Hey, what an hour it was. Yes, there was no handball and only three other inmates went out so I had the whole outer edge of the yard to myself! About halfway into my power walk, I was called back inside to receive mail. I received a package of five paperback books (I wonder who sent them?) and also some legal mail.

The mail was from the federal court with forms for me to file a notice of appeal within thirty days of entry of judgment. I was hoping to get some information before I filed anything, but I guess I will go ahead and send this in. At this point I only have to fill in my name and case number. Then they will expect a bunch of paperwork. Maybe at that point I can get an extension until I get a handle on my options.

For the next batch of books, go ahead and send ten. They do not have limits like the fed. There is no rush; these five books will hold me for a bit considering the NY Times should start coming tomorrow. What an eclectic mix, the NY Times and cheesy romances. Well, nothing like covering the basics.

Boy the walk really does get the creative part of my brain going. Now let see what the mail brings. Yeah, I am just a little greedy and needy. I actually wish I could be watching the TV instead of just sort of listening to it, but hey, I will get the highlights on the 6:00 PM news. I can hear them playing Hail to the Chief. Oops, they are now playing "Monkey wrapped his tail around the flag pole." "Be kind to your web footed friends" whatever that Sousa march is. Now, Yankee Doodle with fife and drum.

I am going to finish this letter tonight, and then I will start on the five books you sent. It is so nice to have a friend who works near a thrift store that sells cheesy used books.

So let’s see, I think I deserve a snack. The sun is almost out of direct sight of my window so I am going to stick one of my two Milky Way bars out on the ledge.

One of the inmates had the chaplain call him out of his cell right before dinner. His father apparently attempted suicide and is in an ICU unit down in the city. He did not come out for dinner.

I took back the four slices of white bread from my dinner and I offered to make John some tuna salad sandwich with a choice of Hershey or M&M’s for dessert. He said he could not eat anything. I will offer again at 7:30 PM after Rec.

The goomba Italian guy who is right next door to me told me his wife is dying. I said wasn’t that a blessing! He laughed! So that’s all for now. I am going to fill out that appeal form now.

Hi Lucy, I’m home! Well I watched an hour of TV news and decided NOT to torture myself with another hour of the idiot box. Yeah, OK, the Milky Way bar sitting on the windowsill is calling my name too. So let me go answer its call. Look out Milky Way, here I come! The anticipation. How could I last almost nine years without a frozen Milky Way? Easy, just do it!

Damn it. It is not frozen; firm, but not rock hard. I guess I could have waited. But then again I should probably close the window to stop the warm draft. Well, it will get cold again and I still have one more. Even not frozen solid it is still good.

So let me get this ready to mail. I will probably sleep well tonight. Tomorrow we have morning Rec outside. The weather forecast is for very cold temperatures and snow is predicted for this weekend. I hope you get a chance to ski in some of it!  ¶ 10:21 AM