Thursday, March 29, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Blumen.
Check out these bad boys.
In other news, I somehow got a bug bite in the middle of my back. It's a very awkward spot to try and scratch, and I know I make straining faces while trying to do it. I'm not sure what they look like, but one of the ALJs I have a lot asked me if I was ok because I looked like I had a broken bone. Damn you mosquitoes.
Alright, I'm off. I promise to write something better soon. Ish.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Spring!
Spring makes for an excellent time to take the dogs to the field by our house. It's also an excellent time to let them run and swim in the creek that is next to the field. Cherry might be a hot mess, but she's pretty good at not running off into the woods, and will contentedly chase her ball downstream and swim back up. Only occasionally will she attempt to chew on the remains of a decaying turtle and/or bird. We quickly stop that.
Here are some pics from our recent outings.
Here are some pics from our recent outings.
Racing around the field.
Beautiful late afternoon.
The happy dude.
She's so skinny! Betch.
It took her a while to realize that when she put the ball in moving water it would float away.
Happy pups!
My family. :)
Saturday, March 3, 2012
From an Outsider
I had hearings in Joplin this week, and I would be lying if I said that I wasn't at least curious about what it would look like about 9 months later. I saw the footage and was just amazed at what had happened last May. I counted my blessings that everyone I knew in Joplin had made it through, okay in the end. One of our paralegals spent a while in the ICU with broken bones and injuries, but she's incredibly strong and made it. I remember every positive update about her being a beacon in the darkness that clouded the weeks after the tornado. I also spoke with her recently about a case and it struck a chord with me when she congratulated me on getting married- we never had a chance to talk about it right after the wedding because the tornado struck May 22nd. I got married May 21st.
I got into Joplin on Wednesday night after dark and had to make a wild chase around town looking for something that could function as a serviceable suit jacket because I had forgotten mine in Columbia. My hearings started the next morning, but I had short period of time to grab lunch so I headed to the Chick Fil-a. We don't have one in Columbia (tragedy), so I enjoy some nuggets when I get a chance. As I was driving to the restaurant and while I was eating, I didn't expect the scene to have such an impact on me. Everything in that area of Joplin is brand new, because everything else was destroyed. I was eating in that stretch of land hard hit by the tornado. The new constructions and cleared ground stood in stark contrast to the trees with their limbs and bark stripped off. To say I was humbled would be an understatement. But, I was not only struck by the lingering reminders of that terrible day. I was also touched by the people of Joplin. Call me mushy and emotional, but I have rarely come across a town with nicer and more grateful people. It started when I checked into my hotel, and the car that pulled into the parking lot let me cross in front with all my bags. A small gesture, yes, but one that is becoming less and less frequent. There wasn't one grand event that stood out to me, just a general kindness that evades a lot of other populations. People waving to me when I let them cross in the parking lot. People letting me go first in line because I only had one item and they had several. Holding doors open, saying thank you when I hold doors open. It's all the little things that I try to make a point to do, but rarely find reciprocated. Then, there was the scene of several buildings going up at once. Construction companies, workers, everyone working together to rebuild. It's a sublime image that I'm painting in your head, but it's one that is true. I think the thing that hit me most happened at lunch. I was sitting there eating when a group of guys sat down at the table next to me. Before eating, they prayed. It's not unusual to see people do that, but they weren't praying for their lunch to bless them or a certain thing to happen for them. They were thanking God for their lives and their health, and thanking Him for continuing to bless them. I saw similar prayers at other tables. A simple, straightforward message from a resilient town.
I can honestly say that I didn't think I would feel that way about being there. But, as an adopted Missourian, I feel proud of Joplin for what they've been through, recovered from, and continue to accomplish. Joplin and its people moved this Texan to near tears.
As a side note, Leah told me my sentimentality meant I was ready to be a mom. But shortly after that, I heard a little girl whining about her chicken nuggets and I thought she was being a little shit. Sentimental moment over.
I got into Joplin on Wednesday night after dark and had to make a wild chase around town looking for something that could function as a serviceable suit jacket because I had forgotten mine in Columbia. My hearings started the next morning, but I had short period of time to grab lunch so I headed to the Chick Fil-a. We don't have one in Columbia (tragedy), so I enjoy some nuggets when I get a chance. As I was driving to the restaurant and while I was eating, I didn't expect the scene to have such an impact on me. Everything in that area of Joplin is brand new, because everything else was destroyed. I was eating in that stretch of land hard hit by the tornado. The new constructions and cleared ground stood in stark contrast to the trees with their limbs and bark stripped off. To say I was humbled would be an understatement. But, I was not only struck by the lingering reminders of that terrible day. I was also touched by the people of Joplin. Call me mushy and emotional, but I have rarely come across a town with nicer and more grateful people. It started when I checked into my hotel, and the car that pulled into the parking lot let me cross in front with all my bags. A small gesture, yes, but one that is becoming less and less frequent. There wasn't one grand event that stood out to me, just a general kindness that evades a lot of other populations. People waving to me when I let them cross in the parking lot. People letting me go first in line because I only had one item and they had several. Holding doors open, saying thank you when I hold doors open. It's all the little things that I try to make a point to do, but rarely find reciprocated. Then, there was the scene of several buildings going up at once. Construction companies, workers, everyone working together to rebuild. It's a sublime image that I'm painting in your head, but it's one that is true. I think the thing that hit me most happened at lunch. I was sitting there eating when a group of guys sat down at the table next to me. Before eating, they prayed. It's not unusual to see people do that, but they weren't praying for their lunch to bless them or a certain thing to happen for them. They were thanking God for their lives and their health, and thanking Him for continuing to bless them. I saw similar prayers at other tables. A simple, straightforward message from a resilient town.
I can honestly say that I didn't think I would feel that way about being there. But, as an adopted Missourian, I feel proud of Joplin for what they've been through, recovered from, and continue to accomplish. Joplin and its people moved this Texan to near tears.
As a side note, Leah told me my sentimentality meant I was ready to be a mom. But shortly after that, I heard a little girl whining about her chicken nuggets and I thought she was being a little shit. Sentimental moment over.
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