Well...these are supposed to be the days that I do research and writing and other paperwork, and generally get caught up. Though I did pretty well keeping up during the campaign, there are three kinda big things that are still awaiting final rulings. I've been working on them steadily but since I have to listen to the recordings of all proceedings in each case, it's slow work. To boot, this truly is the first Friday I've had in the office since the election - though some of that admittedly is because of time off I've taken. At any rate! I've gotten some done today but it's frustrating - had a meeting I had to go to downstairs from 11-12:30, a wedding here in a minute, and another meeting out at United Summit Center at 2:00. All these things are worthwhile and important - no problem there - but with this many commitments on what should be an uninterrupted day, it makes it hard to focus on any one task for too long. I did get some done this a.m. before my first meeting and right now, I'm jotting this down during the ten minutes I've set aside to wolf down the lunch I brought. My own new "Haitian Chicken" recipe - not too bad!
An interesting development for me - many of you have told me you've been reading my blog. That's a surprise and not one at the same time. I know that putting stuff on the internet makes it very, very public and that it's out there for "all to see." I also expected that my opponent in the election and/or her people would be reading but the first time that was confirmed for sure - by a rather in-depth discussion with one of her supporters - it sure was a creepy feeling. But I am the one who chose to blog and I'm not sorry about it. I've kinda put it all there for anyone to see me, warts and all, and if they don't like it I'm sorry but there's not a whole lot I can do.
Some of you have told me that you tried to get in but you were blocked out - sorry about that. I closed access for a short period of time to review what I'd written, to correct some misspellings, etc., and inadvertently left it closed for longer than I'd intended. So we're back "online" now.
My wife and youngest are out of town, at a Christian music festival in Pa., and will be back Sun. That leaves me and my #3 son and my daughter at home - we're all going to a wedding in Huntington tomorrow. I'm not that fond of weddings normally but these are two old Camp kids so it should be fun. Speaking of weddings - my #1 son's third anniversary was this past Tues. and my #2 son's third anniversary is next Tuesday. :) :)
Still lots of thoughts percolating about the future...got to get to the wedding, then back to work for a bit before I take off for Summit Center. Bye for now.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
My Last Family Court Conference?
It's been a while since I blogged - a busy time. Spent last week at Camp Cowen with 200 Sr. High aged kids and a bunch of other counselors. My 29th year in a row counseling that camp! God's been good to allow me to go every year and I'm hoping to continue at least till 2015 - that's when my youngest boy will graduate from high school. Maybe longer!
I'm in Charleston right now and am attending our annual Spring Family Court Conference (even though it's summer). This is one of the things I'll miss - frankly, it's fun being with my colleagues. Over the years I've gotten quite close with some of them. Plus, since there are only 35 of us and we have uniquely stressful jobs, we have an affinity - even those of us who might not have much in common otherwise.
I'll be back at Camp a week in July, with my youngest, but before then I'll be attending a two-day abuse-and-neglect conference in Morgantown. I'm also attending the mediation training in Morgantown in August. Preparing for the future...still focusing on doing my own thing job-wise as of the first of the year but in a very controlled way.
The thought of starting a non-profit with focus on youth law issues has crossed my mind. One of our current Family Court Judges started the only such program in West Virginia a few years ago and it's still going strong, in the far southern part of the State. There would be advantages to that format over a private practice, for sure, but also it would be more limiting - will have to think on that one.
It's good to be here in Charleston among friendly folks - and those with whom I can toss around ideas. Also got to have dinner last evening, and to spend several hours, with some of my law school friends who also had some helpful thoughts and suggestions. At least, I feel like I have steady relationships with people who not only care about me but who also are good sources of information.
Tomorrow is six weeks from the election and it feels like a lot longer. I still have six months plus on the bench but I know it will go by quickly. Time is a funny thing -
I'm in Charleston right now and am attending our annual Spring Family Court Conference (even though it's summer). This is one of the things I'll miss - frankly, it's fun being with my colleagues. Over the years I've gotten quite close with some of them. Plus, since there are only 35 of us and we have uniquely stressful jobs, we have an affinity - even those of us who might not have much in common otherwise.
I'll be back at Camp a week in July, with my youngest, but before then I'll be attending a two-day abuse-and-neglect conference in Morgantown. I'm also attending the mediation training in Morgantown in August. Preparing for the future...still focusing on doing my own thing job-wise as of the first of the year but in a very controlled way.
The thought of starting a non-profit with focus on youth law issues has crossed my mind. One of our current Family Court Judges started the only such program in West Virginia a few years ago and it's still going strong, in the far southern part of the State. There would be advantages to that format over a private practice, for sure, but also it would be more limiting - will have to think on that one.
It's good to be here in Charleston among friendly folks - and those with whom I can toss around ideas. Also got to have dinner last evening, and to spend several hours, with some of my law school friends who also had some helpful thoughts and suggestions. At least, I feel like I have steady relationships with people who not only care about me but who also are good sources of information.
Tomorrow is six weeks from the election and it feels like a lot longer. I still have six months plus on the bench but I know it will go by quickly. Time is a funny thing -
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Home and it's HOT
Home again from Florida - and the heat wave that's hitting the East Coast is here. Oh, did I mention our air conditioning is out? Ah well -
Left Florida yesterday morning and drove (with several stops and not-very-efficient ones to boot) to Beckley - that took until 2 am this morning! But we had a good night's sleep in a nice place and left about 12:30 for Camp Cowen, where we had an enjoyable afternoon visiting friends and most importantly, celebrating the dedication of the wonderful new dining hall there designed by none other than my oldest son, Christopher. Cowen's my favorite place in the world, I was in my element.
Of course, many friends from around the State knew about the election and told me how sorry they are, etc. Me too of course - but I'm more and more getting to the point of thinking more precisely about the future. No great revelations yet -
you'll be the first to know!
Left Florida yesterday morning and drove (with several stops and not-very-efficient ones to boot) to Beckley - that took until 2 am this morning! But we had a good night's sleep in a nice place and left about 12:30 for Camp Cowen, where we had an enjoyable afternoon visiting friends and most importantly, celebrating the dedication of the wonderful new dining hall there designed by none other than my oldest son, Christopher. Cowen's my favorite place in the world, I was in my element.
Of course, many friends from around the State knew about the election and told me how sorry they are, etc. Me too of course - but I'm more and more getting to the point of thinking more precisely about the future. No great revelations yet -
you'll be the first to know!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
I Got Pecked in the Eye by a Bird
The title says it all!
We're in Florida - it's been a great trip, therapy for me for sure. We've enjoyed a great riverfront house with a canoe, manatee right outside our door (sometimes), visiting family, swimming, great weather, and more. We have to leave tomorrow morning but we're stopping at the Orange Shop in Citra on the way out of Florida - that's a special memory for my three oldest boys so now my youngest two will get to join in on the fun of that -- it's just a little shop by the side of the road with amazing fresh-squeezed orange juice and all the Florida trinkets you could think of.
Talked to my secretary and case coordinator today and learned that the rains in our part of West Virginia have been torrential - so doubly glad not to have been home this week!
Back to the title - we were visiting my sister-in-law in Orlando last night and she, to say the least, is a bird person. One of her "teenage" black chickens (not still a chick but not fully grown) was sitting on my shoulder and decided to reach around and peck me in the left eye. That was more than 24 hours ago and yes, it's still somewhat painful but basically OK. The eye is an amazing thing - it heals rather quickly. I've been able to drive, haven't had to take my contact out, etc., so despite some discomfort it seems to be all right.
Heading for West Virginia, but not home, tomorrow. We'll stay in southern W.Va. Friday night and then on Saturday, the dedication of our new Dining Hall at our beloved Camp Cowen is the big event - featuring the principal architect who once again is my son. Yes I'm a proud papa - and I invite you to check it out by going to www.wvbc.org, click on Camp Cowen, click on Dining Hall and you'll see why. I'm counseling at Sr. High Camp starting June 15 (I've done this camp every year since 1981) and can't wait to be part of a camp using the new Alice Randall -
Will sign off for now. A busy week awaits when I get home - hearings, still trying to catch up on paperwork, and thinking, praying, considering more about the future. I've had lots of thoughts this week but won't share them here just yet...to be continued...
We're in Florida - it's been a great trip, therapy for me for sure. We've enjoyed a great riverfront house with a canoe, manatee right outside our door (sometimes), visiting family, swimming, great weather, and more. We have to leave tomorrow morning but we're stopping at the Orange Shop in Citra on the way out of Florida - that's a special memory for my three oldest boys so now my youngest two will get to join in on the fun of that -- it's just a little shop by the side of the road with amazing fresh-squeezed orange juice and all the Florida trinkets you could think of.
Talked to my secretary and case coordinator today and learned that the rains in our part of West Virginia have been torrential - so doubly glad not to have been home this week!
Back to the title - we were visiting my sister-in-law in Orlando last night and she, to say the least, is a bird person. One of her "teenage" black chickens (not still a chick but not fully grown) was sitting on my shoulder and decided to reach around and peck me in the left eye. That was more than 24 hours ago and yes, it's still somewhat painful but basically OK. The eye is an amazing thing - it heals rather quickly. I've been able to drive, haven't had to take my contact out, etc., so despite some discomfort it seems to be all right.
Heading for West Virginia, but not home, tomorrow. We'll stay in southern W.Va. Friday night and then on Saturday, the dedication of our new Dining Hall at our beloved Camp Cowen is the big event - featuring the principal architect who once again is my son. Yes I'm a proud papa - and I invite you to check it out by going to www.wvbc.org, click on Camp Cowen, click on Dining Hall and you'll see why. I'm counseling at Sr. High Camp starting June 15 (I've done this camp every year since 1981) and can't wait to be part of a camp using the new Alice Randall -
Will sign off for now. A busy week awaits when I get home - hearings, still trying to catch up on paperwork, and thinking, praying, considering more about the future. I've had lots of thoughts this week but won't share them here just yet...to be continued...
