Breakfast at Sally's - Nine

For Sunday, February 28, 2010 - our discussion of Breakfast at Sally's...We are looking at chapters 16 and 17 - We meet Vinny and Lenny...and we go dumpster diving. Richard's experience of homelessness gets fleshed out with stories of war and abuse - the kinds of psychological wounds that wreak havoc with the human soul and crush the human spirit. If you get the chance, re-read these chapters before our conversation.

1. Richard finds himself struggling on a Tuesday, remembering how, on rainy nights, he would spend his time and energy with his partner, Sandra. He takes Willow to PetSmart for some "cheap entertainment" where "the hamsters were more valuable than I was..." Who are the most valuable people you know?
2. What are your thoughts on the medicinal use of marijuana?
3. What should be the basis for deciding the 'legality' of an action?
4. Did 'C' do the right thing by giving Vinny some 'weed'?
5. Both Jake and Lenny tell of their experiences in Viet Nam. How much is the war in Afghanistan costing you personally, us collectively?
6. What is your assessment of the actions of Jake's colonel after Jake left the jeep? (P. 218-219.)
7. It's a 'death watch' with Vinny. "We were all the half-dead, the on-the-way-t0-dead, the blessedly dead ..." (P. 221.) Do you know anyone who is "half-dead"?
8. (P. 224...) What is your assessment of Steinbeck's line: "If you're in trouble or hurt or need-go to poor people. They're the only ones that'll help-the only ones."
9. What do you think about this as advice for life: "You've got to avoid sharp objects and diapers." (P. 226.)
10. In our town, our neighborhood, our church - who are we "throwing away"?
11. What is the closest thing to "dumpster diving" you have ever done?

Praying for a meaningful conversation...