Days like 84 make me (sorta) wish for a Flintstone car. Driving does not equal exercise nor steps. It is, however, a great time to let your mind wander. The landscape of Ohio surprises and impresses me. It ranges from flat to very hilly. Farmland to mining and industrial. Affluent to destitute. After talking to Natalie about her students, I found myself paying closer attention to the homes in small town Ohio. I wonder about who lives in these homes which range from well kept to littered with junk and trash. On a previous drive through similar towns nearly every home had people sitting on porches or in chairs in the driveway. In one case, a woman was cutting a man's hair right there on Route 33. It was so refreshing it made me chuckle. That sh-- would never happen in the bubble of Nottingham Gate Estates!
Who are these people? How do they support themselves? How did they come to live in these places? What are they doing right now? Are they safe? Are they happy? Are they fed? I would venture to guess that things are probably not as good as they may seem. And as I said, some of these homes don't seem good at all.
The social worker in me wants to go door to door and hand out baskets of food. Bring in a recycling team and clean up their properties. Bring in medical, dental and psychological teams to get these people back on their feet ... assuming they aren't on their feet. The term working poor comes to mind. Having just visited Philadelphia, this problem is not confined to small towns. It's really scary to think of the world we live in and the world we are creating for our children.
My decision is to help whenever, wherever I can. One person at a time. Hopefully that little drop will create a ripple effect. More people will help and more people will be helped. Be The Difference!
Day 85, I'm headed out to run and de-stress. I have a lot to do to be ready for Minneapolis, leaving my mother with the kids, and the cruise. I'm using this blog as an excuse to procrastinate, let's call it therapy!
Day 84 - No Check
Day 85 - Check coming up!
Who are these people? How do they support themselves? How did they come to live in these places? What are they doing right now? Are they safe? Are they happy? Are they fed? I would venture to guess that things are probably not as good as they may seem. And as I said, some of these homes don't seem good at all.
The social worker in me wants to go door to door and hand out baskets of food. Bring in a recycling team and clean up their properties. Bring in medical, dental and psychological teams to get these people back on their feet ... assuming they aren't on their feet. The term working poor comes to mind. Having just visited Philadelphia, this problem is not confined to small towns. It's really scary to think of the world we live in and the world we are creating for our children.
My decision is to help whenever, wherever I can. One person at a time. Hopefully that little drop will create a ripple effect. More people will help and more people will be helped. Be The Difference!
Day 85, I'm headed out to run and de-stress. I have a lot to do to be ready for Minneapolis, leaving my mother with the kids, and the cruise. I'm using this blog as an excuse to procrastinate, let's call it therapy!
Day 84 - No Check
Day 85 - Check coming up!