Miss Buttons

I only know her as "Buttons".  I first encountered her the day I was moving into the new digs.  I would quickly learn, everyone in the neighborhood knew Buttons.  She's not around much after real winter sets in, but reappears come warm weather with her own version of "normal" this day (Monday official Memorial Day) she played her part, celebrating deep in her cups and breaking out her traveling "yard" sale.

I asked Buttons if I could take her photo with her yard sale.  "Well you better buy sump'tm then, sugar." she said.  As always, I tell her I'll look.  Decked out as appropriate for the holiday (like any good sales person), Button shows me what
one of her best items.

Miss Buttons

I suggested she give me a over the sholder look; something sassy like the red carpet, when I realized within a year her deminished capacity.  A year ago, Buttons would have understood, and given me a full on over the sholder Diva of the Block pose.

"Chicago CUBS" safty pinned to her bum...mere shadow of the spunk Buttons first greeted me with 3 years ago.

Happy Memorial Day

"We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields." 

~from In Flanders Fields John McCrae

I love you Robbie...may you be safe while I try to be brave.

The Lord's Work Is Never Done

From The National Coalition for Homeless Verterans:

"Although flawless counts are impossible to come by – the transient nature of homeless populations presents a major difficulty – the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) estimate that over 67,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness. Only eight percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans."

To date (2012) the highest number of persons experiencing homeless within the homeless population are veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Now what does that sign say?

This Memorial Day we honor our brave men and women who have given their lives protecting this country.

See how you can get involved in the fight to end homelessness for all Americans:

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
http://www.nchv.org/

National Coalition for the Homeless
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

National Alliance To End Homelessness
http://www.endhomelessness.org/