Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 36
Time I woke: 4:00 am
Journal of activities:

Today my wife and I left Petaluma in the early morning. We drove to the Central Coast of California where I was scheduled to speak at an event held by the Central Coast Writer’s Club. Dorothy Vriend, the club’s program coordinator, contacted me last January and extended the invitation. I was still in custody then, and we had to postpone my participation until I had the liberty to travel freely. The event included gratuity of a night in a quaint cottage hotel called the Andril Fireplace Cottages that is just minutes from the roaring waves of the Pacific Ocean. We also had a wonderful dinner and received $75 to cover our fuel expense. Basically, the opportunity allowed us to enjoy our first mini-vacation at no cost. Soon I expect to coordinate speaking engagements like this that pay a livable wage. But I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share my story and to enjoy this incredibly beautiful part of the country.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: No exercise
• Lenght of time: No exercise
• Miles run today: 0
• Weather: Sunny and beautiful as Carole and I drove to Monterey, Pebble Beach area.
• Consecutive days: 0
• Cumulative miles since day off: 0
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m so grateful that God blesses Carole and me with opportunities to make meaning out of my lengthy journey through prison.

Appointments:

Today I spoke at a Writer’s Club event in Monterey. It was a wonderful experience that provided us with an opportunity to visit a new community. We stayed in a very quaint cottage in Pacific Grove, just minutes from the Pacific Ocean.

Links to publications: