Hello to you all out there.  I was born and raised in the Richmond, Virginia area. I am an inmate in a state prison in Virginia. I have many childhood memories I want to share with you, as well as an inside first-hand look at life in a maximum security prison. I hope you will respond to my messages. A good friend on the outside will send me your responses, and I will answer you via the same route.

These days, my cell mate is a 6' 6" 255 pound giant, a hillbilly from a small town in West Virginia.  He spends his days either eating or sleeping. It's like living with Big Foot in a tiny cage. Showers do not interest him, and deodorant is unknown to him. His body odor is beyond description. He does not read a lick, and he's content to watch whatever TV show I am watching. He is a good example of someone who has been institutionalized. His world is within these walls, and his topics of conversation refer to situations and people here. When he does touch on a national or international topic, it amazes me to hear how dull minded he is and how he never has the facts straight.  It would be bearable if we each had separate jobs to do outside of our cells during the day. But unfortunately someone in the prison was caught trying to make a weapon. As a result, we are on total lock-down. He and I are stuck together in the cell 24/7. It is trying my patience and my determination to keep on my good behavior so I can be transferred to a level 4 prison, which I have already been approved for twice. Unfortunately, those prisons are filled with new people, and there is no place for me yet. 

I spend a lot of my time thinking back to my early years. It helps me to deal with the present when I can reach out to the happy memories I have of my grandparents and their unconditional love for me. 

During my very young years, my parents both worked, and the care for me and my younger sister was given over to my paternal grandparents who lived on a nearby farm. I was their first grandchild, born on January 27, 1961. They had raised two sons who both flew the nest and married in 1960. I quickly filled the void left by their departure. And I am here to tell you that I really hit the jackpot with this stroke of fate. For they would have seven more grandchildren, but I would always be Number One. They loved me and spoiled me to death.

More to come, friends. I look forward to your responses.