Day #20247 in A small but passable life.

It was 62 degrees on Sunday. It was 22 degrees today. But the walk had to be made. I walked to the library and returned the last two books. I'd finished "Innocence" by Dean Koontz the night before. When I went to check out the two books waiting for me I was informed that my information had to be updated. She asked about my address. Yep, I'm still using the old apartment address. (Homeless people or P.O. boxes aren't acceptable. Same for driver's licenses.)

So, from the library I walked on to the post office. I found a full mailbox. A card from Jassy! She had sent a "Holiday" thank you card that her and her roommates had signed thanking me for the groceries I'd sent home with her. I'm am still awestruck at her choice of friends. She's always chosen good people to be around her.

I walked to the credit union and deposited the cash I'd taken from the ATM. The ATM takes an additional $2 every transaction so now I'm in need of a little cash to get caught up, but the scheme of "recycling" the child support payments seems to be working. I guess I'll find out for sure when I go to renew my driver's license this summer.

I stopped by the grocery store for the days supply. I stopped by the van and swapped out my knapsack for my grocery tote and headed over to the student union.

I sat and read all afternoon and into the evening.

It's going to be a cold night. It is 10 degrees outside right now. This should be the last cold(er) night until next week.

There is a definite difference between a night in the 20's versus a night in the teens or colder.

The Salvation Army's emergency shelter which only opens with a wind chill of 14 degrees or colder has been hosting around 100 people every night. Last night was the 35th night they've been open so far this winter. Last year the total was 24 nights. I always wonder how many more folks would use the facilities if they didn't require personal information. Folks with outstanding warrants stay far away from there. And folks who have canine companions aren't allowed either.

The regular homeless shelter for men with 110 beds is fully occupied. So is the woman's and children's shelter.

I can't help but think about all the thousands and thousands of square feet of floor space that are wide open all night long in the heated buildings of the churches and the universities.

It is what it is. As long as I'm high and dry and out of the wind and I've got my sleeping bag I'll be fine. It was 14 degrees in the van when I woke up the first time this morning.

But still, a slightly chubby gal to squeeze in my sleeping bag with me would probably help.

I'm still trying to digest the whole OD shutting down deal. Do you think Bruce might be a little irate at the fact that a little punk like Zuckerberg is worth billions and billions of dollars? I guess it would be hard to sell the user information of anonymous users?

We'll see if Facebook is still around after sixteen years or if blowback will blow it out.

So yeah, I've got two more books to read.