Lane DeGregory: ST. PETERSBURG — Under the interstate, in a square of shade, a tired-looking woman with bloodshot eyes sat fanning herself with a cardboard sign.
"Homeless with children," said the sign. "Anything will work."
Her dirty flip-flops were worn thin. Her white T-shirt was clean. She had tugged a ballcap over her short blond hair.
"I've been flying for about a year, ever since my husband died," she said. She calls panhandling "flying a sign."
"Had to do something to support my kids," she said.
She said her name is Tracy. Wouldn't give her last name. She said she's 38 and has three children, ages 8, 10 and 17. "My oldest, my girl, watches the boys while I work.
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