Today made up for many of the tough or frustrating days I've had lately. Today I got to give blood for the first time in over twenty years. Coming from the UK, where I'd donated blood a score of times, to the USA meant that because of fears of CJD, I was denied the opportunity as I was a potential carrier of mad cow disease prions. For whatever reason, this barrier was recently lifted, and today I spent my lunchtime donating. After some effort, and a few failed attempts to find a suitable vein, success! The phlebotomist announced that I was finished, took the full bag of blood, and told me it was on its way to do some good. I promptly burst into tears, carried away with the joy of being able to make this gift available for a future anonymous someone. It felt good, worth the wait. Even my loathing for the dawdling Pokemon Go drips cluttering the city on Monday is largely forgotten now. I'm only sad they didn't have Avengers bandaids for me to flash.
I have also made some progress in finding somewhere to settle again. A farmer friend has set aside a patch of ground near his house, a place where future Kevin will be able to put a trailer or tiny house. Now all I need is that structure, and the means to buy it. Until then I will continue to sleep in my car; thankfully the city has enabled a program set up by a non profit and supported by various churches in the area. This means that at least for now, I will have a safe place to park up to sleep after dark, and while it's not ideal, at least I am free from the fear of being moved on my the Polis. There's a surprising sense of community, five regulars gathering twice a day, morning and evening and volunteers who bring food, drinks and encouraging support.
I continue to heal and grow stronger. I am still in pain from time to time, but it's only really if I'm stretching or twisting my upper body. Getting in and out of the car occasionally makes me fully aware of where my poor traumatised ribs are, but I am grateful that the worst is behind me. I get some exercise at market each weekend, and that can only improve things. I wish I had more work, but at least I can put fuel in the car and my own belly, with enough left over for occasional treats. I occupy my mind with lots of reading and some occasional writing here and am grateful for the support of many friends in both the real and virtual worlds (that includes you!). I am currently reading the excellent Blindsight, and have found a second-hand copy of Lark Rise to Candleford, a book I've been wanting to re-read for twenty years. After i'm done with it i'm going to send it to the Dryad, as I reckon she'll love it.
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/ Today is Prickle-Prickle, the 20th day \
\ of Bureaucracy in the YOLD 3191 /
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