Father and Sue left Thayer before I could return from Mt. Vernon. I had pleaded with him to delay his departure to Indiana until my return. I'm sure that he was eager to get up to his campground, though. They left on Thursday.
Reminds me of the Lynyrd Skynyrd hit, "Tuesday's Gone." In my case, it was Thursday.
Thursday's Gone.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Long and Winding Homeless Road
I decided to stop by the GLO Center. Being the 3rd Friday of the month, the Center was presenting a free movie. This month the movie was "Twilight." The start was a little long, but it held my interest. The climax was a scene where a game of "baseball" was played. It reminded me of the climax of the first Harry Potter Movie, where they played Quidditch. Well, the remainder of the movie was fantastic! A love story with the most peculiar events, turns and twists. Fascinating work, Twilight. I am definitely primed to see the next one!
Unfortunately for Angel, I dragged her along with me. She doesn't understand my life. She just notices that I'm "different" in ways that perplex her. She and I had a discussion about how she is also "different." Suffering from schizophrenia distances her from society in ways very similar to how society pushes "my kind" away.
Just the way that I'm homeless, Angel is also homeless. Each of us agrees that "houseless" is a better word in our case. Although we share my '99 Mercury Villager (i.e., The Green Turtle), Thayer is our adopted home town. I adopted Thayer many years ago; Angel more recently (when Crystal & D.J. kicked her out of their home in Ozark County).
The road to homelessness is a long and winding one. It is filled with turns and twists that are unique to each individual. Recently, I spoke with Tina (i.e. half of the Tina & Tim Homeless couple whom I met last summer en route to St. Louis). She and Tim are doing well and are traveling through the southwest part of the country. Theirs is a fascinating story unto itself.
With this entry, I've initiated the first in a series of my "houselessness" articles. Both Angel and I are on lists to get housing (in my case, the Shelter Plus program). I'll keep interested readers abreast of the results of my long and winding road...
Thanks for reading.
Unfortunately for Angel, I dragged her along with me. She doesn't understand my life. She just notices that I'm "different" in ways that perplex her. She and I had a discussion about how she is also "different." Suffering from schizophrenia distances her from society in ways very similar to how society pushes "my kind" away.
Just the way that I'm homeless, Angel is also homeless. Each of us agrees that "houseless" is a better word in our case. Although we share my '99 Mercury Villager (i.e., The Green Turtle), Thayer is our adopted home town. I adopted Thayer many years ago; Angel more recently (when Crystal & D.J. kicked her out of their home in Ozark County).
The road to homelessness is a long and winding one. It is filled with turns and twists that are unique to each individual. Recently, I spoke with Tina (i.e. half of the Tina & Tim Homeless couple whom I met last summer en route to St. Louis). She and Tim are doing well and are traveling through the southwest part of the country. Theirs is a fascinating story unto itself.
With this entry, I've initiated the first in a series of my "houselessness" articles. Both Angel and I are on lists to get housing (in my case, the Shelter Plus program). I'll keep interested readers abreast of the results of my long and winding road...
Thanks for reading.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wanda's Angels
For some time now, I have been talking with people about a non-profit group I wish to create. I have already come up with a name: Wanda's Angels.
Mother had collected figurines of angels during the last few years of her life. Her mother had done the same thing. I have some of those angels in my storage. I thought that one way to honor Mother was to create an organization named in her behalf.
A few weeks ago (while in the neuro-psych unit of Ozarks Medical Center), I met a young lady named Angel. She and I have been friends since.
Today I met another person named Angel. His girlfriend's name is Wanda. He and I met at MRC where we discussed the Bible for a little while and took pictures of each other. We committed to keeping in touch.
Life is filled with living angels. We need not look for'em; they appear as if by magic.
Mother had collected figurines of angels during the last few years of her life. Her mother had done the same thing. I have some of those angels in my storage. I thought that one way to honor Mother was to create an organization named in her behalf.
A few weeks ago (while in the neuro-psych unit of Ozarks Medical Center), I met a young lady named Angel. She and I have been friends since.
Today I met another person named Angel. His girlfriend's name is Wanda. He and I met at MRC where we discussed the Bible for a little while and took pictures of each other. We committed to keeping in touch.
Life is filled with living angels. We need not look for'em; they appear as if by magic.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Damned Cracker Jacks
I took some boxes of Cracker Jack with me today to an event I am attending...
Boy was I disappointed! After eating all my colorful corn, I opened the prize...
Should I say, "prize?" The "prize" was a simple piece of paper with something on it. Granted it was interesting... maybe even educational. But, the Cracker Jack boxes of my youth were a treat because the prize was a real P-R-I-Z-E! It was always interesting! And it made me want to have the NEXT BOX!
Today's prize makes me... disappointed! That's the least gripe-y thing that I can say. Boo-Hoo on Cracker Jack!
Boy was I disappointed! After eating all my colorful corn, I opened the prize...
Should I say, "prize?" The "prize" was a simple piece of paper with something on it. Granted it was interesting... maybe even educational. But, the Cracker Jack boxes of my youth were a treat because the prize was a real P-R-I-Z-E! It was always interesting! And it made me want to have the NEXT BOX!
Today's prize makes me... disappointed! That's the least gripe-y thing that I can say. Boo-Hoo on Cracker Jack!
Mount Vernon
In 1976 (the bicentennial), Aunt Jan and I went to explore Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate. We were given special privileges since my grandmother's boyfriend (Eddie) worked there. It was an experience I cannot forget!
Here it is, almost 33 years later, and I am in Mount Vernon, Missouri. After only a couple of days, I am already thinking that this may become another unforgettable experience!
Starting with an experience with a worker at the nearest rest area on westbound I-44, the people are demonstrating a collective personality which is quite different from that so far demonstrated by my home town of Thayer. To me this is both wonderful and sad.
It is wonderful because I had plopped all of Missouri's small towns into a single bucket. It is sad because I see how wrong I have been in doing so.
I arrived on Saturday, the 11th of April. I am scheduled to remain here through Friday, the 17th. My mind tells me that this is a place where I could be happy. What will I do? Hmmmmmmm....
Here it is, almost 33 years later, and I am in Mount Vernon, Missouri. After only a couple of days, I am already thinking that this may become another unforgettable experience!
Starting with an experience with a worker at the nearest rest area on westbound I-44, the people are demonstrating a collective personality which is quite different from that so far demonstrated by my home town of Thayer. To me this is both wonderful and sad.
It is wonderful because I had plopped all of Missouri's small towns into a single bucket. It is sad because I see how wrong I have been in doing so.
I arrived on Saturday, the 11th of April. I am scheduled to remain here through Friday, the 17th. My mind tells me that this is a place where I could be happy. What will I do? Hmmmmmmm....
Monday, April 13, 2009
Happy Birthday, Dad!
After delaying my Mt. Vernon journey due to the ice storm, I have finally arrived. Here I sit in the Mt. Vernon branch library, blogging away. Ok, I am also surfing! LOL
We celebrated Dad's 70th Birthday on Friday, April 10. Most folks agree that he hardly looks to be 70 years young. Thank the heavens for that; I think I may have his genes! ROFL
I was able to secure the TIC (Tourist Information Center) in Thayer. It happens to be housed in a Caboose which represents the huge impact which the train industry has had on our town. The TIC is operated by the Thayer Chamber of Commerce.
Caroline manages the whole affair and permitted me to hold Poppa's celebration there. He was out most of the day (celebrating, I presume). I finally got hold of him and he committed to meeting me at the Caboose at 6:00 p.m. That's when I co-ordinated a teleconference call with my sisters.
A little later, I learned that Uncle Halver was in town with his daughter Pricilla. I invited them to celebrate with us since they had driven all the way from Indiana.
Here's how it went: Halver, Pricilla, Jeremy, Tiffany, and a few second cousins went into the caboose and awaited Dad's arrival. His birthday cake came from Harp's (formerly Wallace & Owens). Just a simple round, white cake beautifully decorated in bright colors.
When Dad arrived, I asked him if we could go to Los Potrillas to pick up an appetizer platter. (I had ordered 2 platters prior to his arrival.) He agreed; I got in his car and we drove over to the restaurant. This was quick since it's only 6 units away from the TIC.
I told him to stay in the car and that I'd pick up the platter(s) and he and I would return to the Caboose where we'd eat in private. Dad doesn't like large groups of people.
I ran in, picked up the platters, and returned to the car. We then drove back to the Caboose. En route, Dad noted a car which he said, "... looks like Halver's car." Indeed, it was Halver's car; but, I pretended to not know that it WAS Halver's car.
I asked Dad, "What kind of car is that?" He responded that it was an HHR. He told me that earlier Halver had indicated that HHR stood for "Hershell & Halver's Racing." We both laughed at the notion.
After Dad parked the car, we both got out and walked up to the Caboose. I could see the faces of some young ones but pretended not to notice. Dad pretended also. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a "Surprise!" yell from the group.
It was a success. The kids ate pudding and cake; we ate appetizers and cake. Most folks had already eaten and so declined the appetizers. Angel and I ate those later!
When we sang "Happy Birthday," we conferenced Janice and Dee in to join us by phone. I was happy that it went as well as it had. I trust (and hope and pray) that Dad will celebrate many more birthdays with us!
Happy Birthday, Dad!
We celebrated Dad's 70th Birthday on Friday, April 10. Most folks agree that he hardly looks to be 70 years young. Thank the heavens for that; I think I may have his genes! ROFL
I was able to secure the TIC (Tourist Information Center) in Thayer. It happens to be housed in a Caboose which represents the huge impact which the train industry has had on our town. The TIC is operated by the Thayer Chamber of Commerce.
Caroline manages the whole affair and permitted me to hold Poppa's celebration there. He was out most of the day (celebrating, I presume). I finally got hold of him and he committed to meeting me at the Caboose at 6:00 p.m. That's when I co-ordinated a teleconference call with my sisters.
A little later, I learned that Uncle Halver was in town with his daughter Pricilla. I invited them to celebrate with us since they had driven all the way from Indiana.
Here's how it went: Halver, Pricilla, Jeremy, Tiffany, and a few second cousins went into the caboose and awaited Dad's arrival. His birthday cake came from Harp's (formerly Wallace & Owens). Just a simple round, white cake beautifully decorated in bright colors.
When Dad arrived, I asked him if we could go to Los Potrillas to pick up an appetizer platter. (I had ordered 2 platters prior to his arrival.) He agreed; I got in his car and we drove over to the restaurant. This was quick since it's only 6 units away from the TIC.
I told him to stay in the car and that I'd pick up the platter(s) and he and I would return to the Caboose where we'd eat in private. Dad doesn't like large groups of people.
I ran in, picked up the platters, and returned to the car. We then drove back to the Caboose. En route, Dad noted a car which he said, "... looks like Halver's car." Indeed, it was Halver's car; but, I pretended to not know that it WAS Halver's car.
I asked Dad, "What kind of car is that?" He responded that it was an HHR. He told me that earlier Halver had indicated that HHR stood for "Hershell & Halver's Racing." We both laughed at the notion.
After Dad parked the car, we both got out and walked up to the Caboose. I could see the faces of some young ones but pretended not to notice. Dad pretended also. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a "Surprise!" yell from the group.
It was a success. The kids ate pudding and cake; we ate appetizers and cake. Most folks had already eaten and so declined the appetizers. Angel and I ate those later!
When we sang "Happy Birthday," we conferenced Janice and Dee in to join us by phone. I was happy that it went as well as it had. I trust (and hope and pray) that Dad will celebrate many more birthdays with us!
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Happy New Year!
Ok, that was a joke! Of course the year 2009 is well under way!
But, it feels like new year all over again... Today's forecast called for snow... it feels like a tornado will emerge... and NONE of us can agree on the weather...
It has been a long time since I have added an entry here! But, now, I have news... I have begun a blog for the Southern Missouri TBI Support Group.
There's more news... stay tuned!
But, it feels like new year all over again... Today's forecast called for snow... it feels like a tornado will emerge... and NONE of us can agree on the weather...
It has been a long time since I have added an entry here! But, now, I have news... I have begun a blog for the Southern Missouri TBI Support Group.
There's more news... stay tuned!
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