The Hit List - Down on Your Luck in a Cruel Climate

It’s hard to be homeless in my hood. This climate does not make it easy.

As soon as the nip of winter starts to show, you see very little street people around these parts. Truth is, our homeless population is pretty invisible. Milwaukee is not a friendly place to be down and out.

So when I see the young woman standing shivering at the corner with her cardboard sign, I have no choice but to give to her.

When I see the junkie nodding out, not aware that his coat is wide open and the gusts of wind are chapping his skin and freezing him to the bone, I feel incredible sadness.

Anyone in trouble without a roof over their head really tears me up. (Don’t even get me started on homeless pets.)

My tender soul cannot take it.

I often wonder: where do they go? Where do they eat? Does their family still care?

And how?

As in: how did “this” happen.

What is their story? What led to this?

Every homeless person has a story to tell. It’s usually a sad one. Years ago, when I used to live in New York, I remember seeing an older couple huddling together in the rain and snow under a doorstep. One day, she was gone and he was alone in their regular spot. Soon, he was gone too. I never got to know them or their story.

I’m still haunted by that. Their image is with me every time I see anyone out there in the cold.

My heart bleeds and I want to help.

I want to give.

So I do.

I’ll often get flack from people when I dip into my pockets. “Why are you doing that? You know where that money will go.”

Truth is, I don’t.

It may go to food. It may provide a night in a warm bed. It may be wasted on drugs or alcohol or something illegal. I don’t care. Once it’s out of my hands and into theirs, it’s not up to me to lecture them on what they should or shouldn’t do with that money.

If my help brings comfort (however they decide that comfort will be), then I can live with it. Am I enabling? Perhaps.

But the thought of being out in the frigid temps with zero dignity…I’d like to offer a bit of comfort and ease if I can. I’m not sure if my dollar makes anyone feel better at all. It probably doesn’t.

But I still do it.

Because Milwaukee is not a good place to be down on your luck.

Memo to the “protester” wearing expensive winter clothes and holding a sign stating that “homeless people get food stamps”: yes, it sucks to have junkies panhandling in your hood. I get that. But seriously? Snark is the last thing anyone needs. Especially from someone who obviously has never missed a meal and can afford expensive snow gear. Let’s work to find a compassionate solution instead.

Statistics on homelessness from the National Alliance to End Homelessness

From Just Give: 35 Ways to Help the Homeless

Hear the stories of homeless people: Invisible People TV

How to Help the Homeless When it Gets This Cold

Paw prints in the snow.

Other stuff:

The 11 poorest cities in the United States. My city is #2 on the list right behind Detroit. If you go a mere four blocks up from my house, the poverty rate jumps from 30% to 70%

I’m loving what this pizza place is doing to help the homeless. BRILLIANT and so kind!

How to get by when you are living in extreme poverty. True stories from people who’ve been there.

Words of wisdom about creativity from Ira Glass. YES!

On my wish list: the smallest restaurant.

I love Alexandra Franzen’s smart posts like this one: Keep the channel open.

Guy who hates Obamacare can’t find a single true fact to support his claim. 11 million people and counting!

What not to wear after 50: the final say. Sorry but the too many hats works for some of us! Ha!

To cheer you up on this cold day: Celebrities who look like mattresses!

Want to become location-independent? The good people at The Unconventional Guides just dropped a new course: Live and Work from Anywhere. Check it out!

From the always wise Susan Hyatt: You can’t “outsource” all of the hard work. Right on!

Angelina Jolie is winning my respect, hard for this: opening up an academic center to combat violence against women in war zones. WOW. Mad props, lady.

Catjacking: 25 famous paintings photo-bombed by a fat cat!

I just love this story to death: anonymous boy sends Valentines to EVERY girl in his school. Whatta sweetheart!

Must see: A surreal critique on society’s pressure on women.

Montreal has a mermaid school! How awesome! Unless you can’t swim. Which I can’t. I’m out.

Not clowning around: Louie the Clown is back home after spending ten creepy years in a sex offender’s house.

Loving Mihaela Noroc’s stunning portraits of women from around the world. So much beauty!

Also grooving on these pics of San Francisco’s punk scene. Love the picture of Iggy Pop!

New goodness over at Little Red Tarot: The agony and ecstasy of choosing a new tarot deck. (Every tarot reader will relate to that!)

Little Red Tarot is also offering a very affordable and cool tarot course: The Alternative Tarot Course. Only $25! It’s a steal!

Mystic Mentor has a class you might want to check out: Spirit Speak – Trance Writing. Connect with your spirit and write, baby, write!

I got the most BEAUTIFUL shout out from Tanya Geisler over here: Even the cards love Step Into Your Starring Role. This made my day. Hell, it made my YEAR! I love it when my work helps people. By the way, Tanya Geisler helps women step forward and claim their place in the spotlight. Become the leader you were meant to be with her Step Into Your Starring Role program. It’s where all the lady bosses are hanging!

I’m in love with this: Rebecca Minkoff Three Row Band Ring, Size 7.

Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth just released this memoir and it promises to be epic: Girl in a Band: A Memoir.

I just adore makeup artist Michelle Phan. She’s got a new book too: Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success–Online and Off.

On my wish list: Financial Sorcery: Magical Strategies to Create Real and Lasting Wealth from Jason Miller. Once I finish my current stack, this is mine!

What I’m Grateful For:

My home

My family

A warm meal on a cold day

Love

Compassion

Being able to help

Soundtrack for 2/21/15: “Changes” by 2pac – because some days, only 2Pac sums up my mood.