Eat the Homeless

Over the last few weeks, I've encounter the same homeless gentleman on my ride to and from the office. Several of the usual cliches seem to apply. Darkly tanned, shopping cart filled to the rim with all manner of items and I don't have enough insurance to cover the man's needed dental work.

Near the end of the mini-heatwave we suffered through near the beginning of the month, I was passing under Cornhusker Highway on the way home, when I saw this guy stumble and take a knee underneath the overpass. "You okay, man?" I asked, pulling up near him. He didn't say a word but was sweating bullets so I offered him my water bottle. He tilted it back and began to chug it dry, pulling the water in until the sides of bottle caved in. Then he just walked away, so I rode off.

A few days later I found him further North, near Superior. Just East of 27th St. If you know the area, you know that there is nothing there. The trail slips between two cornfields that I believe the University owns. It's the perfect place to setup camp, which is what I believe this man has done. Seclusion. Tree lined for shade. The Salt Creek available for water.

A few days ago, I was on my way to work and when I neared the Cornhusker underpass, I could see there was a lot of shubbery down on the path. As I began to drop under the highway, I again found my friend, hacksaw in hand, cutting down the shrubs and weeds around the bridge. I bunny hopped a small section and just rode on in slightly amazed. He's never actually cleaned the shrubs off of the path. He job apparently completed.

I see him everyday. This morning he and his cart gave room when I told him I was coming by him on his left. He didn't look up as he pushed his cart from the front, constantly adjusting and it twitched its way along the path.

I'll be interested to see what happens to my friend as Fall approaches. He's working his own system though only he really knows what that may be.