Feeling good this evening.

[SeaCat]

My wife and I don't make a whole lot, yet we manage to keep the bills paid and food in the freezer.

This afternoon we heard about a young couple not far from us in the Park. Our neighbors told us about them. She had been sick for a while and he had just lost his job. Like us they live on the edge.

This evening we gave them a visit, and we're glad we did. When we walked in we looked around quickly and saw just how bad off they were. They had no electricity. (I logged on and visited the Power Companies Website and found they had just been cut off for non-payment. They owed a whopping $75.00. I paid that and some more to boot.) We told them to call us when their power came back on. They did so less than an hour later and we returned.

We knocked on their door and when he opened the door told him to step back. My wife and I carried in the first of two large coolers. Yes we filled their fridge and freezer even as she cried and he argued. There was nothing fancy in the coolers, but what we had bought would keep them fed for a while. When we left they just stood there in shock.

They came over not too long ago with a thermos filled with coffee. Boiled Coffee no less. We sat around drinking the coffee and talking. I learned about them and their needs. (They don't even have a coffee pot.) When they went home they carried a coffee pot and the promise from me to stop by tomorrow and check a few things in their trailer.

When they left the husband turned to me and told me he had never asked for help, and couldn't believe that anyone would help out like we had.

What could I say? My wife and I have been there, more than once. Hell we've been lower than them. How could I explain that I was just giving back the help that we had received.

Cat

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I'm glad that people like you exist in the world.

 

[cloudy]

You're a good man, Cat.

That's one thing I love about the rez. No one goes hungry there, and no one goes without a warm bed.

There are other not-so-nice things about it (like everyone knowing your business, or thinking they do), but I love the sense of community.

 

[MagicaPractica]

My wife and I don't make a whole lot, yet we manage to keep the bills paid and food in the freezer.

This afternoon we heard about a young couple not far from us in the Park. Our neighbors told us about them. She had been sick for a while and he had just lost his job. Like us they live on the edge.

This evening we gave them a visit, and we're glad we did. When we walked in we looked around quickly and saw just how bad off they were. They had no electricity. (I logged on and visited the Power Companies Website and found they had just been cut off for non-payment. They owed a whopping $75.00. I paid that and some more to boot.) We told them to call us when their power came back on. They did so less than an hour later and we returned.

We knocked on their door and when he opened the door told him to step back. My wife and I carried in the first of two large coolers. Yes we filled their fridge and freezer even as she cried and he argued. There was nothing fancy in the coolers, but what we had bought would keep them fed for a while. When we left they just stood there in shock.

They came over not too long ago with a thermos filled with coffee. Boiled Coffee no less. We sat around drinking the coffee and talking. I learned about them and their needs. (They don't even have a coffee pot.) When they went home they carried a coffee pot and the promise from me to stop by tomorrow and check a few things in their trailer.

When they left the husband turned to me and told me he had never asked for help, and couldn't believe that anyone would help out like we had.

What could I say? My wife and I have been there, more than once. Hell we've been lower than them. How could I explain that I was just giving back the help that we had received.

Cat

I hear ya. You gotta give what you've been given.

 

[rgraham666]

Damn, Cat. You give me hope.

 

[SeaCat]

You're a good man, Cat.

That's one thing I love about the rez. No one goes hungry there, and no one goes without a warm bed.

There are other not-so-nice things about it (like everyone knowing your business, or thinking they do), but I love the sense of community.

Cloudy,

I take this as a compliment.

When I hunted I used to give away a lot of what I shot. There was always someone in need. I never though twice about it, that was the way I was raised. I was also raised to never ask fo help, to get by on my own. (Doesn't that sound familiar?)

I, like so many others have gone without. Maybe that is what prompts me to give what I can. I have been there. Yet I am one of the lucky ones. I have never gone hungry for long. I can always find something to eat. (Don't ask and I won't turn your stomach. ) Maybe it is because of this, and the way I was raised, but I have rarely not helped others even when I could ill afford to. (The only times I have refused to help people was when they asked not for staples but for luxeries. I actually had a person tell me he didn't want Hamburger, he wanted steaks.)

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Damn, Cat. You give me hope.

Rob,

I don't give hope, I allow people to survive. Hope comes from within, it comes from the will to not just survive but to beat the odds.

Like I said I have been there. I had a Stew going for almost a month with things you don't want to know about in it.

There are people who I refuse to help though. Those that think that they are entitled, who refuse to work to get what they need. (There are some in my family like this.) If you aren't willing to try then I'm not willing to help you.

Cat

 

[cloudy]

Cloudy,

I take this as a compliment.

I knew you would.

 

[MagicaPractica]

There are people who I refuse to help though. Those that think that they are entitled, who refuse to work to get what they need. (There are some in my family like this.) If you aren't willing to try then I'm not willing to help you.

Cat

And yet I know a woman who literally will work until she drops and should be on medical disability but the government says no because she can do what is on their list. Doesn't matter how long it takes her to do it or if she ends up going to the hospital after working for four hours. I don't understand how so many people get away with so much and so many who truly need aren't helped by the programs I thought were set up to help them. Sorry. Mini rant. She's just such a sweet lady and I do what I can but she needs more than I have in my power. It's very frustrating.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

You're a better man than I am. I try to help people where I can, but I can't find it in me to take it to that level. That's above and beyond, and I praise you for it.

 

[tolyk]

Cat, you're an amazing man who never ceases to amaze me. I've read the vast majority of your threads and each and every one of them inspires and uplifts me.

I think this is the first time I've posted in one, but it's always because you've always left me speachless. I wish there were more people like you around this world, and really wish there were people in power like you. You should run for president *nods knowingly*

 

[joeys-game]

Your the best cat, you really are.

 

[glynndah]

Anybody else want to be SeaCat when they grow up?

 

[LadyCibelle]

Anybody else want to be SeaCat when they grow up?

I don't want to be him.....I wish for my son to be like him when he grows up....SeaCat is the Epitome of man.

 

[RiverCityWriter]

I just registered and didn't know whether I'd be posting right away, but this thread moved me to do so.

You say you don't give hope, Cat, but you help show others how to find it.

And that's the best anyone can do.

My hat's off to you and your lady, sir.

 

[Vermilion]

And yet I know a woman who literally will work until she drops and should be on medical disability but the government says no because she can do what is on their list. Doesn't matter how long it takes her to do it or if she ends up going to the hospital after working for four hours. I don't understand how so many people get away with so much and so many who truly need aren't helped by the programs I thought were set up to help them. Sorry. Mini rant. She's just such a sweet lady and I do what I can but she needs more than I have in my power. It's very frustrating.

I was in the same situation. I hate being dependent on others but people I respected told me not to be a martyr and just tell the disability people how ill I was on my worst days (my illness varies day to day) and I was lucky and go the benefit. This allows me to be self-sufficient and get my BA which means I'll be able to train as an indexer and work from home. Taking the money now means that I'll eventually be able to contribute to society again - instead of running myself into the ground and being dependent for even longer.

Things may be different in the states, but it sounds like your friend really should qualify for help.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm always amazed at how people can just walk past someone in need and not help. Twice in the last month I've seen someone in obvious distress and stopped to ask them if they were ok. There wasn't anything I could do to help, but at least I asked. I know from the past that even if they can't help it's nice to know that there are people you don't know who will take the time to check you're ok

Society makes me sad sometimes, but still occasionally surprises. Thank god for people like Seacat <kisses>
V

 

[oggbashan]

Abbe Pierre

Yesterday, Abbe Pierre died.

Abbe Pierre

He founded Emmaeus, an organisation that works with people down on their luck, to help them build back their self-esteem and to become useful and self-sufficient members of society. Anyone taken in by an Emmaeus hostel must stay drink and drug free and not draw state benefits - they must work to raise money for their own support. At first this can be around the hostel, but eventually the people must earn real money in a real job and help support the others.

Emmaeus is a Roman Catholic organisation but doesn't ask what your religion is.

Og

 

[Trinique_Fire]

Cat,

I cried when I read your post. It's been an awful past few months, and financially, things are a lot worse than I usually would let on. I've been drinking a lot of tea to keep something in my stomach simply because there really isn't any food. I'm almost sure electricity and heat are getting shut off this month, and last night the ceiling starting leaking.

You give me hope...even when it all falls apart over here...and it really is. I'm at a loss most of the time, but reading your posts warms my heart to no end.

Thank you.


Trin

 

[glynndah]

I don't want to be him.....I wish for my son to be like him when he grows up....SeaCat is the Epitome of man.

Oh, yes! That's even better! Like pages in the days of knights who were trained in the arts of warfare and chivalry. I think any time living and learning with SeaCat would be time well-spent in learning what it really takes to be a man.

 

[Misty_Morning]

Cat,

The more I learn about you, the more I am convinced that we must be related (and knowing my family that would not be a surprise)....

In RL, I tend to present myself as a totally analytical person....sometimes devoid of compassion....this really amuses my friends because they know the truth...


Peace be with you my brother.......


Much Love,

Misty

 

[SeaCat]

Cat, you're an amazing man who never ceases to amaze me. I've read the vast majority of your threads and each and every one of them inspires and uplifts me.

I think this is the first time I've posted in one, but it's always because you've always left me speachless. I wish there were more people like you around this world, and really wish there were people in power like you. You should run for president *nods knowingly*

Wash

Out

Your

Mouth

!!!!!!!

You could never convince me to get into politics. I don't believe in deceit or theft.

Although I do thank you for the compliment.

Cat

 

[Guest]

I'm glad that people like you exist in the world.

Indeed.

 

[tolyk]

Wash

Out

Your

Mouth

!!!!!!!

You could never convince me to get into politics. I don't believe in deceit or theft.

Although I do thank you for the compliment.

Cat

Nope, I'll stand by that statement You'd have to be better than Bush.. and if you weren't, it doesn't effect me, I'm not American

 

[TE999]

I'm glad that people like you exist in the world.

I third that motion (right after sarahh).

You are one cool dude, cat.

You restore my faith in humankind.

Don't run for office BTW, it would be a demotion.

 

[SeaCat]

Cat,

I cried when I read your post. It's been an awful past few months, and financially, things are a lot worse than I usually would let on. I've been drinking a lot of tea to keep something in my stomach simply because there really isn't any food. I'm almost sure electricity and heat are getting shut off this month, and last night the ceiling starting leaking.

You give me hope...even when it all falls apart over here...and it really is. I'm at a loss most of the time, but reading your posts warms my heart to no end.

Thank you.


Trin

Trin,

I sent you a PM earlier.

do not cry and do not give up. Yes things are down now, and they may even get worse. Then things do get better.

You and only you have to decide that you will survive. You and only you have to decide what you need to do to get through this.

Let me give you some hints from the Cat's survival Guide.

Accept that you will do some things you normally wouldn't do. Stay true to yourself and only to yourself.

Always clean your plate, even if you don't like it. It is food and will keep body and soul together.

Stay away from the booze and drugs. It only makes it worse and it wastes money.

It's amazing what you can do with cheap meats.

Spam and Mac and Cheese do mix, they just don't taste good.

If you get your hands on Bacon save the grease.

Eggs are cheap.

If you can find one in a yardsale, buy a Hibbachi. It's amazing what you can cook on one.

You can burn wood as well as charcoal in a Hibbachi.

It's okay to be cold or hot. It's uncomfortable to be sure but you can deal with that.

Regardless of how bad it seems to be, always stay true to your beliefs.

I have gone without eating so my wife would have something to eat. I have stolen, but only to feed my wife and myself. (When I go some money I always went back and paid for what I took. They would find an envelope beside the register with the money as well as a short note appologizing and explaining why I took from them. It doesn't make it right but I did it.) I have poached. I have bathed late at night in public fountains. Hell I have lied to survive.

In other words I have done what was needed to survive. Now look at me. I went from being homeless and living in a tent in a State Park to owning my own place in six years. You can too.

Cat