The Amersons

The Fieros in their normal state....I especially like Payton's look!!

The Merritts sans Sabrina

Morgan and Payton being sweet

The Fieros in 2008

The 2008 Moustache contest participants. First place went to young Mr. Merritt....

Snow in Seattle

I walked down my street to see if the hill at the end was driveable (it isn't unless you have serious 4W drive or chains).....and enjoyed the snowy walk.

Oh, yeah...and Shadow went outside for about 30 seconds with his harness on and hates me forever......

My snowy house

We have about 6-7 inches (but another couple have fallen throughout the day today). I had to have help pushing my car to get it up the hill to my house. I am not driving until the snow is gone!! I love the snow, but it makes getting to work pretty crappy! My vanpool is not coming (he comes from the Olympic Peninsula, and it is much worse that way), so I am going to take the bus--of the two routes that I can usually take, only one is running (for now....), so I am planning on standing on that street corner at 5am and hoping it shows. If not.....I am certainly not walking to work. We shall see.

My tiki torch with a snow cap, my ginormous rosemary bush now frozen solid, and icicles forming under my stairs.

The Boo kitty in the snow

Yes, I am the meanest girl *ever*, and yes, it *was* cruel and unusual. But I took them both outside separately, so it was also fair...

Snowy days

The icicles of death, my back stairs, and my barbecue in their snow coats.

Raegan says 'Hi, Mommy'!

Snow in Seattle

I am quite sure the local news is declaring the end of the world, but all I see is about 2 inches of fluffy snow outside. Supposed to be below freezing up here for the next week--very unusual for Seattle.

Seahawks taking the field

The Seahawks including the actual hawk take the field.

The shadowy man of shadows at play

Did I show you my turkey??

Finally

Every day on the way home from work, walking through downtown Seattle, I pass this guy. He is maybe in his mid to late 30's (being on the streets REALLY ages you), and annoys the hell out of me. Tries his best to look as pathetic as he can, sits next to a street lamp and begs for money for food. I always walk past and tell him directions to a shelter--3 blocks down, one over, etc. Maybe he IS hungry. Maybe he wants booze or drugs. Who knows. I don't give him money. But it bothers me. So, I finally remembered this whilst in front of a computer. I looked up all of the places serving free meals. I printed out three downtown seattle maps. I put X's where the free food was, then wrote the days of the week and time of day they were available. Hot dinners, cold lunches, even vegan Sunday dinners. About 12 in total. I only wrote the ones where you are not required to attend a church service or AA meeting, only the ones with no strings attached. I learned that there are lots of places to get a free meal. Breakfast 7 days a week at one place, lunch and dinner at a variety of others.

Anyway. I compiled this, made several copies to keep at work for discharging homeless patients, and headed off with one copy in my purse. Today I stopped by this guy. I figure, if he takes the info and uses it, I have helped him. If he blows me off, he didn't want food anyway, and I don't have to feel bad about not giving him money, since he is not being truthful about why he wants it. I gave him the maps, showed him where he was on the map, told him there were free sandwiches being handed out RIGHT NOW only 3 blocks away. Then continued my trek to the bus stop. I looked back, saw him put the paper inside his coat, then ask the next guy coming by if he could spare a little change for some food.

Now I don't feel bad. I can walk past and know that there are better places for my money to go. Now, I don't EVER give change to people. I don't carry cash, mosty for that specific reason. I don't have to feel bad about not giving change if I don't HAVE any change to give. I give to food banks or shelters or places like that where I KNOW where the money is going, and that it will help someone.

I wonder if I should keep bringing my maps every day, and give him one every day he is there, and every day I walk past. Eventually he will either give up and go elsewhere, or maybe start getting food there. Who knows.