"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a Future and a Hope. In those days ,when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.

I will be found by you. " says the Lord. "I will end your captivity (sin) and restore your fortunes.( Salvation) I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land (Heaven) .Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT

WOULD YOU KISS A PIG?????

Click the following link to read about Situation Ethics:
http://www.verticalthought.org/issues/vt20/situation-ethics.htm

"I am the Alpha and the Omega" says the Lord." The beginning and the end"

" For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through Faith, and this is not from YOURSELVES, it is a GIFT from GOD-NOT BY WORKS( GOOD DEEDS, LIVING RIGHT) so that no one can boast." EPH: 2  8-9 (NIV)

" I took my troubles to the Lord: I cried out to Him, and He answered my prayer" Psalms 120: 1 ( NLT)

"for, whoever calls on the Name of the  Lord shall be saved" Romans 10 : 13 (NKJV)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord" plans to prosper you and not to harm you-plans to give you a hope and a future"

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

"May those who love you be secure. May there be  peace within your walls, and security within your citadels. " PS 122: 6-7

                       A Thanksgiving Prayer

Oh Lord, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry.
when I have work, help me to remember the jobless.
when I have a warm home, help me remember the homeless.
when I am without pain, help me remember those who suffer.
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency, and bestir my Compassion.
Make me concerned enough to help by word or deed, those who cry out.
for what we take for granted.
 -- Samuel F.Pugh

Be without fear in the face of your enemies.
Be brave and upright,  so God may love you.
Always speak the truth, even if it leads to your death.
Safe guard the helpless,
So is your oath!
 -- Balien " Kingdom of Heaven"

Biker jokes! You know you're a biker if?????????

 you ever had to borrow a helmet for a date!

you have more black t shirts than underwear!

taking your wife for a cruise means a putt down the interstate!

your only 3 piece suit is leather jacket, chaps and vest!

you can identify bugs by taste!

 your Christmas list has no words, just part numbers!

every magazine you subscribe to or buy has the word" Biker" in it!

( quoted from Thunder Roads Texas Magazine)                                                                              

*****NEW*****

"From the Princess Seat! "

By Hollywood                                            

 July 25th

Gas prices are high, so lots of people are buying motorcycles, or dusting off the ones in the garage. But, unfortunately, most of the "New" riders or those that haven't ridden in a long time, aren't taking the time to learn how to ride, or brushing up on motorcycle safety skills! This is causing lots of people to get into accidents. Also, people who don't ride (cagers) aren't used to so many more motorcycles on the road, so they are not paying attention, still talking on cell phones, each other, or scolding the kids in the backseat! It's very dangerous out there, so I encourage every new rider to take a motorcycle safety course (you can find one near you by visiting the DMV websites) or just Google "motorcycle safety course" find one in your area and take the time to do it. It may save your life and others! Also,  learn the motorcycle riders signals( you can find them below, scroll down) and use them, whether riding alone or with a group! Please DON'T just rely on your turn signals and hope they will see you! Make sure your bike is in tip top condition, lights working, brakes and tires are good. A few dollars investment is worth it if you can get out and ride safely! If you get a call on your cell, and don't have a bluetooth or some other wireless device, pull over to the side of the road to take the call, or exit. You may be distracted by talking, so if it's not urgent, call them back when you can stop safely! Never ride in shorts or flip flops( I see this all the time!) wear at least jeans and boots or hard bottomed shoes, in case you have to stop quickly or go down (hopefully this will never happen) but at least  your legs won't get burned by the heat from the pipes or engine! You'll also have some protection on your legs and feet. Wearing a helmet is also a good idea, find one that fits well and you are comfortable with. A helmet that is too big for you will cause drag from the wind and give you a headache! Make sure it's at least DOT certified, and not a "cheepo" novelty helmet.

 August 6th

Websites that cater to kids and teens( like "cheat codes for games"," Free" music downloads, "Free wallpaper" ) are especially able to sneak in viruses, because kids aren't aware or savvy in recognizing stuff that shouldn't be there.! Most adults ( like me!) wouldn't know either!)

Well known sites, like pbs kids, or cartoon network should be okay. Just have your children or teens ASK you before they download anything from a website!

#2 Emails from people or places you don't know or didn't contact!

Don't open them! Spam them and delete! They can carry serious viruses, and once in your PC( or laptop) can possibly do damage that can't be fixed! *Side note: if they ask for any personal information, DON'T do it! They try to trick you by scare tactics! Exp. "Your account will be placed on hold or cancelled if you don't confirm today!" BUT, you don't even HAVE an account with them!

It could lead to Identity theft! ( another subject for another day!)

Some examples I've gotten: Someone is trying to contact you! You have an E-Card from someone! Joe  put you on his friends list! Click here!

Someone is searching for you, see who! ( only $9.95!)

( A Bank) NOT YOURS! wants verification of your account or it will be placed on hold! I WANT TO GIVE YOU MONEY!

SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, DELETE, DELETE, DELETE!

IF YOUR BANK (OR OTHER PLACES YOU HAVE ACCOUNTS) WANTS TO SEND YOU SOMETHING IT WILL BE IN YOUR INBOX ON YOUR SECURE BANK SITE! OR EBAY, OR PAY PAL!( Which by the way, will NEVER ask for your personal information in an email!)

 August 20th

I want to address one aspect of ministry today, which affects a lot of people. It's Prison Ministry.

Now you may think that means going to visit someone in prison. And if we are able, we should. But most people don't have the time or money to go visit, or after a while , just stop going. Or you may feel there are prison ministries out there, so why bother? You'd be surprised at how few people there are in these ministries considering how many prisoners there are! They cannot possibly reach everyone!

But  we are supposed to minister to our brothers and sisters in prison. How can we do that??????? Well, it's pretty simple!!!!

MOST people have a relative or friend in prison. A simple easy way to fulfill this obligation , given to us by Jesus Himself,  is WRITING TO SOMEONE IN PRISON! Send them a holiday  card, find out when their birthday is and send them a funny birthday card!!!!!! Send them pictures ( if they are a friend or family member) .

Our job is to " Love our neighbor as we love ourselves", as CHRIST JESUS LOVED US ENOUGH TO DIE FOR OUR SINS! He didn't have to do that! He could have refused everything He went through .He could have DEFIED GOD'S WILL, and then where would we be today? There would be NO HOPE FOR US! That's where we'd be! Condemned to keep Satan company forever! Some people in prison feel that way too! They think no one cares, so why should they? Why should they change , or confess their sins, or ask God to help them?

Any way, , please consider writing to someone today, just ask at your church, or go to a Christian Ministry website ( I have one in my links" Loving Hearts") and contact them for a "Prison Pen Pal" , or if you'd like, I have the address for Blacksmith Ed in "links" ( click on his link!) . You can also participate in "Angel Tree Prison Ministry" which helps the children of prisoners have a nice Christmas. Ask at your church to see if they have such a program, or you can contact the Fellowship Riders at Irving Baptist Church in Irving, Tx. to see how you can help.

God will bless your for your effort!

October 13th

Bikers,4 wheelers and cell phones and texters!

Sorry to say, more bikers are getting run over everyday. NO tickets are issued to the people who run us down, because most times, police officers treat us like 2nd class citizens with no rights, or witnesses lie about whose fault it was. Helmet laws will NOT keep us alive, or stop people from ignoring us or just not caring enough to put away their cell phones while driving. This is an election year, so just maybe, if we contact our state representatives and let them know we want something done about this, some action may be taken. Please, take the time to find out who your rep. is and send them an email asking that this injustice be addressed! More people are getting motorcycles now more than ever because of the economy and trying to make ends meet. But, if we don't take a stand on this issue, no one will. We are responsible for making law enforcement accountable for their actions. We can only do this if we stick together. The days of "This won't happen to me" are over. Please, get out and vote, and consider getting involved in your community. If you get in an accident, please contact an attorney immediately( as soon as you are able) and press charges against the person who ran you down. You can call 1-800-on a bike , and ask to speak to one. Also, please be aware of your surroundings at all times, and ride safe!

     God bless and stay safe!

PS. Motorcycles were made to RIDE!

Jan. 6th, 2009

She was always there for me, calling me to cheer me up when things weren't going too good, letting me vent about stuff that was bugging me, taking me to lunch (she would never let me pay), sending me a card on my birthday when no one else remembered. She never complained about her illness, never told anyone really how sick she was, always doing for others. I went to see her Christmas eve, and didn't know what to say to her. Her sickness had taken everything , her hair, her body, but she still sounded like the Mary I knew. How do you tell someone that it was God's will that she suffer from cancer, the pain, the nausea, not able to eat, and that she would die? I have no answers, I just know that in the end, she made peace with God. I have to do the same.

If you have a dear friend, make sure you tell them you love them, call them often, they may be gone before you know it.

May 18th Beware social networks!

don't be taken in by "Christian"  or "biker friendly" networks, or any other, there have been viruses in face book, and my space too. Sometime your identity can be stolen from what u post. If you want to order something do so from legitimate websites! Sometimes these social networks will have u make donations or order stuff to "support their ministry". Even church websites have "donation button!"

ONLY make donations to proven charitable organizations like "Red Cross" , "Salvation Army" and be sure to thoroughly check them out ( see how much of your donation actually gets to help people!) or is it almost all going for administrative costs!

God wants us to help others, but He don't want us to be suckers, either! He gave us intelligence, let's use it!

Fun Facts about Dragons!

Menace from head to toe: Blazing eyes dominate it's horrible scaly head, and it's legs, as large as tree trunks, can kick down whole buildings!

Good Eats: Covered with impenetrable scales, the wyverns belly often looked bloated-a sign that the beast had recently feasted on some unlucky village. Some legends have it that dragons could only be killed by striking it's belly with a magical sword.

Did dragons really exist? They are mentioned in the bible. www.gotquestions.org

the idea of flying dragons may have come from the real flying lizard. It lives in Malaysia, but was imported from Europe. Another origin for the dragon myth may have come from the sea. The 30 ft. long oarfish, with a red crest on it's head, may have been spotted by sailors hundreds of years ago and believed to be a dragon.

A world of Dragons: Name a country or a culture, and it is likely to have had a dragon in it's past.

 There are lots of movies with "good" dragons"  see "Dragonheart" and " Eragon"

New Article!

"See a biker-Save a Biker"

Here are 10 things every driver should know about motorcycles.

#1 the # 1 reason bikers crash is because motorists don't see them!

#2 Bikers can easily disappear in your blind spots.

#3 Bikers may be closer than they appear.

#4 Bikers don't always use their brakes to slow down.

#5 Bikers use all of the lanes to be safe, not reckless.

#6 Motorcycle signals don't automatically turn off.

#7 Don't expect  that a biker can get out of your way.

#8 Bikers have a hard time stopping quickly on wet or snowy roads.

#9 Bikers are people like you.

#10 hitting a biker will be something you will regret for the rest of your life.

* 80 % of motorcycle accidents result in serious injury or death.

What can you do??????

Look all ways before proceeding, give motorcycles the right of way, pay attention! Don't just cut over to make your turn or exit.

Don't talk on your cell phone, turn around to yell at the kids, or put on your makeup( shave in the mirror) .

Thanks and let's all be safe!

                          Motorcycle tires

It has come to my attention (lots of people asking) about motorcycle tires.  Motorcycle tires are unique, because you are trusting your life on 2 wheels!  It is NEVER a good idea to "plug" or repair a tire. NO shop that has any ethics will do this for you. A plug can pop out, or your tire can blow! ( Have you seen wide strips of rubber on the freeway from Big rigs!) BUT they have more tires they can run on without crashing!

If you have a slow leak  you can always put in something like "Green Slime" or "fix  a flat to get by.        Check your valve stems, this could be the problem!

                                           Tire Pressure

Make sure you run the recommended tire pressure!

Some people recommended changing your tire pressure for 2 up (passenger) but this is not necessary and it's a pain ,even if your remember to do it, just adjust your shocks lower or higher, if you normally have a passenger, then just leave them alone, because you will get used to it.

                                The "WOBBLES"

Lots of people say they have the "wobbles" at high speeds. This is really a very common problem that is easily fixed!

Talk to a reputable motorcycle dealer or you can email us if you have any questions!

                                          Darkside

This refers to Valkyrie owners who run a car tire on the back instead of an mc tire!

Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up!

Be safe, look all around you and enjoy the ride!

Peace, Hollywood

Universal Signals For Riders

Everyone (esp. cages!) should know what the universal signals are for motorcycle riders in a group. Some groups have their own signals or have modified them to their group but they are mostly standard signals. If you are in your vehicle and a group of motorcycles comes near you, please try NOT to get in the middle of the group! If you have to get over to the right lane to exit, PLEASE make sure you turn on your signal as soon as possible, DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE ALREADY MAKING YOUR TURN TO DO IT! This is very dangerous -- not only for you (you will probably survive the crash) but the people on the bike probably won't! It could also cause a CHAIN REACTION OF CRASHES! Please remember, we are Fathers, Mothers, sisters & brothers. We have jobs, mortgages, raise children and shed tears. We have families to that will be affected (just like yours!). So PLEASE... just be cautious and put away your cell phone, don't yell at your kids in the back seat and just really pay attention!

These are pretty much all the ones you will need to know!   Thanks for reading this & ride safe!

       What to look for when buying a used motorcycle.

 The 1st thing  you should consider is the age of the bike.  If it's older than 5 years old, you may have a problem getting parts, or have to order directly from the dealer. This can be a big expense, you should be ready to pay premium prices for parts.

Look at the bike thoroughly, and ask for maintenance records. If you see bent or scraped crash bars, pegs, or pipes, it may have been laid down, or ridden irresponsibly.   Stripped bolts, can indicate less than quality work or repairs. Look for oil leaks, rust, etc. Consider the overall appearance of the bike, not just the chrome accessories.  Never just accept t he seller telling you "that clicking noise is normal" .

Bikers Prayer

   Dear Lord, I ask You to ride with me today, give me Patience with others who share my road.

   Give them patience as well, and let them hear and see my motorcycle.

   Let them not judge me, and I will not judge them as we are ALL your Children.

   I ask you, Jesus, give me the opportunity to be a blessing to someone today, even in Word or Deed.

   Surround us with Your Mighty Angels, that we make it to our destination and loved ones.

   For those whose time has come, welcome them into Your Hallowed Halls, and comfort their loved ones.

   Forgive me my sins today, and everyday.

   In Jesus Name, Amen                                    
                
                    Peace, Hollywood

God was with me.

I hit the road in the summer of 75

. I was working in the clubs on Rush Street (Chicago’s Old Town district.) His name was Mike Lacy, and he was the drummer in a band from St. Charles, Mo. They had come up for a gig at Rush Up (my latest job) and we had been sleeping together for a couple days. It was actually a way cool job, because back then we had live bands every night. I actually got to meet and serve drinks to “Chicago Transit Authority” which later became known as Chicago (yeah, that one!) Us waitresses had one up on the groupies, and could usually hook up with anyone in the bands.

He said” Why don’t you come back home with me?” and I said” Why not?”

I didn’t have anything keeping me there; I had been disowned by my family, lost my sweet  4 year old daughter Michelle to her dad and his parents and every time I went to see her, Douglass had an excuse, or wanted me to pay him to see her.   Some gals I was working with in the clubs and I was sharing an apartment, no electric, just hot water. This was no problem, really, since we slept all day and got up around 5pm to start getting ready for work (we had to be there at 9 pm) and always ate out anyway.  Our shift ended at 2am, and then we went out to eat breakfast across the street at the diner, and usually got some sucker to pay for it. So we usually didn’t even get home till 4 or 5am.

I didn’t have a steady boyfriend at the time; since the last one, Vince, had suckered me out of my income tax return to get his car fixed (a black Lincoln Town Car with a sun roof) and took off on me. It was a sweet ride, and I had loved cruising down Rush with him!  Besides that, a week earlier, I had caught him with another chick at the bar (at my club) on my night off. That wasn’t a pretty sight! I threw a drink in his face and he clocked me. Yeah, I was pretty naïve back then, but still hadn’t learned my lesson. .

Any way, back to leaving.

 I got my last check, the band was going back to Missouri, and I went with. So, after a stop at an army base (they had a one night gig there, I got to be on stage and sing with them!) we made it to St. Charles. OF COURSE, things didn’t go too good there either, he had a girlfriend that he forgot to mention, but his MOM let me stay there till I found a job. The only thing I knew how to do was waitressing and soon found a job at an Italian restaurant.

I moved in with a bunch of people in a house (now days they might call it a commune, boy, was that an experience!), and everything was okay till the restaurant closed. Lots of drinking and drugs, and sleeping around with any guy that took my fancy for one night.

My manager felt sorry for me and let me move in with her, across the street from the airport. I got a job at the Ramada Inn, as a cocktail waitress. In the 70’s, they required you wear different “theme “outfits” each night. One was “Roman” and we had these white drapery style dresses that were so short, I had to wear white “hot pants” short shorts under it so I could bend over!

I was out one night in a bar (that should have been a clue!) and met “RED” and soon moved in together. We moved to St. Louis, and we were okay for a while, even took me to meet his parents in Marietta, OK. After getting married, things went to hell in a hand cart. He started doing black beauties and had his “friends” over day and night. One day I came home from work and the stereo and kitchen table were gone! He had sold them for cash for more drugs. Also, I had heard him bragging to his friends about the redhead he was doing down the street. I had met a guy, and since he didn’t have a place to stay, I let him live in the basement of our apartments. You guessed it; we were soon having an affair. I was very depressed and lonely since my husband was cheating on me, so tit for tat. Red never found out, but when I was supposed to go to his parents for vacation, he wanted to move in a gal friend of ours who had split up with her boyfriend. Of course, that didn’t go over too well with me, and I didn’t go. One day about a month later, me and David split to Chicago, where he had an aunt we could stay with. Now our best mode of transportation in those days was hitchhiking. (More later on that)

 I soon got a job working at Mothers, (you guessed it!) On Rush Street.

I came home from work (do you see a pattern here?) and found out he had sold my wedding rings for a bag of weed (marijuana.) Well, what could I do? A few weeks later I started getting sick in the mornings, too sick to keep working and found out I was pregnant.

So had to quit my job and we went back to St. Louis. We stayed with his parents for awhile, but things got boring and I couldn’t find work, so he decided we would steal his dad’s motorcycle and go south. It was dead of winter, and we took as much clothes as we could wear to keep warm, and away we went. We made it to String Town, OK, a one horse town in a one horse state. At night we slept in gas station restrooms, or all night Laundromats. We panhandled for a little cash to eat and buy gas. . Bike broke down and we were screwed! No money to get it fixed, so I called Red’s parents in Marietta to see if we could come there. No deal, of course, since I had left their son and was with the guy I left with. (big mistake, I should have gone and dumped him, as you’ll see!) So, no choice but to call his dad, and he came and got the bike. We hitched it out of there and got to New Orleans.

No jobs for pregnant cocktail waitresses, so we got jobs selling flowers on Bourbon Street, and made a little extra cash making the bouquets. We also sold hot dogs off a cart and made some extra money buying our own after we sold out. At night we stayed in a “flop house” 5 bucks a night to throw your sleeping bag on the floor. During the day you had to leave, so we roamed and explored the streets of New Orleans. We hung out in the French Quarter, and with the hippies in Jackson Square.  We usually panhandled for cash for food and our “rent” for the flophouse. Many strange and different experiences there in New Orleans, markings in chalk on the sidewalks, fresh hot beignets small square doughnuts) and chicory coffee at Café Dumonde(we could buy a plate of these and coffee for $5.00!) , red beans and rice at a little hole in the wall diner away from the “tourist area”. Getting on the free ferry and going across the river to Avondale, buying genuine Po boy sandwiches, real muffelettas, then taking the ferry back to the French Quarter.  Running off Hare Krishna’s from our corner, we even went to a “church” to see about getting help. Turned out they didn’t worship God, but the “other one”! We beat it out of there quick! I was really showing then, so it made it easier to sell our “wares” and get to enjoy Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras. Soon had enough money coming in to get a place in a rooming house (converted mansion) on Elysian Fields just out of the French Quarter. One day as we were going to work to pick up our cart, my water broke. We got a ride to Charity Hospital, and after 12 hours in labor, my beautiful daughter, Angela was born. She was a “preemie” about 4 lbs, so they had to put her in an incubator for a couple weeks. She also had new born jaundice, and so had to be under an UV light for a few days. I went to see her everyday. Finally, she got to 5 lbs and they let me take her home. I got a large basket at a flea market and cuddled in blankets, she went with us to work. Many more people bought flowers then, because she was so small and cute! One guy bought all our bouquets one night so we could take the baby home! When she was about 3 months old, we decided to blow out of town and got back on the road. California, here we come! Hitching with a baby is not easy (or recommended!) but we sure got rides easier, and most times our rides paid for meals and motel rooms .We also found small churches in small towns that gave us food and cash. . After going back and forth across the south (we decided we wanted to see the Florida Keys) we went back to St. Louis.

So I went to work for a lady I knew who had several Laundromats, and she gave us the apartment upstairs. Things were going pretty good for a while. Making a little cash, and Mrs. Daugherty let me baby sit her kids sometimes and got on AFDC too.  Of course, things had to go haywire again, and David stole a 22 pistol from some people we had met. We broke into their apartment through the basement when they weren’t home.  I really didn’t know what he was going to do with it, until one night he told me he was going to rob the old man down the hall and steal his car. Me being a dumbo, I went along with the plan. I didn’t know he was going to shoot him though, and before you know it, we were grabbing stuff and getting out of there. I didn’t know at first that he had kept the gun, it was under the seat. Back to California we went. We had money this time, but it soon ran out and he decided to score some pot to sell on “Hippie Hill” in San Diego. Selling dope was still a major offence, but he didn’t have much left so we stayed there for a while. Bang! Got busted! The cops took us over to the station (inside the park) and questioned us, but let me go. I was afraid to go back to the car to get the baby’s stuff, so I went back to the place we were crashing at. The gal there told me when she got home from work; she’d give me some money to get out of there. Pretty soon, here comes what seemed like the whole Sheriffs department sirens blazing!  They had run him and found the warrants from St. Louis; we were wanted for murder and theft! They took me to jail and the baby to juvenile, since I had no relatives there to take her. It was actually on TV!

So I had my first taste of being locked up. I was arraigned and held for extradition back to St Louis. We actually got to wear shifts and rubber sandals. Meanwhile, I had called my sister in Chicago (thru the Chaplin) to see if she would take the baby. I did get to see her a couple times before juvenile agent took her to Chicago to my sister. After about a month, I got extradited to St. Louis, and was handcuffed till we got on the plane. The officer with me was pretty nice, and so away we went.

I spent almost a year in a “medium security prison” which really is the same as any prison.

We got to go out in the yard about twice for fresh air and exercise, because there was always an excuse why we were denied our yard time. This was really an eye opener for me, and very scary. I got hooked up with a big black gal, who promised to protect me in exchange for doing her personal laundry. (You thought it was something else, right?) It could have been, there was lots of that too, and the guards turned a blind eye, or got the girls to do “favors “ for them too. Believe me, this is where lots of people find God, and I was no exception! I had been raised catholic, and in that religion, God is a huge scary man in a white robe ready to beat you down if you sin! I prayed every day and night for His help.

One day going to the gym for roller skating,” this was our recreation”, I saw a guard I recognized!

Murray was a guy that I used to “crack scripts” for. He and his dad had a doctor that wrote scripts for “uppers and “lowers” and would pick me up to go get them filled. They paid me like $100 for doing this for them, and here he was a guard! But sometimes he did sneak me some cigarettes and kind of looked out for me too. 

There were lots of scary things there in prison, “shakedowns” and “strip searches,” lock downs”, when one of the male prisoners had attempted an escape. One day one of our “matrons” had gone home with a pair of scissors in her pocket, which we were able to use in our recreation room, to sew or just hang out and listen to records and socialize.  Well, she forgot to turn them in and went home. So they figured one of us had stolen them and we were locked down for the whole weekend. Lock down means you don’t leave your dorm for anything, not meals, not recreation, nothing. They delivered baloney sandwiches, an apple and milk to our dorm. There were lots of surprise “strip searches” and shakedowns in our dorm. It is exactly what it says, and it was not very fun. Of course, they didn’t find the scissors, and things went back to normal on Monday. But that matron was transferred to another prison.

Meanwhile, I was not admitting to anything, but my charges were accessory to grand theft auto and grand theft over $2000 on the stuff we had in the trunk of the car.  It could have been worse! I got a letter from the juvenile division in Chicago that my sister had filed for custody of my daughter Angela. So I asked the Chaplin what to do. He let me call them and get a postponement and I called my lawyer. I told him I’d plead out to get out of there.

So here I go to court and plead out on a lesser charge (theft over $1000) and get released on an O.R. (own recognizance) meaning that on my signature, I would come back to get sentenced. I had a friend from the old days, Joyce, who would come and visit me and also put a little money on my book. She and her husband would give me the money for the bus ticket to Chicago, and the judge had already signed my travel papers to go. I had gotten pretty friendly with one of the Deputy Sheriffs (Danny) that transported us back and forth to court. He was really nice and didn’t cuff our ankles too tight to leave marks like some of them did. I had met him and a couple others when I was in the hospital (yes, you guessed it, I was pregnant again) but had a miscarriage. You get to know people when they are your guards in the hospital and you’re chained to the bed. They even wrapped gauze around my ankles to keep me from getting welts from the ankle cuffs.  Well, he had transported me that day to court and when they released me, he told me to hang around and he would give me a ride to the prison to get my personal stuff, and then take me to Joyce’s. I did, and then what happened? He takes me to a “cop hangout” bar down the street for a beer! Needless to say, I was not very comfortable there!

After a few beers, he took me to get my stuff at the prison, and then to Joyce’s.

Next morning, Joyce took me to the greyhound station and bought my round trip ticket to Chicago, and stayed with me till I got on the bus.

Now this was very upsetting to me, being as I hadn’t lived in Chicago for a very long time, and wasn’t sure what was going to happen once I got there. First, upon arriving, I had to figure out how to get to the Juvenile court, what bus to take, and then what was going to happen at the hearing. I had been talking to a guy seated next to me on the bus, and he said he would come with me, for moral support.

We made it in to the station at 6 am, found out what bus to take, and made it to the court about 7 am. Sitting in the lobby, waiting for court to start at 10 am, I noticed a sign over a door saying “Public Defenders Office” so, not having anyone to represent me, I went in and talked to them. One of the lawyers (he was a Guardian Et Litem, a children’s advocate.) took my case immediately, and into court we went. My sister’s eyes almost fell out of her head when she saw me, since she thought I could never be able to be there!  The charges against me were” the mother is unmarried”,” she is incarcerated” and “has failed to provide medical care for the child”. Only the first charge was true, and having brought her clinic records with me, and no longer being incarcerated(with my release papers from the court), the judge ordered my sister to return her to me. Being unmarried was or is not a criminal offense.

They told me I could go to her home to get the baby, but being smart, I told them it would take me hours to get to her house by bus, and so they ordered her to bring her to the court by noon, or face contempt of court charges. We waited in the lobby and at noon, I had Angela back. Joyce had given me some extra money for a room for the night, and so after thanking the guy with me (maybe an angel?) I got us a room. Next day we got back on the Greyhound to St. Louis. I took her to Joyce’s house, and even though she had three small children of her own, she took care of Angela till I could get situated. I still had to go to court to get sentenced. They gave me 2 years probation and I was done. I stayed with Joyce, since they wanted me to go to a halfway house for a few weeks, until the y had a bed for me. Now while I was in prison, I had gone to a program that helped ex offenders find jobs and housing. It was also a Christian based program, they found me a job and after I fulfilled my 6 weeks at the halfway house, I got my own apartment. Joyce still kept Angela for me, but I was able to pay her now, and visit with her everyday after work. I stared seeing Danny, the deputy sheriff too, but I found out he was married, and I didn’t want to do that to another women. So we split up, but remained friends.  

How I wound up in Texas

I was working, things going good, and then Bam! Met another guy, who worked for a real estate agency, Apartment Finders, who was getting transferred to Dallas, Tx. We had been seeing each other for about 6 months, so when he said he was going to Texas, I went with him. Quit my job, took the baby (now about 2 years olds) and started a new life. Or so I thought! No hitching this time, he had a car and we had money. Got to Texas, and stayed with a friend of his, supposedly till we got our own place. We were actually out in Mesquite, across the street from Big Town mall. He was going to work everyday and I was just enjoying staying home (even though we were still at his friends) taking care of my daughter. A few weeks later, he tells me he’s going back to St. Louis. So, me not wanting to go back, (since I had transferred my probation) he split and I had to find a place to stay. His friend had allowed us to stay till I could get work and enough money to get a place. I got a job at a Restaurant in downtown Dallas, at the Farmers Market Grill. Great money (tips) great people too! We soon got a room at a place in East Dallas, $75 a week. I found a good babysitter .Got another loser boyfriend.