My recent jury experience brings one lesson home to me loud and clear: we are not in the 1960’s anymore. Gone are the days of anti-establishment thoughts and feelings, Us against The MAN. No, this is a time of strict adherence to the rules, coupled with a distinct distrust of the motives of the little…
Category: Writing as a Discipline
It is Done!
Jury duty is over! Hurray. I can’t say that I am happy with the verdict, but it was certainly a fair process – everyone taking turns to express their opinions and standing up for important points. Still, my side was voted down. This was a civil case about a young woman who believed that a…
On this May Day
Ray is sniffling and coughing in the next room. His eyes are red and he looks tired. I am certain he is suffering from a hefty allergy attack. Rachael has already gone upstairs to bed after deciding to take the day off from work so she “can feel better” after throwing up several times two…
Jury Duty Woes and Lunch Spots
I am sitting here tonight wondering what to write about. I can’t write about the trial since I can’t talk about any of it until it’s over, so what else is there to discuss? My life is somewhat on hold until we are finally dismissed from duty, and I have already reported on the few…
Family Sickness and Jury Duty Update
Ray and Rachael – both of whom rose at 5 am and drove to Ojai to fertilize our orange trees – are now sick in bed. Ray has been congested all afternoon since returning, and Rachael has thrown up at least 5 times. Ray’s ailment is probably related to allergies; Rachael’s looks a bit more…
After a Long Week…
I am dead tired. Perhaps it’s 7 days of jury duty so far or getting up at 5:30 am to go cook for 200 people at the St. Thomas homeless breakfast or maybe it’s the relief of having all three of our family’s babies born safe and sound in these past few weeks. Whatever it…
RIP Bettye Whitmire
An older friend of ours, an antique dealer in Texas, was buried today. She was 83 and up until 2 or 3 years ago, she was out and about in her Camaro convertible, always on the look out for antiques. She had a great sense of humor and a real joy of life though she…
Practical Lessons of Jury Duty After One Week
I can’t talk about the case since we are still active jurors, but I can mention a few things I’ve learned so far that won’t go against the judge’s orders. When you’re a juror: 1) Lunch becomes VERY important. 2) Sunshine becomes VERY important. 3) Breaks become VERY important. 4) Learning your fellow juror’s names…
A Delicious Honey-Sweetened Flourless Chocolate Cake
My husband loves dark chocolate. I made this cake recipe specifically for him since I knew that it would make him exceedingly happy. It did, by the way. This is EASY and fast and delicious. It is not for anyone who is not completely in love with dark chocolate, but for those of you who…
My Mother’s Gift
I was twelve years old when I scanned through the beautifully bound books that comprised our family library. I don’t know why I decided on that particular day to look through these volumes. Perhaps it was cold outside and the idea of curling up with a book in a cozy room was alluring. Whatever the…
20 Minutes a Day 