Homeless - 24

Fellow mammalian bipeds,


Hope you had a good week. I haven't been keeping up with the news this week but since I'm writing this while lounging in the bed of my truck shielded form the late afternoon sun by my ten guards of honor who just happen to be trees, I can safely assume that no one has pushed the big red button or that no hostile space aliens have showed up...yet. The rear of the truck is backed up to about an half-acre of mowed property with those trees scattered over it. A major two-lane thoroughfare is about 60 meters from my position on the other side of the grassy area flowing north with the afternoon commute. Ahhh, the joys of suburban living. Needless to say, it is slow going for them but that is true for a lot of people going in any direction at this time of day in any metro. The front of the truck is facing toward the parking lot of a large shopping center which is also busy at this time of day but my position, being at one end of the lot, is relatively traffic free; think of an oasis of calm surrounded by the swirling chaos of the machinations of a high-tech civilization.


I redeemed nearly the remainder of the Target gift card. I bought another 2 lb. 10 oz. jar of peanuts (honey glazed this time), two cans of Vienna sausage and a box of crackers. There is only four cents left on the card. In total, those resources equates to several meals. And while I was there during the lunch hour they had set out some tidbits so I helped myself to two bites of peppered beef jerky (ain't doing that again!), four bites of turkey which equaled to two regular bites since the portions weren't large enough to choke a small bird and several cookies of assorted kinds. So I think I got the remaining four cents worth out of the card. And I picked up four large packets of salad dressing that were free. I haven't had a salad in a while but the ones they had were out of my price range. That reminds me; usually during the summer, I am a veggie and fruit eating machine but not this summer. I used to buy cantaloupes, watermelons, cucumbers, strawberries, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and such; clean 'em, peel 'em, tupperwarize 'em and throw 'em in the fridge for snacking over two or three days. Miss that...wish my truck had refrigeration capability.


I've been under the weather earlier this week with a sinus infection - I think - but feeling much better today. Oh, how the gods have their fun with me. Yes, those times are miserable but this experience was compounded by the humidity, afternoon thunderstorms, dripping nose, body aches, not working out, slight fever, sneezing, constant nose blowing and just GFP. I was gifted with some Tylenol and almost returned them since I hardly feel ill. I am glad I retained those puppies; they're probably the main reason I was able to get the sleep that I did get. As I said, feeling much better now and daring any hostile space aliens to show their slimy, tentacled young butts around here. I'll reduce them to primordial paste...provided I'm given the chance to blow my nose first.


However, this section of the planet is under siege by crickets, especially of those hours during the darkness of the day. I'm usually am up before 5 AM, stretching out and walking to get rid of the kinks. And no, I am not getting old; still have the reflexes of a cat and nearly as limber as one. The sleeping area of BT was not designed to accommodate a 6' 4" human who tosses and turns in his sleep. I take a few minutes to walk after stretching a bit and these crickets are everywhere. It's like they're escorting me across the lot; hope I don't get bitten by a radioactive one. And I have stepped on more that one...per walk. I was surprised that it didn't gross me out. When I step on one with a bare foot, by accident of course, they're kind of crunchy with a soft inside, and the audible and tactile sensations are quite pronounced not unlike when you bite into a hard-shelled taco that is stuffed with lots of...stuff. You know, if things get really tight on the food end...well, just something to keep in mind - I bet they're packed with protein and probably taste like chicken. Let's see, two packets of mayo, one packet of crushed red pepper...


Moving on; let's take a moment to consider the kindness of strangers and near strangers; those that, when you order a small order of fries, you get the small container but the fries could easily fill two containers; those that give you large, ice cold soda drinks for free and at various times of the day; those that allow you to sit in an air conditioned business nursing said drinks for a couple of hours while you are writing or just sitting by a window feeling unwell; those that discount, say, a couple of large donuts to the price of two for one and throw in some coffee; those that give you a bit more that just one helping at a restaurant; those that allow you to replenish your water bottles. And the library system certainly is a damn decent place regarding environment, information access and the kindness of the staff...at least at the two branches that I frequent. These acts come from people who may have an idea of what's going on with me at some level and the expenditure of the material cost of their effort is negligible but the non-linear value of their actions are quite formidable, at least to me. Actions by fellow humans that are not to be counted on, predicted or taken for granted but nonetheless, arise from a reservoir of caring and empathy that I choose to believe that is within us all.


I can be lucky sometimes...


Well, the sun has set but there is still enough light on the horizon to see some clouds, undersides tinted to a light burnt orange. Traffic isn't as hectic as it was a couple of hours ago, the street lights and business signs are lit. The birds are gone for the evening, a few fed with some gourmet Target crackers I gave them earlier. There's a constant, gentle breeze flowing from the south that's ruffling the leaves, rendering this evening a pleasant conclusion to this day.

Hope the same for you where you are,
David