Something for you to eat on

I got a link to check on a process known as a liver cleanse. There's an assessment question and answer section that gets to the down and dirty, no pun intended.

It asked if I'd ever had my colon cleansed. While my diet while homeless wasn't 'all that', I can honestly say that nothing went in the wrong direction than things should normally flow.

They don't go there either. Not once did I see anything involving the back doorway. Everything's nice and going the way things should.

.: This ain't your daddy's 8-track player

Years ago people living on the streets didn't have as many options for entertainment that were as mobile as them. CD players damaged easily by salt air breezes over time, cassette players even more susceptible, and 8 track players that were bulky with a huge push bar for changing tracks.

Today we've got MP3 players that are smaller than a person's thumb and can store in many cases four hours of audio. The choices are unlimited, compared to technology years ago...we make what we want rather than rely on manufacturers.

Ten years from now maybe we'll have a plan that can keep up with technology that keeps people in homes.

.: The Accident That Could Have Been Avoided

Back in 2006 during the 'living in a van down by the river' months, my daughter and I were involved in an accident in that same vehicle driven by the owner. Pictures of it can be seen here.

The owner was a good person, but lied about holding auto insurance. During later months when my wife dealt with an attorney, we found out that the owner was suing the driver of the vehicle that hit his van. We also found that the same attorney was handling his case as was ours, and the attorney was not willing to go after the van owner further.

Before you get in a vehicle don't be put off by demanding to see someone's insurance policy. Don't let someone else's lie of convenience cost you possibly later.

.: Teaching others to think big when they themselves can't

When you talk to someone who's homeless, sometimes the conversation turns to their hopes and aspirations. Often the process leads to tales of happiness with just the basic of needs, sometimes to the thinker as mere fantasy than possible reality.

Some people plan getaways through fractional ownership, but the difference between the two mindset's is the size of a virtual Grand Canyon. If you're going to think, think big! When you talk to someone that's homeless, encourage them to think positive...and bigger.

.: Haves and Have nots

After someone gets a home of their own, they'll go through the steps of solidifying things. Pretty soon a year later and they'll be looking to start getting into creature comforts, television, cable, music, or a speaker mount for different applications.

In the face of this will be many critics. Let them in their jealousy rant over things they can't control. People thriving brings out negative from the most childish of our residents at times. In the end it's not a matter of the 'haves' and 'have nots'...it's a matter of the 'have nots' being the ones without it in their heart.

.:. Making reality from mere thought

Wilmington real estate...home, by the sea. Tranquility comes to mind from songs over a decade old of a lifestyle reminiscent of care free living, with the sound of waves lapping at the sand and dolphins to talk to in a briny lagoon.

Fantasy is sometimes a mixture of things the mind has experienced with the blanks filled in without the minded person's knowledge it's subconscious is doing so at the time. But with such a place available, one can turn mere fantasy into reality...if one's mind focuses enough.

.: Make your own clean air act happen

One of the most common problems affecting millions of homeless people, besides homelessness, is respiratory problems ranging from slight asthma to serious and sometimes fatal emphysema.

Both in shelters and in newly acquired homes something to help any of these maladies would be air cleaners. In fact any household will benefit from their use, since their ultraviolet light generated kills mold!

There's also the fact that your house won't smell as much like it has someone with the fragrant scent of homelessness still clinging to them.

.: You will be in a position one day for this

Homeless or homey, sheltered or not, life insurance can mean something to someone. The chance to make sure things are taken care of when everything else has fallen through.

Not necessarily for the homeless, but for those having family or friends who are. Many people don't realize that funds can be directed in most cases to be handled by someone able to help someone handle decision making with a large lump sum or finances distributed over time.

Make a good impression

Homelessness doesn't have to be ugly. Sometimes it can be a fashion show. I mean, let's face it, if you wanna get out of the low areas you've gotta dress to impress.

Over the years I've seen pretty much every type of attire on the streets of Jacksonville. Leather, punk, goth, and a even an Armani suit. The only thing he needed was replacing his old wrist rocks for a set of gold cufflinks

Light Up When It's Dim

Back in 2007 there was the 'Living in a van down by the river' posts here on the blog. Without the comforts of air conditioning, no access to the internet at night, and a really big problem with lighting.

If you've got friends or family that are homeless, take a look at a rechargeable flashlight. Beats not seeing something after lights out or the sun goes down.