Hello again. Time for another installment of thoughts from a number. That's all you are here. I'm 331557. They don't reuse your number if you get out. If you were locked up in the 1960s and they gave you a lower number, say 9067, then, if you get locked up again 45 years later, that will still be your number. Yeah, I know, very interesting stuff, huh? Oh well, I've got to start these blogs off somewhere.

Speaking of exciting, yesterday was a banner day. I was on the Rec field (which in no way resembles a field. I should say 40x60 fenced in concrete), when I looked across the parking lot and saw cows grazing on a hill and later that day, I got a thick slice of tomato! If you would have told me that there would come a time in my life when those two things would be the highlight of my week, I would have laughed at you. In the past five years and three months, I've seen insects, birds, cats, and a few raccoons out my window. So watching those cows was kinda cool. And getting tomato is very rare in here. And you realize how much better a sandwich is with a slice of tomato, especially a tomato sandwich.

I'm not saying that you'll feel sorry for me. It's just that being in here makes you realize that the small and ordinary turn out to be big and profound. Sometimes you may get bored with your life, but later you may realize that these little things meant something. Maybe more than you believe. Let life always be a magic show; slow down and notice things. Enjoy your life. You don't have to look very hard to most anything. Out there you can always create changes to your environment. Jeremiah 25:11 says: "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." God wants that for everyone, not just Jewish captives mentioned here. It doesn't mean you will be spared from pain and heartache. But He did promise to see us through.

It's very easy in here to dwell on your regrets, your mistakes. I guess calling some things mistakes is sugar coating for down right sin. With so much time to think, the regrets seem to continue to add up like the days. It's easy to lose track of days in here, unlike the concrete blocks in your cell; mine has 399. I know that I was a good father, but I always think of things I would do differently, of missed opportunities. I would take more (and better) vacations. I wouldn't have worked so many hours, things like that. I can't tell you how many days I've wished and prayed for a do-over. Just turn the clock back one time.

Well, some things for you to think about. Thanks again for reading and responding to my blog.

God bless,
Joe