Catching Up

OK, so I meant to post more regularly when I came home from vacation, but I have failed. The last two weeks have been eventful.

Last Wednesday night, three young men were killed in a one-car accident in Many. The whole town was in shock. They were drinking and going too fast, the road was wet and narrow and winding and dark. One of the guys, Wesley Eaves, was a member of my church, and I actually taught him in catechism a few years ago. I went to the funeral Saturday morning. The church was packed -- the pews, choir loft and aisles were full, and some folks had to stay outside. The saddest part for me was watching Wesley's younger brother and sister. It tears your heart out. Wes was a great kid, and he and his friends made a series of stupid decisions with tragic consequences. Please keep Wesley, Cody, and Brandon and their families in your prayers.

Last Friday I went out to the lake with Buck, on Saturday I went to Bob and Carolyn's for a fish fry, and on Sunday we had steaks at Chuck's. It was good to catch up with good friends, some of whom I had not seen in a while.

This week I was in meeting hell. Father Joe asked me to represent the church at a meeting for the 2010 census on Tuesday. It was an hour and a half meeting that should have lasted about thirty minutes. I got to visit with Tanya Ford, so it wasn't a total loss. The monthly Knights of Columbus meeting was Tuesday night, which was pretty uneventful. We had elections, but everyone decided to keep their old jobs, so all I have to do is continue to keep the minutes of the meetings.

I had my first Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday. I also became a member of the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. So, I really was not up to speed, and someone suggested an orientation session for the five new members, which we agreed was a good plan. I was surprised to find that there is tension amongst some of the folks, but given the strong wills involved, I guess I should not have been. Later that night I went to a Ducks Unlimited cooking, which was less meeting and more farewell party for Steven VanSickle. That was fun, and I met a few new people.

I went to Hannah's last softball game of the season on Thursday night, which they lost to league champion and chief rival Florien. On Friday night, I went to Randy and Mary's for the first time in a month. Randy made some manicotti that was really good. It was nice to hang out with them again.

Now it is Saturday, and I have no plans except to watch LSU in the CWS this evening. I'm ready to go do something, I just don't know what that something is yet. I'll let you know.

Finally, I am proud to say I got up at 5 am and walked with Robert at least seven out of the last ten weekdays. I'm starting to get used to being on a seventy-year-old farmer's schedule.