Yesterday, I did a rare thing, I gave up one of my days off.

But first, a word about my Friday. It was a good day. Of course it had to include my cell phone, but I spent a large portion of my day working in yard. After the prior experiences this year being an all day event with me spending half the day working on the mower and the other half trying to rush to get through before the mower malfunctioned, with the new mower it was pretty enjoyable. I swear, when you start it up, it is mad.

Saturday, I went to Lamesa to see Leonard. Yep. Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Smith Unit. Leonard is a former employee, former co-worker, and friend who has been a guest of the state for about five years or so. Leonard was sentenced to fifteen years for cattle rustling. Yeah, I know. Crazy. In addition, Leonard received a 96 month federal sentence for gun charges. As I understand it, the fed judge refused to let the sentences run concurrently. I wouldn't be doing this in the old days. they would have just strung him up.

This is probably the most correct picture of Leonard's woes that I have had. But to farther complicate things, at the time of his arrest, he had two months probation remaining on a juvenile sentence.

I kind of have a problem interpreting all this, but even though he had guns in his possession, his crime was not considered a violent crime. At least they have not found a cow that would testify he held them at gun point while he loaded them up.

Leonard had written me (we exchange letters weekly) asking that I give him a date to come to Lamesa. It seems that the guards had asked him to box up some of his older correspondences and get them out of his cubicle. He either has to have them approved and processed to be released to someone on the outside, or he has to trash them. So last letter, I told him I would be visiting on the 25th of July.

I will go on the record, I really don't like going there. A few months ago I had never gone through this experience, today I know the process but I don't like it any better.

You first are greeted at the guard shack as you drive on to prison property. At that time you have to give picture identification, you open the engine compartment of y0ur vehicle, you open the hatch (or trunk, turtle, or boot, depending on what you call it), and they will open the doors to make a quick inspection. This is done coming in and going out. Then they ask for the prisoner number you wish to see. You sign in on the log and they send you to parking. After parking, you go through the sallyport and once again give them your Id and the prisoner information. Beyond this point you are not allowed to carry cell phone, pager, pocket knifes, pens, pencils, paper money, or money in excess of $20. (I have gotten where when I get out of the vehicle I empty my pockets, remove my belt, and if I am carrying change for vending machines I put it into a clear plastic bag). From there they buzz you through a double gate and it is a short walk to the visitor center. Here you will be scanned and patted down after you have emptied your pockets, and they will ask you to remove your shoes. Once you are cleared, you will be signed in and they will take your keys and picture Id and put them into a compartmental drawer. From there you go into a Tv room where you wait until they call your prisoner's name. From there, if you are family, you will be seated at a table to visit. If you are a friend, you will be taken to an area of booths and telephones and the visit will take place through a glass partition.

Yesterday I learned another regulation. No shorts. I had been cleared through the sallyport when the tower would not buzz me through. The telephone rang and they said shorts were not allowed. I was wearing a button collared shirt with blue jean shorts and my moccasins.

So, since I was investing one of my days off and six hours driving and 300+ miles, I drove to Wal Mart and bought a pair of jeans.

I had to go through the exit process, drive t0 Wal Mart and repeat the entry process. Yuk!

The second time through I was held up for about fifteen minutes because a lady visitor had made the same mistake.

Crazy thing was, Friday night I had gone on line just to be sure nothing had changed and to verify the visiting hours. I did not see anything mentioned about dress requirements for visitors, but I plan on checking again.

As for the inmates dress code. They are required to be clean shaven (no facial hair), hair trimmed short. The white prison issue shirt must be tucked in to the white prison issue pants. Most inmates wear white tennis shoes although I did see some tan loafers yesterday.

Leonard got a big laugh out of it. I walked in, sat down, picked up the phone, and he said "Nice pants!". I didn't reply I just sat there. Finally he asked if I was going to say anything. I looked behind him and replied, "I was just hoping they would give me a nicer inmate this time!"

Leonard was very emotional. It seems his step son had been in an automobile accident a couple of weeks ago in Florida. His name is Tyler and he just turned 17. He was thrown from the car and suffered some severe head trauma. He has been in a coma since the accident and doctors cut and removed a piece of his skull to allow the brain to swell and hopefully minimize any permanent damage.

I had learned of the accident Wednesday and had done some follow up on Thursday, and ironically, Friday I received a one paragraph letter from Leonard telling me about the accident.

As it turned out, Leonard probably had more current information that I did. It seems Friday he went to the chaplain's office and the chaplain called Tyler's grandmother in Florida. She reported that Tyler remained comatose, but Wednesday he had stopped breathing and they had to rush him to emergency surgery for a six hour procedure.

Our first subject of our visit was Tyler. As expected, Leonard was very emotional and he repeated over and over how he should be there for Tyler. He kept saying how he had messed so many people's lives up.

I purposely tied to steer the visit subject during the entire visit, but on several occasions, Leonard took it back to Tyler, telling me if I learn anything, please keep him posted.

When I visited Leonard the first time earlier in the year, I had wondered how we would possibly visit two hours. What would we talk about? Surprisingly, two hours pass quickly. In fact, we were both caught off guard when the guard walked up and gave us the five minute signal. As I was getting up to leave, I remembered the box of letters. I tapped on the window and Leonard returned to pick up his phone. I inquired and he told me had had not gotten them cleared to be released.

And that was the reason for my visit.

Yesterday, as I waited, I observed. Parents, spouses, children, friends and inlaws, all taking the time to visit. I thought about how these people and their lives were intertwined and how all the lives had been changed because of their friend/relative being incarcerated. I saw grandparents bringing grandchildren to see their Dad.

I understand, the deterrent is being locked up, the loss of personal freedoms. I also understand that the sacrifice and hardship is expanded far beyond the guilty party. I guess this is the "best" solution.

I kept thinking, all of these men dressed in white were someone's son, and someone's mate, and for the most part someone's father. I think about the children who will grow up thinking the visit to the prison is just a part of growing up.

Most of the visitors are friendly. I guess they figure we all share a common bond. In a weird sense I guess we do.

I won't kid you though. It is a relief to walk out, get in the car and watch the prison buildings shrink in the rear view mirror.

Whew.

I would ask that you include Tyler as you lift your prayers.

When I returned home, I went by the post office. On Friday, we received one paltry check from vendors. We had gone 17 days since the last payment of any kind. I am hoping Saturday didn't begin another drought.

When I arrived home, Krl had all sorts of pieces of all sorts of possible meals scattered around the kitchen. "I don't know what I want to fix for supper", she said.

We began a discussion. Left over enchiladas ( she had made from scratch Friday), a chicken flat noodle casserole (whose ingredients were on the counter top), and potato soup. All possibilities.

Since Krl's belly was acting up, we decided on the soup. I decided to make the creamy style, so I used a combination of water and milk. I put it in a large pot. Eight cups of liquid total. I turned the stove on high.
I was briefly distracted by the hound girls and I turned around to watch the liquid expand at a high rate of speed. So quickly I could not even respond by lifting the pot from the burner. All I could do was turn the burner off. Even so, it still spilled over the top. I did a preliminary clean up but I still have more to do.

I did salvage the soup.

Today. The Brickyard 400. NASCAR. Indianapolis. Loud. Fast. My kind of day. Now you know what I will be doing this afternoon.

And with that, have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for a safe day. FATHER I lift up Leonard to YOU, that YOU would lead and mold and change him, that he would be truly reformed. I lift up Tyler to YOU for YOUR miracle of healing, that he would recover and be whole. For I know who I have believ-ed.