STONE SOUP and LIVER SPOTS

     The plan was for me to make "my soup" today, but Doug got excited when he arrived at 9 this morning, and he put a bunch of the ingredients in a big pot. When I got there at 10, he couldn't wait to show me his creation! And he'd done well. All it needed was a half gallon of water, a can of pintos and some pasta noodles. "I didn't know you could put beans in the soup," he said.
     "Sure you can. It's stone soup; you can put most anything you have in it."
     He ate 2 bowls full, long before we served lunch. We had grilled cheese sandwiches and cubes of cheddar and pepper jack, for those who wanted them. Nearly everything was consumed, and many of our guests had 2 and 3 servings! Even the Fancy Lady had three bowls of soup. I'm still scrutenizing—she has liver spots on her hands—dead giveaway to senior citizenship. Hottie once told Doug that she was 70. I simply cannot believe that—but beautiful she is, and young she is not. She calls me "Sweetie." I wonder if that's a "sweet old thing" sweetie or a "young little thing" sweetie.
     Speaking of discernment: One of our resident men told Doug last week that his wife was a nice lady. Doug said, "When did you meet my wife?"
     "She's here with you every Sunday," the man said.
     "No... not my wife… that's Miss Joy."
     "Well, y'all get along like husband and wife."
     This gives us a LOT of pause because one wonders if "get along" means all the fun we have together or how we jab one another like teenagers or what. Too, Doug and my first born are the same age. Still, when you put a ball cap on us, we all look about the same, I guess.
     Most of the regulars were there, but our young Chinese fellow was not. I'm coming to know this group fairly well, and that makes it much easier to address them and meet their needs. When the 9-year-old boy came to the counter, I asked him if he'd like a toy. I can never read his responses. There's no excitement in his eyes. I found some little playthings for him in my bag and a very nice candy from the donations box. "Don't eat this until you finish your lunch," I told him. He seemed pleased. Later, when most folks had left the dining room, I spotted the little one trying to sneak up on a man at another table (apparently they are friends). So I put on my pretend binoculars to "watch." The child gave me a secretive eye and put his finger to his lips. We were in that sneak together.
     Also, the three "kids" from the hotel across the street came for a plate of lunch and a visit. They are always amusing, and Doug and I learn about the hotel business—today's lesson was on bed making (tight sheets are a must). My little gay fellow has taken a job at the hotel too, and he was in extra-high spirits today! I love to see them happy.
     BOB (from years ago) dropped in around 1 o'clock. Doug hadn't seen him in many months. He stayed long enough for a bowl of soup and a sandwich then went on to his job. Doug said, "He wanted something, but I can't figure out what it was." Folks will come there wanting things, but surely my presence stopped BOB in his tracks. I always enjoyed working with him; we don't know why he doesn't volunteer there anymore.
     We filled 25 PBJ sacks and 12 breakfast sacks before putting up 40 dinner plates. Between the two of us, Doug and I accomplished the work of three people today. Each plate also had a roll in the center.

     Hottie sent us a couple of text messages near the end of our shift. We surely miss him.
     One of our old gatekeepers (Lanyard Guy) is returning to work a couple of days a week in the kitchen so Doug can catch his breath. I look forward to seeing him again—nice fellow.