Here is an update to a story I noted just last week:

The cookie conflict isn't over yet. The spat between two teens from the southwestern Colorado town of Durango and one of their neighbors over a batch of cookies they baked last summer has garnered national publicity over the past week. It has led to donations for the girls.

For Herb and Wanita Young, it has all been a nightmare.

"We have got horrendous phone calls, tons of hate mail, threats to our life," said Herb Young in a telephone interview Thursday.

Here is a recap on what has happened up to now:

The saga began in July when Taylor Ostergaard, 17, and Lindsey Jo Zellitti decided to bake chocolate chip and sugar cookies for their neighbors. They placed them outside with large red or pink construction-paper hearts that carried the message, "Have a great night" and were signed with their first initials: "Love, The T and L Club."

AP Photo

Things went sour when they approached the Young home. Wanita Renea Young, 49, said she heard someone banging on the door late in the evening and saw "shadowy figures" who refused to answer when she called out to them. The teens later said they did not answer because they wanted the treats to be a surprise.

A frightened Young said she spent the night at her sister's home, then went to the hospital the next morning because she was still shaking and had an upset stomach.

The Youngs said they tried to settle the dispute, even enlisting their clergy. The teens say they offered to pay the medical bills, but Young insisted on going to small claims court where a judge awarded about $900 in medical costs.

When the story was broadcast on a Denver radio station (KOA), callers donated money to cover their expenses. They have become instant celebrities and have been offered national television appearances. A cookie company has introduced a new cookie in their honor: the "kindness cookie".

The winners of the lawsuit have not fared so well:

"It's horrible, nobody has heard our side," said Herb Young, adding the couple has had to hire a lawyer. "I don't believe the girls meant for this to happen. But they could have prevented it from happening if they had just shut their mouths when they came out of (small claims) court. Now they are caught in something they can't control."

The parents of one of the teens asked for a restraining order against Herb Young, accusing him of making harassing phone calls. He admitted calling the Ostergaards once after hearing the teens were talking to a newspaper and at one point said "the gloves were off," which apparently was taken as a threat.

"My home isn't a home any more," Young said. "We are all on pins and needles."

How very sad...All these bad things keep happening to the poor Youngs. (When the Artist gets home, I will have him play a sob song on his violin.)

It is unfortunate that they have been branded modern day grinches. After all, these girls did knock on their door and bring cookies - without their permission. Yes, the girls did offer to pay for their medical expenses, but they didn't offer any damages. Of course, the judge didn't award any either. And now, with an approval rating approaching that of Herbert Hoover, they are are frustrated because nobody wants to be on their side. (Just doesn't look like much fun over there, Herb.)

Someone is definitely caught in something they truly cannot control, but I don't believe it is the nocturnal cookie fiends.

My Prediction: The Youngs will relocate to a different community within a year, having burned all bridges with the residents of Durango.

My Advice: Take a close look at your own actions and figure out what YOU did to get yourself in this mess. Then retrace your way back to civility. There is a way out. It is not a pleasant road but it sure beats the one you are on.

I actually feel a wee bit sorry for these people. If I can scrounge up a few bucks, I might even send them a Cookiegram - if only I could think up a suitable message.