THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT TO LUNCH

      It's warm today! Most of the ice and snow melted away while I was at the shelter—ice and snow that has clung fiercely to the ground for a week. No love lost!

       My first clue that something was amiss this morning was that mine was the only car in the back parking lot. Mr. A. let me in, cheerful as always, and soon I came to understand that Doug had been there but had left "sick," and wouldn't be back today. I'm thinking Doug needed the day off and just came in to make sure the kitchen was in good hands… and it was.

       Helpful Guy is still there, but to my surprise, his annoying habits were nowhere to be seen—as if somebody'd had a talk with him… He was "normal," and helpful in a good way, tho other than mopping the dining room, taking out the trash, and checking off names, I didn't see him doing anything else—he doesn't work with the food, and that's okay with me!

       Mr. A. had a sack of canned goods ready for me to make soup. It was a very different soup than usual—kind of brownish… But because I know what was in it, I know it was good. We even had a few requests for seconds. On the side, was our customary chicken salad and fruit cocktail. As I prepared my brew I listened to stories of this week's shelter events. Many were said to be sick and wearing masks. The "she-man" (think last year and pink crocs) still has a bed there, but doesn't sleep there and only comes for meals. None among the kitchen folk understands the arrangement. Helpful Guy was trying to connect him/her with a body found in the river some time ago. When the kitchen help start talking, it can go anywhere, and gossip is so captivating! Also, Crusty Old Broad was seen taking the she-man into the kitchen to help serve meals! On top of that, "the inspector" is coming this week, the residents have been extremely slovenly, and Dean (the caretaker) was given no warning.

       I hadn't seen Dean in months, but today he came thru the kitchen twice—just long enough to hear about the upcoming inspection and to grouse loudly about it. I had to give him a Beanie Baby to calm him down.

       The crowd was predicted to be small because the weather is nice, but you know last week it was small and the streets were icy. The pre-release numbered about 13. The homeless residents numbered about 19. To my delight, the little 14-, 12-, or 11-year-old girl was there, and I was ready for her. When I offered this pig across the counter, she squealed with surprise. She jumped up and down, thanked me warmly, and left the counter bouncing. I will make special efforts this week to find something just as appealing for next week.

       Only one person presented with a face mask, and she pulled it down, to talk to me. I asked her to please put it back up. She was so queasy that she could only tolerate the fruit cocktail, but if we had an orange, that would go down even better. We never have oranges… I did find a banana for her later, and she seemed pleased to have something to take back to her room. I hope she took all of her germs too!

       Because there were BBQ plates left from yesterday, we had food to carry over, and the guys assured me it would be served out this afternoon and evening when folks come for a snack.

       I was exhausted when I left, but it's always a good tired, and I hope all of your tired this week is the good kind too.