More Progress on the Shelter

Time goes so quickly. It is Saturday, and then it is Saturday again before we do much of anything. But this week we did make what seems like more progress, despite the snow and the ice and the rain. Today was a mucky, get stuck in the mud day. Since the ground has not grown new cover since the land was cleared for the shelter to be put in place, it is slick when the drizzling rain keeps on and on. So one of our helpful volunteers got stuck today when he was tired and hungry and ready to go home. Between Dave and the volunteer's father who was also working, he got out. Then Dave had a hard time getting his big Chevy truck out, and did some fancy sideways-sliding, so the father pulled him out, too. My Toyota Sienna hesitated a bit, but climbed right up that hill. Go, Toyota.

But back to progress. The water heater is hooked up and working. That is a blessing, because that is one more item in the house we had moved in that we just had to wait to see if we would have to replace. One shower is in place, and the sheetrocking, bedding and taping in the apartment are complete. When the doors are installed, the floor covering down, the plumbing connected, and the painting completed, then our directors could move in. Maybe a couple of weeks.

If you read about the couple in Houston who had to quit feeding the hungry in downtown Houston because they lacked the necessary permits, and according to authorities, were not likely to be able to get them, and wonder if we will have to quit, we won't, at least for that reason.  We have a certified kitchen and the necessary permits, and should be able to get those for the shelter, also. Can't predict other events that may occur, but at least those items are okay for now. Lots of questions come to mind about that situation, such as how much protection do we need for anyone?  One of their defenses is that the poor have less health care; therefore, we need to regulate what they get to eat. One might wonder if it is better to get food prepared in homes than the leftovers from the dumpsters, or that they might at least have some food. Whatever number of meals these folks were serving  will be absent. Sounds like more hunger to me. There were suggestions that they partner with other groups. Might work, might not. We shall see.

I wanted to upload some pictures, but Linux and I are not getting along well enough. (Later--remember when we used to put that in letters when we would get around to adding something to it? Don't see that much in email).  The picture is of the shelter kitchen, before we installed the pantry shelves so we could put some of the clutter away. Mary Kathryn, see your old microwave being used?