On the bus this morning was a fellow wearing camouflage-pattern pyjamas. He was also wearing a red beret, like a paratrooper, but it was a very bright red. All in all a dime store military getup, worn by a frightened-looking, middle-aged man. Since that particular bus line goes to the VA hospital, he very well could have been a veteran, and in his own mind was happy to be wearing camo PJs and a bright red beret. It made me sad to think of it.

Also making me sad was the sight of the youngish guy with huge backpack and small dog panhandling near my building downtown. If I were homeless I would probably hope for a dog to latch onto me, both for company and sympathy; the dog better be lucky and latch onto someone who won't drink up all the dog food money. So, feeling sad about poor dogs and the narrowed existence we have allowed them and their precarious circumstances when we don't treat them right, I gave the guy a couple of bucks. "Right on man!" he said. I hope he buys the dog something.