Last night, I walked down underneath an awning and waited for my friend to appear.
He is a Black man who shares a history of friendship with me from time past.
While two of my other friends stood under the awning and chatted with me, a drunk man showed up.
He represents the losers, the hateful, stinking, rotten, corrupt, selfish, evil and totally worthless beings that are slithering around Portland in increasing numbers.
And he told me to leave because HE was going to set-up his sleeping arrangement there.
I told him to buzz off.
He yelled at my friends and then he threatened me.
That was his first and last mistake.
Because my friend walked out the door of the building just then and...
...the next thing we knew, that drunk was rolling across the pavement and into the street.
As the rain poured around him, the drunk got pushed, thrown, tossed, hit, smacked, slugged, punched and otherwise informed that he would NOT hurt me.
Not then or ever.
Finally, the drunk ended up on his knees...
"Apologize to her!" my friend ordered the drunk, pointing his finger at me.
And after the drunk pulled himself to his shaking feet...he walked over to me and did just that.
Everyone else outside the mission just stood there and stared.
I smiled.
The drunk disappeared.
And a REAL MAN came over and hugged me...right there in the pouring rain...on West Burnside.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ruthie In Portland, Oregon, Update
Last night it rained and rained and rained and...
By 10pm last night it was obvious that those of us on the street were going to need to get ourselves warm, safe and dry.
So the Portland Rescue Mission opened up its doors, once again, to those of us with nowhere else to go.
I slept on a long, wood bench with a couple of other homies. And I was very grateful to be out of the cold, wet weather outside.
A few people have been toying with the idea of getting me into more permanent housing here. But their efforts are half-hearted, at best, and I am ready for the road again.
This city of punks, cigarettes, trash and bad breaks holds nothing for me.
I want to go home.
By 10pm last night it was obvious that those of us on the street were going to need to get ourselves warm, safe and dry.
So the Portland Rescue Mission opened up its doors, once again, to those of us with nowhere else to go.
I slept on a long, wood bench with a couple of other homies. And I was very grateful to be out of the cold, wet weather outside.
A few people have been toying with the idea of getting me into more permanent housing here. But their efforts are half-hearted, at best, and I am ready for the road again.
This city of punks, cigarettes, trash and bad breaks holds nothing for me.
I want to go home.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ruthie In Portland, Oregon, Update
I thought about the problem that resulted in the theft of my "space blanket" and decided to do something about it.
So I walked into City Hall and met with several officials. One of them responded by email today.
I'm looking forward to meeting with him.
Last night, when I finally went to lay my blankets down on the sidewalk...the heavens opened up and the wind blew with an icy fury. It didn't snow. Oh no. It rained!
After two hours of trying to keep dry and warm, I finally gave up and headed inside the Portland Rescue Mission.
While over 100 men slept in other parts of the building, another lady and I settled down on a bench in the lobby and fell asleep.
This morning, I went to get my daily bag of sandwiches from the Union Gospel Mission. When I walked up, a crazy guy was yelling at another homie. He tried to do the same thing to me.
I told him to bite himself.
So he grabbed me and threw my tired self down in the mud.
I got up, cussed him out, walked around the corner, pulled out my cell phone and punched in 911.
The cops responded in about two minutes.
In that amount of time, the man ran off the other way and disappeared.
And even though I was covered with mud, I laughed at the big, tall man running away from me.
Then I turned around and took his place in line.
So I walked into City Hall and met with several officials. One of them responded by email today.
I'm looking forward to meeting with him.
Last night, when I finally went to lay my blankets down on the sidewalk...the heavens opened up and the wind blew with an icy fury. It didn't snow. Oh no. It rained!
After two hours of trying to keep dry and warm, I finally gave up and headed inside the Portland Rescue Mission.
While over 100 men slept in other parts of the building, another lady and I settled down on a bench in the lobby and fell asleep.
This morning, I went to get my daily bag of sandwiches from the Union Gospel Mission. When I walked up, a crazy guy was yelling at another homie. He tried to do the same thing to me.
I told him to bite himself.
So he grabbed me and threw my tired self down in the mud.
I got up, cussed him out, walked around the corner, pulled out my cell phone and punched in 911.
The cops responded in about two minutes.
In that amount of time, the man ran off the other way and disappeared.
And even though I was covered with mud, I laughed at the big, tall man running away from me.
Then I turned around and took his place in line.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Ruthie In Portland, Oregon, Update
WITH THE "SPACE BLANKET"
IN FRONT OF THE RESCUE MISSION
IN PORTLAND, OREGON
I got a nice, shiny "space blanket" from a generous guy last night. I pulled it over me and felt it protect me from rain drops and begin to hold in 90% of my body heat.
Then, during the middle of the night...someone without a shred of decency stole it right off of me...while I slept.
I awoke and it was gone.
Portland is rapidly wilting into a disgraceful place to live.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Ruthie In Portland, Update
I am spending this seven-day span sleeping (if you can really call it that) on the sidewalk.
Last night I watched the cops chase the bar crowd around. Red and blue flashed in between the multicolored neon signs.
Motorcycles roared up the bridge and taxis rumbled back down.
I curled up on my sleeping bag and pulled two extra blankets over me. It didn't start to rain until after midnight.
It gets cold by 3am and the skin on my fingers is splitting as a result of exposure to the temperature.
I talk to the night watchman when I use the restroom at the mission.
It's stumbling drunks, wild-eyed stoners and the sudden stillness before 5am.
People walk by in nice clothes, look at me and try to smile.
Thank God for my Walkman...
When I get tired enough, I lay my head back on my pack, close my eyes, turn on the radio and drift away.
More to come...
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Ruthie On The Road, Update
Obviously, I am back in Portland, Oregon again.
Yeah, I ended up walking straight out of Bellingham after I left the university campus that night.
And I finally stopped in the wee hours of the morning after I got too tired and a heavy fog rolled in.
I sat in a city bus shelter in a subdivision of Bellingham called Fairhaven. Then, at 6am I walked down to highway 11 and resumed hitchhiking.
After several rides, I was finally picked up by two Mormon women outside of Arlington, Washington. They bought me lunch. And then they drove me to the station in Everett, Washington and put me on a Greyhound bus to Portland.
I do alright.
It's going to rain tonight and I will be sitting outside...when it falls.
Next Friday will not come soon enough.
Yeah, I ended up walking straight out of Bellingham after I left the university campus that night.
And I finally stopped in the wee hours of the morning after I got too tired and a heavy fog rolled in.
I sat in a city bus shelter in a subdivision of Bellingham called Fairhaven. Then, at 6am I walked down to highway 11 and resumed hitchhiking.
After several rides, I was finally picked up by two Mormon women outside of Arlington, Washington. They bought me lunch. And then they drove me to the station in Everett, Washington and put me on a Greyhound bus to Portland.
I do alright.
It's going to rain tonight and I will be sitting outside...when it falls.
Next Friday will not come soon enough.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Punches And No Peace In Portland
Portland, Oregon's pretty petals are falling off.
[Click on the post headline above to read a list of "awards" that have been bestowed on The City of Roses.]
Yeah, it's beginning to show its true thorns.
On the heels of the recent mass-shooting in this City, an unnerving activity took place today.
(Yeah, I know that you all want to know what happened to me that night in Bellingham, Washington and I will post a regular update about that tomorrow.)
Picture this: I was sitting on the second floor of the big, old library in downtown Portland...typing away to somebody about housing and meetings and etc...
Out of nowhere, a wild-eyed young man shoved someone else right into my back. Then he got up, ran around and punched an elderly man and another younger guy in the face.
He threw chairs and kept on saying, "Come on...anybody else want some?"
And, "I'm a Federal Agent."
(Why, I wonder, do the crazies always seem to align themselves with the Federal government? Perhaps the nutballs really do have a clandestine tie to Uncle Sam. Considering the Fed track record right now...it's not beyond the shadow of a doubt. Ya KNOW! -smirk-)
Anyway, he destroyed one guy's glasses and just went ape shit until the "security" people FINALLY showed up, subdued and removed him.
It bothers me a lot that the security guys took so long to respond. I mean, this is Portland...and NOTHING is sacred here anymore.
The petals are disappearing and the thorns are becoming more and more visible.
But it's the denial and apathy here that could cost the City much more than credit points.
WAKE UP AND FACE IT, PORTLAND!
[Click on the post headline above to read a list of "awards" that have been bestowed on The City of Roses.]
Yeah, it's beginning to show its true thorns.
On the heels of the recent mass-shooting in this City, an unnerving activity took place today.
(Yeah, I know that you all want to know what happened to me that night in Bellingham, Washington and I will post a regular update about that tomorrow.)
Picture this: I was sitting on the second floor of the big, old library in downtown Portland...typing away to somebody about housing and meetings and etc...
Out of nowhere, a wild-eyed young man shoved someone else right into my back. Then he got up, ran around and punched an elderly man and another younger guy in the face.
He threw chairs and kept on saying, "Come on...anybody else want some?"
And, "I'm a Federal Agent."
(Why, I wonder, do the crazies always seem to align themselves with the Federal government? Perhaps the nutballs really do have a clandestine tie to Uncle Sam. Considering the Fed track record right now...it's not beyond the shadow of a doubt. Ya KNOW! -smirk-)
Anyway, he destroyed one guy's glasses and just went ape shit until the "security" people FINALLY showed up, subdued and removed him.
It bothers me a lot that the security guys took so long to respond. I mean, this is Portland...and NOTHING is sacred here anymore.
The petals are disappearing and the thorns are becoming more and more visible.
But it's the denial and apathy here that could cost the City much more than credit points.
WAKE UP AND FACE IT, PORTLAND!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ruthie On The Road, Update
I sat there...listening to the two men play guitars and sing...closed
my eyes and smiled...even though I was suffering from a nasty head cold.
Yeah,
I listened to them the other day...both of them...I took several photos
of them...recorded a few moments of their impromptu jam session...and
then posted the whole thing on this blog today.
But if a man named Paul had been in the vicinity...those photos and that recording wouldn't exist.
[When this library closes, I will be out in the cold, literally. With nowhere to go. All night long.
Why did this happen?
Please,
before you read any further: Click on the post headline above and read
what I wrote before leaving the shelter the last time that I was in Bellingham. The person that I wrote the email/post to is the person that caused the problem tonight.]
After
dinner, I returned to the chapel area and a young man was on the floor
beside the lockers. He had a roll of tape beside him and Bible in his
lap. As I watched, he took the tape and tore off a long piece and
started taping the damaged cover of the book back into place.
"Now, that's the coolest thing that I've ever seen anyone do all day" I said to him.
He smiled and thanked me...and then added "This is how important God is to me."
"Yeah, well you're already pretty important to God" I said.
He just smiled even more.
We continued discussing God and then Paul came into the room.
He
called the kid into his office and chewed him out for talking to me. It
appears that Paul insists that all the men in the shelter "program" or
in the shelter, period, not talk to the women at all.
He told the kid that "women just cause problems."
Then
he called ME over and told me not to talk to any of the men, whether
they are in the "program" or from the street...when any of them are
inside the mission with me.
He told me that if I intended to
stay at the shelter for any length of time that I couldn't talk to any
of the guys at all while we were inside.
I said, "We were just discussing God."
He replied with "The best thing that you could do right now is walk away from me."
I turned around, grabbed my pack and said, "Yeah, Paul, I'll walk away from you...right out the door."
He walked back into his office and shut the door.
And God walked with me out the shelter door.
Could I have stayed at least for tonight?
Probably,
but I also realize that what he asked of me, in front of that kid who
payed close attention to our entire conversation, was totally wrong.
And I've had enough.
His attitude toward women and Christianity isn't mine. Thank God.
Where will I go tonight? How will I stay warm? What will I do?
Stay tuned.
We
are all free to share God. That's my belief. And when this library
closes I will carry that knowledge with me as I walk into the cold,
dark night.
my eyes and smiled...even though I was suffering from a nasty head cold.
Yeah,
I listened to them the other day...both of them...I took several photos
of them...recorded a few moments of their impromptu jam session...and
then posted the whole thing on this blog today.
But if a man named Paul had been in the vicinity...those photos and that recording wouldn't exist.
[When this library closes, I will be out in the cold, literally. With nowhere to go. All night long.
Why did this happen?
Please,
before you read any further: Click on the post headline above and read
what I wrote before leaving the shelter the last time that I was in Bellingham. The person that I wrote the email/post to is the person that caused the problem tonight.]
After
dinner, I returned to the chapel area and a young man was on the floor
beside the lockers. He had a roll of tape beside him and Bible in his
lap. As I watched, he took the tape and tore off a long piece and
started taping the damaged cover of the book back into place.
"Now, that's the coolest thing that I've ever seen anyone do all day" I said to him.
He smiled and thanked me...and then added "This is how important God is to me."
"Yeah, well you're already pretty important to God" I said.
He just smiled even more.
We continued discussing God and then Paul came into the room.
He
called the kid into his office and chewed him out for talking to me. It
appears that Paul insists that all the men in the shelter "program" or
in the shelter, period, not talk to the women at all.
He told the kid that "women just cause problems."
Then
he called ME over and told me not to talk to any of the men, whether
they are in the "program" or from the street...when any of them are
inside the mission with me.
He told me that if I intended to
stay at the shelter for any length of time that I couldn't talk to any
of the guys at all while we were inside.
I said, "We were just discussing God."
He replied with "The best thing that you could do right now is walk away from me."
I turned around, grabbed my pack and said, "Yeah, Paul, I'll walk away from you...right out the door."
He walked back into his office and shut the door.
And God walked with me out the shelter door.
Could I have stayed at least for tonight?
Probably,
but I also realize that what he asked of me, in front of that kid who
payed close attention to our entire conversation, was totally wrong.
And I've had enough.
His attitude toward women and Christianity isn't mine. Thank God.
Where will I go tonight? How will I stay warm? What will I do?
Stay tuned.
We
are all free to share God. That's my belief. And when this library
closes I will carry that knowledge with me as I walk into the cold,
dark night.
Pickin' and Pictured
Be sure to check-out the latest "Ruthie Talkie."
Scroll down the right-side menu and click on the Gabcast graphic link. The photos of the two guys featured under that link are the guitar players.
Scroll down the right-side menu and click on the Gabcast graphic link. The photos of the two guys featured under that link are the guitar players.
Ruthie On The Road, Update
The last time that I spent a considerable amount of time in Bellingham, Washington was in August of 2007.
At that time, I met a very cool couple who are still immortalized in one of my photos on Flickr.
We scanned the homies around us then and decided that we three would just stick together. And we did.
We managed to get ourselves coffee and goodies and Dew. We survived until the money came back in again.
It was late Summer and warm so we hung-out in the park a lot.
This time, people are wound-up and bitter. Everybody acts like they have something to prove. They're all distrustful and desperate. It's like being around a bunch of dollar-watch psychos who've grown old before their time.
Some of the staff people at the shelter are still working there...in the same positions.
That, to me, is mystifying in the fact that I think at least two of them are overqualified to be employed at a homeless shelter.
But I eat, have a mat to sleep on and am staying clean with a shower every day.
I have decided, however, to leave this city next weekend.
At that time, I met a very cool couple who are still immortalized in one of my photos on Flickr.
We scanned the homies around us then and decided that we three would just stick together. And we did.
We managed to get ourselves coffee and goodies and Dew. We survived until the money came back in again.
It was late Summer and warm so we hung-out in the park a lot.
This time, people are wound-up and bitter. Everybody acts like they have something to prove. They're all distrustful and desperate. It's like being around a bunch of dollar-watch psychos who've grown old before their time.
Some of the staff people at the shelter are still working there...in the same positions.
That, to me, is mystifying in the fact that I think at least two of them are overqualified to be employed at a homeless shelter.
But I eat, have a mat to sleep on and am staying clean with a shower every day.
I have decided, however, to leave this city next weekend.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Ruthie On The Road, Update
Okay, here's what happened,Campers:
First of all, the woman that made all of the promises ended up changing her mind. I went to a major meeting with a group of individuals who are affiliated with a number of provider groups and agencies around the State.
I spoke my peace and the thunder rolled. Afterward, I was invited to speak at the upcoming meeting in Salem, the capitol of Oregon. It will be a very pivotal showdown that will revolve around the upcoming fiscal budget and will include the Oregon Speaker of the House.
And I want to be there.
But just when that appeared to be a possibility, the woman that made all of the promises dropped the ball.
Since I, myself, couldn't find housing, she decided that she had done all that she could do. Then she tossed me sixty-bucks and said "See Ya."
Wonderful.
So, I rolled back into Portland, bought some minutes for my phone, a ticket to Astoria, Oregon and got on the bus later that day.
I got up to Astoria and sat in an empty bus shelter outside of the closed Transit Center building...all night. And I shivered.
Yesterday, I traveled all day until I got to the small City of Auburn,Washington.
I stood there after 9pm last night, beside the on ramp to a freeway and tried to get a ride. Three hours later I was still standing there. I got cold...and tired.
Finally, I sat down on my packs and went fast asleep.
The next thing I knew, I was falling...
Yes, Campers, I fell off of my packs and rolled...fortunately not into the traffic.
I looked up, totally covered in hay and leaves...and realized that the people in about ten vehicles saw me do the BAG LADY WEEBLE DOWN INTO THE FREAKING GRASS!!
Naturally, I got pissed.
I stood up, wiped myself off and walked to a safer location, by a McDonald's, and called the cops. I was exhausted, cold and hungry. I needed help.
The cops blew me off. Ditto for the hospital.
In fact, the cops refused to come and talk to me and the hospital told me that I couldn't come up there to get warm.
I got mad and called a "Christian" radio-station and told them via voicemail what had happened to me and declared Auburn, Washington to be Spiritually foreign soil. Then I hung up.
Then I called my associate, Marissa, and told her that I might get arrested and to keep an eye on my updates. I'm sure she was wide-eyed when she listened to that message this morning.
Then, I got my things together and walked up the on ramp, past the "HITCHHIKER'S PROHIBITED PAST THIS POINT" sign and right onto the interstate.
I walked, without a flashlight, down the breakdown lane by the light of the early Saturday morning moon.
The phone calls had really made me angry and my spare supply of adrenalin finally kicked-in.
So I walked, with my head held high, down the freeway like I was taking a Monday morning jaunt.
I walked past a dark light post and the globe suddenly snapped to life above my head.
And that's when a woman in a minivan saw the lady that she'd been searching for...and in the next minute she pulled the van over to a stop...a few feet in front of me.
I walked up and opened the door.
She smiled and asked me what was going on.
I am at the woman's home now and typing this on one of her daughter's computer.
She is a Christian woman who saw me earlier and then felt God give her a nudge. So she drove back and scanned the shoulder of the highway until she found me...when that lamppost suddenly turned on.
She bought me dinner and then brought me back here. I fell asleep on an over-stuffed couch by her two HUGE dogs.
She will take me the rest of the way to Bellingham today.
Happy Valentine's Day, ya'll.
First of all, the woman that made all of the promises ended up changing her mind. I went to a major meeting with a group of individuals who are affiliated with a number of provider groups and agencies around the State.
I spoke my peace and the thunder rolled. Afterward, I was invited to speak at the upcoming meeting in Salem, the capitol of Oregon. It will be a very pivotal showdown that will revolve around the upcoming fiscal budget and will include the Oregon Speaker of the House.
And I want to be there.
But just when that appeared to be a possibility, the woman that made all of the promises dropped the ball.
Since I, myself, couldn't find housing, she decided that she had done all that she could do. Then she tossed me sixty-bucks and said "See Ya."
Wonderful.
So, I rolled back into Portland, bought some minutes for my phone, a ticket to Astoria, Oregon and got on the bus later that day.
I got up to Astoria and sat in an empty bus shelter outside of the closed Transit Center building...all night. And I shivered.
Yesterday, I traveled all day until I got to the small City of Auburn,Washington.
I stood there after 9pm last night, beside the on ramp to a freeway and tried to get a ride. Three hours later I was still standing there. I got cold...and tired.
Finally, I sat down on my packs and went fast asleep.
The next thing I knew, I was falling...
Yes, Campers, I fell off of my packs and rolled...fortunately not into the traffic.
I looked up, totally covered in hay and leaves...and realized that the people in about ten vehicles saw me do the BAG LADY WEEBLE DOWN INTO THE FREAKING GRASS!!
Naturally, I got pissed.
I stood up, wiped myself off and walked to a safer location, by a McDonald's, and called the cops. I was exhausted, cold and hungry. I needed help.
The cops blew me off. Ditto for the hospital.
In fact, the cops refused to come and talk to me and the hospital told me that I couldn't come up there to get warm.
I got mad and called a "Christian" radio-station and told them via voicemail what had happened to me and declared Auburn, Washington to be Spiritually foreign soil. Then I hung up.
Then I called my associate, Marissa, and told her that I might get arrested and to keep an eye on my updates. I'm sure she was wide-eyed when she listened to that message this morning.
Then, I got my things together and walked up the on ramp, past the "HITCHHIKER'S PROHIBITED PAST THIS POINT" sign and right onto the interstate.
I walked, without a flashlight, down the breakdown lane by the light of the early Saturday morning moon.
The phone calls had really made me angry and my spare supply of adrenalin finally kicked-in.
So I walked, with my head held high, down the freeway like I was taking a Monday morning jaunt.
I walked past a dark light post and the globe suddenly snapped to life above my head.
And that's when a woman in a minivan saw the lady that she'd been searching for...and in the next minute she pulled the van over to a stop...a few feet in front of me.
I walked up and opened the door.
She smiled and asked me what was going on.
I am at the woman's home now and typing this on one of her daughter's computer.
She is a Christian woman who saw me earlier and then felt God give her a nudge. So she drove back and scanned the shoulder of the highway until she found me...when that lamppost suddenly turned on.
She bought me dinner and then brought me back here. I fell asleep on an over-stuffed couch by her two HUGE dogs.
She will take me the rest of the way to Bellingham today.
Happy Valentine's Day, ya'll.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Coincidence In Limbo
I stand in so many lines...waiting for the moment when I reach the front and experience the gratification of receiving whatever it is that I waited for.
Right now...today...I am in limbo.
Again.
I hate it.
Really.
Just once I'd like to wave my hand like a magic wand and get something good immediately. Without a delay. Or an excuse.
I want to know if I'm going to obtain decent housing here or just walk down another road with my thumb out. And end up in Bellingham.
I went to a church service yesterday but the preacher didn't impress me. He reminded me of a used car salesman with one hand behind his back. With a couple of fingers crossed.
But the Sunday school lesson was about Nathan and King David. Imagine that. And I brought up that story in my last audio post.
Coincidence?
I dunno.
But before the main service started, I was asked to sign the guestbook. When the book asked for my place of residence, I wrote: "I am a child of God."
When I walked into the sanctuary, the lyrics to the first song declared: "I am a child of God"...repeat,repeat,repeat.
Coincidence?
Again, I don't know.
But I do know that God sometimes communicates in a very mysterious way.
And He knows what the result will be.
While I wait in limbo.
Right now...today...I am in limbo.
Again.
I hate it.
Really.
Just once I'd like to wave my hand like a magic wand and get something good immediately. Without a delay. Or an excuse.
I want to know if I'm going to obtain decent housing here or just walk down another road with my thumb out. And end up in Bellingham.
I went to a church service yesterday but the preacher didn't impress me. He reminded me of a used car salesman with one hand behind his back. With a couple of fingers crossed.
But the Sunday school lesson was about Nathan and King David. Imagine that. And I brought up that story in my last audio post.
Coincidence?
I dunno.
But before the main service started, I was asked to sign the guestbook. When the book asked for my place of residence, I wrote: "I am a child of God."
When I walked into the sanctuary, the lyrics to the first song declared: "I am a child of God"...repeat,repeat,repeat.
Coincidence?
Again, I don't know.
But I do know that God sometimes communicates in a very mysterious way.
And He knows what the result will be.
While I wait in limbo.
*Amanda's New Coffee Stand*
Today is opening day for Amanda...she will finally be opening the window of her coffee stand to customers. The stand will serve much more than just coffee and will include bagels, pastries and her perky smile.
This is a family endeavor.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
*Amanda's New Coffee Stand*
The Palace Beyond Portland
I met a very nice woman awhile back who works with an organization in a suburb outside Portland, Oregon. And I am staying with her family right now.
Her house, which she refers to as "The Palace", is just that. It's huge! Her home is situated in a modern housing development and is beautiful...and filled with stained glass, Tiffany lamps, original paintings, curios and her love.
Her father, who lives with her and her husband, creates incredible pieces of sweet sparkle in his shop...in one part of the house.
The entire home is decorated with his gifts in glass.
And glass and metal angels watch over everything...
And after a pleasant day...faces smile at me all the way up the stairs.
Ruthie in Oregon, Update
I am posting this to let all of you know that I am working on a series of posts that will be put up today...complete with photos.
You might want to check it out.
I will be sharing a comprehensive update with you very soon today.
You might want to check it out.
I will be sharing a comprehensive update with you very soon today.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Ruthie On The Road, Update
Here I am...posting this from an office in Beaverton, Oregon. And last night I was sitting on the floor of a restroom at a rest area near Stanfield, Oregon. All night.
Yeah, I am back and very tired. But persevering.
I will provide all the details tomorrow. When I wake up.
G'night, ya'll.
Yeah, I am back and very tired. But persevering.
I will provide all the details tomorrow. When I wake up.
G'night, ya'll.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
New Walkie-Talkie
I have posted a new "Walkie-Talkie" and you can check it out by scrolling down the right-side menu to the magic happy face.
Where The Son Also Rises
This is a photo of the "Common Grounds Cafe" in a church in the peaceful suburbs outside of Portland, Oregon.
The church building itself is HUGE! It is larger than a Wal-Mart store.
The Common Grounds Cafe is where I enjoyed homemade meals, strong coffee and juices, etc. while the congregation operated its warming center.
This is where we watched TV...sitting on overstuffed leather sofas and chairs. Ahhh...such a prayer away from the hard, stone-cold streets of Portland!
This lovely (very BIG) desk is known as the "Information Station."
When I asked the ladies behind that desk why they are always smiling, they said: "Because we belong to God."
How can you argue with that?
Sharon And Her Shawl
This is a wonderful lady named Sharon. I took this photo of her while she was knitting one of her many prayer shawls. She knits them and then she and others pray and cast blessings on the fabric.
Then she gives the shawl away to a lucky person.
Sharon lives in the suburbs...far away from the ugliness of urban Portland, Oregon.
I met her when she came to volunteer at a warming center. We hit it off right away.
But I never hung around long enough to get a shawl of my own.
I haven't given up hope of someday owning one.
*Wink*
Sleeping On The Other Side Of A Dream
Pictured above, in a smaller resolution than I usually post, because this shot was taken covertly at about 6 AM, on a street in Portland, Oregon...is a homeless person, wrapped up in blankets...sleeping right smack in the front of the doors to the Bank of the West.
I wish I would have had the ability, permission and time to get a better photo of this.
But I believe that this photo, size notwithstanding, hits the economic situation in the USA right between the eyes.
When I returned to the bank, at 9 AM, there was no sign that the person had ever been there.
The same cannot be said for the financial facts of life smacking us all in the face these days.
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