Choices and Tough Times for Richard

This is a very tough post to write. We always hoped this would never happen, but now that it has...

We think a blog should share all the things in our lives. Sometimes they are fun and positive, worthy of kudos. Others are a reality check of our struggles with the implication of requesting prayers and virtual hugs.

In mid-December right before Richard was to start finals at Utah State University he was arrested on drug charges stemming from a police investigation involving Richard and his 3 roomates. The charges involved the distribution, possession of pot. Richard was on audio tape by a police plant arranging for the sale of drugs to someone.

Generally this would be a misdemeaner, but their apartment was right across the street from a school, putting them in a "drug-free zone" and creating a felony situation.

After several months of waiting Richard finally had a court date at which he plead guilty to 2 of the 6 counts against him. Then it was another couple of months before he began his sentence of 60 days in the Cache County Jail. He went in the end of April and was released the end of June.

Now he has fines to pay. Once that is taken care of his probation will be transfered here to Sitka and he will be able to live at home.

The jail time was a pain for all of us. Sending him mail was brutal with the myriad of rules about what you could send in what with what on the card/letter etc. Getting a phone call was even worse as you have to go through a company that handles correctional places. First it wasn't activated and then we wouldn't be home. Of course we couldn't call him.

Meg visited him a couple of times when she was in Utah. She had to fill out an application and be on the list that he provided and her name had to match what he had written.... BS after BS.

We also found out through all of this that he had 2 prior arrests that were not felonies and did not require any jail time.

We sincerely hope that he as learn some things. Yes, jail was boring with bad food. Is it worth the risk of being sent to a state or federal prison? Was it worth creating a situation where he would be unable to get certain jobs because of his record? How did this affect the rest of us? Only time will tell. Richard's attitude toward us... his family... has been improving. He is trying to be more open and honest with us. We're looking forward to enjoying these changes when he gets here.

Richard, we love you and hope that you or us ever has to go through this again.

As the Sun Pulls Away from the Shore and Our Boat Sinks Slowly in the West... Maui Part 2

OK, so this should be part 1, but I just had to get that video up.

Lori and I went to Hawai'i so I could attend a cont. ed. conference. Part of my work benefits include help with getting the hours I need for my license.

OK, the sun and the warmth played a part in deciding where to go.

The conference was on the island of Maui, in Ka'anapali. Although it is nice to stay in the hotel where the conference is, it is also expensive.

Lori found us a small condo about a mile from my meetings for about 1/3 the cost of the hotel. Very close to the beach and nice and quiet.

We actually got there a few days before my meetings started.

We tried to used our time to the fullest. We did the Road to Hana and although June is the dry part of the year, the waterfalls were still cool. The black sand and red sand beaches near Hana were really nice.

We would have breakfast on the beach.

No waves on this sided of the island in the summer, but the water was SO clear and warm!

We rented snorkel gear for the whole week. Ka'anapali beach right where were has a reef that is really good for snorkeling. We went out there several times. We also went up the coast a little to a "reserve" bay that was pretty good too. We didn't see any sharks, but did see 3 large sea turtles. No pictures though... the are so cool and are so graceful.

I got to play golf twice. One was the Dunes which is "inland" and the other was the Wailea Gold (the LPGA and Senior Tour each play there. My brother, David, played there once. Both were really nice and fun. I didn't play great, but that wasn't the point.

My conference was nice in that we had class from 7am to noon. Then it was our own time! Very nice.

We ate lots of really fresh fish and tropical fruit. Lori wanted to get sick and tired of tropical fruit.. she tried, but failed... bummer.

The pineapple was SO good. At least the prices didn't seem bad... not much different than here in Sitka.

A tour book Lori got was great at helping out... "Maui Revealed". It is written from a local point of view. We had some great meals for cheap. One of the best was the Aloha Lunch Plate. We also had some hand made pita with Ahi caught that morning (this was at lunch time).

We visited a valley famous for a huge battle for control of island. The valley looks like something out of Jurasic Park. The main feature is a "needle". This is the Needle of Ioa.

There is a really good magic show in Lahaina called "Warren and Annabell's". Warren is a close up magician. He even invites you to take pictures during the show. Annabell is a ghost... there is a story behind the whole thing..., but the thing that haunts me are the tricks Warren did!! Whew! Not only is it good magic, but it is funny too.

Maui had a lot more to offer than I expected. Summer may be "low season", but it was also a bit less crowded. Besides, those of us living in Sitka need all the sun and warmth we can find.