Billions and Billions of Stars
A Small Blog
Looking at Life in Small Pieces
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Please read this news story about my grandson’s plight and sign the petition.
Please watch the video news story and share.
Justin has actually been in jail since February 14. He is now in solitary for his own protection. We are able to phone and I visit. He is also being visited by a Chaplain in the Prison Ministry.
Here is a link to a t-shirt “Free Justin”. Proceeds benefit a legal fund set up by the manufacturer.
My family and I appreciate any help you are willing to give.
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This is a picture of a Nicotiana plant, a close cousin to the tobacco plant used to make cigarettes. It has beautiful, fragrant flowers that bloom in the cool of the night. (Spearmint in the pot and Cereus behind)The odds are if you are in my generation (I’m 65) or older, you grew up with cigarettes as a ubiquitous prop. My grandparents and all their friends smoked as they played bridge at the weekly games–cards in one hand, cigarette in the other, smoke spiraling up past blinking, squinty eyes. Afterward, the ashtrays were spilling over with butts and crumpled empty packs.
I started at the age of 14, sneaking a smoke back of the church, with Kools or Pall Malls stolen from my friends’ parents. All the way through high school I looked forward to going to college so I could smoke when I wanted to. I never got over a half a pack a day, but I did enjoy the cigarettes I smoked. During those years I smoked menthols, nonfiltered hand-rolled, slims, and the ‘millimeter longer’ brands. The last brand I smoked were Benson and Hedges.
And, so I smoked for twenty-five years until I quit cold turkey. But, somehow I miss it. When I see a movie where a character lights up, I inhale deeply, pucker up my lips, and blow out my imaginary smoke. I remember sitting at night on the porch relaxing, watching the breeze drifting the smoke to be one with the universe. I miss the smokes after a good meal–kind of like a good belch. And, oh, the taste of a whiskey and cigarette kiss!
Without addressing the nature of the consequences of smoking cigarettes, it can so easily be romanticized. I guess that’s the lure of it.
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This is an open letter to my grandson who just spent his 19th birthday in jail–for writing a misconstrued comment on Facebook. His bond is $500,000 ( yes, that’s 1/2 a million $). I’ve put a picture with the post, but they don’t allow pictures, drawings, books, or many other things to be sent to inmates.
Dear Grandson,
I know it must have been a sad 19th birthday. But, know we were all thinking of you and whenever you get out, we will catch up on cakes and candles.Here’s a prayer we say at school. I think it speaks to all our needs without being denomination specific. That’s called ecumenical–1. concerning Church unity: relating to, involving, or promoting the unity of different Christian churches and groups
2. involving friendship between religions: involving or promoting friendly relations between different religionsO Lord
Grant me your strength, so I will have courage in every situationGrant me your love, so I will never give up on anybody
Grant me your wisdom, so I will show others the path to success
Grant me your mercy, so I will forgive those who have hurt me
Grant me your peace, so I will find the best in everybody
Grant me your hope, so I will never give up
Grant me your joy, so I will be thankful for all my blessings
And, grant me your grace so you will always be at my side
(David Bennett)It’s definitely summertime now. Mostly 95+ during the days. I put the AC on for the duration.
Love you, praying for you, Richard says stay strong.Grandma
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Today marks the 43rd anniversary of the Kent State shootings. On May 4, 1970 as students were protesting the ‘Cambodian Incursion’ and the Vietnam war in general, National Guardsmen fired 67 rounds of ammunition over a period of 13 seconds, killing four students and wounding nine others, one of whom suffered permanent paralysis. (read more)
Just out of college and still actively involved in protesting the war, the shootings were horrifying–the worst yet of escalating violence between student protestors and law enforcement.
Here is the still poignant “Four Dead in Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.”
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A few years ago, our daughter and her husband moved to the frozen lands of Minnesota. They bought a business that makes warm clothing. How smart is that? And, their products are made from organic wool, recycled sweaters and repurposed buttons. Truly fabulous.
Watch this video that explains it all.
Check out Northern Woolens website to order.
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Tonight I watched a tribute to Levon Helm call “Love for Levon.” A whole slew of grey-haired musicians like Roger Waters, Greg Allman, Joe Walsh, and many more sang their hearts out for Levon and his music for a couple of glorious hours.
I remember back in the early seventies in Austin. For about a year, there was a bar called Bonnie’s (I think) that became ‘the place’ to be on Wednesday nights. It was a little ramshackle place with a large outdoor patio. Beer was a quarter or fifty cents–what ever was really cheap back then. At the end of the night, every time, whatever band was playing that night, played the Band’s “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” The whole audience sang along. That song signaled the end of the evening and if you didn’t have someone to go home with yet, that was the cue to find someone fast.
The tribute to Levon, made me cry. It made me miss my youth. Now, I’m OK with who and what my life is now, but really, those were the days.
So, I’m gonna take a load off fannie (mine being considerably larger these day), have a beer, or three, and watch that show again.
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Richard and I go walking almost every Sunday (and some other days) on the Salado Creek’s Greenway Trails. This is a San Antonio City project, paving trailways through natural areas alongside Salado Creek. The trails are walk, run, bike and dog friendly. And, the people are friendly. There’s always a “good morning” or wave whenever you pass. We catch the one down behind NE Baptist Hospital at Los Patios and walk to Lady Bird Johnson Park and back. Check out this link to see where you can find the trail nearest your neighborhood.
We see the seasons change and wildlife like deer and birds–including big vultures.
Here are a few pictures from this morning.
There are some of the largest Chinaberry trees I’ve ever seen. 
There’s always friendly people 
There’s lots of Cardinals! 
There are a lot of dead trees, too, due to the drought. -
Richard and I went to the Texas Book Festival – San Antonio Edition today. It was held at the Central Library and at the Southwest School of Art, which is right across the street. Lots of books, booths, activities, speakers and such. My friend Mary Cantu, founder of Spareparts, was there with her reuse, re-purpose, recycle art projects for the kiddies and adults alike.
We brought her some of Richard’s best shortbread, chocolate topped cookies for her eating pleasure.
It’s nice to see books and reading encouraged and authors sharing their stories. Most of them were from San Antonio and Texas from what I could tell. That’s a big Yippee! too.
Richard and Mary Cantu from Spareparts 
Kym’s Kids were some of the many volunteers 
Some of the book booths 
This is a local book press, which is nice. -
This is a cautionary notice about Facebook–for everyone, but especially for you to share with your children and grandchildren.
My 18 year old grandson, Justin, was arrested in his home in New Braunfels, TX by Federal Marshals and ICE on Thursday, February 14, 2013. He was charged with Federal felony terroristic threats. His bail is $250,000.
This all stemmed from a very stupid comment he posted on Facebook, which he had retracted.UPDATE 2/17/13 I learned this was a post was taken completely out of context. Both parents admonished him for it, acknowledging it was a fictional representation of someone other person’s mind.
As of February 15, he is being held in Bexar County Jail in San Antonio. He was allowed to call me from there and this is how I got some information. My son went completely incoherent with panic–and outrage. Justin, on the other hand, understood exactly what a mess he is in and realized his huge mistake–albeit too late. So far, he sounds calm, and is just waiting to find out where he will be held waiting for trial. We all know that could be a year or more.
Justin is not involved in drugs, alcohol, or weapons. He had a good job. His only vice is video games.
Do I want to say more about the injustice of the situation? You bet! But right now I only ask two things:
Please pray for Justin and his family
Please share this with your children, your grandchildren and any of your friends’ children. Warn them about the dangers of posting rants, bad language, or jokes that might be misconstrued as violent acts.
It’s not a joke or a rumor. It happened.
UPDATE: February 21, 2013
Justin was transferred to Austin for jail. He will not get bail and must reside in the Del Valle complex until he goes to trial. He has not seen or been appointed a lawyer. This kid is not a terrorist. We do realize just writing what he did is a crime, but it seems it would have to be tied to real intent somehow.
We can write and talk on the phone.
UPDATE: March 2, 2013
Justin was finally appointed an attorney. The attorney’s assistant has been to see him. There appears to be no clear cut idea of what the evidence is or what law enforcement plans to do with Justin as far as charges. He is not yet indicted and, is in fact, slated to be moved once again to Hays Co. or Comal Co. jail to be indicted. Why?, because he was actually living in New Braunfels at the time of the post and the arrest.
What a travesty this whole thing is turning out to be, what a miscarriage of justice and waste of taxpayer money. What a waste of time for law enforcement who should be trying to avert real threats and catch real criminals.
Justin is hanging in there but sounds more and more depressed every time we talk.
Udate: April 4, 2013
Justin has now been incarcerated for 45 days without an indictment. He was transferred to the Comal County Jail last week. As of yet, he does not have a new court-appointed attorney. The jail administration has not offered to get him one. I told him to be more pro-active and ask. His new charge is “Terrorist threat with intent to disrupt government services.” Again, that was not his intent. Bail is the same $250,000. He does sound like he’s hanging in there, bored and unsure of the future for sure!
Continue praying, please.
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