Hi Inky --

There seems to be a lot of "mixed up" going on. My situation isn't as desperate as yours, bec. I have some savings left, but I, too, don't know where to live, how to support myself, and I am angry at who and what contributed to my losing parts of my life that I valued.

Yesterday, I was making phone calls to find a room in a home, and something I said triggered a young man, 29, to start confessing that he is messed up, doesn't know what he wants to do, is drinking too much, needs more stability. He wound up asking me -- almost begging me -- if I would rent an apartment, and we could live together. Yeah, right, I'm gonna go live with a young strong guy who describes himself as 6'4" (I'm 5'6"), drinks too much, is as messed up as I am, and whom I've never met before. Yeah, right.

At any rate, that doesn't have much to do with you -- other than -- there's a lot of us searching for stability, clarity, and peace of mind right now.

You are going through so much right now -- you are doing GREAT. I honestly think I would just curl up in my car and never leave it. I don't think I could do what you are doing. I can't even begin to imagine how hard this must be for you.

Angry? I should think you would be outraged. I am outraged for you and by our society. There were almost no homeless people when I grew up. Reagan and the "compassioniate conservatives" changed all that. It used to be that one man could support his family on his paycheck. Now, mom and dad both work, sometimes 2 or 3 jobs. With no job security, no health benefits, no retirment funds. Oh, yeah, it's a great old world out there.

And somehow you have been able to take care of yourself through all this. You are a shining example, as far as I'm concerned.

I hope there is much love and peace and blessings for you in the very near future, Inky.