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So, if you're up on my life, (and I don't remember if people on this site are-via this journal) you know I work at a convenience store/smoke shop. I meet all kinds there, including, due to our location, people from the local mission.

Well, recently I met my first homeless person-that is, the first person who I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt was homeless. It was a particularly cold and windy day, and he came in wearing denim jeans and a very old military surplus parka; the kind that will keep a body warm until the coat is so threadbare it literally unravels. He bought some tobacco, asked for some matches (since we give away single books free) and I gave him a customary send-off appropriate for the day: "Stay warm!"

He replied, "Oh, I'll be ok. I've got myself a good cardboard box down by the river." The river is where the local homeless congregate to gather around their fire cans. So, what was I supposed to say to that? I think I wound up saying something like, "Oh, well, good, glad to hear it."