I am going to take off for Ontario soon. I have to get a paper to Cruz. I don't think I missed him but I might have. I got a note from Art.

I delivered the paper to Cruz and headed out. I got some gas at Pilot and on to La Grande where I stopped for some pie and coffee. Then on into Ontario about 11:15 our time. I got some stuff for Saturday Market and went back to the prison.

I was in the waiting room about 1:30 MDT and waited about ten minutes. Joel was there and looked nice and tan. He seemed in a good mood but I soon found out that Natalie was taken from her mother for drinking and drug use. She will probably be put into foster care. Apparently Joel's mother is going to get into the battle as well. It looks like it must be Natalie's great Aunt who want to keep her and so that may be the battle. He was going to call this evening to find out what was going on. In the conversation it came out that Joel's parents also used drugs and that he had to go stay with his grand[parents for a while.

I sort of pried into the prison life and how he got started in the whole affair. I was also sort of asking about Michael because he was into some things that had to be pretty serious to pout in the situation he is in. According to Joel it was assault, extortion, and illegal organizing. I am not sure what all that means or how serious it is but it must be pretty serious in prison. I was expecting to hear from Michael today but nothing. I don't know whether to be concerned about him or whether it is the inconsistent mail service at OSP. I hope it is the latter. I am going to be disappointed if he sort of flakes off and leaves me high and dry. However, I need to be aware that it could happen. He is talking to Joel as if we are together.

I headed back around three and stopped in Baker City at Subway for a short stop. Talked to Nick at TCH and stopped the paper for Martin on Sunday. Kate's wedding announcement was about the only thing of importance in the mail. It looks like she will be married on August 25th and I 'll be staying all night at least that night. I pretty much read the papers and played around on the computer. I feel like going to bed now.

The Most Memorable Positive Moment today was walking in the visiting room and Joel was standing behind his chair. He is a pretty neat kid even though he has his screwy side.