Vendor Writing

How I'm Surviving Staying at Home

BY DAVID C., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I’ve been doing a lot of artwork, constantly. Me and Ellie have also been making cards to give to the healthcare workers. We’re also making other cards to give away to our friends and family. I’ve been sending snail mail to a lot of different people. Not e-mail, snail mail. Stuff that you put in an envelope, you put a stamp on it, and you mail it. Not many people do that these days.

I have a TV with a bunch of channels. I’m glad I used my income in the past to purchase all kinds of movies on DVD, and I also have a lot of VHS tapes. I’ve been watching a lot of movies. I have all kinds of stuff going in my favor.

I’m glad I’m not homeless. I started with the paper in 2010, August of this year will be the the 10-year anniversary.

I’ve been broke for the past two and a half months or more, but then again, we have money in the bank. We’ve been getting groceries. I’ve been watching the news and there’s been a lot of cars in line just to get the food boxes. When I saw that, I said, “now they know how the homeless feel.”

I think coming out of this, everybody is going to love each other a whole lot more — a Godly love, an unconditional love. Everybody is going to say, ‘I cannot wait until this social distancing is over.’

I want the readers to know you can go online and buy a subscription in my name and leave a tip. I also accept Venmo. I also want the readers to know this: If you’re not working, stop protesting. You gotta be patient. Sooner or later, this Coronavirus, this pandemic will disappear with the hand of God.

COVID-19: A Blessing and a Curse

BY VICKY B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

When the “Safer at Home” order came down from Mayor John Cooper I was able to prepare. My SNAP benefits had just come in, so I was able to buy groceries for the projected two-week shut down period. Grocery shopping was strange. I didn’t get everything I’d normally buy, but instead I got what I could get. Two days in, I was walking to the refrigerator and I lost my balance. I fell, breaking my hip. Two days later I was in surgery. One week later I was back home.

My friend, Karen and my son Paul picked me up from the hospital. Paul was able to stay with me for two and a half weeks. He never would have been able to stay if it hadn’t been for COVID-19 shutting everything down putting him out of work. If it hadn’t been for the shutdown I would have had to come home alone. Paul took care of my dog Faith while I was in the hospital and is now caring for her because I’m unable to right now. She doesn’t like the wheelchair and frankly neither do I.

A good friend from Florida bought me this wheelchair and it came without footrests. After making several calls it’s finally being taken care of and hopefully that will take care of the swelling in my feet. The apartment building I live in is on lock down meaning no visitors, which makes things even more difficult.

It’s bad enough with Faith gone and now I’m trying to maneuver around the apartment in a wheelchair, which is even worse not to mention the absence of income during this time.

How do I pay the rent, get food and other necessities? Figuring that out has become a chore all its own. It’s been a struggle to get the help I need. It’s just been one disaster after another.

I Love My Bus Ladies

BY MARY B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I sell The Contributor out in Bellevue, so I ride the #5 MTA Bellevue bus. On Sunday mornings, I catch the 9 a.m. line from downtown to Bellevue.

My bus driver is Ms. Martha. I’ve been riding with Ms. Martha for about five years. I met Ms Martha when she was training. Yep, you guessed it, she was training on the Bellevue #5 bus. She was out there for a week training so I became very fond of her.

Martha and Miss Betty

Back to my Sunday ride with Ms. Martha. Ms. Martaha has a side-kick that rides with her every Sunday. Her name is Ms. Betty, which I call Shorty. Why, you ask? Because Ms. Betty is shorter than me! Ms. Martha and Ms. Betty are a hoot from the time the bus leaves the terminal. These two are laughing and cutting up. The whole ride to Bellevue these two don’t stop laughing. They will remind you of high school teenagers.

In your mind you’ll be like what are these two laughing at? And what is so funny? Then they will have you laughing and you will have no clue to what you’re even laughing at.

Personally I truly look forward to my Sunday morning ride with these two. I love you two.