Hurricane, Cranes, and Feral Prison Cats

 

Friday, 09-23-2022

I signed up for a new class --- Florida Prison Education Project--- sponsored by the University of Central Florida. First class-- Principles of Art and Design. Outside instructor, they furnish materials. Looks good.

If it's not one thing it's another. Now the TV has Hurricane Ian, every channel, all the time. No murders, robberies or bad accidents when a hurricane menaces. I'm not particularly concerned. It will lose some force before it hits the Orlando area. Wind and rain. We've endured far worse. What is happening in the rest of the world?

Visits Saturday and Sunday cancelled statewide. Disappointing. This morning they called canteen at 9 a.m. Drizzling rain and strong wind. No big deal. One hour later I had to pick up a prescription at Medical, on the far side of the compound. Now the much-stronger wind blew the rain sideways. Five guards escorted me. Nothing else going on. Umbrellas turned inside-out. Only three escorted me back, then they disappeared. I don't suppose they were concerned that I would make a desperate climb over two razorwire fences. The baby sandhill crane didn't fare as well this week.

We've been watching a pair of sandhill cranes for well over a year, from their fascinating mating rituals to the emergence of the downy brown chick several months ago. Eventually the baby reached adult size, although the mother still shared her food with her offspring. I called them Lucy, Desi, and Little Ricky.

Last week the baby got its leg tangled in the razorwire..Fortunately, the state game wardens untangled the injured bird and took it for treatment. A number of prisoners are praying for its recovery.

The seven feral cats living in a storm drain are facing hardship, too. More fences isolating the north end demolition/construction area block off the south end, where we all live. Can't get past the fences to share our meals with them. Plans call for a four-story, $115 million dollar mental hospital to be built next to a large sinkhole. What's wrong with this picture?

Meanwhile, bag lunches with a peanut butter sandwich and turkey bologna sandwich is on our menu.

All the best... peace, joy and love... Charlie

postscript: Lake C.I. and Charlie, having not experienced any direct contact with Hurricane Ian, came through the weather okay: rain and wind, but no loss of power, no flooding, no flying debris; however, visits remain cancelled. Be safe.