1) It was super-hot about a week ago with a high of about 95 F during the day and high humidity. Without AC in our room, it was somewhat difficult to sleep. It got hot again this weekend with about the same temperatures, but it doesn’t feel as hot. I think the humidity is less, which helps out.
2) When you see a group of guys after lunch on a Sunday wearing their long pants, you know it is time for church. Not everyone dresses up, but a fair amount do. I went today at 1:00 service – sometimes I go to the 2:00 Hispanic service. We were lucky today; there was a baptism, communion and a good sermon. The sermon was about prayer and that you should pray for “God’s Will To Be Done.” I started thinking about what I pray about and it typically goes in this order: 1) I ask God to forgive me for my sins, 2) I pray for those who I know are sick or ailing, 3) I ask God to look after my wife & children while I am gone & 4) I ask for him to help me get through this prison experience in a positive & speedy way. I guess I should add on that “His Will Be Done,” but part of me thinks he already knows that. Maybe I won’t pray for it, but will know that it will be that way.
3) We had a nice Fourth of July lunch with BBQ ribs, 2 hot dogs, corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, mac&cheese, raspberry pie and some watermelon. The corn was cold and without butter and the watermelon wasn’t very sweet, but I could live with both of those things. Two guys at my table did not like watermelon, so I had three pieces. I ate so much, I couldn’t eat the hot dogs. I needed some help from Joey Chestnut – I see he at 72 hot dogs & buns this year.
4) On Saturday at lunchtime, there was some sort of issue upstairs. I was outside waiting to go to chow when all of the sudden about 8 C.O.’s were on a dead run coming into our unit. I guess they found a guy with a cellphone & he may have pushed the C.O. before he took off running. He came out about 5 minutes later in handcuffs, going to the SHU. We all had to go into the unit & they searched us on the way out before you could go to eat. By that time, I was tired of waiting and made some soup in my room.
5) I read three books this weekend. One about a kid in Africa who built a windmill out of junk parts, another one about a priest in Dachau during the Holocost and a third one called “Sons” by Pearl S. Buck. It is the book following the Good Earth that I read in high school and a few months back. I will work on the book reports tomorrow.
6) I have been lifting weights with some guys instead of doing push-ups & sit-ups. It is too hot for that, but working out doesn’t get you so hot.
7) I was a bit peeved at the end of last week. I wrote a long journal and sent it, but it went through as a blank email. I lost all that I wrote.