Last week, Hurricane Helene unleased a fury of destruction, of which recovery and rescue strategies drove the first topic in the Vice Presidential Debate on Tuesday. The breadth of the debate proffered hope between two ideological opponents. This solemn discussion seemed to humanize and maintain a respectable and wholesome decorum, which had not been displayed in prior debates. Now, the choice will rest with “us” (the People) to choose “the lesser of two evils” (quoting Pope Francis). Oh the predictions and polls inundate us from every angle. Previously, I commented on how so many inmates have suddenly become expert political scientists with all the answers to national and world issues. Now, it seems these guys wear another expertorial hat: scholarly sport strategists. Each guy seems to know the outcome of every football game (NFL & college) and post-season baseball game. I suppose the same probability of wrongness for weather reporters applies to these fellas too, since they are all equally wrong most of the time. Comically, I enjoy the certitudes pertaining to the triumphs and upsets of these predictions without any substantive merit of facts. Mondays typically offer a sobering reality to these crazed, self-declared professionals. By Friday, bruised egos are nearly healed to engage in making the next round of predictions carefully crafted with “definite” defeats and wins. Alas, these banters and discussions do help the time pass, especially on the weekends.
October continued some of September’s perfect weather: clear sunny days and cooler dry nights. For me, the week was quite busy with work during the day, and even more enjoyable with pickleball in the evening, which seems to be fully dark here around 7:30 pm. On Monday, I had the biannual teeth cleaning (no cavities); on Wednesday, I had the annual tuberculosis test (I passed). I am fortunate to be in a location where the dental and health departments provide quality services. While I have had limited interactions with the health professionals and cannot assert a proper critique, I can attest that the dental hygienist and dentists are superb. I would pay out-of-pocket for their services since they are both that good. Almost a year ago, the dentist sent me on a furlough to a local oral surgeon to ensure that a slight discoloration on my inner lip was not cancerous. Despite my own misconceptions of prison having terrible dentistry, the dental department in FPC Morgantown excels, and I am grateful to the incredible professionalism and services of those two departments.
Earlier in the week, I learned that my 10-year-old pup, Princess, has cancerous growth on her lungs. I had difficulty sleeping over the past few nights worrying about her future and outcomes of some other tests. She either has an aggressive cancer that will give her about another month or a treatable cancer that will extend for a few years. With this news, I’m starkly reminded of my limitations of being in prison and not with loved ones during these critical moments. Whatever irrational thoughts, motives, and actions that I had that led me to this point, they were not justified by any means. Being away from the most important people and furbabies in my life does not warrant my current situation that I take full responsibility for. In the Catholic calendar, Friday was the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who is known as the patron saint of animals. Thus, I asked a special prayer for my puppers, Princess, and for St. Francis’ intercession. Whatever your faith disposition may be, I do hope that you experience some little miracle in your life! I really appreciate you taking the time to visit this blog and follow my journey through the federal prison system. Have a wonderful week and make appropriate plans to vote next month 🙂