Top of the Morning June 19

TOP OF THE MORNING | JUNE 19

Hello wondrous readers!

How was your weekend?  All good here, for sure.  More tasks accomplished – meaning – things that are on my To Do List – but not necessarily things I roll out of bed for and jump for joy doing.

But, sure feels GREAT when tasks are accomplished!  Ha.  Even catch myself going around the corner and checking accomplished task(s) out – like 5 or 6 times.  Truth.  You?

Gathered these 12 nuggets for today – Fun + Food + Fascinating + LOL pieces.  Click and Enjoy.

Dear Annie — I’ve never heard of the term “Catfished” before.   You? Interesting column for sure.

Thanks for sliding by and hanging out with us for a little bit today.  We sure are grateful.  And thanks for your thoughts and comments, too.

DEAR ANNIE
BY ANNIE LANE

TACKLING MY CATFISH TRAUMA

Dear Annie:

When I was 12 or 13 years old, I had a pen pal in a different state.  I’ll call him “Casey.”  This was long before anyone had ever heard of the term “catfished.”  We wrote several long letters every week and sent many photographs and small gifts.  At times, we would speak on the phone.  This was pre-cellphone, and I would have to save my allowance and telephone from a phone booth.

I knew all about Casey’s parents and siblings, as he did mine.  The correspondence went on for about four years.  For me, it was a strong case of puppy love.  Then Casey wrote that he was very sick with some type of cancer.  The information about this illness was all very vague.  Within the year, I received a letter from Casey’s alleged brother, who broke the news that Casey had died.

Several years went by, and I happened to travel to Casey’s state.  I thought I’d give his brother a phone call that wouldn’t incur long-distance charges.  I was dumbfounded to learn to learn that Casey was very much alive and living across the country.  Everything I thought I knew about Casey and his family was a lie, including the fact that Casey was a girl and not a boy.  I felt betrayed and deflated.

I am now 70 years old, been happily married for 48 years, and learned that “Casey” lives within an hour’s drive of my home.  I was able to Google Casey’s contact information.  My question is, should I call Casey?  I’d like to dissect the pen pal years and ask questions about why she did this.  ~  Catfished

Dear Catfished:

Before you decide, think long, hard and honestly about the expectations you have for a confrontation.  What are you hoping to get out of it?  There’s a scenario where you express to “Casey” the trauma and pain her deception caused, and you get some answers and a heartfelt, long overdue apology in return.

But I want you to be prepared for the other potential outcomes.  It’s possible that she’ll deflect her wrongdoing, dig her heels in and you walk away more frustrated and upset as a result — or with nothing at all.  Oftentimes, the people who commit to these sorts of charades are lonely and seeking companionship, though obviously in an inappropriate way.  Casey may not even fully understand why she did what she did all these decades ago, which leaves you with more questions than answers.

Ultimately, the only person who knows what’s the right choice is you.  It may be your chance to finally release the hold this event has had over you and fully heal, but do proceed with caution.  A good therapist can also help you to sort out this trauma and process the effects you still feel today.

~ Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com
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HAVE A GREAT DAY
SEE YA WEDNESDAY

8 replies
  2. dixie bostick says:

    Great article from Dear Ann! My grandmother fell victim to a catfisher back in the early ’40s! Online catfishing, as we know it today, has evolved significantly from the pre-internet era. Before the digital age, catfishing primarily occurred through traditional means of communication like letters and phone calls.
    However, with the advent of the internet and social media, catfishing has become more prevalent and sophisticated. The anonymity and ease of creating fake profiles online have allowed catfishers to manipulate and deceive unsuspecting individuals on a larger scale. They can fabricate entire personas, manipulate photos, and engage in elaborate schemes to establish relationships and exploit their targets emotionally, financially, or even for personal gain. Today online dating is so popular, and I know many that have fallen victim! However, I know many who have found the love of their lives while online dating.
    Have you or anyone you know also fallen victim to catfishing?
    Dixie

    • Cheryl clarson says:

      Dixie – Geesh – in the early ’40’s!! That’s wild. Gosh – Caution tape then and now for who-knows-who sort of thing. Thanks for sharing that story.

  3. Carol says:

    I wasn’t hungry when I sat down to read this issue, but I am now! Great must-try recipes! Loved Morgan Freeman.

    • Cheryl clarson says:

      Ha! You and me both, Carol! Those recipes are triggers for hunger-yum! I love the Morgan Freeman clip, too. Like I mentioned, Peter and I had the wonderful opportunity to work with him. The show was, “OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN”. Fun fact – we were all rigging and getting the lights placed, etc … for the scene — and stopped in our tracks when we heard “that voice” that had entered the Set from behind us. Super cool.

  4. Marty says:

    I enjoyed your remarks about cleaning and the improvement of attitude and especially just going back and looking at the accomplishment and getting more energy out of it! I find the same thing happens to me. I’ve discussed that with my grandchildren. I don’t think they understand it quite yet however they will. Smiles.

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