From Yreka, CA

There is a peculiar mountain formation just north of Shasta City.  It looks like Alice, my former girlfriend, and me lying side by side.  Alice is the mountain, with her curvaceous features, and I am the ridge, smoking a cigarette (I think it's a telephone pole in the middle of the ridge).

 

A relationship meant to be, but only in spirit.  That's okay.  Man can still not put that asunder.

I need Money

Dear Family Members,

I am now living in Yreka, CA, some 3 score miles north of Red Bluff on Interstate 5.  They do not have a homeless shelter here, at least I couldn't find it.  It seems people in small towns kind of freak when you ask them directions, kind of like the proverbial Vermont farmer saying to the wayfarer asking directions, "You can't get there from here."

But I have found a suitable, but cold, place to sleep during the day.  There are chairs in the lobby of the jail, although it is not heated.  I asked a man who looked important, and he said they leave the lobby open at night.  I am not sure if this is veritable information.  But it does get very cold here at night because we are very high up in the mountains.  An unusual warm spell has kept me reasonably comfortable so far, but who knows how long it's going to last.

There are several locations scattered around town where you can get a meal, each one a different day of the week.  I just got back from the Greenhorn Grange.  The had soup and cheese-covered garlic bread.  I also got two small loaves of donated bread, the kind in the paper sack; but the bread went fast.  It's only one meal a day, but I can satisfy my appetite with the bread.

Here is why I am writing all of you now.  I have never asked any of you for money, but I would like to rent a cheap hotel room for a week until I get paid on the 3rd of next month.  Could any of you please help me?  I don't have a place to shower, but there is a bathroom in the jail lobby where I can take a bird bath.  It's a small town and people are talking.  I have no way of getting out of here, unless I illegally walk on the Interstate and risk getting another $278 fine.  I hitchhiked up here and tried again this morning but no luck.  The nearest town north in Oregon is about 200 miles away.

If any of you could possible send me anything you can via Western Union, I do have CA ID.  Just send it to Yreka, CA and I can pick it up at any check cashing place or other outlet.  I will pay you back when I am able.

Thank you,

Frank

P. S.  Write me by email to tell me that you have sent the money (if you can.)  Thanks.

Jan 21 Message

Everyone,

How are you?  I am fine.  As soon as I have enough money


saved by living in the church shelter in Red Bluff, CA, I am


moving to Portland, OR, a favorite city of mine.

Best wishes,

Frank

Letter From Red Bluff

Dear Family,

 

I wound up broke in Red Bluff on the Sacramento River in N. California.  The town welcomed me and I intend to stay. 

 

Red Bluff is the Victorian house capital of Northern California.  There are farms, orchards, cattle ranches, dairies, and a very large Walmart distribution center just north of town.

 

I am staying at the First Church of God in the basement with all the rest of the homeless, about 25 of them.  They have dinner every night with plenty of fruit, scones, bagels, and hot coffee for snacks or if you want to pack your own lunch for the next day.  There is a shower.  Various local churches host the homeless thru the end of April when it's cold and rainy.

 

The Salvation Army gives out food baskets and clothing vouchers.  There is a bus system.  It's 50 cents one way, but only the police give out free bus passes if it is an emergency.

 

Lunch is Monday thru Friday at Vineyard Christian Fellowship on Walnut Street.  They have seconds and hot coffee and milk.

 

The town is run like a military garrison but it's also a tourist destination with plenty of motels in town and on the river near I-5.  There's a lot of emphasis on church attendance with a church on every street corner.  I went to a Catholic mass and it was packed.  There are not very many minorities here, but they are visible.

 

I tried collecting cans for one day, but it seems dumpster diving is not approved of here, so that's out.  The locals recycle their cans that they collect and store at home.

 

I declined mental health services because I do not want to be stigmatized as a psycho from the Bay Area, or a whacked-out veteran.  This is not a very big city and it's conservative.  I'm not too sure how I'm going to work out my relationship with Social Security if I am not in the system here.  I guess I'm on my own on that one.  But there is a county mental health system and an office for the VA here.

 

Also, there is a Community center with free showers and free laundry services with priority given to mental health clients.  Then again, I'm not in the system here.

 

I am very grateful that I have a warm place to sleep and food to eat every day.  I don't want to take this for granted.  It's nice to have a city where I can make myself comfortable, and have something to do.  I'm meeting various people, but I'm not sure what the future holds.  My biggest concern is that someone as crazy as me without firmly established means will have difficulty being fully accepted into a smaller,  and strongly conservative community.

 

It's been surprisingly interesting so far, but come what may.

 

Sincerely,

 

Frank