March 9, 2020

Personal Journal 2/18 to 2/27

by Steve J. Burkett (author's profile)

Transcription


2/18/20 I'm beginning to wonder why I even bother getting out of bed in the morning just to sit here in the cold alone - feeling sorry for myself again :) Must be cloudy out - it is dark - there's not a star in the sky - twinkle, twinkle little star how I wonder where you are. I've been reading though my medical records marking all the reports of the outside specialist. I'm finding the records they send me to be incomplete there were no blood test findings - the only thing the doctor consultation said was what I was there for nothing about what was said :) stop... I do remember pan-handling on 'K' street with James and Dandel[?] Jane don't think we were even 10 then :). I miss little James - he never turned his back on me.

2/19/20 I get mad sometimes - mad at the world - but - mostly mad at me.... I stopped - wrote a love note and a poem and now I feel better about myself, about the world - once being in love was enough. A fat man can get comfortable almost anywhere, but when you ain't got no ass all surfaces are hard.

2/20/20 I didn't get out of bed until almost chow time ran late all day - hard to catch up when you can hardly move. We're locked down on Tuesday + Thursday all this month - training :) Maybe I'll get something done today. Sometimes when I'm writing everything just flow out right spelling and all other times I have trouble with little words. I know never with big words I'm sure [?] of because I always look them up :) but misspelling names - that's a bad day. We made it out to the yard yesterday - late - but I did manage a couple of laps before yard recall :) not just recall but dock-up :/ at 9:10 A.M. :/ I painted for a little while - painting is like writing; a few strokes/a few words at a time. I'm not getting it done fast but I'm getting it done. I ready my medical file for the last year again. This time I marked pages, wrote down the page number and subject I see a lot of doctors - I know there's not much they can do about the lapa [?] or the arthritis (slow down) but how about putting me on one of those narcotic pain blockers, cost to much :) I'm worth it and I need to be able to use my hands without pain all the time. Maybe my disposition will get better (not :)) but I get mad now when I want to do something and my hands aren't working. I want to do something and my hands aren't working, I try to do it anyway and mess it up like my writing. I still get bad at my sister for not writing and they haven't wrote me in years :)

2/21/20 I'll wake up here in a minute and remember where I'm at - I wonder if I'll feel this good when I do. I'm not talking physically, I'm 73 jumping into the fight ain't happening no more :) No, I'm talking about my spirits being up this morning and I'm not talking about the distilled alcohol (Italea [?] double). No my heart is singing today - singing song of young love back when we were kicking ass and taking names - one bar room, one pool hall or another. Someone said old men sit around talking about the weather, not true, they tell war stories and talk about all the pretty girls they've love and still do in there hearts. Talk about that old car of their that could beat anything legal for the street and for a moment forget about the pains of old age and the years spent alone. As for me I only tell one war story and my one love she was, is, and will always be that war story. Toe to toe, back to back, side by side, what a ride :) <3. I love that smile.

2/22/20 They said one more week of two days lockdown. That wouldn't have been so bad but they were finding ways to lock us down everyday :) short on staff, searching somewhere. Last night they locked us down to do a clothing search - the guard that hit my cell walked in look around at my pictures stares at the ceiling, checked his watch looked back at me smiles shook his head walked out with a why am I doing this look. We did get to have yard yesterday :) I was out there until 10. It turned out to be a warm day getting into the 70s - when I came in, (can't be in the sun long because of my meds [?]). I walk around the dayroom trading war stories - then I had to go into the cell and eat - a couple of hard boiled egg I managed into an egg salad sandwich :) I started feeling the walk in my legs later - they're still tired this morning - the way you have to retrain your muscle when you lay up to much. I got some painting done in the afternoon. The arthritis is working my knees right now - I'm trying to rub them but can't get any pressure with my hands :) If I only I were.

2/23/20 I cried the first time I held Teddy in my arm in the dark of the car on the drive home from the hospital. I was 17 you know I never let James drive after that. I didn't know where I was then - I'm still lost, what was the name of the philosopher who said "men never live in the now, they're forever living in the past or in the future," sounds like a plan to me :)

2/24/20 It I wanted ice water this morning I got it right out of the hot water tap to :) This weeks not starting off right - Bull came in last night while I was at dinner and tore up my cell took the little junk I use to fix stuff with - I just made eye contact with A-hold I'll replace most of it in a day or two :(

2/27/20 I can get a little long winded here and that would be alright if I had anything to write about - everythings important to me and I want to share it, share my world :) I think my cell is getting ready to move, he's complaining about the low light being on here early in the morning (close your eyes stayed [?] you won't see it). Now that I think about it I'm sure he's moving. I'll tell him about it after breakfast :/ We'll be on locked-down again today - This is the last week of Tues-Thurs training. Feb. sure is going by fast two days left leap into March :). I going to get this out today. Leave a message: My hairs still curly, my eyes are still blue, sing it back [?].

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tigana Posted 4 years, 9 months ago. ✓ Mailed 4 years, 9 months ago   Favorite
My love. And you are my love - always and forever...
I saw that they finally mailed my Valentine’s Day note - just yesterday. It must have gotten shuffled to the bottom of the pile somehow because it never takes that long....I should have checked and tried to write a short card (I do have a card for you - lol). Been pretty sick - and, with a fever, my body aches so badly I can’t move...sigh - no use to complain though
Lots of rain here - River is like 25 feet over usual levels - I crossed the bridge today and couldn’t believe how high! And - more rain this week! Dogs take it personally - can’t believe I’m allowing it!
I was talking to Chloe the other evening - I told her that when I was 5 we didn’t have a TV (they don’t have one now and neither do I) and that no one had computers...she looked very serious - and said “GG, were you a Pilgrim?” Kids are so funny
Bedtime now - hate the time change - I’m having my usual problems sleeping. It helps to close my eyes and lose myself in your arms..
Loving you always and all ways -
I am -
Your Jeannie

Steve J. Burkett Posted 4 years, 8 months ago.   Favorite
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Steve J. Burkett Posted 4 years, 7 months ago.   Favorite
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sophdoph Posted 3 years, 10 months ago. ✓ Mailed 3 years, 9 months ago   Favorite
Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post. Your journal really gave me insight into how I will look back on my young years, and how I want to be sure I have fond memories to look back on in the future, as your philosopher stated. I really appreciate your journal entry, thank you for sharing your story and know that you are heard.

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