I skipped May and June

Well...as promised, I've been a less faithful blogger. That isn't quite the right way to express it but I'm sure you get the meaning.

May and June were busy months for me. I've been traveling all around West Virginia, hearing family-court cases by special assignment of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. To date, in 20 counties - that's more than one-third of the state. It's really been good - work that I enjoy and a lot of variety. As always has been true, I'm sorry there's so much need for Family Court, but of course that's not going to change.

There've been some changes in the future career prospects. One still looks very good; one looks less likely until more than a year from now; and another's opening date also has been delayed. However, I'm still rather hopeful about all of them and in the meantime, the judge work is more or less full time -- and I'm starting to do some family-court mediations in other cases, too.

We were at the beach the first week of June and had a terrific time with the family (all but one of my boys). I love rough surf and especially the first day was great for that. The whole week was relaxing, with good weather and solid beach time. Then I was home a week, ran my 13th Clarksburg 10k, and went to Sr. High Camp at Cowen. Camp's always different and always good!

My oldest son tore off our front porch while I was at Camp - much needed - and the new porch is basically there. Not finished yet but much of it done. It looks great! The footprint for our new garage is there too. Right now our yard is -- a little messy. That's the nature of construction. We're also tearing down our circa 1918 shed - before it falls down - and doing some major trimming on our trees and bushes.

Can't believe we're now in July. My little girl's getting married next month!

Don't know when I'll get back here - if you like, keep up with me on Twitter and Facebook.

Oops

I was just finishing a long entry - honest - when it disappeared from the screen! Don't think I hit any buttons. Too lazy to try to recreate it now - maybe later! In the meantime, catch up with me on Twitter and Facebook.

Back from Haiti

Got back last night from 10 days in Haiti - awesome trip! Spent a lot of time mixing concrete, moving rocks, etc., leveling and finishing floors in a farm house under construction. Also introduced Four-square to Haiti - put down a duct-tape court at the orphanage at Fort Liberte and when we came back, the kids there had used the tape as a pattern to paint a permanent court!

Good Friday

This Good Friday probably hasn't been as reflective as it should have been - there's a lot going on. It's not been a hectic day at all, kind of a nice mix of busy and relaxing. We're getting ready to go to Haiti early early Monday morning. I've got a lot of work to do before then - I'll put a post up when we get back. So long for now.

Waning March

I have not been a very faithful blogger lately - maybe I should say ever. Was up until about 3:40 last night with my whole family! Everyone's in to celebrate two of our kids' birthdays and the last of the crowd arrived about 1:30. So all of us are here - my wife, me, five kids, three kids-in-law (one almost), our animals plus three grand-dogs. Our newest grand-dog, Callie, is just being introduced to the family this weekend - she belongs to my daughter and is a blue heeler. And she's in heat which already has made for some...er...interesting events!

I've been very busy with my special judicial assigments around the State - they've been fun - and am still doing the kids' work at the church. However - the church has hired a full-time children's minister effective May 1. I'm thrilled. I've come to enjoy this interim job for the most part but am still glad to move on. The new guy will need my help in the transition, I'm sure, and I'll be happy to do all I can.

As for permanent career stuff - still yet to be seen! For now, the judicial assignments can occupy me full time - I really am expecting at least one of three things to open up for me this summer. Actually what I wonder is, will all of them open up at once? That's how life goes - when it rains it pours. If I've said that on here before (I notice that I repeat myself sometimes) at least I'm consistent!

Looks like March may go out like a lamb - temps are supposed to be mild although it may be rainy. Not so lucky for our friends in Fargo, North Dakota - Red River expected to crest tomorrow about 25' over flood stage. Praying for them for sure-

Fri the 13

A good day and a good week so far. Spent the day in Fairmont hearing cases, the third day this week I was at that. One day in Elkins, one in Sutton. Tonight, we had our Quarterly Judicial Summit - this one in Parkersburg. Always fun but a few friends were missing tonight.

The judge work is getting quite busy and I'm still doing the work at the church. May need to make some changes in that soon - but we'll see.

Randy Travis is on the Tonight Show - I'm watching it and I don't even like country music - I think I'm so sleepy I'm out of my mind so I'd better close and get some shuteye. Write more later.

Time "March"es on

Sorry, couldn't think of a better title for this, my first March post. I've been busy lately - working for the Supreme Court as a special-assignment judge has picked up. Still on board at the church, too. And some of those mysterious things I've been talking about for months are still pending...and are looking encouraging.