
I went house hunting today. Wow. We've lived in the same place for so many years, and all of a sudden we want to move. Mel looked at the sales sheets I collected and wants to go check them out tomorrow. Not sure we will, but we want to.
I need a pool. It's pretty much the best therapy for injured spines, and I found one house with a pool in all my hunting. Unfortunately, it's an outdoor pool, so it wouldn't work for me in winter. And now style is in question. I want something besides the ranch style houses I've lived in most of my life. I want something with more open space, lighter, airier atmosphere, something different, near others who are like me and where I'll feel safe when Mel works at nights. That may be hypocritical for someone writing a series about helping the homeless, but one must be protected as well as kind. Sorry, I'm just going to be hard-nosed about that.
And yet who am I to spend my writing time looking for a new--to me--house when so many others have nothing? Here in our community, we have few homeless, and are shocked when we go to the big city and see so many. Last week, Mel and I saw a homeless man with a shopping cart and a husky dog. That was a special gift for him. That man and his dog will be in a book soon in our series entitled Jolly Mill Secrets, romantic suspense with medical characters--our brand.
I hope my efforts to bring the plight of the homeless to light will be helpful for those who need to know.
Remember, it's not a sin to have a home to live in. I do believe the sin comes in when we never help those without the blessings we've been given financially or materially. The extent to which you give is between you and God.
So...what's your favorite house style? Colleen asked recently, what kind of decor? I think I favor many of those houses at Catalina--ocean style, with the feel of sand and scent of salt in the air just because of the pale and calming colors used to paint. I could use all the help I can get, since I'm not a decorator. Any hints?
Herman Melville once said: "Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity, nothing exceeds the criticisms made of the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed and well-fed." Let's not look down our noses at those who don't have our blessings, but be grateful for what God has given us.
Labels: Catalina, helping the homeless, Homeless, house hunting