Beach Bound, Men's Shelter Starting Back Up

So the wife and me are going with the K-lines to the beach this weekend, should be a hoot.  The neighbors were giving me a hard time about the kids being home alone, about the party that will surely ensue.  I told them, my children wouldn't do that....would they?  Na, they wouldn't do such a thing, they are 24 and 20, so they aren't preteens.  Why would they want to do something like that and become homeless?

Speaking of homeless, the Streets of Hope men's shelter will be starting up soon.  I will have to see how involved I will be able to be this year, this no driving is for the birds.  I will be able to coordinate the preparation of the meals, not sure about being able to get the meals to the churches in time for the guys to eat?  Either way it goes, we will make sure it's covered, and we enjoy spending time with the dudes.

Camp Chapel Laundry Day For The Homeless, And Blogging For The Perry Hall Patch

Starting a deal tomorrow where we are having a day at a local laundromat to help the homeless folks get their things clean. It's been 3 weeks since the shelter closed, so this is already past due, I mean think of it, 3 weeks without doing laundry. Add to that these guys are living in tents out in the woods and you realize how much they could use a wash day. We made some bagged lunches today at the end of services, so we shall see how it goes, keep your fingers crossed.

Got an email from the editor of our local Patch, wanted to know if I would be interested in blogging for them? Being my schedule is somewhat open, I told them I'd be tickled pink to participate. The wife hasn't seen it yet, she was in New York Yesterday, Atlantic City today, but I'm sure she won't like the picture I used. Anyway, a good way to fill my time, and also a way to get my voice heard about things that be on my mind.

Bowling In Reno, Laundry For The Homeless

The boy leaves for Reno tomorrow for a bowling tournament, all by his lonesome. The wife said she hopes he has a good time. Hopes he has a good time, really? He's 19 years old, going to Reno, to do something he loves. His little ass better have a good time! When I was 19 I didn't have any direction at all, or any money to do anything like a trip. He's going with a bunch of old guys, some almost my age, and not all of them drinkers, so he's in good hands. Drinking is the wife's big concern, I told her he'll be fine, Wednesdays are known more for hookers!

Got the OK at an outreach meeting at church today, doing a laundry day for the homeless dudes this coming Monday. Found out whilst talking to them, a lot of ties they wear things until they either fall apart, or are so dirty it's easier to just throw them away. When they are to the point of being worn out, they get new, but that's all easier said than done. Like us, homeless people feel better when they are clean, and when their things are clean. This is just a small thing I can do, hope it helps them.

Church Garden Tilled, And A Spring Cold Thanks To The Boy

Got the church garden underway, got the 20x20 plot tilled, composted and tilled again. That being said it will still be like trying to grow something on a parking lot! I forget sometimes that Perry Hall was settled because of its clay and gravel, at least I think why that's why it was settled? Church is having an outdoor cleanup tomorrow, and a few of the garden people are going to start putting plants in the ground. It will be a matter of time before we are cursing the lack of rain, and trying to figure out how to get rid of the bunnies, can't wait!

I remember thinking what germ factories little kids are, spreading their pathogens all over the place. The boy, now 19, still has a knack for it. He developed an upper respiratory thing, sending out mushroom clouds of death all over the house, and yes I got it too. Don't think I actually caught it from him, but I'm certainly not taking the blame for it. I avoided being sick all winter, hand washing, avoiding human contact, and using my Neti pot. I did that while volunteering all winter at the homeless shelter. I guess the combination of the spring allergy season, the boy sounding like he belonged in the TB ward, and bad luck all joined in a perfect storm type of thing, I need to be institutionalized!

Libraries As Haven For The Homeless, Back Pain Causing MS Like Weakness In My Legs

Went this morning to the library, a lot of the guys from the shelter congregate there, had a few things planned to try and help with paperwork. Thought that was an odd place for homeless dudes to hang out, how repulsive was that thought? The library holds as many things for the homeless, maybe more. Libraries are a good place to charge cell phones, use a computer, get warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and oh yeah, there are books there too.

I've come to the decision that right now I'm having more trouble with my back than I am with my MS. Been very discouraged with the weakness in my legs, did something I get mad at doctors for, assumed it was from the MS, and thought no more about it. Then I had a couple of the spinal injections and the weakness wasn't as bad. The back still hurt, but the pain was different, don't know that I can explain? The pain from my back was zapping the strength from my legs. I need to get my back fixed so I can build some strength back up in my legs. Will see how this theory plays out....stay tuned!

Homelessness In Eastern Baltimore County

Worked for a few days getting a housing voucher squared away for one of the guys from the shelter. I think it's $340 a month, supposed to be a subsidy, most of the guys it still won't be enough to make a difference. We need to develop micro housing structures, almost like bringing back the old boarding houses. The folks would have their own small room, enough space for a bed and their things, a common room and dining hall. Problem is it's not a money maker so therefore unlikely to happen. Still working on county officials, trying to get them to donate property and trailers to house the men, not much luck yet.

Had a friend ask me why, oh all the things I could have done, why did I pick the shelter as the place to spend my energy? Good question. Never been homeless, never been close really. always had a job, so I don't connect on that level. Definitely don't think I'm better than they are, so why? What I came up with surprised me, didn't know I had such Zen thoughts. It really doesn't have a whole lot to do with them. I'm doing this because it is how I think things should be, and I can do it. I can't fix the economy, can't save the rain forest, but I could see to it that 16 men had a warm meal 3 nights a month for 7 months. I got a few things done for a few of these 16 men, not all of them. Didn't put an end to homelessness, but I tried to make things a bit better for the 16 I knew.

Back Pain Is, Well Back, And Mens Shelter To Close

It's been a madhouse around here! How can a guy that doesn't work be so busy? Not sure I've actually been doing anything, but for putting my dentist and pain management doctors children through school. Back back to being horrid! Back back, I know, take a minute. Had a triple spinal injection yesterday, something called a lumbar facet joint injection. So far so good. Have another of those on the other side next week.

The shelter I have been working with is closing this Saturday, very sad. Of the 16 men from the shelter only one has left with housing, looking more and more like the others are out of time. For them most will return to the camps, shanty towns in the woods, no running water or electricity. A few have tents, a few don't. Most are on disability, hardly enough to survive on in our area. I'm hoping this thing picks up momentum and is a year round thing next year, in its own place, with a stronger support structure for the men.

Eastside Men's Shelter Tonight, Breakfast Casserole Tonight

Going to the shelter tonight, to the point I'm looking forward to seeing the guys. I know their names, and they know me, so it's easy to hold a conversation. A few are working towards their GED, or getting their birth certificates or drivers license. There are also a few that aren't aware they are even there, sad to watch. A bunch have been put out for inappropriate behavior, drugs or alcohol issues mostly, but all are appreciative. Taking breakfast casseroles and fried potatoes tonight for dinner, 18 people in all, so I'd best get at it!

A Good Night At The Eastside Mens Shelter On A Frigid Night

Just got home from the shelter a while ago, all went well. The wife went with me, she prepared last nights meal, did a great job, as usual. She had a hard time with how young a couple of them were, not much older than our son. I go again on the 18th, going to talk about a couple of things with our Pastor, like taking breakfast food, and coming home after the men are asleep and going back at around 5 am? It seems like such a waste for me to be there when everyone is sleeping, and there is a paid staff member. Bigger than if it's needed is if it's going to kill my back? By the time I get home I can hardly walk, HA! Good one, well it made me laugh.

Volunteering At The Mens Shelter Was A Nice Experience

Volunteered 2 nights at the shelter, Thursday and Saturday, it went very well. Not a ton of things to do after midnight until 5 am or so, but it has it's moments. Didn't tell them I used to be a deputy sheriff, doesn't always go over as a good thing in all circles. Went out to my truck for something and the one guy complained that I was able to go out but everyone else had to wait until the designated smoke break time. When he found out I was a volunteer he laughed and said I looked more homeless than he did! It's both satisfying and sad that taking 4 2-liter bottles of soda can so brighten up the evening for 16 men.