When I visited at the U of I hospital this week I met a homeless man. He said he sleeps on the street with a lot of clothes on and 4 or 5 blankets to keep warm.

I asked him, “Can’t you get into a warm place or a homeless shelter?” He said, “They kick me out.”

“Where do you eat?” I asked.

“Out of garbage cans,” he answered.

That started out my day rather differently. He is only 43 years old, no job because of a foot problem; recovered from drugs 10 years ago. Can’t he hold a job, hoping he can get his foot fixed up? Didn’t he want to work and seek a better way of life? Couldn’t he get a job washing dishes in a restaurant just to have all the good food they have?

He wasn’t sure. The social worker came to help if he wanted help. But when I left I was wondering how homeless can exist when we have so much food in America. Indeed, I left puzzled.

Evening dinner guests at Verton Miller’s on Tuesday evening, November 30, were Lester J. Millers who bought the meal at Pleasantview Home sale. They invited the Perry Bontragers (on the highway), Olen Schrocks, Paul Swartzentrubers and Wilson Swantzes.

How did you like the Christmas Parade? I thought the helicopter was neat. The people with entries all put in a lot of time on the parade.

Christmas lights and decorations are going up about town. Don’t fail to drive around and look at the lights at night.

Do you enjoy living in the Kalona or midwest area? In a note to “Country” magazine, Katie Yoder from Bloomfield wrote about “A week in the life of an Amish family.” A lady from New York, New York answered and mentioned the difference in her area compared to ours. She is a volunteer teacher helping people to learn and improve their English. She goes on to say their people think New York City is the extent of our country.

How many elevators does the U of I hospital have to take people and supplies up to the eight floors? I asked Ken Carpenter today and guess what he answered. Sixty-four is the correct answer.

Is it too early to wish you people all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year? I might forget next week.

Here is a recipe for some good peanut clusters. One of my former students brought a sample and the recipe. It was from Mertice, Mrs. Lynn Miller.

Peanut Clusters

2 lb. almond bark (8 squares is 1 lb.)

2 (12 oz.) pkgs. real chocolate chips

2 (16 oz.) bags salted peanuts

In double boiler (big one) melt almond bark. Add chocolate chips. When melted, remove from heat and add peanuts. Stir well. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper.

Makes a lot (95).

Word of the Week

The word for the week is ablution. It means to clean something up or to wash up. When you take the car to the car wash, you are abluting the car. The word is also used as an important part or role in religious ceremonies.