From: Wendell Wyborny To: editor@labyris.com Subject: Nice Surprise!
Found your web site by accident while gathering more data on women astronauts for my book. Guess you could call me uppity. Here's the deal...I'm a retired middle school history and science teacher. This past September('98), our home flooded. Heck, over a hundred homes in our neighborhood and a total of about 1,400 in this end of Houston saw water.
Well, I got kind of mad. We've been living near a bayou that's had no improvements in the eighteen years we've owned our home. Also, someone failed to mention that this entire area was historical flood plain, but had been artificially lifted from the flood plain by a FEMA amendment, just long enough to finish building and selling the houses, don't you know. There are now over fifty housing developments draining into this pristine, unimproved section of White Oak Bayou!
We joined in a lawsuit and, not being one to sit back, wring my hands, and expect to be waited on, I offered my volunteer services to the law firm. "Use me in any way you need." I urged. One day they sent me to commissioner's court where I gave a three minute speech on how my neighbors and I don't intend to roll over and play dead while upstream developers line their pockets and our flood control district does nothing to help our area. Next came a newspaper article. Now, some well-heeled folks are trying to talk working-class flood victims out of holding the district legally accountable. Guess I'll have to take them on next.
My only credentials are my common sense, my big mouth, and a bit of steel magnolia moxie. If my adventures in battling Harris County, Texas are of interest to you and your readers, just give me a "You go, Girl!" and I'll keep you updated.
Sheila Wyborny
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Hello: I am new to your site through Cruzio.com and I know I will be visiting often. I would like to suggest a great book I finished reading lately called, West with the Night by Beryl Markham.
It is the true story of a women's life as a bush pilot in Africa in the 1930s. It is very inspiring.
Thanks for a great site.
Cheryl Churchill
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Hi
I ran across your site while looking for something else. Right on! I support the work you are doing, and think it's great that you include links to info on domestic violence information and pages that address issues related to living in poverty.
I'm not sure if you're interested, but I ran across this other site today. You can sign the petition on-line. FYI in case you want to include the link vawact.org
keep up the good work Patti Jazanoski Santa Cruz, CA (in case you couldn't tell!)
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[Ed. note: I'll let this next letter speak for itself--]
Hello
First of all and formost thankyou for the articles on the spouce abuse.
I enjoyed reading them in plain english and they were my friends life
word for word.I am not an abusive male and not married to my lady friend.
I have met her via internet and have become very good and close friends.
We talk everyday either the phone and computer.I live in another state
then she.
WE are both married (both seperated& filed for divorce)so when we began talking and found we have alot of common interests and likes and dislikes save one thing,her husband is verbally abusive and I can verify that as he called my house he got from her caller ID after HE broke her phone in her OWN apt.
It is tough enough to have a long distance relationship anyway but when she disappeared for 4 days and her phone was disconnected I was absoulutly frantic,for he has said"he would kill the her for dating another", finally after days I came home to a brief message with her voice saying how much she missed me and then again silence for 3 more days.
My friend has been seperated from this man for over 8 months and he comes into her apt. and goes off on her and then leaves till the next round a few days or weeks later.Again everything said in your article applies to her,I have pleaded with her to call the police and get a restraining order and NOT allow him into her apt for the abuse,she refuses because she says she KNEW what he was before they got married and she agreed to his wording " That when I married him I agreed to become His wife and PROPERTY".
She also claims that when she has the divorce papers in hand and tells him she no longer belongs to him then she will tell HIM that he has no RIGHTS to me anymore and to get out!
I totally disagree with her on every aspect of that life and thinking as he has her brainwashed.The days she was gone from me,,4 of those days we spent in the hospital out patient ward for sever mental stress and exhaustion,3 days at HIS home trying to recover while under medication.His verbal abuse did not even stop there, he sexually abused her, verbally abused her,verbally "punished" her for having friends and for being with me. Again I try to explain that it is a control thing with him and she is part of the cycle and she needs to break it NOW before we can have a healthy normal relationship.I might as well be whistleing into the wind for her head is like stone.
We spent 5 hours on the phone discussing what is going on and why,,example after example was given and each time she says"I hear you,understand what it is said, agree with it," BUT,,I agreed to be his and if I let him have his 5 mins of rantting and raving ,he leaves then I can get on with my life,THATS BULLSH...!
As a friend, lover and wanting to be future husband to her(we are both 40) I am exhausted in trying to deal with this silly and confusing notion,I have asked to seek counciling for battered wife syndrom and learn what to do to end this cycle of abuse,I do NOT want to be the next disaster in her life.I had made arrangements to fly there and spend 4 days with her and build a further relationship but I cannot come and have her "punished" after I leave for me being there. YES I know why be punished at all it's her apt.I am just a truck driver not a doctor but I do love and care about this very smart and intellagent lady who has so much to offer.
I have sent her the web adress and asked her to read these articles and please seek help ot there is not much of a future for us. Once again I am thanking the author for the letters(articles) and for telling it in plain english.If this letter helps anyone else caught up in the cycle of loving another but trying to deal with the roller coaster ride please feel free to publish the letter. I ask that MY name be withheld and e-mail as well for security reasons..please.
My struggle to teach and learn is not over with her but now I have one more page to show her to try and find the key to unlock this mystery of why she won't end it.I pray that I can be strong enough to endure and keep this woman she has alot of love and a GREAT personality.
One last thing,,I wouldn't brag on being a witch or bi-sexual they are things that you will pay for through out your life and in the life after. THANKYOU VERY MUCH! [Name withheld by request]
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Hi I have a link submission if you are interested... It is lesbian biased...
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Village/2533/
It is a tour of classic art of women. Caution: there is nudity.
Thanks
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I am an uppity woman who found herself under the thumb of the father of her children, with very little hope of making positive changes. Out of desperation, I began a home-based business and created financial independence which enabled me to flee and create a new life based on non-violence, trust and respect.
I would like to share this opportunity with other women and I'm wondering if you'd be interested in collaberating with me or if you could help me to network and find a business partner to focus on women who are trying to flee domestic violence situations, but need financial assistance.
I am open to working with any sincere person and I'm particularly interested in a bilingual person. I am an Accredited Trainer for the company and can bring in corporate heads for events, if enough people participate.
Remain Blessed!
Sandra Larsen LMT
Natural Health Educator
Independent Mannatech Associate
phytomed.com
425-8502
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Please check out my web site on the subject of Looksism. Thanks, Lynn Romer
[Ed. note: excellent site, check it out!]
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Glorious site. Thank you. If interested, it wasn't on your list of topics, I own a woman-operated and supportive rugby supply company called BALL'S OUT! Rugby Goods--ballsout.com-- we would love to be linked to your site.
Thanks,
Regina Etheridge
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I was the fellow that you let finish the down load on Saturday. Thank you for letting us finish. We also talked about web sites with cam. I am sending you the address of the one on the Thames in London.
[Ed note: this is a wonderful web cam which rotates 360 degrees to catch a full view of the river Thames.]