My right bicep no longer wants to cooperate and has decided to go on a strike. My lower back has put in a petition for medical leave.

Our stove has needed a good scrubbing for a very long time. I kept putting it off, but finally I reached my breaking point and I attacked my stove top with comet and elbow grease last night.

Now, I understand the importance of those foil liners that people use for their stoves. It must save a lot of time. I prefer to more natural look without the foil liner. However, if it will spare me from another long night of scrubbing and subsequent soreness then I am all for it!

Alcatraz

I surprised Buddy with tickets to a night tour of Alcatraz last Sunday. I visited Alcatraz in elementary school on a field trip, however Buddy has never been. It was a different experience going as an adult. I felt a greater sense of sadness for those who had once stayed there. Prison definitely breaks a person. I highly recommend the audio tour as they have voices of former prison guards and prisoners to who help narrate the tour.

We also learned about how the island was used prior to it being used as a federal penitentiary. It was once a military fort where prisoners of war were kept, including Native Americans who resisted government efforts towards cultural assimilation in the 1890s. 

We walked away knowing a lot more about the little island that floats in the middle of the bay. I purchased two books from Amazon.com in advance to supplement our experience:

This book is an interesting twist of perspective. Island life is described as idyllic and novel for the children of the prison personnel.

This book includes original mug shots of some of the more notable inmates of Alcatraz, memorabilia, and provides similar information that you would hear on the tour.

We give the Alcatraz Night Tour two thumbs up!