“Visitation.” It’s a lovely portmanteau word; it can mean someone you love coming from far away to see you again; it can mean Joseph Marley has arrived for a long, unpleasant talk about your life choices.

Don’t you just hate that?

In something more along the Marleyian end of the scale, the Globe and Mail brings news that Colin Thatcher, spousicidal narcissist, successful politician, bully, and elite horse fancier, has been approved for 72-hour visitations with his family, one of whom (as mentioned above) he murdered. No plans have been announced for him to visit her, although it would be only fair. Maybe she’ll come visit him, now that he’s closer.

After spending more than 21 years in prison for murdering his former wife, Colin Thatcher will be allowed to return to his family’s beloved Saskatchewan cattle ranch.

No report on whether the horse whom he managed to have trucked into the prison for his personal enjoyment will be a part of the welcoming committee. But surely the nag knows he’s loved. Unlike some people.

The [Ferndale, BC] facility includes a nine-hole golf course and horse stables.

From Crime Library:

In 1999, according to Salter New Media, Colin underwent golf therapy and was “on a regiment of thirty-six holes a day,” according to the Warden Strother Martin. It was hardly the kind of sentence Tony Wilson expected for Colin after the cold-blooded murderer of his wife.

Apparently, the publicity wasn’t too great for Ferndale, and they tossed him to Winnipeg.

A three-member National Parole Board panel ruled Friday that the 67-year-old former Saskatchewan cabinet minister can leave Rockwood Institution near Winnipeg for a series of 72-hour unescorted visits with his family.

Greg Thatcher, who was 13 when his parents divorced, sat next to his father throughout Friday’s two-hour hearing and assured the panel the visits would pose no danger.

“The fact that we want him to stay two or three days with our children speaks volumes to our comfort level,” he said.

“We’re all cognizant of the fact we don’t have a lot of years left, so we’d like the chance to reconnect a little bit more.”

He smiled as he said he expected his dad would be telling him what he’s done wrong in running the ranch — like any father might. The ranch is a legacy from Colin’s father, Ross Thatcher, a former Saskatchewan premier and member of Parliament.

And I expect that at some point someone will be telling Colin Thatcher what he‘s done wrong, too. I wonder where that ranch is…Thatcher Avenue, perhaps? It’s so easy to find famous people.

Or infamous.

37 Kalmia Crescent, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, S6J 1L2; that’s the house address. The family doesn’t actually live on the ranch anymore, and I therefore doubt that’s where Colin will be staying. I will leave off the phone number; they’re listed.

Need directions to the ranch?  33 km west of Moose Jaw. From Caronport take Caron access road 2 miles west. Don’t say I never done nuthin’ for ya.