From the comedy is not kind department...

Am in California again on a parent care mission.  Went to the post office today to mail a package to the Glory Hole. Enclosed was a check to be used for their holiday food needs, and a half dozen pair of barely used, clean and bleached socks. These socks were instruments of torture for me, did not give me happy feet, and made a big contribution to my worsening TDS.

For some reason I couldn't resting putting a handwritten sticker on it that said, “The Glory Hole, Juneau's soup kitchen of choice and a world class homeless shelter and hospitality house. Actually this was in no way a belittlement of of any facet of the Glory Hole's operation, its staff or clients.

Rather it was a rip on the meaningless use of 'of choice' and 'world class.' They have been around for at least 20 years. Why I don't even want to know. I just can't stand 'em.  Why don't their users clarify who is choosing? And some comparison criteria be noted. And how do I get in touch with the WCCC. That is as everyone knows the WORLD CLASS CERTIFYING COMMISSION!  Who appoints them?  And who funds there operations?

But I'd rather listen to those words all day long, then read some of the hate posts lately in Craigslist, SE Alaska rants & raves. There is some sicko putting up some really gross posts about Obama, Muslims, African Americans and more. Am all for free speech and opposed to censorship, but I thought  we as a country had moved beyond derogatory stereotyping humor. Is there any silver lining of hope for our future?

The hero who ate bagels 2 at a time!

This is a note I just sent to Angel, 1 of Ada's twin daughters.  And I'd like to share it. The words spoken about Ada at her memorial have effected me and made me think about the person I am.

Angel,

I knew Ada from the time she was pregnant with you and your sister. I don't think you knew or even heard of me, as my connection with Ada was tenuous. I knew your father from the time I worked at the Department of Labor. Jack was one of my favorite customers at my business. This is where I met Ada. I had a vending stand on the corner by Juneau Drug. It was called Mickey's Bagel Bistro. In the summer of '83, (I may be off a year), Ada would come every morning and get 2 onion bagels with cream cheese. I was always very generous with the cream cheese. Lief Saya would get a bagel with a thick 2 – 3 inch load of the stuff. Other customers told me that instead of getting cream cheese at the store, they'd get a bagel with cream cheese, take it home and scrape most it off and have enough for at least a week. Leif would eat every bit of his. Ada was obviously pregnant, and I'd tease her about what the result would be from eating 2 bagels every day. And that is exactly what happened; she had twins!

Since then I have told that story so many times about the women who had 2 bagels everyday, and had twins, that all of Juneau and then some surely has heard it.

I was going to tell that story at her memorial, but the words of you and your sister were so powerful, it made my story seem trite to me. The Ada you knew was different then the one I knew. She never said much, but she was always friendly and had this mysterious little smile. I wish I had known her better. You are fortunate to have had a mother like her.

Best wishes on your journey through life.

Mickey

AKA the Bagel Man or Mickey's Bagels.

PS/Please feel free to share this with your sister or anyone else you would like to. Ada was a wonderful person and a hero!