Ed, the One-Eyed Geoduck Diver

Last night at Nightwatch, there was a bit of an after party. I had spent the evening out on the streets with my two compatriots. It was fairly routine.

We got back the the Nightwatch Shelter Dispatch Center, and said our goodbyes. It was 11:45. They left

Inside, there was one last client, eating.

Now, "Ed" is a big boy - maybe 6'3" and 275 pounds. Not that it matters, but he's blind in one eye. And he's just noshing away.

"Hey, what's going on, Ed?"

"I'm not homeless tonight," Ed says. "I have to drive to Olympia. We're going geoduck diving tomorrow."

Now, this is something new. Ed, the one-eyed giant geoduck diver.

"I've got the helmets in the truck."

"You need helmets to dive for geoducks?"  "Sure. Diving helmets." Oh. Of course.

We talked about the ins and outs of geoduck diving - fire hoses, and how much per pound these critters bring in. They are pulled out of the mud and immediately flown to Asia.

It's raining out. Ed isn't worried about diving. He's worried about the rain, and having to drive to Olympia at midnight, with only one eye, and a truck load of geoduck diving helmets.

I thank him for the informative conversation and bless him for his venture. Preserve Ed, O Lord, and geoduck divers everywhere. But not the poachers. Amen.