Facebook and stuff

We get inundated with the apps and the polls from Facebook. Hey, it a time filler; I am guilty as the next person and they can sometimes be fun. But there is one that has just stuck in my craw and I can't loosen it. It is the drug testing/welfare check, food stamp one. When I was a child we lived in a small town town called St. Augustine and on occasion we would have a gentleman or two show up at our doorstop called a hobo, the term of the day. They were hungry and they needed a meal. My Dad, a child of the Great Depression, would invite them in and give them a good meal and some good conversation. No judgement, no expectation; it was what it was. Many years later I had a friend whose husband had left her and she had a young daughter to support and this friend had the opportunity to better herself but for two years she would have to go the food stamp route and she wasn't sure she wanted to shame herself that way. I told her there was no shame; she was making a life for her little family and eventually she would pay pay back the system. She did in spades. Flash forward to a few years and while my eldest son was in middle school he had a friend who could no longer charge his lunches. He came from a proud family who was going through a "spot" so he didn't tell his family what was going on through school. When Liam told me what was going on I didn't say much: I made an extra sandwich, a few extra treats and some extra money for milk. It took very little on my part and I am not tooting my own horn. It lasted only a short time until they landed on their feet.

So, what I guess what I am saying is this; yes, many people abuse the system but there are also many who are quiet and already frustrated and embarrassed about what life has thrown them. Shut you your mouth because who really knows how far you are from their circumstances and just help them. No judgement. Don't ask them to go through something that would ding your spirit. Yes, ten people to that two or three that are helped might abuse the system but you can lay your head on your pillow at night and think " I helped someone."

Catapults

Oy! Recent events make are catapulting me through my middle ages and I do not like it at all. Nope...not at all. Tonight I just heard from a dear friend that she dad died and next week my eldest turns 16. And in the mirror I see more and more silver and less and less red. Though I do have a rockin' Polgara streak going. It just is odd to wake up and realize you are no longer the young kid on the block. Odd...

End of an era

but which era? I found out an old boss of mine, Harold Roe, died over the weekend. Tough old man and rascal and maybe a few other things but I'l leave it at that. I did love working at that old Roe Boat, though, held together by silver duct tape and grease. There was a mythos about that place. And he will be missed.

Really?

If my parents were alive today I would so owe them a fabulous dinner and a cruise of their choice. When I was fourteen I was a ripe little piece of troubles and angst and right now my oldest man cub is paying me back for that time in my life. Just when I think we are settling down I get smacked between the eyes with more angsty, teenagery crap. Normal I am sure but not pleasant for any and all involved. I am mulling over buying stock in a gin company.

I love the idea of Man Cubs growing older but there are days when I miss the days of short pants and Piglet.