My spirits are on the uptick today. The morning sunrise was inspiring, strikingly colorful and mesmerizing. I could not take my eyes off it. I watch ol' Sol give Rainier a morning bath, then rise up ready to chase Mister Moon across the heavens and over the western horizon. A glorious way to start a day!
Another fisticuffs situation today...UGH! I heard it but I didn't see it. I was under my blanket practicing morning prayers so I decided to stay with something positive and not turn over to watch the action. When I heard what I thought was a fist hitting a skull, it was difficult to focus yet I persisted. There was lots of grunting, extremely vulgar language and the sound of slapping. "The tank" woke up and began voicing encouragement to "hit him again" and "he's down, kick'im". I heard someone say "The guard is just standin' there watchin'." At some point over the loudspeaker came "Code Blue, Code Blue...seven south, upper B". That's us! Both tribesmen were taken to the hole and their bunks are now ready for new tenants. Welcome to my world...a world that would have once terrified me into a dark place now becomes a movie of sorts, where I am amazed at "man's inhumanity to man". No longer a small boy living in fear of the man who might beat me, I am a good man who is saddened by the world in which I find myself. I think I have an addiction (tongue in cheek here!). This morning the commissary brought coffee to all who had the coins to order it! I was one of the fortunate. Haven't had a cuppa for 10 days...count 'em...TEN DAYS! After my first cup (made with the hottest tap water I can find at 6AM ...from the bathroom pipes!), I was amazingly content. After the second mug, my body was completely satisfied. Is coffee the REAL MEANING OF LIFE?? :) Of course not...but "the tank" seems lighthearted at the moment....that counts for a meaningful HOORAY! Just saw an ad for HnR Block. Felt like I was kicked in the gut. I won't be helping taxpayers this year...or ever again. I'm an Enrolled Agent (EA), licensed by the Department of the Treasury. (Google that one...EA!) I have had forty years of experience representing clients before the IRS. When I am sentenced, that license will disappear! I'm aware of how much my self-esteem is connected to being a "professional" and it does hurt to lose that EA designation. I don't have the vocabulary to describe that pain that the HnR Block ad caused me. About twenty minutes later there was a similar ad for Jackson Hewitt. Tis the season. I'll be seeing many of these TV spots in the weeks to come. I hope I get used to them. MAIL!! I love receiving cards and letters....wink, wink, nod, nod! Got two letters this afternoon...call me Happy Camper! :) I also received two books yet I am uncertain about the source of these gifts!! By the time they get to me, books have all traces of mailing and all reference to the sender destroyed. SO I will list the author and title and say THANK YOU right here! It's such a challenge to be stimulated intellectually in "the tank". Reading and writing gives me a chance to get into my head so MANY THANKS FOR ALL THE BOOKS!! Received: Lullaby Town by Robert Craig and Mirage by Clive Cussler....for now, if you're reading this, you know who you are...and I THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT GIFTS!! What I really miss is a lively conversation...oh well, must be part of the punishment! One more 2014 sunrise tomorrow...I'll be there to watch it! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY for anyone born on December 31. Call your parents and remind them of the tax deduction you game them...HAH! Next post will be next year...2015...an 8 year...no idea what that means?!@# Anybody out there know?? OVER AND OUT...
1 Comment
Susan Howe
1/4/2015 10:58:14 pm
Patrick, I think this blog should be made into a book, later. It is such a true depiction of jail, or so it seems. What do I know?
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AuthorPatrick Michael Leonard Archives
August 2020
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