So you asked about our trip to CA. We try to take a trip every Feb to somewhere warm. The last few years we've done Sedona, AZ. We like the scenery there and the hiking is amazing. But then we got worried we were not seeing other places in the US, so we decided to try somewhere different this year. We went to CA to visit my old college roommate for a weekend, then took off on our own to visit Joshua Tree National Park for the remainder of the week. It was cool to see, but I guess our hearts are really in Sedona. Both are desert areas but Sedona has trees and some other plants that are green. Joshua Tree was pretty much brown. It was pretty in its own way and I'm glad we saw it, but it's not a place we will likely ever return.
I'm sorry to hear about your mom and hope you are able to connect with her this week. It is tough to lose someone, and I'm sure it's tougher in your situation. You asked if I'm a mom - I like to joke that I'm just a "dog mom". LOL We never really wanted kids and it's been a good decision for us. A lot of people don't understand it, but it is what it is. We're aunt and uncle to some special kids, and that's enough for us. :)
So on that semi-deep note, I think I'll close for now. Looking forward to hearing your progress with the Lifer's Organization and how things are going with the pups in there!
Hi Robert - So glad to hear you got some special time with the black lab pups! It is so much fun to watch dogs play, isn't it? I can't get enough of watching our dogs play and wrestle - they are so funny! I looked on your FB and there is a pic of you sitting down with a black lab puppy. I will show my aunt next time I see her, which isn't often because she lives in Florida. She is a volunteer puppy raiser, just like the guys raise the puppies and train them in prison, except she does it in her home. She doesn't work for the organization, just volunteers her time to raise the adorable puppies up right! The puppy raisers are very competitive with each other, on whose puppy is doing the best. :) That's why I told you she said the prison puppies can't be beat - that is a huge compliment! It's obvious the love and time that is being poured into them, and the guys/gals take it seriously. I love your story about how it helps bring people together in the prison and makes the atmosphere just a little bit better. It is such a win-win program.
Yes, it appears the address on your profile page is wrong. Can you let them know to change it? I'll make a note of your actual address in case you need me to look something up for you again. I'm glad the list is helpful to you. To answer your question, I do try to read your blog whenever you post something. Your blog is among my favorites on BTB and I have an alert setup to email me whenever you post, although I think sometimes it doesn't work.
Congrats on winning the election! I'm sure you will do a good job. It is definitely a worthwhile cause and you seem to have the drive and knowledge to get things done.
I am going to look into the phone for T again. The company is GTL. Thanks for your advice on this, I will definitely look into it, I definitely appreciate your expertise on this subject. She called last night and sounded pretty good. I think I told you she is in quarantine for 9 months, until July something. She was told they can only order hygiene items from commissary, but recently found out the other women have been receiving food items in their quarterly packages! So she asked me to look into sending the brownies, Pop Tarts and trail mix she sees the other women eating...that will make this quarantine period a lot better if she can have a few treats. She has a little money and was able to buy herself a TV recently and is looking into getting the Jpay tablet, which will be new to her facility soon. It costs only $20 if she buys it the first month it comes out, rather than the $80 it will cost later.
You mentioned the inmates from your prison were sent to Muskegon in Michigan few years back. You did pretty well spelling that crazy name. :) That place is about 2 hours from here and is a town on the shores of Lake Michigan.
To continue.I meant that these 4 couples do real well!With the help of the specialized team one couple got better in their relation.They are young people.Who had difficulties finding the real match.If after a quantity of weeks they can't get along for their lives, they can divorce again.Well,they film parts of the situation the couple is in, moving along with their partner.I also watch another tv program: Temptation Island.4 couples who split; men go to another part of the island and women go somewhere else.They don't see each other for ten days.At each side of the island there are men with the women group who are a temptation for them. The same with the men, where women are also their temptation.Of course they withstand that temptation in the beginning,but later on it gets real difficult!Every so often the men see how their girlfriends are acting,and the way around.It is showed in a film(parts of their acting) at the campfire.And sometimes it is shocking what they see!Some couples break afterwards. Some couples are shaped at the place were they were.And another program is where 2 naked people(one woman and one man) meet at the beach of an island in Thailand.They are Dutch people.They walk towards each other and have only a bag with them with some propriety what they like to show the other person.They have some fruit,they can sleep on a cloth on the sand, protected from the sun and it's hot.They get acquainted and do walks, do some fishing, talk about their lives,swim together, etc.Then after a day appears without their knowing, another woman.Then one person finds a book, and at the bell sounds from a boat, that person has to choose which person has to leave.He or she makes a choice thus.Later those two see each other dressed and plan,if the second shows up, what they'll do next?Real interesting these programs! Hug from Rita
hello Brandon,It was rather a surprise to hear again from you.I asked you in the past WHY you were ever so very long in segregation:8 months! That's horrible!Were you then in a cell alone for all that time?:(( I thought six months was already so long!Because George was so long in segregation,and released half of December'16!His lawyer would see if he needed mental help? Well, he thinks not, but he told his lawyer Jessica, that some men there really suffered from being in isolation!She would now decide if he needed help.The truth with him was because of not a real reason;it was pure retaliation!Because he helps inmates with their issues.He's an intellectual. At 39 he finished his bachelor degree in Science.That was in Stateville prison.In that time professors came in the prison.Now one can't do university studies there anymore. His best friend is there now.They were always together in a room, for many yrs.They were as brothers.George is in a state prison Menard.In what kind of a prison are you?How is your food, Brandon?the food is so very bad in Menard!That is why he made a cartoon in the past and got locked up. Activists help to better lives for inmates.It can be in many ways. Writing to higher instances to ask for help for some people.I read your beautiful poem and I look out for another one!;)On February 18/19 I hiked with a group I was in in my twenties.This time a friend asked me?So, on Saturday I marched 20 kilometers and the next day again 20 kilometers!It was hard, since I hadn't any training anymore for so very long!But I was proud I did it!:)We slept in a gîte,and walked in a high leveled area, that is protected in my country.At times we had to climb between some roots of trees,saw rivers, there was a lot of mud, even snow and icy paths!It was rough!But I plan to do 2 day- hiking more, but perhaps 12 to 15 km per day.We also had backpacks.I sweated so much!I plan to buy the proper gear and walking sticks too.I did babysitting on the two kids of my daughter: Lynn, 3 and Lars,1.Well Lars,a boy,had chicken pocks and wasn't admitted in the childcare.I did twice two days of baby sitting.Lars is a funny boy, and I got to know him even better lately, as I am his godmother.Around 5pm I pick up Lynn at the préschool.She is very witty and a smart little girl.She knows many songs by heart.Brandon, I read what kind of books you read and you asked me which ones I like to read?I love to read books with studying the psychology of people.Also I like to watch programs on tv about relations between people.It's fascinating.How people interact, etc. Here on tv I look at program'Blind marriage'Some psychologists make a study what man would match with what kind of women.Based on their characters.They marry at the city hall.There is a celebration for the couple.Then they go on a honey moon. Then they settle in an apartment.Then we can see how the couple grows towards each other or not.They get advises as well by the team.Some fail.The 4do real well!Hug,R
in a relationship, communication is number 2 after love and if you have that loyalty follows.there are many kinds of love and sometime we choose the wrong one sometimes the person God has for you isn't the person you've chosen as in my life. as Garth Brooks says Thank goodness for unanswered prayers. always wishing you the best
you said the right thing Bobby, "I don't know what God can do to fix it, if I ask Him to" I won't preach here but you know our past connection and can understand where I'm coming from. God is not only on the mountain top but down in the valley where trials happen. just reach out and be honest and He will be there for you as H has for me when things get hard. . will be writing soon.
RSS
I'm sorry to hear about your mom and hope you are able to connect with her this week. It is tough to lose someone, and I'm sure it's tougher in your situation. You asked if I'm a mom - I like to joke that I'm just a "dog mom". LOL We never really wanted kids and it's been a good decision for us. A lot of people don't understand it, but it is what it is. We're aunt and uncle to some special kids, and that's enough for us. :)
So on that semi-deep note, I think I'll close for now. Looking forward to hearing your progress with the Lifer's Organization and how things are going with the pups in there!
Your friend,
j.c.
So glad to hear you got some special time with the black lab pups! It is so much fun to watch dogs play, isn't it? I can't get enough of watching our dogs play and wrestle - they are so funny! I looked on your FB and there is a pic of you sitting down with a black lab puppy. I will show my aunt next time I see her, which isn't often because she lives in Florida. She is a volunteer puppy raiser, just like the guys raise the puppies and train them in prison, except she does it in her home. She doesn't work for the organization, just volunteers her time to raise the adorable puppies up right! The puppy raisers are very competitive with each other, on whose puppy is doing the best. :) That's why I told you she said the prison puppies can't be beat - that is a huge compliment! It's obvious the love and time that is being poured into them, and the guys/gals take it seriously. I love your story about how it helps bring people together in the prison and makes the atmosphere just a little bit better. It is such a win-win program.
Yes, it appears the address on your profile page is wrong. Can you let them know to change it? I'll make a note of your actual address in case you need me to look something up for you again. I'm glad the list is helpful to you. To answer your question, I do try to read your blog whenever you post something. Your blog is among my favorites on BTB and I have an alert setup to email me whenever you post, although I think sometimes it doesn't work.
Congrats on winning the election! I'm sure you will do a good job. It is definitely a worthwhile cause and you seem to have the drive and knowledge to get things done.
I am going to look into the phone for T again. The company is GTL. Thanks for your advice on this, I will definitely look into it, I definitely appreciate your expertise on this subject. She called last night and sounded pretty good. I think I told you she is in quarantine for 9 months, until July something. She was told they can only order hygiene items from commissary, but recently found out the other women have been receiving food items in their quarterly packages! So she asked me to look into sending the brownies, Pop Tarts and trail mix she sees the other women eating...that will make this quarantine period a lot better if she can have a few treats. She has a little money and was able to buy herself a TV recently and is looking into getting the Jpay tablet, which will be new to her facility soon. It costs only $20 if she buys it the first month it comes out, rather than the $80 it will cost later.
You mentioned the inmates from your prison were sent to Muskegon in Michigan few years back. You did pretty well spelling that crazy name. :) That place is about 2 hours from here and is a town on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Running out of space...see part 2...
Hug from Rita
I won't preach here but you know our past connection and can understand where I'm coming from. God is not only on the mountain top but down in the valley where trials happen. just reach out and be honest and He will be there for you as H has for me when things get hard. . will be writing soon.