And for the new year . . .

First Monday of the new year I was called to jury duty, and I was actually looking forward to it.  On the first Monday of the month. our county court selects grand jury members, which means you serve five days a week for the month, up to 8 hours a day.  I was looking forward to the pay($25 a day) and the experience.  However, just like 90% of the people called, I was not selected.  So I have completed my civic duty for the next two years, just by showing up and being willing.  And they will pay me $10 to cover my expenses. ($5 for a day's parking.)

It was interesting to hear the reasons people had for being excused.  One woman was self-employed, running a nursery.  If she was unable to work for 40 hours of every week in January, she would ". . . be unable to put food on the table or pay the mortgage."  Another woman said she would be unable to deal with domestic violence cases.  She was nearly in tears.  And a guy was scheduled to fly to Japan tomorrow to manage his company's branch office.  Yep, I would say those are valid reasons for excusing people.  I would have been glad to take their places, but I was not chosen.  Sigh.

So I am free to nap, knit, play with knives, or spend hours at the sewing machine.  But first, I MUST write my Christmas thank you notes.  I'm such a bad rude person!!

The photo, by the way, is of my hand-spun, jello-dyed, original design poncho and hat.  It's oh so cozy, but may have had something to do with why I wasn't selected.