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.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
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 -
Friday, February 29, 2008
Leap Day
It is the last day of February which this year happens to be February 29. I haven't posted since the last day of January so this is as good a time as any to try and get at least a little caught up.
It's been a busy month of dinners, appearances, planning and ordering and receiving items, all related to the campaign. It's been hectic but actually fun in many ways - my favorite part is talking to the people, even the people who express concerns about my Court or maybe even are upset with me. I've had some good conversations with those folks and truly have enjoyed visiting with lots of folks around Harrison and Doddridge Counties. And I look forward to meeting and talking with a lot more people!
Tonight, four other judges and I are meeting for dinner, our "Quarterly North Central Regional Judicial Summit." We started doing this a couple of years ago and take turns "hosting" - tonight is being hosted by Judge Born of Marion County. It's a wonderful time for us to visit, network, and just relax. I'm sure it has made me a better judge - of course, regarding our cases, we can only talk in generalities and not get too specific due to confidentiality - but it just helps to talk, throw ideas around, say "here's what worked for me," etc. Of those of us who will be meeting this evening, since our last "Summit" in November, it's developed that all of us but one have competition in the upcoming election - so that will be a topic of discussion as well. The one judge who does not have competition this go-round did last time so she will be able to relate to the rest of us so far as that's concerned -
There are 73 days till the election and I'm definitely resting on the fact that God's in control. If He closes this door He will open another. Someone said to me, "If you really believe God is in control of the election, why are you spending your time and money and effort on campaigning?," to which I responded, "I think He wants me to try!" This experience reminds me of what I've always said to my kids, and the youth I've worked with across the years, is the greatest lesson I've ever learned about God's will - God will never mislead you, but sometimes he will direct you down a path that you wouldn't choose to go on if you didn't think you were going to reach a certain goal, but He doesn't want you actually to reach the goal but instead, to wind up somewhere else. In other words, there's sometimes a surprise turn in the road, but this doesn't mean God has tricked us - it means he lovingly has guided us along a certain path because there are lessons He wants us to learn that we could learn in no other way, and that we will be able to apply for His glory when we get to where he does want us to wind up.
I'm optimistic about winning the election but remain very respectful of my candidate - I consider her a very, very formidable opponent. I have nothing bad to say about her, and will not, and nor will anyone who is speaking with my authority.
Four years ago today, President Aristide was ousted from Haiti with the help of the United States. This is of concern to me and my family because of our work, and our friends, in Haiti. It was a good thing, we think, but there's been a lot of unrest in Haiti since then - there always is some, it seems, but there's been a more significant U.N. presence in Fort Liberte, the town we focus on, since then. I myself haven't been since 1996 but I'm hoping that our youngest and I will get to go with my wife next Spring (2009), Lord willing -
Other than to promise I'll try to be more faithful to making entries here (famous last words?!?!) I must go and get some work done - signing off for now -
It's been a busy month of dinners, appearances, planning and ordering and receiving items, all related to the campaign. It's been hectic but actually fun in many ways - my favorite part is talking to the people, even the people who express concerns about my Court or maybe even are upset with me. I've had some good conversations with those folks and truly have enjoyed visiting with lots of folks around Harrison and Doddridge Counties. And I look forward to meeting and talking with a lot more people!
Tonight, four other judges and I are meeting for dinner, our "Quarterly North Central Regional Judicial Summit." We started doing this a couple of years ago and take turns "hosting" - tonight is being hosted by Judge Born of Marion County. It's a wonderful time for us to visit, network, and just relax. I'm sure it has made me a better judge - of course, regarding our cases, we can only talk in generalities and not get too specific due to confidentiality - but it just helps to talk, throw ideas around, say "here's what worked for me," etc. Of those of us who will be meeting this evening, since our last "Summit" in November, it's developed that all of us but one have competition in the upcoming election - so that will be a topic of discussion as well. The one judge who does not have competition this go-round did last time so she will be able to relate to the rest of us so far as that's concerned -
There are 73 days till the election and I'm definitely resting on the fact that God's in control. If He closes this door He will open another. Someone said to me, "If you really believe God is in control of the election, why are you spending your time and money and effort on campaigning?," to which I responded, "I think He wants me to try!" This experience reminds me of what I've always said to my kids, and the youth I've worked with across the years, is the greatest lesson I've ever learned about God's will - God will never mislead you, but sometimes he will direct you down a path that you wouldn't choose to go on if you didn't think you were going to reach a certain goal, but He doesn't want you actually to reach the goal but instead, to wind up somewhere else. In other words, there's sometimes a surprise turn in the road, but this doesn't mean God has tricked us - it means he lovingly has guided us along a certain path because there are lessons He wants us to learn that we could learn in no other way, and that we will be able to apply for His glory when we get to where he does want us to wind up.
I'm optimistic about winning the election but remain very respectful of my candidate - I consider her a very, very formidable opponent. I have nothing bad to say about her, and will not, and nor will anyone who is speaking with my authority.
Four years ago today, President Aristide was ousted from Haiti with the help of the United States. This is of concern to me and my family because of our work, and our friends, in Haiti. It was a good thing, we think, but there's been a lot of unrest in Haiti since then - there always is some, it seems, but there's been a more significant U.N. presence in Fort Liberte, the town we focus on, since then. I myself haven't been since 1996 but I'm hoping that our youngest and I will get to go with my wife next Spring (2009), Lord willing -
Other than to promise I'll try to be more faithful to making entries here (famous last words?!?!) I must go and get some work done - signing off for now -
