“Keep following that vortex of Hope!” Encouragement from a concerned stranger.
Category: Straddling the Curb
A Dog’s Eye View – Raptors Reflection!
The reflective photography was practiced under the pretense of taking a picture of Buddy’s new second hand mint condition truck. In reality, while heading up his driveway to drop my poop bag into the green bin, Mother caught a glimpse of her own visage in the window and couldn’t resist a selfie. That’s why we spy 3 images of her and only 1 of the vehicle. Mom thinks it turned out cool and that she looks like a Hoodlum or a Hollywood Paparazzi straddling with a beautiful beach in the background! U can’t see it clearly, but she is wearing a 2016 Drake Night Raptors jersey.
During the 2019 NBA Playoffs, Streetgirl donned the same tee-shirt for 8 full days in the hopes that it would bring her luck. However, regardless of city wide fervor, she made less coin than normal from the drivers in the cars at the curb. Jeff joked that it was due to the curse carried by Super Star Drake since his name is clearly written upon the back of it. Someone else suggested the large sketch of prayer hands prominently displayed on the front of the shirt is a turn off to some. However, Streets has never found religion to be a factor when panhandling and u know her sign says ‘GOD BLESS” at the bottom and there are a whole lot of believers out there. I think its cause everybody was spending much money on game tickets and championship memorable merchandise such as hats, flags, and clothing in support of the team. Nothing but nickles and dimes left. Still, every penny helps! After the Toronto Raptors won and Canada celebrated in frenzy, Mom swiped the shirt off Streetgirl’s back, in the wash it went, and now u glimpse it upon her in this photo. Hence the title, ‘Raptors Reflection.”
Quotes from Streets: Standing Tall
“Stand tall, don’t you fall oh, don’t go and do something foolish,” Burton Cummings, 1976
“Hey, where you been? Aren’t you working now?” Streetgirl asks the younger panhandler who she hasn’t seen for a few months.
“I lost the job, my home burned down, and my Dad died after being diagnosed with stage four cancer; a blessing in the sense that he didn’t suffer long.” With sadness in her eyes she described being “so depressed”. Back now, ready to humble her-self once again in order to survive. To stand tall and “keep on going”.
All Streetgirl could offer the other was a hug. Such is life!
Still Alive!
Jeff almost died from an overdose last month, but by sheer luck and/or the Grace of God he did not! This is what he told me when I paused to say hello on my way to a long postponed mammogram; a symptom of severe anxiety drives me to defer essential medical appointments among other things, but this year I am pushing forward and forcing myself do what may seem simple to you.
One evening he decided to treat himself to a twenty piece of crack, obtaining the product from an established local dealer, stopping at the empty bus shelter on Flemington to have a “quick puff” before trudging through the snow up a steep ridge, then descending the ravine and settling into his tent for the night. The drug was an afterthought; the pleasure of a crackling glow to ease the darkness of loneliness. Having bought extra batteries at the dollar store beforehand, the short term plan was to smoke the rest while listening to the game on his portable radio. Instead, Jeffry passed out the second he inhaled. Continue reading “Still Alive!”
Quotes from Streets: Farewell Friend
Seeking solace and a blessed place to say her prayers, Streetgirl flew her sign yesterday, straddling the curb and strolling up and down the island. Those same paths that her panning peer, so-tagged The Veteran, had ambled thousands of times. It was chilly, but they’d been out in far worse weather and enjoyed it too; a freedom of sorts. If it was Joe he would be wearing a toque, thin shirt under a jacket year-round day and night, and sandals without socks; even though someone had given him a pair of boots two months before his passing. Thrilled to tell the tale, how he’d been snoozing in the sun behind the gas station when a guy came by and offered to take him to Canadian Tire to buy a winter coat and footwear. One of so many kind gestures afforded him by strangers. That night they dumped his dirty smelly old one down the garbage shoot in our building as a ceremonial gesture and he donned the gift until the day he died. Continue reading “Quotes from Streets: Farewell Friend”
Quotes from Streets: Musical Trivia!
A five dollar bill visible in one hand the woman pokes her head partway out the window and says, “Quick question. Who is the composer?”
Never been strong on trivia, perhaps due to perceived trauma Christmas 1980, 20 years old and playing the brand new board game sensation “Trivial Pursuit” with the family, led by an intellectual and dominating father and two older smarty-pants brothers; she was bound to lose. However, today the unmistakable ominous first four notes of “Symphony No. 5” coming from inside the car jogged Streetgirl’s mind to emit an immediate unwavering response.
“Beethoven!”
And the music lover passes the money with a smile, “You win.”
A Dog’s Eye View – Time does Heel!
By the way, of course I realize that I spelled heal incorrectly in the title of this tail. The moral of the following story is to pay attention to your instincts and slow down People! Continue reading “A Dog’s Eye View – Time does Heel!”
Up or Down?
Years back Streetgirl found a horse-shoe on one of her walkabouts, can’t quite remember which spot, somewhere between here and there. It laid about for awhile and then I decided to hang it by the door. Inside of course. Before doing so, I googled which way was the right way, but found there wasn’t one. Continue reading “Up or Down?”
Perspective – Summer 2018
Looks like an ideal spot for a nap by the lake, doesn’t it? Not! This is a hammock hung by a Canadian Aboriginal homeless man on a steep slope of trees and bushes along the edge of the highway leading to the Allan Road Ramp where he panhandles on a daily basis.
