Under-The-Bridge People

 

When it is raining, I refuse to leave the house. When it is sunny, Tommy drags his feet to do some things! We need a car! There are things/projects he has fought me on this last few years, but now he is all onboard. He wants a new bathroom other than this tub. He agrees we both need new cars. He agrees the three-foot mound of fire ants need to be treated. He agrees we need a new light above the sink. Yet, nothing happens unless I plan, do calling and supervise. He has the cc for things.

So, I have one new reason not to sleep--ruminating, fretting in my head and aloud. He never wants to drive in the rain, so that is one worry I do not have--him wanting to take a drive in the rain. 

Every day, I try to work around Jeopardy. Some days, I just say, "Let's go."  So far, he has not said a word about waiting. One day, I was fretting about wasting the afternoon. He told me to just tell him, "Let's go." So, I do. 

I finally got with the mower about proper weed killer for St. Augustine Grass. So, I can get that for him to spray. Tommy has Dallas grass in the yard, so two days later is a foot or more tall. Dallas grass is the weed that grows one stem with three little sprouts from the top that have seeds that get all over you when you walk. My old remedy/poison worked in my yard with St. Augustine Grass. It killed the wild onions, too. I see that spelled two ways--Dallisgrass and Dallas Grass. 

Another worry--cleaner has sort of flaked out on me. She does have a full-time job and a part-time job. But, she was willing and has not demonstrated she is wanting not to come. I work around her jobs and church activities. 

Two weeks ago, we were driving in North Birmingham. Well, Tommy pointed out N Bham was two blocks away. Too close for me. We went under a bridge of some sort. I was shocked. There were people living under there. There were sheets or blankets hanging where people were way up under the bridge, living behind these barriers blowing in the wind. on the pavement was a stroller. I assumed someone was using for transporting items. I hoped there was not a baby in this little encampment. 

Across the street was a table set up and several people and folding chairs. I am not sure if this was outreach or people from under the bridge. I felt compelled to do something, but what? We did not even have a bottle of water except for the two we were drinking. 

There were a few other people, but it was happening so quickly that my head reeled. I know there are homeless people and have seen them. I went to the Foods not Bombs food that my friend set up near five points. But, I had never seen people under a bridge in person. 

So, we are trying to figure out what to do, what would be useful and not a duplication of other efforts. I am thinking new bags of socks, underwear. But, then what size, male or female. Are there children involved? What food? Water? I suspect these are hardcore homeless who reject housing offered. 

We saw homeless people in Birmingham Public Library. But, these people could pass for students. They were clean, shaven, and did not appear to have mental problems, just down on their luck. I know homeless are like the rest of us with many stories and needs. I met a homeless woman in Cullman who carried everything she owned in a tote bag. I met her in a doctor's office. I believe she only wanted to be friends for a ride. That is important, but she was rude to me, yelled at me and was demanding. Her sister was in a position to help with everything like that because she had a position with an organization that helps homeless people. She was banned from thrift store because she was selling herself in the bathroom. okaaay As it turned out, she was mentally ill. 

If money were not an issue, we would load up the Rogue with a thousand dollars' worth of help. I don't want to just give washcloths and toothbrushes. Or just socks and underwear. Maybe neither. We just want it to be effective. 

Your thoughts?

Have you worked with the homeless?