lemon drops and gum drops

I saw my first real trial today. A real one, with swearing in the witnesses, and testimony, and cross-examination, and opening and closing statements. The lawyer on our side was Cecilia, who I met for the first time today. She's been on vacation for a while and usually works only on APS (adult protective services) cases. This cases was pretty depressing. Cecilia was trying to get a guardian appointed to an 89-year-old woman. She had been living with her "godson," who was basically mooching off of her. Whenever her case manager would visit, she'd be in soiled clothing. She was wheelchair-bound and couldn't care for herself. It was so sad. Cecilia made her case and the judge appointed a guardian. It was pretty cool, circumstances of the case notwithstanding.

Meanwhile, life and work goes on as it ever has. This weekend I'm going to O-H-I-O for my parents' 25th wedding anniversary party. It's going to be quite a party. I think my mom said that there'll be about 50 people there. Amberleigh's driving from home with Tristan and Orlando. It'll be a fun weekend, I think, despite the troubles I've given my mother (unfortunately, but unintentionally) over the travel plans. (I forget that I have to arrange travel to and from the airports, neither of which are within reasonable distance.) But anyway, it'll be good. I'm taking a long weekend; I won't be back until Monday. But it's Columbus Day, so I won't be missing work. Thank you, Government, for taking gratuitous days off.

Edit: For some unknown and ridiculous reason, I've forgotten to mention how wonderful Dr. Hayes was this past weekend. He bought me steak for dinner and two mouth-watering bottles of Sam Adams (I'd almost forgotten how good good beer was.) It was so great to see someone from home, to have a bit of normalcy after a month of crazyness. Thank you, BH. I appreciated it. A lot.