Welcome Aboard!

I asked my friend Brooke to introduce herself on the blog.  She did.  I am proud to welcome her aboard..... 

For the last few months she has managed all the posts you read, and the super fabulous art you view.   She posted her introduction and mailed me a copy so I could read it.  I enjoy her outlook on life.  Brooke takes a more conservative approach on life than I do.  And....she's still on your side of the fence too.  Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned here.

While reading her introduction, I laughed when I read her comment about S'mores, canoe races and campfire songs.  For never being in prison, she has taken time to become educated about life behind bars.  Something many people never do.  Unfortunately, those are the same people who jump to comment on how "easy we have it".

The ironic part is their comments will change tomorrow when their own son/daughter, brother/sister, cousin or friend is convicted and locked away.  Trust me, Karma is a bitch and about the time we feel we have all the answers she shows us differently.  So is life.

That same sheriff that banned mail in the Muskegon jail?  He changes his tune when he has one too many drinks at the local waterhole and hits a pedestrian on his drive home.  He catches a felony-manslaughter charge and is sitting in jail himself.  About that time, he's gonna wish he could get a little more than a postcard from his loved one at mail call.  What?  You think the sheriff is above the law?  Shit happens!

Whether you believe in Karma, Buddah, or God himself....you try to play God?  Prepare to meet him.  While you sit in your lonely cell, you'll have plenty of time to chat with him.

Brooke also stated that she doesn't always agree with me.  No, she doesn't and she tells me when she doesn't. We are both 33 years old, but have lived completely different lives. While she tells me about college, Corporate America and raising kids.......I tell her about stealing cars, selling dope and toting guns.  I smile to meet the woman she became, and the friend who never points a finger in my direction.

The world needs more "Brookes".  I'm proud to have her as my partner on this blog.  I will try hard to not corrupt her in the process. :)  Really, my pieces are less offensive....I think.

Now, the people I offend mostly are in my yoga class.  Yeah.  I say "yoga" and you think I'm in a country club.  In fact, studies show that yoga, church and meditation tend to calm prisoners and cut back on aggression problems.  Yoga is anything but calming to me when I'm tied into a pretzel, then stood on my head.  My stress is relieved in the form of gas....from my ass, and the only people I'm offending are the others in my class.  They finally made me move my mat to the far back corner.  Now, I get a splendid view of a dozen men's asses as they do Sun Salutations in front of me.

Bottom line?  I'm doing something right these days.  On the street I was fired from jobs, late to work, violated my probation, fucked up a marriage and was in and out of jail.  I was far from reliable.  Today, I wake up early every day, keep my family close, draw art, write for a blog, attend classes and I haven't been in any trouble in a long time.

I keep my family close by mail.  Sherriff Postcard, you want to help your community?  Allow the men and women to communicate with friends and family from your jail.  Cut that off?  You cut off a prisoner's life line.  A life line that they need as they work to better themselves!

Allow me to personally thank each and every person who stops to read this blog.  This project is a labor of love.  It runs on donated time.  Something I have plenty of.  Brooke?  Not so much.  We do this not just for me, but to give you something to think about.  I see you.  Thank you for your time!  If you enjoy this, then please "like" us on Facebook.  Share us with a friend. Just come back...ya hear?  HA!HA!

Peace out!   

Hello, My Name Is.....

Brooke. 

I work, pay bills, run errands, and....put on my pants the same you do.  There is nothing extraordinarily special about me.  I am a loyal friend, a loving sister and a mother of two beautiful children.  I am a childhood friend of J.J. and now a proud blogger.  Or....typist...that seems more appropriate being that these posts are J.J.'s thoughts.  Not mine.

Let me take you for a fast ride down memory lane.  20 years ago, I use to run through the woods with J.J. after church.  Engage in snowball fights, build forts, play tag and take dog sled rides with my friend, who now calls himself J.J.  Today, we write.

Many, many years went by since we have talked.  I heard stories about J.J.  Living a colorful life.  Living big.  Living on the edge.  But, through all the years, I have always considered him my friend.  I have always kept him in my prayers.  Then, one year ago I heard about a blog named Judicious Jailbird.

I checked it out.  Like J.J., I grew up in a conservative Christian home.  Unlike, J.J. I never dreamed of trying the things he did.  I remember thinking, "Really? You turned your closet into a grow room?"  when I read Growing Up.  I remember holding my breath when I read the series My Life.  I remember my heart sinking when I read Dark Days.

Last summer, once I caught up on my friend's life, we started to write.  We have laughed about childhood memories.  We share our ups and downs.  We travel the world together as we write about the adventures we hope to experience one day.  And, we challenge each other to new thoughts and opinions.

Last summer, I was also surprised by a news story that explained the Muskegon County Jail (in West Michigan) was changing the inmate mail policy.  The new policy outlines that inmates can no longer receive incoming letters, but are now restricted to postcards from their loved ones.  I read strings of comments in support of the new policy.  Some comparing the jail/prison system to summer camps.  I have never been to jail/prison, but I am pretty sure that they do not have canoe trips, campfires with S'mores, and sing Kumbaya.  I thought about my friend J.J.  I thought about the people he writes, and how he feels a part of their lives.  I thought about the time he spends writing posts and drawing art for this project, and how this helps him do his time in a positive and productive way.  I thought about how incredibly important these things are to J.J. as he spends his time bettering himself.  I was disappointed to read what others wrote in support of taking away inmate's mail.  I am disappointed in society's harsh judgements.  Inmates are already being punished. Who are we to continue to punish them?

Moved by my disappointment, I wrote to J.J. and told him that I would be happy to help him if I could.  Now, I am proud to be the childhood friend that shares J.J.'s stories and talents with you.

I believe that it is important for inmates to stay connected to life on the other side of the fence.  It is important for them to stay in contact with family and friends.  And, I believe that this is a positive and productive project for J.J. to have in his life.  (Right, I know.  You may read some things and think "Productive?"  But c'mon.....think about it......he is hanging on his bunk writing and drawing rather than gambling or doing drugs, among many other choices that are presented on a daily basis.) 

Prison doesn't rehabilitate inmates.  Inmates choose to rehabilitate themselves.  I believe that J.J. has chosen to better himself.  And, I know that this project plays a large role in his quest for a better life.

It is quite likely that you do not always agree with him.  That's OK.  I don't either.  I am not here because these are my opinions or thoughts.  I am here because he is my friend.