A Stormy Night

WOW! Did the Twin Cities get hammered last night … one of those 3” rains with 2” hail and flash floods. I was sitting cozy at home watching the live news videos of trees down and lightening strikes and cars stalled on the interstate. We even made national news this morning … (CNN) manhole covers blowing off, water shooting up and out of storm sewers, broken glass and smashed roofs and buckled concrete. Hum … I wonder how my friends did out on the streets.

In the Hebrew, God is called ‘the heart-knower’, the only One who knows the thoughts of man. So, I figure when I’m thinking about my less fortunate friends, I’m praying for them … I try to keep my thoughts ‘righteous’. This morning, I’m thinking about Willie and Brad and Cool Harley, and others who probably didn’t get inside last night. Oh, yeah … and Fat Chick Rick. I’ve known FC Rick for years … he just moved back outside this last week. He’s struggling with an awful addiction, so he could use some special prayers.

I have a ton more friends ... too many to count. So, I’ll just keep on thinking … and know that God hears my prayers!

Ain't No Trouble

I spent this morning like I do most Friday mornings; I visited an elderly friend of mine who has no permanent address. Sure, she lives in a ‘health care facility’ for the old and disabled … we used to call them ‘old folks homes.’ But, we’re a kinder, gentler, smarter generation now, and we know that no place like that could be called a ‘home’. Hence, ‘health care facility’.

My friend receives Social Security Income. She and her husband worked in the system their entire lives, and she earned her retirement income … about 900-something a month. I don’t know the particulars, but I do know that the facility she lives in takes all of her SSI, except for about 40 bucks; just enough for a once-a-month hairdo. A friend (?) of hers' holds her checkbook because she doesn’t have enough money to write any checks. Last week, she was told that a recent illness and a change in addresses meant she owes the facility she now lives in a few hundred bucks. So, she has to pay $25 every month toward the money she owes for moving from one ‘no permanent address’ to another ‘no permanent address.’ I don’t get it.

Hasn’t this woman paid her dues by now? She’s going on a hundred-something; she’s worked a hard life of poverty; and she has no family that is willing or able to care for her, let alone, visit with her. Now, she can’t even afford a GAULDANG haircut. She lives in this facility with a couple of hundred other old and disabled (and, young and disabled) folks who are either convalescing or in hospice. Look up the word, hospice; it means these people are going to die in this place. Even the residents don’t call the place home, and it is operated by a ‘religious’ group who seems to do a pretty compassionate job of caring for these folks. I can’t imagine what they need her last few bucks for. Of course, when you times her bucks times the numbers who live there times the rate of ‘return over’ (or, passin’ on) … etc. I guess I just don’t have the head for business.

I’ve been to a hundred different ‘health care facilities’, and I’ve seen some pretty horrible sights. I’m sure there are worse places to live in this world; I just hope I don’t end up living out my ‘golden years’ in one of these.

So, I stop by every Friday morning to visit my elderly friend. She’s about the same age my mom would be, so she’s kind of like an aunt to me. I listen to her stories with interest, and she listens to me. I only have an hour or so to invest with my friend, but I think our time together is worth more than gold. I always try to bring her something; not something I think she can use, but something I know she can give away. She doesn’t think she has much to offer anymore, so I leave her some sodas or chips … maybe, some candy. She gives it away throughout the week, and then tells me all about it when I see her again.

Before I leave, I slip her a few bucks for ‘spending money’. It’s never much, but I figure she can save up for a new hairdo if she wants. She always acts surprised that I would give her money. And then, she always meanders over to her closet, sneaks the money into the same flowered nightie and exclaims, ‘If I die, you be sure to look in here first!’ Yeah; like I’ll be there when she dies. Worse; like I’d go through her closet if she did!

Nah. I’ll put all of the horrible thoughts and sights and sounds of her humble abode aside, and revel in the fellowship we shared today. Afterall, it ain’t no trouble; it’s actually a joy!

A Blog Is A Blog Is A Blog

Okay, I get it. I guess I get it. I mean, I'm learning about this 'blog' stuff.

A year ago, I discoverd blogspot and started posting stories about my visits with friends and family who are homeless. I had no knowledge of the internet then, but I have learnt a few things since. I know how to post , I know how to add photos, and I can even include a video if I want. WOW ... is this an amazing world, or what?

My problem is, I've flunked every English class I've ever taken, I have no editor or proofreader for my stories, and I'm limited to the technology I have at hand when I'm 'inspired'. Yeah, I have incredible experiences everyday. I write good stuff down all the time. And, I take some pretty incredible photos. I even sit down, put it all together on the computer screen, and then I stop.

I stop because I'm a perfectionist, and the stories I have to share are never perfect. But, this is supposed to be a blog ... I mean, like a journal where friends can come and read about my day-to-day. Plus, I'm getting old and tired and don't have the time or the patience to get everything 'right'. So, I'm making this addition to my blog-o-sphere ... NO PERMANENT ADDRESS, TOO.

I plan to keep up with NO PERMANENT ADDRESS. I want to continue posting stories that provoke thought and inspire others. Here, all I'm going to do is journal ... add a few photos ... and take it one day at a time. I'd like to post to this spot frequently, Lord willing.

I hope you stick around. GEEZE, I hope I stick around!

Hey, I haven't quit yet, eh?