OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING

      The sky is clear, the air is crisp, and numbers of folks were outside enjoying it when I arrived. One man called out, "There's my soup lady!" That horrible sanctuary I call the foyer was blessedly empty when Cutie Gatekeeper let me in.

       Dean and wife were busy with food prep, and within seconds our transgender helper arrived. Gotta tell you, this is a really dear person, and I find her to be conscientious, helpful, deeply caring, and having a great sense of the depths and ranges of feelings. We can talk.

       Dean ran the rice steamer most of the morning, so my ears are ringing, but we could still hear our music over the din. Windows and back door were wide open, spring flowing through—it's all good, as they say. In the oven were several big pans of pizza for lunch. I was instructed to make "the soup" to go with that, and there was mixed fruit to serve on the side. Everyone had all they could eat and a wholesome meal. Tonight they're getting corn, rice, and turkey with gravy.

       The new cook is still out with his broken foot. Reports have it that he'll remain out of commission for quite some time to come. Miss Lillian is thrilled with Dean's efforts in the kitchen, as he doesn't have a lot of leftovers, and he's very efficient. I dread the day when they take away his apron and leave him with only custodial duties. His heart is all over the kitchen.

       Our pre-release group numbered 13, and the homeless residents about 20. You'll be pleased to know that the 3-year-old girl and her mother have been placed in an apartment of their own again. I guess that's good; it's easy to imagine that the child is neglected even more with only her mom around. The bottle baby is still there, but didn't come to lunch, and the little girl with the immense parents actually smiled and cheerfully said, "Thank you!" to me today. I didn't give her a girly toy like last week, but opted for a more serious animal, and she actually played with it. Maybe the learning curve is all mine…

       As for the soup, Dean said that last week's leftover soup was all served out that afternoon when folks came in for a snack, asking if there was any left. They'll be pleased to know there was plenty left today—we cooked for 60, but served only half that, as a lot of folks were with family. Yep, days like this are few and far between—not a soul was in that wretched foyer when I left. God bless them all.