News From The Homefront

I received two parking violations...taped to the driver's side window of my truck; found them posted today - in the rain.

Toronto Police might as well have TP'd my vehicle because the papers - with the bright neon orange label that screams to all passers by that I have been a naughty girl - were so saturated from the rain that they couldn't be peeled from the glass without falling apart (see picture).

The truck needs a transmission. That has been purchased from a salvage yard but I am short $150 to install it plus, because along with that I couldn't afford the registration renewal in January. I didn't think this would be a problem since the truck is parked on my property; not on the street.

Unfortunately, the guys who removed the old trany left the truck jacked up on ramps. Hell, I might as well post a sign beside it that says " A Redneck Lives Here!" And while I'm at it, I'm trying to get my gardening done so if anyone has any spare tires they want to get rid of, I could paint them white and plant geraniums in them. If they are tractor tires, that's even better. I like that scalloped look.

So why isn't this a problem?
This building on the corner behind my house has an exterior wall that is buckling away from the upstairs window frames.

When I was a kid, it had a small market run by the family that lived here. It was a nice building with two spacious apartments that each had two bedrooms and the property was beautifully maintained.

The last owner of it died and rumor has it that he owed back taxes of the five-figure variety, yet he was still charging rent.

I reported the condition of this building to the city months ago. Orange cones were set up along the parameters to no avail.

The residents of the upstairs apartments vacated the building but there are still occupants downstairs who are still paying rent and don't seem concerned that they may be ordered to move.

Several weeks ago I told one of the residents about Ohio House Bill 9, introduced by my friend Mike Foley of Cleveland's 14th District. This bill offers protection for renters living in buildings that are subject to foreclosure.

Well, ignorance certainly must be bliss because this tenant was not at all concerned or worried about losing her home. She even said that her landlord was very good to her (imagine that!).

She and her husband have made absolutely no attempt to apply for other housing and the property has been turned over t0 the heirs of the deceased owner.

It's going to be grab and go! I am keeping my battery charged and my memory card open on my camera so that when I hear the creaking sound of the wall starting to collapse I will be ready to run out in time to video the roof coming down. Keep checking in to my YouTube Channel - thiznat. You can link to it on the right side of this page.

I'll get to it soon...
That's all I can tell my friend Sarah who posted on Facebook, "I'm impatiently waiting for your blog post on life at CWS. Were you there when it was called "Guantanamo Cleveland"? "

Yes, I was and when telling my story of being a resident at Cleveland's most notorious women's shelter, I promise I will open up more than I did when I wrote about what I witnessed while there. I now have no fear of retaliation from the staff as I did when I wrote my A Fly on the Wall series for "The Homeless Grapevine" newspaper.

Sarah blogged about her return to the shelter. We have plenty of notes to compare. Mine from the stand point of being a homeless shelter resident and hers as an activist; trying to help empower the residents.

Status on Jet and Bandit
Both of the girls are doing great although they are not growing as well as their brother Topper and sisters Tipper and Miss 'V'. Our wonderful neighbor Kristy bought two large baby medicine droppers which has been easier to use when feeding the kittens.

Jet and Bandit have had problems eating; neither one knows to suck on a bottle or tip of a syringe but they are finally coming around.

Jet was very near death and Bandit began to have problems with lethargy possibly due to malnourishment. You can read more about what happened at "Paws for a Moment" by clicking here.

Video From The National Coalition for the Homeless

They are wisely utilizing YouTube

I must applaud the National Coalition for the Homeless on posting the following video on YouTube. No explanation is necessary; just watch the video and learn from it.

I would like to know what you learned from this video. Comments are greatly appreciated.

More information about The National Coalition for the Homeless can be found in the HELP LINKS section on the right.

On The Homefront

Another bitchin' rant...
Winding along the misinformation highway...On and off the phone with various people at the IRS call center over the past two months. Remember that $300.00 stimulus payment for low income singles last year? I got mine but in order to get that payment you had to have earned a minimum of $3,000 for the year of 2007. Gary’s Social Security Disability hearing was in 2008 and he received back payments from 2006 and 2007 so I called the IRS to find out if he could still take advantage of that stimulus money. No one is quite sure; got numerous answers; got various instructions on how to fill out the 1040. I tried E-File but the form was rejected so I mailed in Gary’s 1040 form with a note explaining that each and every agent wasn’t sure but that I (and I signed my name) EXPECTED that SOMEONE WHO KNOWS would REVIEW the form and send the check that “Gary is entitled to!”.

America! Land of the free; home of the lemmings...seems that many attending the various “tea parties” across the nation listen religiously to far leaning (close to being horizontal) ‘commentators’ like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh rather than investigating the facts. “Ladies and gentlemen,” these people are NOT investigative journalists that check the facts. They are giving their opinion on things they know absolutely nothing about, things they have not thoroughly checked out for accuracy and pass that misinformation on to YOU!

Having been a precinct judge at the polls and also registering people to vote I find this video from a February 27, 2009 ‘Tea Party’ in Cleveland disturbing. And people complain about who is in office? Maybe we need to complain about the ignorance of the registered voters.



And there is also this video from the April 15, 2009 Cleveland, Ohio 'Tea Party'!

True that these videos only show interviews with the misinformed but it's scary knowing that these people ARE misinformed and probably do vote. You would not believe what I witnessed at the polls if I told you. I probably will blog about it - later.

I wish someone would stage a media event to express outrage over homelessness. Maybe not such a great idea due to who possibly could be publicizing it. Rush Limbaugh has already publicly demonstrated that he knows absolutely nothing about homelessness as well. Nor does he know about the programs that provide free cell phones to the elderly, low income and homeless in this nation. Pennsylvania has such a program as well as the Medina (Ohio) County Sheriff's Department. Click on the (>) directional arrow to listen. Click on the (V) down arrow to read the full article.

By the way, I voted for Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush only because I felt all were the lesser of two evils. I AM SO SORRY, AMERICA! CAN YOU FORGIVE ME?

If I could afford having my truck repaired I would have gone to a 'tea party' to protest...the one-time payment of $250 that Social Security, Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) recipients, disabled veterans and those receiving railroad pensions will be receiving in May. I have known about this payment coming for months; had to tell the uninformed about it. I received the 'official' letter from the Social Security Administration on Friday. With all the federal bailouts of mismanaged banks and automobile manufacturers, how is a one time payment going to help in stimulating the economy?
I say we should have $250 added to the monthly benefits; not as a one time payment!

And there's...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome compliments of Columbia Gas...I purchased my house in March 2008 and the gas company set me up with a budget plan of $54 per month. This year the budget plan rose to $164 per month. Two weeks before my March payment was due I received a billing of $285 and Friday received another billing for April of $318. The bill is due of the last day of the month. My Social Security check isn’t deposited until the 3rd so it is always late (I am always paying a late charge). I was late on last month’s bill. The gas company cashed the check two days before the bill arrived. My mortgage payment is $368.01 which I can afford; which I refuse NOT to miss paying on.
I'm wondering how anyone on a fixed income can pay such outrageous bills!

Thanks for the well in advance notice you jags!

Enuf...for now!

Susan Boyle: The Packaging May Be Plain and Simple...

but, oh, what a beautiful gift inside!

I was thinking about how society perceives others by their station in life; career, education, personal appearance, wealth or lack of, and so on.

Just two examples of stereotypical images...

If a person is homeless they are perceived as lazy, drug addicted, worthless.

In one of his blog posts, Brian Davis wrote: “I have thought about how many talented people are wasting away in our shelters and drop in centers. How many great photographers, artists, community leaders, inventors and diplomats are sleeping in America’s shelters. With 1% of America becoming homeless every year, there have to be hundreds of potentially great Americans who will never get to show their true talent because they cannot find housing”.

If a person is not beautiful they must be stupid, uneducated or perhaps evil. Remember, Cinderella’s stepsisters were ugly as are witches that cook children in their boiling cauldrons.

Especially if they are female, anyone who is unattractive or physically unappealing often will not be placed in a job dealing directly with the public; possibly receiving lower wages.

Go ahead and feed into the stereotype of two groups of people who are unworthy of any great opportunity.

My friend Joe posted on Facebook a video clip from the popular British TV show “Britain’s Got Talent” that he found on YouTube. Naturally I had to watch it.

Contestant Susan Boyle of Scotland introduced herself to the three judges and, as she told her story, many of the audience rolled their eyes and jeered all due to her physical appearance.

I ask that you watch this clip of Susan’s performance and think back to your first impression of another human being based on their personal appearance; their station. And as you watch and listen to her sing “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables” you might want to reflect on the lyrics and how they pertain to any person you may meet today.

They just deserve a chance.

I Dreamed a Dream Lyrics

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used
And wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted.

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame.

And still
I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms
We cannot weather...

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed.

Once homeless in East Cleveland, Goldie now enjoys the good life here in Toronto

Goldie in from the cold and enjoying a peaceful nap on the
couch this afternoon.

Relaxing at the computer, enjoying an original composition Cat Day by his new buddy CheapRobot.



Goldie last summer standing beside the chalk art he inspired by next door neighbor Meghan.

When he was homeless and without a name living outside of Terrace Tower in East Cleveland, Ohio. Gary took this picture of him from our 12th floor apartment.

It was 2007 when he showed up outside the main entrance of Terrace Tower in East Cleveland. I think it was Spring. Some residents petted him, some fed him, others kicked him. He looked like he was between one and two years old, very healthy and smart. We think someone dropped him off; abandoned him.

At night, he slept outside the door. If it was chilly during the day he liked to sun himself on top of the transformer beside the building.

He was a friendly little guy too; still is once he knows you and feels safe being near you.

Soon, a very young little female cat joined him. Called "Princess" by her owner, she had to be put outside because the owner didn't have the money for a pet deposit. It was obvious that someone abused her. She didn't like men and to be touched; she would scratch and bite anyone who tried. Her so-called responsible owner put a carrier outside for her; some filthy junk that looked like it was dug up out of a dirt pile. Several days later, it was thrown in the dumpster.

Because these two were together, Gary decided to name them. The male cat finally got a name - "Goldie" and Gary started calling her "Hawn". How clever!

Some of the residents fed them but didn't clean up the empty cans or whatever packaging the food was in. Some days no one fed them and on the brutally cold days and nights, often what was left out for them was frozen. I made sure they were fed several times daily, more often in the winter.

When the elevators didn't work, I wrapped their food in foil packets and we dropped their meals to them. The impact of hitting the pavement would loosen the packets so the cats could open them and eat. They got used to the air drops so all I had to do was call them and they would be under the window looking up; waiting for their meals.

During the summer of 2007, Gary managed to find us a truck for $500.00. Every day I went out Goldie would walk me from the door to the truck and, when I returned, he would come out of nowhere and escort me back to the building. I called him my Guardian Angel.

Months later, after she was put outside, Hawn would sometimes join him. If I had purchased cat food, I could feed them near the truck.

Management didn't want the cats around the building due to all the litter left behind from the residents who fed them. Attempts were made to discourage feeding them.

Once I got my Social Security disability approved and started the negotiations to get our house, Gary and I wanted to bring them with us. We made sure they were fed; we wanted to make sure they would still be around when we were ready to leave.

I made my offer for the house in October 2007. Due to numerous complications, the deal wasn't finalized until March of 2008.

Finally, we could give Goldie and Hawn a real home.

It was April when we got the Penske truck and were ready to roll. Goldie was going to ride with Gary and his friend Alan in our truck. He willingly came to Gary. Hawn scratched the hell out of me and everyone who tried to touch her. We tried to bring her several times; even when we returned to East Cleveland for doctor appointments. She cut us both up.

Our truck broke a wheel axle and couldn't make the trip. My friend Dee and I proceeded southeast to Toronto where we unloaded the truck with the help of Gary's two sons Bo and Keith and one of Bo's friends.

I returned to East Cleveland to find Gary and Goldie laying in bed. Goldie lived with us in the small efficiency apartment until we made our final move once our truck was fixed.

A week later, we made the final move and Goldie walked into the house and made himself comfortable immediately.

He no longer has to endure the brutal lake effect snow storms coming off of Lake Erie. He often doesn't want to go out in the rain and snow. He is quick to come inside when the weather is bad. He has many comfortable and safe places to sleep, good healthy food to eat, clean water to drink, grooming and health care.

Goldie reigns supreme here; HE TOTALLY RULES and we are so glad he chose us to be his mommy and daddy.

TEETOWNVISION: 500 plus views and counting

Mark Miller's story about my YouTube channel..."The Herald Star" hit the stands Saturday afternoon making me an instant celebrity in this town (or at the very least, a reconstituted celebrity) - I was gone for 30 years so I have to reclaim my previous stature in my hometown. Toronto goes YouTube with a photo of me spanning 3 columns was plastered on the front page of the newspaper - in color no less.

As I was returning to Special Way to buy more copies of the newspaper, I ran into my new buddy Fred leaving the store. I told him I was going to buy more papers because of the story so he said he wanted a copy too. We walked in together and as he was paying for his newspaper, he said to the cashier, "There's a story about her in today's paper".

Without missing a beat she pulled out a pen and said, "Since she's (me) here, maybe you'd want to get her autograph".

Ignore the date above - I started and saved this post on Sunday...
So Monday afternoon I stopped in at Tucker's Tavern for Pepsi and to talk to Scott about when we are going to do his vid thing for TEETOWNVISION. So I asked him if he saw the article on the front page of Saturday's paper.

"Cindy, EVERYBODY saw that article; EVERYBODY'S talking about that article! EVERYBODY I talked to today asked me if I saw THAT ARTICLE! Yes, I SAW THE ARTICLE!"

"I have over 300 viewers, 4 subscribers and an invitation to the Chamber Luncheon on Thursday, Scott."

Then Scott showed me his new website. Check it out and the next time you are in town make it a point to stop in for a steak dinner that is unsurpassed. The only time the in-laws come down from Youngstown to visit is when they are hungry for steak. They have been down three times in the past four months.

By the way, the article will appear again in Friday's "Toronto Scene".

When, I actually posted, the view count was 557.

Seems like every time you pick up a newspaper, well, there I am!

"Herald Star" & "Toronto Scene" writer, reporter, photographer extrordanaire Mark Miller stopped by Thursday.

At the end of his columns in the "Toronto Scene" he always adds a blurb requesting the readers to contact him with any news and story ideas pertaining to Toronto.

Brilliant! Cast the line, dangle the bait; ask for referrals. It works.

Well, I bit.

In the below freezing bitterly cold still dark early morning hours of last Saturday morning I awoke at 5 a.m. to a cold house with no power. Prior to midnight, someone crashed into the power pole in front of my house snapping the pole three quarters of the way up. American Electric Power workers arrived at 3:45 a.m. to shut off my power and disconnect my lines.

So, fumbling around in the dark, I managed to find my torch lighter, light a few candles, slip sweat pants on over my PJs, find my shoes, grab Gary's and my cameras and head out the front door to shoot some video.

So once the power came on (at 7:20 a.m.), I powered up the computer, started uploading the vids and proceeded to shoot the following e-mail off to Mark.

Someone ran into the light pole in front of my house and AEP came out Satuday morning around 4 a.m. to replace it. I took loads of pix. Are you interested? I don't know if they caught the guy who ran into the pole. I called po-po around 8 this morning. Larry Fogle hasn't called me back.
Give me a buzz....(phone number).

I'm uploading vids onto my YouTube channel www.youtube.com/thiznat Check it out!
I'm starting a Toronto channel featuring people in the community. I'd love to vid you since you are our reporter.

Well, Mark called Monday afternoon but he wasn't interested in the photos I took of the pole replacement. He was interested in my YouTube channels and wanted to interview me for a human interest story about those channels.

I asked Mark if he was sure if he really wanted to write a story about me since one written by Janice Kiaski appeared in the "Herald Star" and "Toronto Scene" in November.

Didn't matter.

So Thursday morning, along comes Mark armed with Portage Reporter's Notebook in hand and camera bag slung over his shoulder. We compared cool cameras. His and mine were Lumix digitals.

So check out the interview in the Saturday, February 28th edition of the "Herald Star" and be sure to check out my YouTube channel soon to learn more about Mark Miller the musician, singer, songwriter.