Dear Antoine, wow so you got moved... Congrats. Hope you find your way soon in this new place. I have send you a letter to your old address recently, I hope they will forward it? Warm greetings, Julia
Who made the world and who made God? Is this a trick question? God spoke creation. God without beginning or end…outside time…God entered time once as his own Son Jesus.
What talent would you like to have more than anything? I love words…putting them together…using alliteration…prose…poetry…rhythm…and metaphor. I always regretted stepping away from the both the drums and the piano when I was young, because they weren’t cool. Playing a musical instrument would be that wish.
Me responding to your questions with answers of my own, was an exercise in humility...not pride. In order for conversation to be dialogue the idea exchange must be mutual. Believe this buddy…I did my best to be honest and had no intention of making you feel any less than a child of God. Dymitri, I want to lift you up, not kick you down!
Did you have a special place where you went to be alone as a child? Boy is that embarrassing. I was an avid reader and writer from the time I was big enough to walk. We had a huge coat closet above the stairs to the basement with a good light, and I climbed in there all the time to read.
Do you know what your mother's or father's childhood was like? Oh yes. Mother was one of 13 (only 10 made maturity), a west-sider, living in a two-bedroom bungalow, a block from the Church. Mom was 2nd born and her family thrived on laughter and wit. Father was one of three growing up on the family farm miles from anything. It was a beautiful place we visited often but we only saw the fun…the ponds, the woods, the horse, the pigs, and the garden. We never knew Dad worked hard his entire childhood. 4-H and basketball was two ways he escaped hard work.
What's your ancestry/ethnic background? My mom’s family was half English, half-German. My dad’s family was fully Alsace, a small country that has alternated between France and Germany based on the whim and whimsy of the powers that be.
How many generations can you trace your family's history? About ten on Dad’s side, about six on Mom’s. We were lucky to have several genealogists as family along the way.
What's the craziest thing you've ever done in the woods? When I was in my early teens I participated in the building of an underground wood fort. Us young-ins did most of the digging and covering, while the big kids built the wooden structure. It was too cool, but some authority destroyed it.
What was your best New Year's Eve? My best friend of many years, Becky, is gone some 15 years. But if she was around, she could tell me which one was best. I would guess it would be one spent at the country pub where we used to go down the adjacent dirt road to a bridge known for singing, dancing, and merry-making.
Do you have a hard time waking up in the morning? I am that hated morning person. Real early. I have to stay up very late to sleep past by body.
What have you not had enough of in your life? Oh my. Can one every have enough love, enough friends? I have been blessed in many ways and I know it.
What institution do you have the most faith in? Mother Church. Don’t hate on me please. It is very true.
Did you register to vote the second you were eligible? Most likely but who knows ancient history?
Who is your favorite world leader? Easy. Papa Francisco.
My dear love... I know you’re waiting for me - and I, for you. There IS an end - and then we’ll be together for always. It will be different - but there’ll be no change to our love - after all these years nothing’s going to alter that. I dream of you - usually at night - but sometimes while I’m wide awake. I turn a corner, expecting to find you there - so funny because we’ve never been here together. I believe you know this place as much as I do - maybe because you know all the nooks and crannies of my heart just as I know yours. I’m nearly content, secure in our love - knowing my feelings and sure of yours. I live in the memories - they send me to sleep at night - free to walk the streets with you - and see all the people we grew up with. I’ll always love you - only you - forever. Always and all ways, I am your Jeannie.
The new phone system sounded good...but when I tried to set up an account...I was told that the 6 cents per minute would only go into affect once all the prisons in the state were set up...not before...and they had no idea when it might drop from 12 cents to 6 cents.
Also...the old system charged $3 per transaction and you could put a maximum of $250 on the account per transaction. Now it's $5.95 per transaction and you can only put $100 on at a time. So significantly more processing charges.
Plus when John tried to call last week, it said there was no money on the account....when there is. So still bugs there too.
Considering making phone calls to me is John's main connection to the outside world and his only personal expense other than bare necessities, it's too bad the price has gone up significantly.
Maybe the service will get better and the pricing will drop (as originally quoted) but I'm still disgruntled about the processing fee taking such a huge hike.
Sorry I've been behind on reading your blogs. Thanks for keeping us informed on the changes that have been happening inside the walls at Stanley.
I'm not too happy about the new phone vendor either....another jump in pricing for those wanting to keep in touch with family and friends on the inside of the walls. John doesn't think the service is any better and it costs more to put money on the account. I'm sure they're still working out the bugs...but no price drop for calls placed (as was touted as a reason for the change) and only increase in costs to put money on the account.
Dear Harlan, thank you for your response of July 22. Let me get into it. A bit off topic, but I would welcome it if we could get rid of polls. They also led to politicians doing rather election management than having a sincere point of view. 40% of approval can easily be enough, as only a bit more than 60% voted in 2016. But I guess that's no news to you. Well, who would be the best candidate. I really would appreciate if it will not be Joe Biden. That would be just business as usual, and that business was not good. And if you look at the amount of donations Bernie Sanders knows to accumulate, or rather the amount of people that donate to him. Right now he has 746.000 donors, next is Elizabeth Warren with 421.000 donors. Biden is fifth at 256.000. Have you seen the democratic debates? I thought CNN did a horrible job, looking to set them up one against the other. So what is your favorite candidate? And what about continuing this conversation the next months, I enjoy it, and nice to not have the same opinion. Also, you live in a potentially crucial state, you know some people you can convince to do the right thing? ;) I am also curious what you think of the climate crisis. Is it a topic that is of interest of you? Well, have a good day, I am looking forward to your response, Julia
RSS
wow so you got moved... Congrats. Hope you find your way soon in this new place. I have send you a letter to your old address recently, I hope they will forward it? Warm greetings, Julia
What talent would you like to have more than anything? I love words…putting them together…using alliteration…prose…poetry…rhythm…and metaphor. I always regretted stepping away from the both the drums and the piano when I was young, because they weren’t cool. Playing a musical instrument would be that wish.
I remain, John Pfister
August 11, 2019
Me responding to your questions with answers of my own, was an exercise in humility...not pride. In order for conversation to be dialogue the idea exchange must be mutual. Believe this buddy…I did my best to be honest and had no intention of making you feel any less than a child of God. Dymitri, I want to lift you up, not kick you down!
Did you have a special place where you went to be alone as a child? Boy is that embarrassing. I was an avid reader and writer from the time I was big enough to walk. We had a huge coat closet above the stairs to the basement with a good light, and I climbed in there all the time to read.
Do you know what your mother's or father's childhood was like? Oh yes. Mother was one of 13 (only 10 made maturity), a west-sider, living in a two-bedroom bungalow, a block from the Church. Mom was 2nd born and her family thrived on laughter and wit. Father was one of three growing up on the family farm miles from anything. It was a beautiful place we visited often but we only saw the fun…the ponds, the woods, the horse, the pigs, and the garden. We never knew Dad worked hard his entire childhood. 4-H and basketball was two ways he escaped hard work.
What's your ancestry/ethnic background? My mom’s family was half English, half-German. My dad’s family was fully Alsace, a small country that has alternated between France and Germany based on the whim and whimsy of the powers that be.
How many generations can you trace your family's history? About ten on Dad’s side, about six on Mom’s. We were lucky to have several genealogists as family along the way.
What's the craziest thing you've ever done in the woods? When I was in my early teens I participated in the building of an underground wood fort. Us young-ins did most of the digging and covering, while the big kids built the wooden structure. It was too cool, but some authority destroyed it.
What was your best New Year's Eve? My best friend of many years, Becky, is gone some 15 years. But if she was around, she could tell me which one was best. I would guess it would be one spent at the country pub where we used to go down the adjacent dirt road to a bridge known for singing, dancing, and merry-making.
Do you have a hard time waking up in the morning? I am that hated morning person. Real early. I have to stay up very late to sleep past by body.
What have you not had enough of in your life? Oh my. Can one every have enough love, enough friends? I have been blessed in many ways and I know it.
What institution do you have the most faith in? Mother Church. Don’t hate on me please. It is very true.
Did you register to vote the second you were eligible? Most likely but who knows ancient history?
Who is your favorite world leader? Easy. Papa Francisco.
I know you’re waiting for me - and I, for you. There IS an end - and then we’ll be together for always. It will be different - but there’ll be no change to our love - after all these years nothing’s going to alter that.
I dream of you - usually at night - but sometimes while I’m wide awake. I turn a corner, expecting to find you there - so funny because we’ve never been here together. I believe you know this place as much as I do - maybe because you know all the nooks and crannies of my heart just as I know yours.
I’m nearly content, secure in our love - knowing my feelings and sure of yours. I live in the memories - they send me to sleep at night - free to walk the streets with you - and see all the people we grew up with.
I’ll always love you - only you - forever. Always and all ways, I am your Jeannie.
The new phone system sounded good...but when I tried to set up an account...I was told that the 6 cents per minute would only go into affect once all the prisons in the state were set up...not before...and they had no idea when it might drop from 12 cents to 6 cents.
Also...the old system charged $3 per transaction and you could put a maximum of $250 on the account per transaction. Now it's $5.95 per transaction and you can only put $100 on at a time. So significantly more processing charges.
Plus when John tried to call last week, it said there was no money on the account....when there is. So still bugs there too.
Considering making phone calls to me is John's main connection to the outside world and his only personal expense other than bare necessities, it's too bad the price has gone up significantly.
Maybe the service will get better and the pricing will drop (as originally quoted) but I'm still disgruntled about the processing fee taking such a huge hike.
Evy
Sorry I've been behind on reading your blogs. Thanks for keeping us informed on the changes that have been happening inside the walls at Stanley.
I'm not too happy about the new phone vendor either....another jump in pricing for those wanting to keep in touch with family and friends on the inside of the walls. John doesn't think the service is any better and it costs more to put money on the account. I'm sure they're still working out the bugs...but no price drop for calls placed (as was touted as a reason for the change) and only increase in costs to put money on the account.
Keep the faith and keep writing.
Evy
thank you for your response of July 22. Let me get into it.
A bit off topic, but I would welcome it if we could get rid of polls. They also led to politicians doing rather election management than having a sincere point of view.
40% of approval can easily be enough, as only a bit more than 60% voted in 2016. But I guess that's no news to you.
Well, who would be the best candidate. I really would appreciate if it will not be Joe Biden. That would be just business as usual, and that business was not good. And if you look at the amount of donations Bernie Sanders knows to accumulate, or rather the amount of people that donate to him. Right now he has 746.000 donors, next is Elizabeth Warren with 421.000 donors. Biden is fifth at 256.000.
Have you seen the democratic debates? I thought CNN did a horrible job, looking to set them up one against the other.
So what is your favorite candidate? And what about continuing this conversation the next months, I enjoy it, and nice to not have the same opinion.
Also, you live in a potentially crucial state, you know some people you can convince to do the right thing? ;)
I am also curious what you think of the climate crisis. Is it a topic that is of interest of you?
Well, have a good day, I am looking forward to your response, Julia