Thinking this morning of homeless people. Yes, it's very hot in summer here, but it gets so cold in winter...They panhandle on our streets, but then we have the police make them stop. I've unexpectedly come upon a homeless woman over the bank of the Boise River, where folks couldn't see her from the park. We have to sweep our pretty streets clean of them, so they have to hide. We don't want our city's beautiful image to have a blemish. It's so cold out there at night....I wonder if any of them have ever been killed by a cougar, or how many die out there alone, and we don't know about it? How sad to be destitute and alone, and have no one know you died except maybe the officer who's called to investigate.....What about simple things like scurvy and other vitamin deficiencies? How did they become homeless? What if I was homeless, and someone gave me moldy bread because they had to get rid of it? It's so cold out there.....Yes, there are shelters, but they can't keep everyone inside all the time. They run on donations from you and me. Not every homeless person is a pycho. What if my kids and I were homeless? Would we be safe? Yes, I know: "Just get a job." Jobs can be hard to get, especially when you don't have a phone or address to write on the application. References? It's so cold out there.....

5th Annual Christmas Market