March 31 - in a way, so hard to believe so much time has passed so quickly, since I started this blog. Tomorrow, April 1, marks 6 weeks till the election. It also is my last day with my wife before she makes her 28th mission trip to Haiti - I'm proud of her and the work she does there. When we learned earlier in this year that we had competition in the election, she asked me if she should cancel her annual trip, and I encouraged her not to do so. The work there is too important. I haven't been to Haiti since late 1995/early 1996 but hope to go next year, with our youngest. It'll be his second trip technically - the first time he was in utero :)
This past weekend was tiring for more reasons that one. I didn't sleep too well either Friday or Saturday night - better Saturday than Friday, but both nights I was awake some thinking a thousand thoughts. Part of the time I was trying my best to figure out some things which were confusing to me and I've still been trying to figure them out. I don't consider myself a worrier but I guess I've been worrying.
Got together and prayed with some trusted friends, and my wife, last evening, and also got a very encouraging e-mail and phone message today. It's always great when God answers prayers "yes" and does so quickly - and that's what happened with regard to a huge point of concern that first arose over the weekend - I was able to resolve it in a way even better than I could have prayed for! So I'm very, very thankful for that.
The weekend was tough for other reasons - it was very busy and there were discouraging moments. But, I slept better last night and am tackling the day today as best I can. So much to do in the next six weeks!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Campaign - the Good and the Bad
First, the bad, to get it out of the way. I suppose it was bound to happen, but two of my signs have been defaced. I took one down yesterday and am on my way to getting the other one right now. There's nothing much you can say about vandals except that they're vandals. No one with good judgment does this stuff, of course! I'm not the only candidate that this has happened to so I can't take any of it too personally, for sure. A couple other signs have not stood up well to weather and have had to be fixed.
Now the good - really have gotten a lot of great encouragement in unexpected places. I'm thankful. Now, a very, very busy weekend ahead of me. Perhaps I'll see you out there on the campaign trail!
Now the good - really have gotten a lot of great encouragement in unexpected places. I'm thankful. Now, a very, very busy weekend ahead of me. Perhaps I'll see you out there on the campaign trail!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Half empty, half full
I'd say, pretty much, I'm an optimist, though also a realist. I tend to see the glass as "half full" but I also realize that sometimes, the glass can tip over! I was reminded of all this today, early, when my youngest found out that a package he has been expecting finally has been put in the mail to him. His first reaction was not positive, but negative -- not "I'm so glad it'll be here soon," but "why did it take him so long to put it in the mail?" I can sympathize with his frustration but I wish he could see the glass as "half full" -- seems to be his tendency not to do so. I suppose the best thing I can do lovingly to direct him is be an example - after all, he is only 10-1/2. A lecture wouldn't do anything but bore him or make him made, and lecturing isn't that much fun anyway!
I received some unexpected encouragement yesterday which I must say was providential. Encouragement to "keep on keeping on" no matter what. Can't go into specifics here because the story that was shared with me has some highly confidential parts -- but it just so happened that I was in the right place, at the right time, and had time to talk at length with a person I'd just met. I call moments like this "God sightings" -- not that I saw God, but that I did see Him in action. Today, whoever may read this, I hope that you receive encouragement at the point you most need it. And that no matter what, that you have real hope for the future. In other words, that you have a "God sighting."
I received some unexpected encouragement yesterday which I must say was providential. Encouragement to "keep on keeping on" no matter what. Can't go into specifics here because the story that was shared with me has some highly confidential parts -- but it just so happened that I was in the right place, at the right time, and had time to talk at length with a person I'd just met. I call moments like this "God sightings" -- not that I saw God, but that I did see Him in action. Today, whoever may read this, I hope that you receive encouragement at the point you most need it. And that no matter what, that you have real hope for the future. In other words, that you have a "God sighting."
Monday, March 24, 2008
My Dad's Birthday
Arrived back home from Knoxville at 9:15 last night - tired but glad for a good weekend. Today has been sunny in my courtroom and as far as domestic violence days go, not too many hearings, which has given me time to get some much-needed paperwork caught up. Still much to do but at least it's a dent -
Just found out my friend Dr. Harry Murray - my first eye doctor and until his recent retirement, I still saw him professionally - passed away on Friday. I saw him just over a month ago and just last week I'd heard that the day after I saw him, he'd taken ill and had been diagnosed with leukemia! It certainly took him quickly. His wife passed away a few years ago and his two sons and grandchildren all are grown. His sons both live here and he lived alone in the home he'd shared with his wife. He was a good man - I used to say that I went to the eye doctor for therapy, because he'd regularly say things like, "If your entire life is in as good a shape as your eyes, you are one incredible man." The viewing is tonight until 8:00 and I definitely will stop in to pay my respects.
Today would have been my Dad's 78th birthday. I mentioned it to my wife yesterday as we were driving home and said, "He still should be here with me." I wish he were - I could use his advice right now. He's been gone just over 11 years. Hard to believe. One thing my parents taught me - which I truly appreciate - is that death is part of life. They never kept me from funerals but explained them to me frankly but lovingly - I never was scared. I know how important it was for me, when Mom died in 1982 (age 47) and Dad in 1996 (age 66), for friends to come to the funeral home and the funeral. So I will be there tonight for Hank and Roger Murray, if only for a moment, to say hello and to tell them in person how much I admired and appreciated their Dad.
Just found out my friend Dr. Harry Murray - my first eye doctor and until his recent retirement, I still saw him professionally - passed away on Friday. I saw him just over a month ago and just last week I'd heard that the day after I saw him, he'd taken ill and had been diagnosed with leukemia! It certainly took him quickly. His wife passed away a few years ago and his two sons and grandchildren all are grown. His sons both live here and he lived alone in the home he'd shared with his wife. He was a good man - I used to say that I went to the eye doctor for therapy, because he'd regularly say things like, "If your entire life is in as good a shape as your eyes, you are one incredible man." The viewing is tonight until 8:00 and I definitely will stop in to pay my respects.
Today would have been my Dad's 78th birthday. I mentioned it to my wife yesterday as we were driving home and said, "He still should be here with me." I wish he were - I could use his advice right now. He's been gone just over 11 years. Hard to believe. One thing my parents taught me - which I truly appreciate - is that death is part of life. They never kept me from funerals but explained them to me frankly but lovingly - I never was scared. I know how important it was for me, when Mom died in 1982 (age 47) and Dad in 1996 (age 66), for friends to come to the funeral home and the funeral. So I will be there tonight for Hank and Roger Murray, if only for a moment, to say hello and to tell them in person how much I admired and appreciated their Dad.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
The New Porch
Yesterday and today we worked many hours on Christopher and Alice's new house here in Knoxville. There's still much to be done on it before they'll be able to move in but we got a lot accomplished. The male component of our crew, with Christopher as chief of course, got most of the porch floor down, and also a couple of the columns are now up. The ladies painted a chunk of the exterior "mountain pine" which is a great color. I'm proud of Christopher and excited for the two of them that they soon will live not only in a new house but one he designed!
We went to Senor Taco last night for an early b'day celebration for Duncan and he got the whipped cream pie in the face. It was hilarious and fun! Tonight we're going out for his real birthday dinner to a place called "The Tomato Head" on Market Square in downtown Knoxville. Haven't been there before but my kids who live here in town say it's great -
Duncan is 25 today, can't believe it. And tomorrow's Easter! Ran a couple errands today, to get ready for the birthday celebration this evening and also to get some jelly beans and other things for Easter. Tomorrow after church we'll have lunch and then head for home.
Well - while we're sitting here at the apartment waiting for Christopher and Alice to come back from their house - they stayed behind to do a few touch-up things while the rest of us came back here to get cleaned up for dinner - I'm going to have a cup of coffee with my wife. Oh - and while we're celebrating later this evening, we'll be reveling in WVU's big basketball victory over Duke today! Sweet sixteen here we come!
We went to Senor Taco last night for an early b'day celebration for Duncan and he got the whipped cream pie in the face. It was hilarious and fun! Tonight we're going out for his real birthday dinner to a place called "The Tomato Head" on Market Square in downtown Knoxville. Haven't been there before but my kids who live here in town say it's great -
Duncan is 25 today, can't believe it. And tomorrow's Easter! Ran a couple errands today, to get ready for the birthday celebration this evening and also to get some jelly beans and other things for Easter. Tomorrow after church we'll have lunch and then head for home.
Well - while we're sitting here at the apartment waiting for Christopher and Alice to come back from their house - they stayed behind to do a few touch-up things while the rest of us came back here to get cleaned up for dinner - I'm going to have a cup of coffee with my wife. Oh - and while we're celebrating later this evening, we'll be reveling in WVU's big basketball victory over Duke today! Sweet sixteen here we come!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Energizing but exhausting
Greetings from Knoxville, Tennessee, where we arrived somewhere between 2 and 3 a.m. this morning! We left home at 6:30 which was a bit later than we'd planned but under normal conditions that should've gotten us here between 12:30 and 1:00. Unfortunately, road construction/one-lane stuff on the Interstate combined with Easter travel traffic slowed us down in far southern W.Va. So...we sang along with the radio and did what we could to stay alert! Actually all in all a pretty pleasant trip. At one point when we were stopped (or crawling) in traffic for a long time I got a leg cramp and my wife and I did a Chinese fire drill to get her into the driver's seat! Brings back memories of high school and college - especially one memorable Chinese fire drill in Morgantown which a female friend and I conspired to do to get my best friend and his now wife of 25+ years together in the back seat (just to sit there and talk! they were not dating yet). So just call me a matchmaker.
Today is Good Friday and it's about 11:15. I slept probably till 10:30 with some interruptions but basically, I slept like a rock. We're getting ready to take off for Christopher and Alice's new house and a day of work. We're laying a porch floor and setting porch columns today, plus doing some painting. Should be fun, a good family project, and really kind of a fitting way to celebrate and remember Good Friday. I think the Lord is pleased with hard work and cooperative effort! So hope that's how the day will be - certainly looks like so now.
We're going to celebrate Duncan's #25 tomorrow, on the day, by letting him select a restaurant. I hope he'll pick "The Butcher Shop," a wonderful place here in Knoxville we've gone to over the years from time to time. You select and grill your own steak there! But tonight, we're planning a visit across the street from Christopher and Alice's apartment to Senor Taco, where we celebrated two birthdays last summer with Duncan not able to be with us. He doesn't know that their tradition - when the waiters sing "Happy Birthday" in Spanish - is to smoosh a paper plate of whipped cream into the face of the honoree (who already is bedeck in a sombrero and pancho). So should be fun and a great way to end the day!
We are packed like sardines into this apartment - seven in our family, Colleen's college friend Jessica, three dogs and two cats. Sleeping bags, air mattresses, pull-out couch, you name it - we slept all over the place last night. This is a nice and even spacious apartment with a great view of trees and the city but we're very excited for Christopher and Alice to have their new home. It's really special since Christopher himself designed it. Someday! His mother and I are looking forward to living in the home that he will design for us!
I'm so glad to be away from home a couple of days. I need a break from the campaign to energize myself for the remainder, until May 13. I said last night on the way down here, "The campaign is energizing but exhausting." Don't quite know where that thought came from but it seems exactly right, even though the two concepts also seem conflicting. It's like this - I seem to have energy to do what I need to do at that time, even though afterwards and sometimes even before I feel very tired. I guess God gives us what we need when we need it!
Had a good meeting with about 50 folks and several other candidates yesterday. They asked me to say grace over our meal which I was happy to do. Nice folks.
Hope all have a good day and weekend - remember Good Friday and of course Easter. I may not blog again till after Sunday but I'm sure you'll understand -
He is Risen!
Today is Good Friday and it's about 11:15. I slept probably till 10:30 with some interruptions but basically, I slept like a rock. We're getting ready to take off for Christopher and Alice's new house and a day of work. We're laying a porch floor and setting porch columns today, plus doing some painting. Should be fun, a good family project, and really kind of a fitting way to celebrate and remember Good Friday. I think the Lord is pleased with hard work and cooperative effort! So hope that's how the day will be - certainly looks like so now.
We're going to celebrate Duncan's #25 tomorrow, on the day, by letting him select a restaurant. I hope he'll pick "The Butcher Shop," a wonderful place here in Knoxville we've gone to over the years from time to time. You select and grill your own steak there! But tonight, we're planning a visit across the street from Christopher and Alice's apartment to Senor Taco, where we celebrated two birthdays last summer with Duncan not able to be with us. He doesn't know that their tradition - when the waiters sing "Happy Birthday" in Spanish - is to smoosh a paper plate of whipped cream into the face of the honoree (who already is bedeck in a sombrero and pancho). So should be fun and a great way to end the day!
We are packed like sardines into this apartment - seven in our family, Colleen's college friend Jessica, three dogs and two cats. Sleeping bags, air mattresses, pull-out couch, you name it - we slept all over the place last night. This is a nice and even spacious apartment with a great view of trees and the city but we're very excited for Christopher and Alice to have their new home. It's really special since Christopher himself designed it. Someday! His mother and I are looking forward to living in the home that he will design for us!
I'm so glad to be away from home a couple of days. I need a break from the campaign to energize myself for the remainder, until May 13. I said last night on the way down here, "The campaign is energizing but exhausting." Don't quite know where that thought came from but it seems exactly right, even though the two concepts also seem conflicting. It's like this - I seem to have energy to do what I need to do at that time, even though afterwards and sometimes even before I feel very tired. I guess God gives us what we need when we need it!
Had a good meeting with about 50 folks and several other candidates yesterday. They asked me to say grace over our meal which I was happy to do. Nice folks.
Hope all have a good day and weekend - remember Good Friday and of course Easter. I may not blog again till after Sunday but I'm sure you'll understand -
He is Risen!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Holy Week
Dreary, miserable day in terms of rain - this is not the type of weather I prefer! My youngest is sick and I've had to run out from the Court House to pick him up from school - all part of being a parent, of course. My wife and daughter, who's home for Spring Break, are on their way to our W.Va. Baptist Camp at Cowen to meet my oldest son who drove up from Knoxville, Tennessee, this morning. Christopher is the primary architect on the new dining hall at our Camp which I haven't yet seen, except in pictures, and I'm so sorry I couldn't go with them today. I'd love to see it and hope to soon-
Christopher is taking my daughter and her college friend, who came home with her for Break, back to Knoxville today, and the rest of us (except #2 son and his wife) are joining them there for the Easter weekend late tomorrow night. Cameron and Sarah will come later on in the weekend. Really looking forward to getting away a few days and relaxing with family!
Went to a good meeting last night and have another tonight and then three tomorrow, before we leave for Knoxville. Once again, talking to people is the best part of this whole campaign process.
I met a woman last night who happens to be a Catholic nun and one who is very involved in community, even political, affairs. She expressed her concern that the whole world seems to have forgotten this is Holy Week and I had to agree with her. Although we'll be driving to Knoxville tomorrow night, I know we'll be talking in the car about the fact that it'll be Maundy Thursday, when Jesus and His disciples shared the Last Supper.
We'll be working most of the weekend on Christopher and Alice's new house which will be fun but I know my family will take time to observe Good Friday and of course to remember the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christopher and Alice have changed churches since we last visited them in Knoxville and I'm looking forward to visiting their new church. The old one was nice and it was tough for them to leave, but it was very small and except for a few young people, with whom they worked faithfully, it is a church that likely and sadly is phasing out because most of the folks are quite elderly. It once was a major church in Knoxville and we enjoyed some time there last July. Christopher & Alice struggled with the decision to move on but I think their new situation is better for them - they are getting fed as well as serving in a manner more in keeping with their needs and their gifts. (And the new church has a great children's program which MAYBE will come in handy here before too long - no news yet but my wife and I wouldn't complain about having a grandchild...:)
Don't know how much if any I'll be posting in the next few days so to all of you out there, have a blessed Easter.
Christopher is taking my daughter and her college friend, who came home with her for Break, back to Knoxville today, and the rest of us (except #2 son and his wife) are joining them there for the Easter weekend late tomorrow night. Cameron and Sarah will come later on in the weekend. Really looking forward to getting away a few days and relaxing with family!
Went to a good meeting last night and have another tonight and then three tomorrow, before we leave for Knoxville. Once again, talking to people is the best part of this whole campaign process.
I met a woman last night who happens to be a Catholic nun and one who is very involved in community, even political, affairs. She expressed her concern that the whole world seems to have forgotten this is Holy Week and I had to agree with her. Although we'll be driving to Knoxville tomorrow night, I know we'll be talking in the car about the fact that it'll be Maundy Thursday, when Jesus and His disciples shared the Last Supper.
We'll be working most of the weekend on Christopher and Alice's new house which will be fun but I know my family will take time to observe Good Friday and of course to remember the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christopher and Alice have changed churches since we last visited them in Knoxville and I'm looking forward to visiting their new church. The old one was nice and it was tough for them to leave, but it was very small and except for a few young people, with whom they worked faithfully, it is a church that likely and sadly is phasing out because most of the folks are quite elderly. It once was a major church in Knoxville and we enjoyed some time there last July. Christopher & Alice struggled with the decision to move on but I think their new situation is better for them - they are getting fed as well as serving in a manner more in keeping with their needs and their gifts. (And the new church has a great children's program which MAYBE will come in handy here before too long - no news yet but my wife and I wouldn't complain about having a grandchild...:)
Don't know how much if any I'll be posting in the next few days so to all of you out there, have a blessed Easter.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A Day for Ducks
People who really know me know that I am a frustrated meteorologist. I love weather, especially "wicked weather." Not that I get any joy when people are hurt or lose property in hurricanes or thunderstorms - who possibly could? But I think they are fascinating forces of nature. My favorite (normal) weather is the thunderstorm - especially over the ocean! And, yes, I confess - I love the Weather Channel. One of my sons, who also is fascinated by weather, and I have plans (joking) to get a big RV with a satellite dish on top and become Storm Chasers sometime down the road.
It is wet today! I was just out for a quick meeting in the downtown area and had to dash across the street - and got drenched anyway. Then when I got to the meeting, I discovered my compact umbrella in the very briefcase which had been over my shoulder all along! HA!
Earlier, I was at another meeting with about 40 people. They were very nice and the lunch they provided was also great. I'm still losing weight - 16 lbs. to date - although I'm not sure why! I had a check-up and I'm OK and I feel fine - I guess it's just the running here, running there. "The Campaign Diet" - maybe I can market that! :)
It is wet today! I was just out for a quick meeting in the downtown area and had to dash across the street - and got drenched anyway. Then when I got to the meeting, I discovered my compact umbrella in the very briefcase which had been over my shoulder all along! HA!
Earlier, I was at another meeting with about 40 people. They were very nice and the lunch they provided was also great. I'm still losing weight - 16 lbs. to date - although I'm not sure why! I had a check-up and I'm OK and I feel fine - I guess it's just the running here, running there. "The Campaign Diet" - maybe I can market that! :)
Monday, March 17, 2008
St. Patrick's Day
Thanks to my wife I remembered to wear green today - green shirt and green tie. The tie is a pattern of cartoon peas with one carrot, so orange, my official campaign color, got thrown in there too. Had a nice lunch today with a group and it included my former pastor and his wife - he is the man who baptized me at age 15 (Feb. 28, 1971) and the two of them led our Sunday evening youth group. Dear friends. She was "kind enough" to tell the entire group her affectionate nickname for me since I was a kid - "Drewster the Rooster." (Actually I'm the one who told it on myself -)
Busy day, busy evening. Just home from another meeting and believe it or not, I have to go out again tonight - and it's almost 9:30 p.m.! Ah well - got to come home to read with my youngest. We just finished "Changing Tides" which is a part of the "National Treasure" series. The latest, called "Midnight Ride," is coming out later this month and we already have it on pre-order. In the meantime, we'll probably read either "Johnny Tremain," one of my childhood favorites, or "Hind's Feet on High Places," an allegory based on the book of Habakkuk in the Old Testament (it's much more interesting than I've made it sound here).
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!
Busy day, busy evening. Just home from another meeting and believe it or not, I have to go out again tonight - and it's almost 9:30 p.m.! Ah well - got to come home to read with my youngest. We just finished "Changing Tides" which is a part of the "National Treasure" series. The latest, called "Midnight Ride," is coming out later this month and we already have it on pre-order. In the meantime, we'll probably read either "Johnny Tremain," one of my childhood favorites, or "Hind's Feet on High Places," an allegory based on the book of Habakkuk in the Old Testament (it's much more interesting than I've made it sound here).
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!
Ups and Downs
Forgot to mention when I posted yesterday - had a bit of discouragement on the campaign trail. I was introducing myself with other candidates at a large group meeting yesterday afternoon and ended by saying something like, "If you have concerns or questions about the Family Court, please find me and let me know. I want to hear what you have to say because I care about what you think." As I was leaving the microphone, I could hear a woman's voice distinctly calling me a "liar." There was one particular woman who was staring daggers at me and I'd seen her do the same thing at a dinner earlier in the weekend - I have no idea what her connection has been with my court, if any - and I wonder if it wasn't her. Anyway, a friend who's also an attorney was there and said to me, "You'll have that. Shake it off." Which of course I must - but it's still not very encouraging.
On the other hand, received many encouraging words yesterday and again today in other settings. Today, I spoke to a large group and saw many friendly faces and heard a lot of good words. Thus, the title - ups and downs. 57 days till the election!
On the other hand, received many encouraging words yesterday and again today in other settings. Today, I spoke to a large group and saw many friendly faces and heard a lot of good words. Thus, the title - ups and downs. 57 days till the election!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Ides of March, plus one
What was it I said last time...famous last words? HA! It's been more than two weeks and it has been, to say the least, a whirlwind of activity and other stuff -
Each weekend seems busier than the next. I've eaten spaghetti, baked steak, spaghetti, chicken, soup, spaghetti, hot dogs, roast beef, spaghetti, hoagies...and believe it or not, I'm not tired of spaghetti! Also, I've played bingo, been to four (I think) elimination dinners (so far!), attended bazaars and craft shows, put out some road signs, spoken to several community groups -- many of those during the week -- and it's not likely to slow down a great deal until the election which now is less than 60 days away.
Today, after a great church dinner in Shinnston and on my way to play some bingo, I was at the corner right beside our church waiting for the light to turn green. When it did, I went forward, only to be creamed into by a large red pick-up. No one was hurt and everyone remained calm and courteous, and the fellow acknowledged that he had run a red light. There also was at least one independent witness who verified that he was at fault. He hit my left front, in the area of my tire, but the wheel and tire seem unaffected - after the police came and went, I was able to drive home, although "I imagine" the front end is a bit out of alignment -
It just goes to show you, life goes on no matter what. This campaign truly can be, and sometimes is, all-consuming physically, emotionally, you name it. But in the middle of it all:
1. This happens with the Jeep;
2. Our faithful cat Ayla had to be put down on Friday; my youngest and I buried her in the back yard. It was his first experience with pet death, other than a goldfish which hardly is the same. Ayla was born during the massive snowstorm which blanketed the East Coast in March 1993. She got a routine injection at the vet's in Jan. 2007 and a cyst arose on her side which in Sep. 2007 was removed and found to be cancerous, but thought to be contained by healthy tissue. Well...no such luck. It came back with a vengeance, and about four weeks ago she lost the use of her left front leg. The vet told us it would spread and she would lose use of her other limbs, which happened. She was disabled, but didn't seem to be in pain. She would eat, though not much, and use the bathroom - she'd call to us and we knew she had to be taken to the litter box! She was good to the end and loved to curl up with us and purr. We'll miss her but putting her down was the right thing - she seemed uncomfortable and maybe even in pain as Friday progressed;
3. My wife has been sick, although thankfully not with the major flu that's hit all around. My secretary was sick for 1-1/2 weeks and my case coordinator for about a week. None of the rest of us in the family have gotten it and I think the epidemic has passed --;
4. My wife is getting ready to take her 28th trip to Haiti, April 2-11, which requires massive preparation;
5. We're making final decisions about spending lots of money on various campaign related materials - and we've already spent a bunch;
6. On and on and on and on -- you get the drill.
Not complaining! Just observing that time stands still for no one, no matter what's going on around us. I have to get our taxes done, too!
I must admit I'm very glad next weekend in Easter and there is nothing planned campaign-wise. We're leaving on Good Friday for Knoxville to spend the weekend with Christopher & Alice there - the whole family will be in Knoxville although in shifts a bit. My 3rd son's b'day is next Sat. and we'll celebrate there, hopefully at Senor Taco where we celebrated other birthdays last summer. More on that later maybe...
My campaign website is up! www.judgecrislip.com - check it out! We'll be changing it some as time goes on but glad it's finally up for voters to see -
'Til next time - will try to make it not as long -
Each weekend seems busier than the next. I've eaten spaghetti, baked steak, spaghetti, chicken, soup, spaghetti, hot dogs, roast beef, spaghetti, hoagies...and believe it or not, I'm not tired of spaghetti! Also, I've played bingo, been to four (I think) elimination dinners (so far!), attended bazaars and craft shows, put out some road signs, spoken to several community groups -- many of those during the week -- and it's not likely to slow down a great deal until the election which now is less than 60 days away.
Today, after a great church dinner in Shinnston and on my way to play some bingo, I was at the corner right beside our church waiting for the light to turn green. When it did, I went forward, only to be creamed into by a large red pick-up. No one was hurt and everyone remained calm and courteous, and the fellow acknowledged that he had run a red light. There also was at least one independent witness who verified that he was at fault. He hit my left front, in the area of my tire, but the wheel and tire seem unaffected - after the police came and went, I was able to drive home, although "I imagine" the front end is a bit out of alignment -
It just goes to show you, life goes on no matter what. This campaign truly can be, and sometimes is, all-consuming physically, emotionally, you name it. But in the middle of it all:
1. This happens with the Jeep;
2. Our faithful cat Ayla had to be put down on Friday; my youngest and I buried her in the back yard. It was his first experience with pet death, other than a goldfish which hardly is the same. Ayla was born during the massive snowstorm which blanketed the East Coast in March 1993. She got a routine injection at the vet's in Jan. 2007 and a cyst arose on her side which in Sep. 2007 was removed and found to be cancerous, but thought to be contained by healthy tissue. Well...no such luck. It came back with a vengeance, and about four weeks ago she lost the use of her left front leg. The vet told us it would spread and she would lose use of her other limbs, which happened. She was disabled, but didn't seem to be in pain. She would eat, though not much, and use the bathroom - she'd call to us and we knew she had to be taken to the litter box! She was good to the end and loved to curl up with us and purr. We'll miss her but putting her down was the right thing - she seemed uncomfortable and maybe even in pain as Friday progressed;
3. My wife has been sick, although thankfully not with the major flu that's hit all around. My secretary was sick for 1-1/2 weeks and my case coordinator for about a week. None of the rest of us in the family have gotten it and I think the epidemic has passed --;
4. My wife is getting ready to take her 28th trip to Haiti, April 2-11, which requires massive preparation;
5. We're making final decisions about spending lots of money on various campaign related materials - and we've already spent a bunch;
6. On and on and on and on -- you get the drill.
Not complaining! Just observing that time stands still for no one, no matter what's going on around us. I have to get our taxes done, too!
I must admit I'm very glad next weekend in Easter and there is nothing planned campaign-wise. We're leaving on Good Friday for Knoxville to spend the weekend with Christopher & Alice there - the whole family will be in Knoxville although in shifts a bit. My 3rd son's b'day is next Sat. and we'll celebrate there, hopefully at Senor Taco where we celebrated other birthdays last summer. More on that later maybe...
My campaign website is up! www.judgecrislip.com - check it out! We'll be changing it some as time goes on but glad it's finally up for voters to see -
'Til next time - will try to make it not as long -
