Ye may not remember me, but that's okay.  I don't seem to make much of an impression on people when they first see me.

Gracie's the name, survivin's my game.  Don't ask my age; I'm as ol' as the hills.  Not really, but I am old!  Got the body to prove that, too:  my body ain't worth poopoo!

I am still livin' at the homeless shelter, one of many here in Fort Worth, Texas.  Lived in Fort Worth all my life; it's the only place I know.  If I were to go elsewhere, I don't know what I'd do.

Haven't been to the hospital in a few weeks; health been behavin' itself (for once).  It sure helps havin' the mobile medical van comin' by, checkin' us once a month, make sure we ain't dyin' on 'em.

Been tryin' to watch my diet, tryin' to take better care of m'self.  T'aint easy, but I wanna do better, so there ye go.

Kenna been by, checkin' up on me ever' week after church.  She's a right nice young gal, got a good head on her scrawny li'l ol' shoulders.  I wish I could adopt her as my grandchild; I just love her so!

We had us a right big scare a few weeks ago: Joe, one of my friends here at the shelter, decided to throw a seizure.  Don't know what 'xac'ly happen, but one minute, he's talkin', next thing I know, he jerkin' 'round, like a dog hit by a bus.  Scared me slap stupid!! 

He was taken to the hospital by a big orange ambulance.  Turned out he had a stroke.  He's now in rehab, learnin' to talk, move, walk.  They say he's bad off.  I wonder where he's been.  I sure do miss him.

We have some new faces here:  Rica (she is young, has two babies with her, no more'n two, four year' old, boys), Tyrell (his mamma threw him out after she caught him screwin' an older girl; he is thirteen; the girl he mess 'roun' with was twenty two), and Eek (don't know his real name, but he's crazy, tetched in the head; he talk to himself all the time), among others.  There's more, but these three are the ones who stand out.

Seems that there's more an' more people becomin' homeless ever' day.  If it ain't by losin' their jobs, it's 'cause they get evicted or thrown out from their homes or 'partments, divorced, strung out on drugs or booze--any number a' things.  Doesn't help that ever'thin' keep goin' up in price; it's no wonder there so many poor folks 'bout.

I wonder if the next Prez will help.  Somehow I doubt it.  The one we got now (Bush) ain't worth a piece of shit.  All he care 'bout is helpin' other lands, screw us here in America.  He got this country mussed up bad; I will be so glad to see him go!

I hope Hillary get in; we need a woman's touch in the White House!  (If I could vote, that's who I'd vote for!  Never mind that Osama guy; he scare me!!)

Well, my belly rumblin'; time to feed 'er some substinance.  Got some foodstuff from a local church; clothes too.  Been a nice surprise; not too often we get new stuff here!  Here it's first come, first served; if you miss out, oh, well...there's always next time!  (Seems I'm one who usually ends up missin' out on the free goods!  Not fair!)

Take care and may God bless you good!

~Love, your friend, Gracie-the-bag lady. :)