September 8, 2021
Sunday, August 29, 2021, my dear wife Libby made my day when she drove from Jacksonville to Clermont to visit with me. Unlike my previous stay at Tomoka C. I. in Daytona Beach, visits at Lake C. I. are much less stressful than the hostile environment at Tomoka. At Tomoka visits, besides the intentional long waits to just be processed for entry, the guards are often rude to the visitors and create unnecessary stress and tension, a chilling effect on family visits. At Lake, the atmosphere is much friendlier and relaxed, which is appreciated.
An outside pavilion provides fresh air and views of the expanses of green lawns. Water birds probe the swampy areas for insects, and a pair of Sandhill cranes strolled across the yard to the drying retention pond. The cranes like bread balls, and I've learned to call them when I have bread balls for them. Half of a small hamburger bun formed a handful of bread balls. I called to the cranes, and they came running to the chain link fence that separated us from them.
Libby was delighted to see the pair of tall Sandhill cranes up close, a foot away, greedily pecking at the bread balls, their bright crimson crests like beacons. They are not stand-offish, coming up close to the fence and looking us right in the eye. White ibises and grackles edged nearby, waiting for errant bread balls the cranes missed. It was a delightful cap to a joyful day.
Saturday, September 4th, marked my 72nd birthday and 15,858th day of imprisonment, since my wrongful arrest for murder on April 5, 1978. I have accumulated over 10,000 days of ''gain-time'' that the state lawyers say doesn't count for life-sentenced prisoners. Over 43 years at ''hard labor'' feels like it counted.
With my parole release date still frozen at July 4, 2017, I am going to need new letters of support from family and friends as I seek a new parole hearing. The corrupt politicians who unethically blocked my release are out of office now, and hopefully have lost their influence over the politicized parole commissioners. Prayers are needed and much appreciated.
Keep in touch, be safe and healthy. All the best.
Charlie
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