Fifty Fourth Visit to Taft

Brian and David came to visit Ron at Taft last Friday. It's always a great day when the four of us are together. It's not much different than it used to be around the dining room table. Lots of talking, arguing, joke telling and laughing. We were missing Phil. That would have made it just like home.

I noticed a change in Ron today. He was just like his old self, before all this mess began. He was talking to his kids about business, future projects, advising them on how to do certain things. He hasn't really done this in a long time, maybe because he felt that he was not one to give advise, considering his situation. But he is so optimistic about his future, the things he plans to get involved in, and I haven't seen him like this since way before he came to Taft. He has his confidence back. Yeah!

An article in Thursday's Wall Street Journal had Taft, and I assume all federal camps, abuzz. Obama's new budget will have prisons as an area they intend to cut. What they want to do is increase the amount of good time allotted to federal inmates. Instead of 15% good time it will be increased substantially. What does that mean to me? A lot. It means that if that budget passes, and if they actually act on what they propose to cut in a timely fashion, Ron could be coming home early. Is this just another opportunity to be disappointed? Maybe. I am sure that this will happen, but whether or not it will happen in time to make a difference to Ron is unknown at this time. It does make a huge difference to some of Ron's friends who were given very long sentences as first time offenders of a nonviolent crime. The savings will be tremendous, as each prisoner costs the U.S. taxpayers close to $50,000 a year. With the aging prison population, sometimes the cost is much higher.

We talked alot about the possibility of this actually happening. I'm afraid to get excited about it just because I know how slowly bureaucracy moves and even if this passes, it could be many months before implementation. Ron is excited but doesn't show it. As he says, no matter what happens, he'll be home in 5 months.

We spent about an hour talking about what we each think regarding Ron coming home, and what we think about doing together. My thoughts are rather romantic, like taking a nice walk and then having lunch together. Ron's are, well I don't know what you'd call his thoughts. He's thinking about mornings when I get up early and go to the gym, he sleeps in and awaits my return, then I fix breakfast for us both. Why are men and women so different?

The BOP is in no hurry to release prisoners. Jobs will be lost, prisons may close, and lots of work will have to be done by current employees in preparation for prisoner release. The BOP doesn't want any of these things to happen, so I don't see this happening in a hurry. It would be nice if it would, but I have to be optimistic and go on past performance. Wait, wait, wait.

We are both in a good place emotionally right now, counting down the weeks, preparing to be together again. If the budget cuts take place, it will be a sweet surprise for us both. As I've said many times before, "Hope for the best but expect the worst."

Nonviolent Communication=Compassionate Communication

In an effort to prepare offenders for reentry, Taft Correctional Institutions offers a variety of learning opportunities meant to teach new skills and create good citizens. Ron has taken just about every class offered, from horticulture, to Toastmasters, to home improvement. The latest class is a series of lectures and discussions, including role playing called Nonviolent Communication. The course is based on the work of Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of the movement. I thought I would research this program, as I'd never heard of it before.

Nonviolent communication (NVC)is an approach to communication that emphasizes compassion as the motivation for action rather than fear, guilt,shame,blame or threat of punishment. In other words, it is about getting what you want for reasons you will not regret later. NVC is not about getting people to do what we want, it is about creating a quality of connection that gets everyone's needs met through compassionate giving.

NVC training teaches you to express yourself honestly without attacking. This will help minimize the likelihood of facing defensive reactions in others. Requests are made clearly. They will help you receive critical and hostile messages without taking them personally, givining in, or losing self esteem. The skills learned in this course can help an individual deal with family and co workers alike. The principles of NVC are not new, but Dr. Rosenberg has articulated them in a way that people can understand. If this is of interest to you, go to www.cnvc.org to find out more about Dr. Rosenberg and his theories.

The course is a wonderful addition to the skill courses that they offer at Taft, as many inmates have difficulty expressing themsleves well. This course offers them a chance to develop nonviolent ways to communicate that can only enhance their chances for success upon release.

Chicken Enchilada Bowl

On my most recent trip to Colorado, I sampled Evol's newest product, bowls. They will have four different bowls available in Whole Foods sometime in January, then in the spring they'll be nationwide. I sampled them, loved them, especially the Chicken Enchilada Bowl. I tried, but failed to recreate it on my own at home. I had to call Phil for help. He's not much for precision in cooking. He always tells me to use a little of this and a little of that. Here is my translation of what he told me. I would make this in a casserole. In the stores, the meal will be in single serving bowls in the freezer section.

Chicken Enchilada Bowl (Casserole)

2 chicken breasts cooked and shredded
4 corn tortillas
1-2 cans green enchilllada sauce
white rice, cooked
1 1/2 c. shredded cheese-cheddar or jack or combo

In a casserole place a layer of cooked rice on the bottom. Sprinkle shredded chicken and cheese. Then dip tortillas in enchilada sauce and put a layer of tortillas down. Repeat process (like lasagna) and end with cheese on top. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the whole thing. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until bubbly. Let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting into squares. (you can add other things like chopped tomato, olives and onion if you like). Enjoy

Who Has A Super Autobiographical Memory?

On December 19, 2010, 60 Minutes aired a segment on a new area of brain research, people with super autobiographical memory. I remember the date because I wrote it down, but the 5 people they interviewed would all have remembered the program if they had watched it, even if it had been 15 years ago.

The fact that these "normal" people could remember every day of their lives, what they did, what they ate, how they felt, including what day of the week each date fell on, was mind boggling. They seem to be able to store an infinite amount of information. These people aren't freaks. If you met them they would seem just like me and you, but they have the remarkable ability to recall every day of their lives in minute detail. They don't struggle to do it, it's just there. As one of the responded when asked how she did it, she said "I don't do anything, it's just there."

Research into the brains of this small group of people is just beginning. They have noticed that all these people have larger than normal temporal lobes and most are left handed. At this point very few people have been diagnosed as having super autobiographical memories, but after the exposure on 60 Minutes, many more will come forward.

One thing I did notice was that all identified people worked in the arts. All have a degree of obsessiveness about them. The other thing that Leslie Stahl pointed out was the all except one were single and not in a relationship. I think posessing this ability might be very hard on a relationship. It's not that these people are smarter, they're not. But they have a special ability to do something most of us can't and that may create problems in a relationship.

I don't know that I'd want to possess this ability. Imagine remembering everything you did and felt on every day of your life? The pain of reliving your teen age years, the break up with boyfriends or husbands, the hurt of losing a loved one. Those emotions would be with you always, called up at a moments notice.

I'll stick with my psychological condition, CRS. You know what that is. Can't Remember Shit. Most people I know have it to some degree, but luckily we've got our friends around to help us remember what we can't on our own.

Seriously though, the research into the brain condition discussed on 60 Minutes is absolutely fascinating. It is being done at UC Irvine. I can't wait to learn more about it. It just amazes me, that in the 21st century where we know so much in the field of science and technology, the brain is still a mystery. Perhaps further research will lead scientists to conlusions that will help in the treatment of Alzheimer's and other brain disorders. I can't wait to learn more!

Falling Through The Cracks

A few weeks ago 60 Minutes had a story that caught my attention. It was about all the military vets that have fallen through the cracks. I was especially interested because the story spoke of a San Diego based veterans program to help those in need. The tragedy of the story was that for every vet they are able to help, there are 50 more that are turned away.

The story told about how quickly newly returning vets become homeless. During the aftermath of the Vietnam War, it took about 8-10 years for vets to become homeless. In the aftermath of Iraq and Afghanistan, vets are becomming homeless in about one year. They did not go into why this is happening so quickly, but the answer seems simple to me. We are not providing the services these men and women need to make sure they become productive members of society again. There is little or no preparation for their release from military life, back to civilian life. Many men and women went into the military right out of college. They may have done several tours and now they're 25 years old and have never been out in the real world and don't know how to cope. They are unprepared.

One man in particular caught my eye. He was around 30 years old, nice looking and well spoken. He was homeless in San Diego. He did not qualify for any military program because he was NOT on drugs or alcohol. All the programs center around helping returnees who are adicted. What about all those that have stayed off drugs? Shouldn't we offer them help? The reality is that they have a better chance of success in civilian life if given a home and few tools.

It reminds me a bit of the prison system, which I have learned much about in the past year. All over the prisons are signs saying, "Preparing inmates for reentry." Ha, what a laugh that is. Teaching someone to till the soil or how to lay tile, that's about the extent of the skills they teach. How about a little psycho therapy to prepare men and women for the real world? Many of these people have been out of society for years, may not have any family to support them, how are they possibly going to make it? What they're doing now is a recipe for failure. It's the same in the military (which I have no firsthand knowledge of). Men and women are sent home, some services are available, but it's all after the fact. Nothing seems to be done to prepare them befoe things get bad.

I'm not an expert in any of these subjects, but these are just things that I have noticed as huge problems that we're just not solving. There are individual programs that are fantastic and are helping the few they serve, but so many are not getting the help they need. We need to do better.

Fifty Third Visit to Taft

I was feeling a little down after my visit with Ron on Friday probably because of the news he got at his team meeting last week. As much as we try to keep our emotions on an even keel, events take place that get us off balance. When he was told his release date might be 7 weeks later than he had originally thought, he felt like he'd been punched in the stomach.

Ron is a planner. When he was told last summer that his release would be in early June, Ron started counting the days, weeks and months until June 15. Then all of a sudden he was told his date would be around July 27. All his counting would have to be recalculated. Figuring out the new days, weeks and months gives him something to do, but it is all so uncertain. It keeps us in a state of limbo, no knowing what they're going to tell us next.

Even though our visit was as gratifying as always, Ron was definitely distracted. We usually play cards for awhile, but Ron didn't want to do that. I know he's thinking about the change in date a lot, trying to figure out why, never getting any answers. It's terribly frustrating.

This situation is a perfect example of what Ron says is the hardest part of incarceration. He says "Everything is difficult" in prison. What that means is that everything you do, from shopping in the commissary, to eating a meal, to asking a simple question, is all difficult. Ron might want to know the answer to a simple question, like whether or not the horticulture teacher will be coming tomorrow. He may go ask someone and rather than get the question answered, will be told to come back in a few hours. Maybe this has something to do with time. Time is something the inmates have a lot of, so perhaps those in charge don't see any urgency to getting things done. Six months ago the inmates were told they would have a coffee machine put in the visitors room so that we could all enjoy coffee during visitation. It still isn't there.

Bureaucracy at work. You have no idea. I don't know why everything is so difficult, but to get anything done takes paperwork, paperwork, paperwork and lots of time. There are procedures for everything. If Ron had a long sentence I might feel inclined to get involved and try to initiate change, but I've seen what's happened with others who have tried. The system is so set in its ways that any change comes slowly and in baby steps. I don't have that kind of time.

Very few lawmakers are even the slightest bit interested in streamlining prisons and making them more efficient. Jim Webb is one of the few working for prison reform. After all, prisons are big business. Changes and improvements might eliminate jobs and that's definitely NOT something lawmakers are looking to do.

Sometime in the future I will elaborate on some of these issues, but now is not the time. For now I will just say how difficult it is see problems and not be able to do or say anything. Later I will have something to say.

Facts About Pomegrantes

I never thought much about the health benefits of the pomegranete until recently. It was always a fall fruit that stained my clothes, made a mess of my sink, but was delicious to eat. I would buy a whole pomegranete, cut it in quarters, and eat it over the sink. I never thought about using the seeds in salads, juicing the fruit or using it salad dressing. Recently the pomegrante has become THE fruit to eat for its many health benefits.

The pomegranete is native to Iran, Saudi Arabia, Northern India, Bengal and Southern Asia and is cultivated throughout the world. There are over 760 varieties of pomegranete. Ancient Egyptians were often buried with pomegranates. Pomegranates are mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Jewish tradition teaches that the pomegranate is a symbol of righteousness because its 613 seeds correspond with the 613 commandments of the Torah. (however, the number of seeds in a pomegranate varies). Many scholars believe it was a pomegranate rather than an apple that tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

There are many health benefits of pomegranate juice. Here are a few: 1. fights breast cancer. Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. 2. Lung cancer prevention. Studies in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer. 3. Slows prostate cancer. It slowed the growth of prostate cancer in mice. 4. Keeps PSA levels stable. In a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA leveles stable. 5. Protects the arteries. It prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup. 6. Alzheimer's Disease prevention. It may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated significantly less amyloid plaque than control mice. 7. Lowers blood pressure. One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressue by as much as 5 percent. 8. Dental protection. Research suggest that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

If pomegrante juice can do half of what researchers say it can I guess I should be drinking it. It's tangy flavor is not a favorite for everyone, but I happen to love it. I've never been much of a juice drinker. The Pritikin Program taught me years ago that eating the whole fruit is much better for you than drinking juice. Getting the fiber from skin and pulp makes whole fruit a better choice, but this really isn't possible with the pomegranate. I guess I'll pick up a bottle of POM next time I go shopping.