The Fullness of Time (at least temporarily) and the timid return of Good Nature

Just a few thoughts tonight -

Today sucked, but it sucked in an interesting sort of way. I had a long conference with a young mother who is stuck with a TERRIBLE parenting arrangement, mainly because she was so scared of her ex that she didn't "dare" get a lawyer for her divorce/custody hearing. I told her I'd put on the dented armor, wield my clumsy blade, and slay her dragons. Dragon-slaying is like windmill-tilting, it can absolutely beat the hell out of you. Then I had a probation revocation hearing with a magistrate who is arrogant, but you have to admit, she's also stupid. So, a trip to Circuit Court for an emergency application Tuesday morning, but in the meantime, my fellow sits in jail. If everyone did their job correctly, this so-called justice system would still be a doddering relic, but when stupidity intervenes, it grinds to a halt.

Number 3 isn't very happy this week. We had to let a staff person go, and I always hate that. I attempted to get a woman who I REALLY want to work for me again to come aboard, but my partner made such a fuss, I had to tell the woman that as her friend, I wouldn't advise her to come to me now. I'm rather miffed.

Kathy, my paralegal, is right on some sort of border for whether she needs chemotherapy or not, so her doctor opted to do it. She realizes the necessity, but she's just mortified about losing her hair. I honestly don't know how to support her on this particular issue. To me, she's a pretty woman (I'm allowed to say that, her husband is a brother) and hair or not hair doesn't change that. But to tell her that seems to diminish what she is taking very seriously. But telling her that this is awful is a lie in my heart. Darn it, give me the sword and I'll hack away with a will, but put me on the sidelines to watch, and I'm often lost.

My second father dropped in today. He's involved in a nasty divorce, and isn't handling the stress well.

Good news: The three books I've been looking forward to for MONTHS arrived from Amazon today. So, I'm taking both Saturday and Sunday off, and that feels rather decadent. I'm going to the farm on Sunday, just to be in the woods a while. One of my (genetic) brothers is in town from Indiana, and my mom is enjoying that visit. He and I, however, have a very superficial relationship. Which is OK.

Friend Dacey from Balto was in this week, too, and we just had the most delightful visit.

Next week, I have to talk to my former partner about some sensitive issues. That's on my mind a lot right now.

More good news: Number 3 was put on the Historical Society's "Historic House Tour" for the weekend after Thanksgiving. I'll have to purge my working office, of course, to bring a bit of Order to the Chaos.

Rox, my son's telling me that in medic class, he's learning to use the modern defibrillator, which apparently has pads rather than paddles. Where the hell is the drama in that? Jeez, they're taking the fun out of it. Seriously, I think I could still function in a 1980's era EMS environment, but I'd have to be totally retrained to function in the 2007 manner. Well, it's his place now.

My mind is rambling tonight, and so are my fingers. Mizpah!

R