!!!!
Hi Kelly, My relatives in Michigan are named either Hansen or Koch (Jacob and Caroline) . Those who have passed more recently are in the cemetery in Stanton. Dr. Carl Hansen, Freda ,Elton, and Sandra Sampson, Amelia and Jack Mills, Don Stackhouse (my brother) Donna and Stuart Basom. It’s sad when I realize how many dear relatives who are gone now. I believe most of the others are buried in Ann Arbor.
Back to work.
Love to All on this Memorial Day Weekend,
Ann
Hi Ann…vacationing in Hawaii on the Big Island and having a fabulous time with my boyfriend, Steve. We’ve been scuba diving the last 3 days and enjoying the beaches, the weather, great restaurants and relaxing! As I’ve done on every vacation since 2003, reading one of your books, “Don’t Look Behind You”. Just finished it and can’t wait for your next book! You are truly my favorite author. I was hooked when you first published “Heart Full Of Lies”.
I never thought I’d get to know you, but glad I have! Enjoy your time off from writing and I look forward to meeting you in person!
I just put up the page about Susan Powell on Ann Rule’s new website. You can listen to that frustrating 9-1-1 call there and see videos about the tragedy. Here’s the link! http://authorannrule.com/Coming_Soon_.html
I just viewed the Susan Powell videos. ANN, your compassion is tremendous, writing about such a disturbing case. Oh, how sad for the families.
I’ve not posted here for a while, but I would like to express my heart-felt condolences to those who are loyal ARFs and have posted about such stressfull times in your lives.
Thanks for visiting the new site, Marsha.
You’re welcome, Leslie. I’m on my way back to http://www.authorannrule.com/ to visit your new addition: Victims Resources; and I also want to check out the Movie Information. Thanks for all!!!
We’ll be adding more movie trailers soon. Most of her movies are shown regularly on Lifetime now. As soon as my mom is done with this book, she will add to the Updates page. (It fell off this website and was lost to cyberspace a year ago but I found it posted on a reader’s website and now am in the process of putting it back up in chunks). It was a few years ago since Ann wrote those updates so, of course, more things have happened. She’s got 33 books worth of people to keep track of now!
I just listened to that 911 call and am overwhelmed with sadness for the social worker and those precious children and their grandparents and family. It was agonizing listening to her have to explain over and over again the details. I am looking forward to reading this new book and am sorry your mother has to write about such disturbing facts about young children. As LCMarsha stated, your mother is so compassionate. I know I am speaking for all of her ARFs when I say how thankful we are that the truth about this story will be coming out with Ann’s new book.
I know what you mean, Laurie! As for the new website, it’s coming along. About thirty percent of it fell off this old website a year ago but LUCKILY I’ve found the Ann Rule Updates and the Frequently Asked Questions page. A reader had pasted them to her own website. We’re hoping the Victims’ Resources page will do some good. http://authorannrule.com/Resources_for_Victims_4B3F.html
P.S. When I hear that my books have helped someone to deal with the pain in their lives, it means so much to me. Thank you for telling me. CC. Rosie, I don’t know how you turned out so giving and loving because it sounds like your Mom didn’t get “A’s” in that department. But you did turn out wonderfully and we all love you. Appreciate your loving spirit, and your adorable Mr. Colorado/ California Rosie and don’t let the past haunt you. Yes, your mother was pretty
heedless to brag about all of her money. And she got herself a greedy, drunken husband. I know you and your sibs are hurt by how it turned out, but don’t let it blunt your life. I hope you get to go back to Colorado soon! Tell Mr.C.C. Rosie I’ll come visit and go to auctions and re-sale stores with him. We can fill up all your spare spaces! :*)
Ann
Ann, you are one in a million! Yes, your books help so many of us. I am not sure where I turned out so differently unless i got more of my “biological father’s” genes. But like Anne frank, I have always believed that people are basically good at heart. In the meantime our move back to Colorado is coming up in August…yee haw!!!! We are so excited. Mr. C/C Rosie is not looking forward to the work, nor am I but we are looking forward to settling in and being back in a more laid back life style. And Ann, should you come visit us, Mr. C/C Rosie will be thrilled to take you along on his yard sale/auctions/and resale store jaunts! As for storing any of it in our “extra” spare spaces, I tell you what Ann, if you can find the spare spaces, you can store it! Many thanks for you support and your love!
I wanna’ go to the sales too! We should all get together and do that (can’t remember how many miles) garage sale in the south. We need ARF conventions! They would be lots more fun than ‘Star Wars’ conventions and then we could all go to Goodwill and Value Village together dressed as our favorite author . . . hope that makes you smile my darling Ann!
ooOOOoo ~ dew
Hi Everyone,
Well, here it is Memorial Day Weekend and I didn’t even realize it until a day or so ago. I plan to take a half day off, putter in my garden, planting seeds and pulling weeds. They were going to pour the cement on my new patio yesterday, but the bull-dozing wasn’t quite done. So now it will be Tuesday. For some reason, I have no lights in my kitchen–but the stove, microwave, and frig work. I think some wire got knocked catty-wampus with the power of the dozer just outside the kitchen wall. I have no lights in living/dining room either, but I do have lots in my new bedroom and bath. It’s not a bad power outage–just a little one, and I can manage just fine.
My dozer guy, Ray, brought me some huge boulders, and the fountain motors I ordered came today, so I think I’ll be able to create a water-feature beside the patio. Anybody ever done that? I’ll bet I could find directions on the Internet. I have so many fun things planned for the six weeks I’m going to have off between the book’s being done and the next trial for the new book. Lots of rummage sales, movies, lunches with pals, naps (!) Well, when you get old enough, naps are fun. And maybe a side trip or two to the other side of the mountains for two or three days. I love men, but a good girlfriend is almost always the best choice for those trips–girlfriends never get tired of stopping at little out of the way antique and junk places.
The story of Susan and Josh Powell, which I’m writing now, is so tragic and I find myself exhausted at the end of the days because it really stresses me out. But I sincerely hope that it may save some lives of other women living in a controlling house with a threatening man. It’s not easy to get away, but it is possible–even with kids and pets and few resources.
Memorial Day is not a day for big sales–I wonder why they advertise them like that. It’s a day to remember and appreciate those we’ve loved and lost. Some wounds among our blessed ARFs are fresh, and some are years old. None of us have to be reminded to remember, do we? I used to go to the little cemetery in Edmore, Michigan with my grandmother, Anna Hansen, while she put red geraniums on the graves of our family members. Whenever I smell geraniums–and I still love them–I think of my grandmother. And on Memorial Day, I also remember the grand parade down Main Street in Stanton, Michigan. It seemed huge when I was five or six, and I was thrilled. Blessing to all of you!
Ann
Happy Memorial Day to you Ann. I’ll have to remember the next time I go North to Petoskey, MI to see mom to stop at Edmore and take some photos of your relatives grave sites – just need the last names so I know who I’m looking for. Next trip to the great NW will be the last of September. More details to follow 🙂 I plan on bringing some of the flower seeds from our yard (we have lots of beautiful flowers) hopefully the weather in Seattle will be agreeable to the flowers we grow in Michigan! Enjoy your time off – you deserve it.
As a child growing up in the fifties I remember a big parade always on Memorial Day going through the main streets and ending up at the cemetary. The only recent family members were our great grandparents and an uncle who was killed in Okinawa, and, yes, the red geraniums and the little flags on the graves of the servicemen and women.
Hi all, I haven’t posted much lately, but have been reading all of your posts. C/C Rosie and everyone else going through so much, know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am a bit upset right now. I got a link (which I will include here for you all to read) on an article being published in Portland Monthly about the male defendant in my mother’s murder. The writer mentions the murders and that he planned them, however then she goes on to write an article that basically makes him look like a victim of the prison systems. I am very upset, she never spoke to any of us. It is like she is trying to write about the prison systems and what is wrong with them and chose him to focus on. It really stinks. Please let me know what you think, here is the link: http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/issues/archives/articles/pedersen-dark-journey-june-2012/
Hugs to all,
LoriJane
Lori Jane, I am so sorry. You can comment on the website and maybe it might be an idea for you to say there what you have said here? Hugs. x x x
Thanks, Fiz, I am still tyring to figure out what I want to say, but I appreciate all the support I receive here on this site.
My heart goes out to you, Lori Jane. No wonder you are upset! That guy was obviously full of hate before he ever saw the inside of a cell. Where is the victim’s voice in that article? You should write your own article!
http://authorannrule.com/Ann_Rule_s_Home_Page.php
Ann Rule’s new webpage is coming along. We’ve added a number of news videos about people such as Ted Bundy, Diane Downs and the I-5 Killer.
Ann,
You can’t possibly know this, but “Small Sacrifices” started me on a healing journey that continues to this day. It was also my first true crime novel, and I have read other authors over the years, but I feel I gain the greatest understanding and depth with your books.
I didn’t know it then, but the fire lit inside of me was “seeking.” I sought to understand what had happened to me, and because you took us inside the lives of the children, there were events and feelings I could relate to..
I must have read that book, and different parts, fifty times. Years later, the seeking phase ended with John Douglas’ books. I finally understood the incomprehensible, and that was the answer. The behaviors are Incomprehensible to feeling minds and hearts. These stalkers, beaters, rapists and killers are all the same beasts, with different tolerances for risk and reward. Like a three-lever sliding tuner, the outcomes are predictable once you know where their levers are set.
I could make some sense of D. Downs, other animals, and the animals I had met. I could put them in my mind’s file folders, and hope they rot to death in jail. I can cry freely for the victims, and all those affected by their loss. Your book started moving me away from shock and numbness, into living.
So thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I’m sorry it was so rough for you in the beginning, and I’m thankful you persevered. Your stories are important, and mean so much more than telling the stories of criminal behavior. You tell the stories of the victims with a loving gentleness that spreads far beyond the turned page.
Well said Jo! ARF’s have felt this way for a long time. No telling how many others Ann’s books have helped….what a blessing she has been to many of her loyal readers..
Oh Rosie, I blame your mother’s husband–not her. I think he probably tricked her because I don’t believe she would leave without remembering her children in her will. He’ll probably use it to drink himself to death, and I hope he lives with a guilty conscience, although it’s probably not in him. Remember your Mom when she was well, and understand that she was probably lonely for love and picked the wrong man. We are all sorry, but we also know what a fighter you are and that you will bounce back as our old CC Rosie. Carolyn, I always will remember how you babied your DH and cooked all those great things for him. Listen and pay attention to your dreams. You can still talk to him in your mind.
Steve, please ask your question again? We try to answer them all.
I’m interviewing Susan Powell’s family again tomorrow, so I had better get some sleep. They are so brave, but as the mother of two daughters, I empathize with them and it hurts to see their pain.
All my best,
Ann
Thank you Ann. I really needed that. You know, not long after my father died, Mom began hanging around a bar in a local DuPar’s. She was a member of the local “Sweet Adeline’s” and a few of the girls would stop for a sandwich or a drink on the way home. Mom began telling everyone about how much money my father left her…flashed large checks around. I did not know about this until she asked me to meet her at DuPars one night to hear the girls sing. One of the gals took me aside and had a little talk with me about mom being so foolish with all her talk of money and showing huge dividend checks she was getting monthly. I tried to talk to my mother about it and she blew up at me, told me to mind my own business, that the Sweet Adelines were jealous of her…sigh. Mom literally set herself up for the horribly man she married. I will never forget after they married, he smirked and said, “I married a millionaire”. Made me sick to my stomach. I told her and she called me a liar. Several weeks later she called me and told me he confessed to her that she was his 3rd wife. His first wife, which she did not know about raised their7 children alone. His second wife, a Vietnamese woman had a daughter and they had one son. When wife #2 died, he gave custody of his son to his second wifes daughter to raise. After he married my mother, Mom decided it was time for him to raise his son. The step-daughter would not give up custody as he owed well over $40,000 in child support…which Mom paid. She bought him at least 4 motorhomes, 4 travel trailers, 4 boats, a business which he lost. On and on. The saddest thing was before she met him she was seeing a really nice guy, a widower, retired man, owned his own home, insisted on meeting all of us kids…just a really nice man. They dated for months. She met the man she married and they married less than a month after meeting. I swear ann, it is almost like reading one of your books. I hope you are right. I do hope he drinks himself to death. He has put me and my siblings through more than 27 years of pure hell. And Mom thought he was the greatest man she had ever met. I don’t know if I will ever feel any differently about my mother Ann, I am sorry to say. It has been 64 years of a love/hate relationship with her, which breaks my heart to say. She used to drug my youngest sister when she was 4 years old. Locked my youngest brother in his room. I do appreciate your kind words Ann. And those of all my dear ARF friends. Life is so strange isn’t it? My youngest brother is actually writing a book about our family. I am trying to move on…got a quilt going and even played “Tom Sawyer” today with some fence painting. Unfortunately, I had no one to push the job onto so I painted myself. Mr. C?C Rosie is not allowed to paint. He makes a mess so it is better I do it! More fun! God bless all!!!!!
C/C Rosie….what an ordeal for you to go through! No one should ever go through what you’ve been dealing with – for what sounds most of your life. It amazes me that in the name of love; people put blinders on and fail to see the “real” person. Sorry you’ve had to suffer so much in this situation. Remember that even though you don’t know us (ARF’S) we share your concern and pain and send warm thoughts and prayers to you. 🙂 May God give you a sense of peace that can only come from Him….kelly
Thanks Kelly! Ann and all my ARF friends, along with my dear husband keep me going. My life has been a wild ride. If it weren’t for all of you I would give up but I have so much good in my life. My son has become a sober man, married a lovely girl, joined a church and is a faithful member, I have a wonderful and loving husband who stands by me and supports me 100%, kind and loving siblings and all my friends from Ann’s website. God bless each and every one of you for all your love and support!
For those of you haven’t seen Ann Rule’s new webpage http://authorannrule.com/Crime_Case_Updates.html please check it out to see updates on Diane Downs and Bundy. We’ve added some interesting videos and we’ll be adding more in the following days.
CC Rosie — My heart bleeds for you. Please take care of yourself and know that we love you.
C/C Rosie, I’m so sorry for the way things worked out in your family situation. Perhaps there was a reason for his passing as it was in God’s hands. Take care. B
Carolyn,
It is good to see you and your daughter made the trip to your old hometown. It is lonely when you loose a loved.. You and your Hubby loved each other.. I am praying for you.
God bless