Back to the Real World

I've heard guys who live on the street tell me of how hard it is to sleep at the Mission. Being indoors is incredibly difficult for them and they can't really describe their feelings about it. I now understand. We've just spent 11 days at Allegany State Park camping and it's actually quite difficult to come back indoors. There's no air and it feels more than a bit claustrophobic. This after less than two weeks.

Obligatory Back To Work Joke:

Three privates and a Sergeant were digging a ditch in the hot summer sun. Suddenly, the Army Fairy appeared, resplendent in a pink tutu with a diamond studded tiara and combat boots.  Of course, the Army Fairy weighed 300 lbs, was over 6 feet tall, covered in hair, spit tobacco and was named Gus. "Whatcha expect," he growled, "*%#@*^ Tinkerbell? I'm here to grant each of you a single wish but I ain't got all day so let's get on with it."

The three privates glanced at one another, then the first one spoke. "I'd like to be on a beach in the South Pacific." The second one said, "Oh yeah, me too - and with a cooler full of beer!" The third one grinned. "And all those beautiful women in grass skirts!" The Army Fairy grunted. "Hoo-Haw," he said, and all three men were immediately transported to the Pacific Island of their dreams. The water was a sparkling turquoise, the sand warm and soft, the beer ice cold. There was not a cloud in the sky and, as they opened their beers they heard the sound of a ukulele chorus and saw a dozen beautiful women in grass skirts approaching. "Now this is the life!" they said.

The Army Fairy then turned to the Sergeant. "C'mon Sarge," he snapped, "what's your wish gonna be?" The Sergeant thought for a minute and then said, "I want those three guys back here right now."

Comments

[NaNcY]

in the summer it is so wonderful to be outside, but ,around here in the late fall and winter it is cold, grey and wet for several months...and no matter how good it is to have a place inside and out of the weather, i really miss the outside when it is warm, and dry and sunny. i get to feeling all cooped up.

[NaNcY]

i remember how in southern illinois, some people had a sleeping porch. this was a screened-in porch, on the back of a house where it was set up for sleeping when it was too hot and humid to sleep in the house. a really wonderful place. there was a girl that i knew that slept in a sleeping bag on top of her bed with the windows open, no matter how cold it got. she loved that fresh air.

[amber]

Ain't that the way it goes.

This reminds me of a few years ago when I went to Haiti for 2 weeks and slept on the roof of the mission with a canopy of a billion stars, then came home and went immediately to the Reservation for a while where I again slept outside watching the stars as I fell asleep. I really missed the night sky when I came back home and threatened to paint the ceiling of our bedroom like a night sky. I don't think it would have done it justice though.

Glad you had a nice time and got to enjoy the outdoors.

[Barbara]

Welcome back. I think I need to go sleep outside.

[your sister]

your jokes still don't get any better! Best not to quit your day job!

But I still love ya!

[Psalm 46]

At this time of year the north calls to me. It is the air! there is a nip to it that is not there in the summer. In the late winter the air calls me south. There is something in the air! Glad you are back RWK! You should write a kids book too! All about fairies and war. It would appeal to girls and boys.

[faintnot]

I believe that is why our church in the park is so successful...I have often wondered what would happen if we moved indoors. Everyone who comes is homeless and I just know they stay because they don't feel trapped, like they can't leave if they needed to.
Walls scare them for some reason. By the way, I didn't get the joke...:)

[[rhymes with kerouac]]

NaNcY - I once had a second floor apartment with a "sleeping porch". It was wonderful - I slept outside until the late autumn just became too cold.

Amber - Once when back-packing I awoke in the middle of the night and couldn't believe the stars above. Everything - everything! - was simply luminous.

Barbara - Thanks!

Psalm 46 - I know what you mean about the north "calling" you.

faintnot - Don't worry - the joke wasn't all that funny.