Now this is a great title for a book. I need to get going on this one. Days like today, I wonder why I am wasting my time doing things other than writing.

I spent a better portion of the day in the Palmer Train Depot, a former train depot turned public space. Wood floors, high ceiling, it’s not hard to imagine the structure as a train station with people coming and going. It’s the sort of space I’d like to live in, since I am a fan of open spaces.

I have often envisioned living in a loft in New York City. In fact, there was a time when this may have been a distinct possibility. My life was at a crossroads – I could have moved to New York City, or I could have bicycled across country. I chose the latter.

I regret not continuing on once I hit the west coast and continue around the world. I had hoped to meet another person who had a similar aspiration, but this hadn’t happened. So I mooched the existence in Portland, Oregon for two years then headed to Alaska.

Here I was, today, in the Palmer Train Depot, at an event sponsored by the United Way – the purpose was to provide free warm clothing to children and information about specific services. I was there promoting the BLBP, as were seven other volunteers at various times.

The first problem was that we were told the start time was 10:00 a.m. Turns out it was noon. The second problem was that there was no critical mass. Children and adults literally trickled in the door, hung out, grabbed swag, played with the hula hoops and other sundry items, took some clothing, and made off with a few books.

We have these new chairs, which have no legs, just seats. They are comfortable to sit in. I had these on hand, and lap desks and crayons and coloring books. Someone had set up a table on legs in the center of the room and those who wanted to color were coloring there.

I did read two books to a total of four children. And I gave parents information packets that took me hours to put together. And I talked with Hally who is heading up Kid’s Kupboard for a while – she got some work done, wrote up a board report.

And I talked with our volunteers. And come to think of it, I took off at noon and went back to the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel and had my math lesson. It didn’t go as well as I’d have liked. There are some things about percentages that I don’t yet understand.

I’ll get it. I’ll do a review. By next Monday.

And so was it a waste of a day? Yes. Absolutely. Dog almighty, I am glad that days like this are few and far between. If they were not, I would literally die of boredom.

I couldn’t even turn this into an interesting dispatch....

Next: 316. 11/25/25: Huh?