DAY THREE—I LIVED

    My neighbor joined me at the shelter today. When she asked for an assignment, I handed her a 10-pound sack of potatoes (donated yesterday). Thank goodness she was there to peel those because fresh vegetables are seldom used due to their processing needs. Those 10 pounds, sans bad spots, produced enough for 30 dinner plates.
     Buddy and I heated some of yesterday's donated meatloaf and a can of peas for the other two plate slots, then put a hot roll in the middle. Dinner for tonight looks good!
     For lunch, we cooked frozen pizzas—those cardboard things with fake toppings. However, we generously slathered them with shredded cheeses and ham. Then we found some canned pineapple in the pantry, so some of the pizza was "ham and pineapple," and folks liked it! There were two fellows sleeping on the floor of the foyer when we went to the pantry. It always surprises me to see those guys, and I hope I never become immune to the sight of them.
     My neighbor left after about 2 hours, but Buddy and I still had many chores, and truthfully I believe a third person on that shift would be a good thing. Buddy is often busy gatekeeping, and I am not able to do heavy cleaning, but I'm learning my way around the dishwasher, the 5-gallon disposal, stacking soda crates out back, and not letting the door close behind me…
     I filled another 8 cups of coffee into another 8 filters.
     The Chinese fellow was there today, and he offered two old sayings, but I didn't have time to write them down. The little boy came in with his dad, and I gave his dad a wooden airplane kit. Then I gave the child a paddle ball. "I want an airplane!" the child whined.
     "Yes, but maybe you could use someone to help you with the instructions," I suggested. He was not amused. Dad pocketed the airplane kit, and later I saw the child jumping around with his paddle ball. I hope they have a good bonding moment constructing the plane.
     Buddy is such a treasure and so entertaining. He often offers a bit of theater such as returning to the kitchen and holding out his hands as if to ask for this dance (the music is always going). I showed him how I "dip" my broom partner. He has many fun voices too, as do I—we'll have a voice-off one of these days.
     The lady who called to ask me to come in these past 3 days was there briefly this morning. She smiled apologetically and said "thank you," as if I were doing something heroic. I assured her the pleasure is all mine, but I understand how she sees it—as a job. Sad.
     So that's it for this week—until Friday and unless there is a crisis before then. Ima miss it.