2006 Update: On a lovely spring day, Kate and I were walking tolunch and we spotted the professor. He was getting on a bus. He was clean and combed and not wearing the formerly ever-present soiled coat. It was good to see him looking so well. . . .

  In April 2006, I received a phone call from a man who had been our next door neighbor for a short time a couple of years ago. He had gone through a rough patch before and after moving away, but was doing well now and called to tell me that he was getting married in June and he wanted Clifford and me to clear our calendar so we could attend. It was really good to hear from Sam. While we were talking, he told me that he now goes to garage sales in Dripping Springs where he lives and buys blankets that he carries around in his vehicle so they are readily available to hand out the window to homeless people he sees on the street. He said that he had been inspired by our project back when he was our neighbor and that it brought him great joy to do his part now that he was in a position to do so. And he thanked me for inspiring him. I tell you, that was probably the highest compliment I have ever been given in my life. And the project grows. . . .

  May 2006 – Clifford and I constructed a new crown for this years round of parades. The new crown is made out of wooden pickets, garden hose and a molasses bucket. To compliment the new crown, Kate made a new pillow out of panne velvet – very schmancy! I took the leftover velvet and made shields for the doors. We then made gold rosettes for the hubcaps. I must say, it’s really coming along. .