Barbara J. Hamby

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Intrigue in the Desert

Yesterday I read about some new evidence in the Charles Manson murder case. Authorities are searching for additional bodies that may have been buried near the ranch Charles Manson occupied at the time of the murders. This location is near Death Valley, and just 20 miles or so from the ghost town of Ballarat. It gave me chills to see this new information. On my last trip to Death Valley a couple of years ago, we explored Ballarat. I either didn’t know, or had forgotten, that Manson had been in that area. There are many things that have fallen out of my ancient brain or are buried so deeply they may never be accessed again. Certainly information about those horrible events was not worth taking up space that could be used for happier memories.

I do remember taking pictures in Ballarat and I’ll have to look those up. Today my doctor recommended going through picture albums to stretch my memory and help keep my brain agile. That was just one suggestion in a list she gave me. Most of the things she mentioned I’m already doing, but I’ve been putting off sorting old pictures for several winters now. This winter is nearly over, so maybe I’d better get with it. I have started the project several times, but always get interrupted, have to put everything away, and it’s out of sight, out of mind.