June 2015

The picture.  The beard.  First of all let me say that Mark was sitting here by himself when I walked in to visit.  I didn’t know who he was.  I’ve never seen him that thin as an adult. He also had the longest hair any of the 4 of us has ever had.  Except for my fabulous face shelf of course.  This picture was taken, albeit reluctantly by Makenlee (she must take after her other 2 uncles) on Valentine’s Day.  The beard has since undergone reformation.  It turned 3 on March 6 and finally got its first cut.  But I have lost my last picture ticket so it may be a while until I get another picture taken.  So, the anticipation builds!

May 2015

I have recently discovered a new way to guarantee your workout every single day.  I won’t say how I came up with it, some of you may know, but it doesn’t matter.  Anyways, about 3 weeks ago, I started doing 20 pushups every time I (not sure how to put this?)--- void.  Okay, every time that I pee.  It’s something that everyone does daily (and nightly).  But no matter when, 1:00 p.m. or 4:30 a.m. if I go then I drop and get 20.  Simple way to get 100 to 300 pushups in a day on top of any other exercise I may do.  If it’s something you want to try, just remember it doesn’t have to be pushups.  It can be any exercise.  And it doesn’t have to be 20.  Start with five or 10.  All my brothers should do 20 burpees, every time you take a leak.  Fun times.  Put the pee in burpee?  Whatever.  I think it is a brilliant idea.  

April 2015

 Well, there are changes under way here at WCFA, or I should say TDOC.  With Haslam’s newly appointed commissioner comes some changes. No more Honor Pods.  This typewriter isn’t equipped with emoticons.  (I think emoticons may have been invented in a post typewriter world), but if they were I would put a frowny face one here. :(  So no more work out equipment, no more ping pong, or no more ordering out food. Unfortunately there’s no more real incentive to “do right” (as Coach Po always said)  which is sad.  All it will do is make life easier for the gang members who want to cause problems, and harder for the people trying to stay out of the way……  This will be gradually phased in, so we will see in the coming months.

-What has happened lately is I, along with all the other library workers and the teacher’s aides and tutors have all been moved together into an “education” pod since we all work in the same area.  It’s to minimize and localize some of us who do tend to stay out of the way, so it has been a blessing.  I got in a cell with an older man who I work with and had kinda taken under my wing anyway just because he reminds me of all the funny old men who can’t hear and love to laugh that I have been around my whole life, at church and family functions and what not.

March 2015

Well, I guess today’s song would have to be “Ain’t It Funny How Time Slips Away” by Willie Nelson.  I have been made aware that it has been quite some time since I have blogged.  No real reason other than that I just haven’t been in the mood I suppose.  But back to the song, I have a few favorite versions.  One is on the Storytellers record.  One is his old original version.  And yes, one is an acoustic version (bootleg) by Dave Matthews.  And all are good and different and appropriate.  Enjoy.
--Speaking of music, I was very excited to catch the entire Physical Grafitti album on the radio a few weeks ago.  As I’ve said many times on here, Led Zeppelin is one of my all time favorite bands and to get to catch that was unexpected and put a smile on my face.  So “Houses of the Holy” and “Custard Pie” can be the songs of the day for you in days to come.  Get your blood pumping!!

Mid November 2014

Prison Football Food

Well, there’s finally a chill in the air to go with the football.  It’s time to reach down into the commissary bag and bring out some goodies to make a celebratory meal.  This one is hot & spicy, will raise your blood pressure and isn’t cheap considering my 42 cents an hour wage.  But as a once-in-a-while treat, it’s hard to beat.  It’s kind of our version of chips & rotel.  (And for those of you that like to copy some of my menu selections, I’ll be as detailed as possible.)

3 chili flavored Ramen noodle soups (green wrapper)

1 chili pouch (no beans)

8 oz. refried beans (we have Sevilla Spicy Refried Beans.)

4oz hot pepper cheese (crumbled, chopped, or shredded

1 spoon of Velveeta Jalapeno Spicy Cheese Spread (we have 8 oz tubs/ use about half.)

1 Kraft ranch pouch (single serving dressing)

5 oz. hot summer sausage (we have Jack Links) crumbled or chopped into small pieces

1 or 2 handfuls of pickled sliced jalapenos (chopped into small pieces

 1 bag of nacho cheese chips (Doritos or generic.)

 Break the ramen noodles up into very small pieces, remove from wrappers and put into a very large microwave safe bowl reserving the season packs.  Put enough very hot water on them to cover them twice.  Cover and let noodles swell – stirring after 5 minutes.  Add more water if the top isn’t still covered. Wait another 5 minutes.  Once noodles have swelled, pour off all water.  In another bowl, mix together the beans and seasoning packs.  Add the summer sausage, chili pouch, ranch pouch, cheeses, jalapenos, and stir well.  Microwave for 3 minutes and stir.  Repeat until thoroughly heated.  Open up the chips and your mouth and prepare to burn.

Mid October 2014

I make this statement with near certainty.  If you are in a movie on the SYFY channel,  are riding in a Jeep, that Jeep is in the woods or jungle, or away from civilization in any way, you are more than likely NOT going to make it to the sequel.  And the fewer clothes you have on, the chances for survival is proportionally lessened.  Now, I don’t make a habit of watching the SYFY channel (or Sci-Fi movies for that matter), but it never fails that while channel surfing, if I inadvertently stop on SYFY, there always seems to be some unfortunate soul Jeeping to their demise.  Just my observations!!

What do you call more than one computer mouse?  No it’s not a joke.  It’s just a conversation we’ve been having at work.  Computer mice? Probably.  But some say computer mouses, which just doesn’t feel right.

“God loves you just the way you are.  But He loves you too much to let you stay that way.” From the movie Junebug.

Today’s song is “Whipping Post” by the Allman Brothers.  Just a powerful jam.  Rock on!!!

October 2014

“Experience is a good teacher, but her fees are very high.” William Ralph Inge.

Everyone please note that if you get mail from anyone here other than me, your information was gotten from me without my knowledge or consent.  Please disregard and do not respond should this ever occur.  Please let me know who has contacted you and I will be sure to, at the very least, make sure that their next meal has a minimum of one extra tasty and extra-long beard hair in it.