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I’m not sure why I keep posting pictures of cake when this blog is supposed to be about parolees. I returned to work today after a glorious 7 days off.

Today at the rehab was what we call ‘donations day.’  That means all kinds of weird near or out of date food items donated from markets and agencies show up in the community kitchen. Once a truckload of soda was dropped off and everyone got a couple liters. It was like your Italian uncle hijacked a truck and gave it to the criminals. Today saw a flurry of Christmas cookies from local markets. One student handed me a dozen cupcakes topped with green and red sprinkles. I started to hand them out till I saw the discard date of some time last September. “Here, you guys decide,”  I said handing them the goods. Kitchen workers, parolees who work volunteering in the kitchen, are the first to spot donations. They are always so sweet, bringing me first choice of out of date yogurt and stale animal crackers. As a rule I never eat donations and I try to bring my lunch. There is free fruit and water available around the clock. I should try to honor this in my 2010 diet.