02-12-2016, 08:36 AM
I've become acquainted with two homeless men; Ben and Jerry. Yes, they joke the other two are actors and this is an extended trip to discover what Americans really want. Both are veterans, my generation and Ben is wheelchair bound. I have found, sadly a large % of our homeless people are not
there from substance abuse, mental illness or criminal behavior. I could also add several out and out con artists.
I met them, huddled for the coming night during our recent El Nino storms under a freeway overpass I walk through. I went home and returned with two large thermos of coffee, some food and a large tarp from my backpacking gear. I watched Ben expertly secure the tarp with paracord and learned he was a USAF loadmaster who's Provider cargo plane was hit by RPG fire on the ground.
Their biggest issue is personal hygiene and they expressed shame looking 'grubby'. I must say compared to the average male in my very affluent community they do a fair job. So, I've been assembling shaving kits for both; largely from PIF gifts from many of you; two razors and brushes, a quantity of blades representing just about every brand ( I long ago exausted MERKURS as utility blades, some gear is beyond anyone's desperation) and several soaps and creams, two Turkish towels and a SS backpacking mirror.
They both immediately shaved stubble kept 'cropped' by scissors. We're sitting there, under the overpass and a local LEO pulls up. He asks for I.D. and is taken back when I produce my CAL DL with an address a few blocks away. My friends produce VA cards and a local bank for Ben's disability checks. He decides to move on, listening to my suggestion about busting some of our local homicidal drivers in Panzer grenadier SUVs.
So, that was 5A.M. and I walked home, looking at those homicidal drivers trying to demonstrate various theories of the time-space continuum and turn trips into a single blinding flash of light, anxious for their Latte's and whatever else they can fill their souls with.
I think I'll pick up some Ben and Jerry's Ice cream for our next get together.
there from substance abuse, mental illness or criminal behavior. I could also add several out and out con artists.
I met them, huddled for the coming night during our recent El Nino storms under a freeway overpass I walk through. I went home and returned with two large thermos of coffee, some food and a large tarp from my backpacking gear. I watched Ben expertly secure the tarp with paracord and learned he was a USAF loadmaster who's Provider cargo plane was hit by RPG fire on the ground.
Their biggest issue is personal hygiene and they expressed shame looking 'grubby'. I must say compared to the average male in my very affluent community they do a fair job. So, I've been assembling shaving kits for both; largely from PIF gifts from many of you; two razors and brushes, a quantity of blades representing just about every brand ( I long ago exausted MERKURS as utility blades, some gear is beyond anyone's desperation) and several soaps and creams, two Turkish towels and a SS backpacking mirror.
They both immediately shaved stubble kept 'cropped' by scissors. We're sitting there, under the overpass and a local LEO pulls up. He asks for I.D. and is taken back when I produce my CAL DL with an address a few blocks away. My friends produce VA cards and a local bank for Ben's disability checks. He decides to move on, listening to my suggestion about busting some of our local homicidal drivers in Panzer grenadier SUVs.
So, that was 5A.M. and I walked home, looking at those homicidal drivers trying to demonstrate various theories of the time-space continuum and turn trips into a single blinding flash of light, anxious for their Latte's and whatever else they can fill their souls with.
I think I'll pick up some Ben and Jerry's Ice cream for our next get together.
02-12-2016, 03:21 PM
I'm surprised the cop did not confiscate the razors or blades as weapons. That is what would happen around here.
Not disparaging the police; thank God for them. But I was homeless here for several months when I first got here several years ago, and have first hand experience.
Good job, my friend.
Not disparaging the police; thank God for them. But I was homeless here for several months when I first got here several years ago, and have first hand experience.
Good job, my friend.
02-13-2016, 03:06 PM
My community straddles the 101 freeway right on the L.A.-Ventura county line. We get a lot of transient people and a stable population of homeless- if you can call that stable. I try not to prejudge with so many folks losing everything and one check away from joining them. Our LEOs, with all their faults and good points seem to sort out who is a threat and who to let be. There was a local character 'Freeway Annie' who was half crazy but sweetness incarnate who talked in riddles. If you watch CALL THE MIDWIFE think of the retired Anglican sister who stole sweets. She also had an encyclopedic knowledge of every street and business and who belonged where and when. We had a string of burglaries go unsolved. Annie kept talking about MR Smith who could walk through walls and make the coyotes stop howling. Somebody FINALLY realized she was referring to a locksmith and the 5 local ones went under observation. It took 3 nights to arrest one disabling an alarm, picking a side entryway lock and walk out of a upscale home with a jewelry and gold bar collection and be met by 5 black and whites.
They got Annie into assisted living and half the town had to buy Thomas guides or GPS systems instead of pulling over to ask her for directions.
They got Annie into assisted living and half the town had to buy Thomas guides or GPS systems instead of pulling over to ask her for directions.
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