Photography Thinks
So, Paul’s back on Cherry Street. Too bad. “Someone swiped my change…. Cops beat me up. Things getting bleak and strange here. They want me to sit 9 feet from the store, next to the gutter…. I tried to put a quarter in a meter to stop someone from getting a ticket, but they wouldn’t let me.”
I have to get him some pants.
Received a comment from someone in the virtual world about this image of Eric which I posted on dpreview. Person questioned my point of view and referenced Homer. You know, Homer of the Illiad, etc. When I shared the story with Eric, he lightheartedly and good naturedly asked if the person was talking about Homer Simpson. Could be? But the questioner had it wrong. Eric isn’t loitering. He lives here. Its a stoop. He’s sitting. Who says he needs to be going somewhere to do something? Take that Homer. This is real life.
One sleeps under a tree. One sleeps under a window. No one bothered them.
Lake Champlain has the highest levels ever. Debris marks the landscape, keeping the beaches and bike path off limits. Parks and Rec organized a cleanup. Not well publicized, so it was not well attended. Bright beautiful sun. Some might say that the weather and Lake Champlain make Burlington what it is. Maybe. It could also be that the people care about their environment, maybe to a fault. And when they give up four hours on a Saturday morning to pick up garbage, you have to feel better about your community.
Mayor didn’t say anything publicly, you know, like, “thanks.” And lots of people just rode by, walked by, or jogged by without comment. I mean, like, “don’t you care?” Marathoners showed up, but not many. They’re too busy training, hoping someone will clear a path so they can run. A person approached me. “What’s this?” “It’s a cleanup.” “I didn’t hear about it.” Then she walked away.
Lots of wood to pick up. Some had nails. Some can be used to make furniture or heat homes. Zack had a list telling us what to pickup and what to leave.
Bigger pieces on the bike path. Smaller ones in plastic bags.
No real plan. Just take a stretch of affected shore and pickup the debris.
Good exercise, lifting and bending. Picked up the stuff.
The twigs and garbage didn’t fit nicely together. Lots of trips back and forth.
Kid out for a bike ride stopped by to help. No better lesson about the value of community. I didn’t know anyone, except to know they care about where they live in the same way I do. Tell that to the kid!
The Lake overflows, ebbs, and overflows, again. We may be prevented from doing what we do due to the high water level. But we cannot blame the Lake. Hey, most of the world doesn’t have water to drink up, wash in, or play on. Lake Champlain does what it does without asking our permission and without regard to our needs. It demands our respect and our stewardship. While we cannot tell it what to do, we can make it sick and unhealthy. Too often, we take the Lake’s power and beauty for granted. Very sad.
No permits needed, yet.
Erectly.
Mike is still here. And maybe Paul can play the guitar?
Bill appears happy.
Echo’s lot has drawn water which stands still, yet.
Caveman reappeared, svelte and strong. Wants to collaborate to produce a mixed media doc about the denizens of Church Street.
Paul’s got a gutitar, but no case. No tunes, just strums.
He lasted from November 12 to May 12. Girlfriend wanted him to stop drinking. Couch crashing. No plan, so he sits and begs, again.
Oft told story. Did some stupid shit. Got sucked up by the system. Couldn’t pay court costs. Back to jail. Vicious circle. Smart and aware, but not formed.
Why did she move to the other side of the street? Better weather? Better donations? “I just needed a change,” she said.
Has just the requisite amount of energy for the day, everyday.
Happens fast. Wife has an accident. Kid overdoses. Sucks the wind from the sails. Not giving up, though.
Tom be on his way to breakfast. Just got up.
Not up yet.
Paul and Chad just got up, too. They needed a cheeseburger. Paul said Chad spilled beer on him. Not sure where they slept.
Duane got kicked out of Spectrum for fighting. Spent some time at Fletcher Allen. Treated for mono.
Other than that, not a bad start for the day.
Rainy and windy and cool. Weather only fit for those who do street.
Paul’s on the street again. Worked. Hadn’t been paid at painting job. Lost his room at Oxford House. Slept on the street last night.
Still trying to get home to Texas.
Who is Debbie?
Somebody stole Mark’s bike at the shelter. He bought another one.
Penguin’s trying to get her kid back. Went to school. They wouldn’t give her the kid’s records.
Lake Champlain has not risen this high since 1862. Not around to see that event, but I, along with others will remember this overfilling of the tub. Heavy rains. Lots of snow. Water needs somewhere to go.
The omnipresent Champ keeps watch.
Girls just want to have fun.
Or, just sit in the sun.
