A very busy day of fun and service

Friday was our day at the Open Door, but I had forgotten that we had been attending the noon Bible study at church.  So I had Evelyn take me downtown, leave me, and return to church.  We had a big crowd and they were hungry.  It seems that many of the same people come—probably everyday.  They might even come for breakfast as well.  I have made friends with a man who comes everyday and eats very slowly.  I have to jack him up so he doesn’t stay until 2.  He drives a nice car (as do many of the patrons) but doesn’t work anywhere. He and many others have cell phones but can’t seem to afford to buy food.  I should not complain even in my mind.  There, but for the Grace of God, go I.  Evelyn came at 2, as I had requested, but I was finished cleaning up by 1:15.  I had to loiter in front of the building for 45 minutes.  I thought some policeman might run me in for loitering.  There have been many fights and other rowdiness in the past, causing the surrounding businesses and others to complain to the law.  Things have been more amenable recently but fierce protests have been made in past years.  We came home and rested in the afternoon.  We then went to the Folkmoot parade.  At the beginning of Folkmoot, the countries have a parade in downtown Waynesville to stir interest.  It was a pleasant day but rain was forecast.  As a blessing it held off until after the parade.  People line the street and sit in their lawn chairs.  We always try to find a place on the shady side of the street.  We came home to rest until time to go to the monthly ballroom dance.  We arrived early to find that the children in Angie’s dance troupe had overrun their time.  We helped set up our dance tables and chairs.  We had a 3 piece band for the first time in quite a while.  Another unusual event was the attendance of the local 4-H club.  They were of various ages and had been taught ballroom dancing by one of the dance club members who live in Clyde.  The kids were very good mechanically but will develop some style and smoothness over the years.  It is good to see some young people learn to dance in the big band style.  We sat with Dallas and Karen and made plans to meet them for dinner and a base ball game next Tuesday.