I reported in an earlier message that a suspicious stranger suddenly appeared in our back yard on Monday evening. Tonight it looks like someone had actually been in our house and robbed us of some small items, cash and jewelry, even though there are no signs of forced entry. The items taken were of more sentimental than monetary value, easily concealed in a pocket and familiar enough to us that it took a while to decide that they were stolen rather than just misplaced. The same officer who helped us on Monday night returned to take down information for the police report.

If this was indeed a theft (and the missing cash makes me think so) it occurred while someone was home, which is disconcerting. Our new policy will be to keep the outer doors locked while we're in the house.

Lynn Cox