Love in Lockdown

Every once in a while I find myself getting caught up in those real life story documentaries. I am interested in the guy who’s part man, part tree, or the half ton teenager whose mother is a complete enabler. I’m not sure why I’m so fascinated by the hoarders and the addicts or the gang members. But admittedly, my guilty pleasure is the prison shows. I watch the women of cell block 6 with curiosity, hoping that Janice, the 19 year old mother of two, can stay off of meth. Or that Mama Jo, as she’s fondly referred to by her fellow inmates, can help the newbie, Carla, survive inside those cement walls.

And then I discovered, Lockdown: Indiana State Prison. MSNBC was showing a marathon this weekend and I was hooked, especially when I saw all the cats. Cats, you ask? Yes! Indiana State Prison has a cat adoption program whereby inmates can adopt cats from a local shelter and care for them on prison grounds, in their cells. It began when strays would come onto the property and the inmates would informally take care of them. The prison instituted the cat program upon realizing the positive effect these felines had on the prisoners, who became genuine and devoted caretakers. The prisoners that adopt the cats are truly invested in their furry companions and it’s actually quite touching to watch. And just for the record, I believe inmates apply to adopt a cat and they’re not provided to them willy-nilly.

Stone, an inmate takes his cat everywhere. Self described as a rebel rouser, the prisoner talked about how the cat keeps him in check because he now has something in his life that’s dependent on him. He strolls the grounds with this rather large cat resting over his shoulder and you can tell that he loves Jinkster.

When they featured Aaron, who was awaiting a new kitten from the latest round of adoptions, I too felt anxious and excited for him. He showed the cameras how he had prepared his cell for the new arrival with a litter box, handmade scratching posts, and a couple of cat beds, along with the book he was reading on cat care. Gaia, his new kitten arrived at just 15 weeks old and she was the most adorable, tiny ball of kitten fluff. She immediately took to him. As someone serving a 50+ year sentence for killing his parents when he was 16, he obviously has his good days and bad days. But the calm and contentment his new kitten brings to his life is pretty amazing.

Aaron even enrolled his kitten in a program where he takes Gaia to the rehabilitation ward to provide comfort and company to prisoners suffering from mental problems.

I was so excited when they showed adoption day and they brought 5 new kittens onto the property. I think I may have started to tear up at moments. Plus the cats were really cute, providing unconditional love in the one place that it’s bound to be nonexistent. Who knew that a prison show could be so heartwarming?

Tokens of Love

For Valentine's Day...

Hal got me roses

And I got him ice cream cake.

Neither will last very long but we’ll both thoroughly enjoy these tokens of love while we have them. It’s the little things we appreciate and it’s why he’s forever my Valentine.

PS, I put that heart on the cake myself.

Music's most important night

I did not watch the Grammy Awards but thanks to multiple websites I got the general gist. My takeaways…


There are 109 Grammy Awards
Really? There’s that much new music out there that warrants 109 awards? I think I live under a rock, a rock of quiet oblivion apparently.


What is the difference between:
Best Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals versus Best Collaboration With Vocals

Btw, definition of collaboration: process where two or more people (like a duo or group?) work together to realize (perform) shared goals (vocals).

No difference. Just an excuse to add more awards to the list.


Now ain’t that some sh*t
If you missed it, you should check out Cee Lo’s performance. He’s not only morphing into Elton John but he hired the muppets to join him on stage. It’s incredibly entertaining simply because it’s so bizarre. And I believe Gwenyth Paltrow is wearing some serious Louboutins.


And the winner for best new artist is…

Jenn: Esperanza Spalding? Who is Esperanza Spalding?I don’t know who half of these artists are. But I know what a Beiber is. Do I get points for that?

Hal: In fact, you get points off for that.

Go figure…


Lady Gaga has hatched
So she showed up in an egg. I had to repeat that several times to Hal and provide visuals so he would believe and comprehend what I was stating. We now say “Gaga” in my house like it’s a bird calling, which elicits much laughter. Hey, if you can’t laugh with her, laugh at her.


Seriously, watch the Cee Lo performance.