"Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit and lost without deserving." (Othello)

Whatever happened to the little mom and pop grocery or bodega store around the corner? Also, where did the candy store with the pinball machine disappear? And what about the drug store where you knew you'd find a friendly pharmacist? Of course, if there were to be a woman behind the counter, you'd have to figure out a way to buy a condom for your wallet (well...just in case) without having to check it out with her. Today we went to Costco where you have to buy a membership card before they allow you to buy anything else in this store. You could place three football fields in this store and if you didn't stick with the person you came in with, you might never find her again. Same thing holds true for the Super Duper Wal-Marts and Target stores, and Oh, yes--Home Depots where you should be given a map when you walk in. The first thing I look for when approach these monsters is a gratis scooter, because I'd never be able to navigate those aisles without pain. With a scooter, you've got the solution!

Now, I know you've all been waiting for the final installment of Bobby's story of his life in the county jail and the reason for his one year sentence. Well, here it is:

MY LIFE IN THE COUNTY JAIL by Bobby Lou Ross

I was arrested for drug possession and sales on February 5th, 1987 in Hermosa Beach California. I was set-up by an informant (a confidential reliable informant, CRI) that needed to turn in somebody (roll-over) to gain a favor for being arrested himself. I have kept every notice, paper, letter, mug shot, letters received while in jail, even some letters I sent while in jail, jailhouse artwork, and court documents concerning my incarceration. I have decided to enclose my "personal statement" (the first draft) which I wrote in May 1987, for my attorney, to be given and read to the judge in my case. She did some editing and corrections for me and I signed the final statement. I am sure I will not e-mail all the papers in their entirety, but I may put these together in a "book" to be published at a later date. Does anybody know a good editor?

It would be well to remember that my son has since become a solid citizen. He and Sabrina have raised his daughter without Katrina's birth mother who bore a son to another father...you figure it out. Katrina is now 21 and in the US Navy. Bobby also is a top sales rep with Harley-Davidson in Virginia and I'm quite proud of him. He is a bright, caring, and delightful person who, in his youth, made a bad decision.
His incarceration has since been struck from the record.