OH NOOOOO!!!

According to every chart I've seen Hurricane Dorian is projected to hit Vero Beach directly as a Cat 4 on Labor Day!!!

I must drop everything & prepare!!!
 

JUROR #395

Well it happened again! I don't believe there's a person alive who's been summoned for Jury Duty more than I have. I've actually lost count! I've read they draw names from the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. However I didn't have a Driver's License until almost the year 2000. So they must take them from Voter Registration as well.

Unlike most people, I look forward to Jury Duty. It pays money! Perhaps not a whole lot, but its $15 or $30 that I didn't have before. And if I get an interesting case its double bingo! Plus it's an opportunity to make friends -- or not. But it's still a welcome diversion.

Also I realize it's an important job, one I take seriously. I watch body language and my radar is tuned for attorney trickery. I think PROFESSIONAL JUROR should be an occupation! These people should be specifically trained to spot lawyer lies, exaggeration, and misdirection. It's a job I'd love! Of course those are exactly the kind of people they DON'T want!!!

For all my times summoned, I've only been selected twice. And this was back in my previous hometown. Usually I'm dismissed due to this bad habit I have of following the news. And since I'm a non-drinker I'm the last person a defense attorney wants on a drunken driving case!

Something I've discovered is that guilty people almost always want trials where as the innocent plea bargain.

I've been living in Vero Beach for 20 years now and this is the 4th time I've been summoned here. The first, I was unable to serve. My father had suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He was unable to use the bathroom without help.

The next 2 times, my number was so far down the list I was instructed by phone not to report. I wasn't needed. This time I was almost Juror #400 out of a pool of 450. But you never can tell, so I had to be ready.

I received my summons around the middle of July for Aug. 12. My biggest concern was my shoes, due to an injury in June (I blogged about this!) I'd been living in flip-flops and I know they are forbidden in court.

My left foot was shrinking, but was still noticeably larger than the other. It didn't hurt, just felt stiff, heavy, & itched like crazy. So I purchased a few cute pairs of sandals at Kmart that might pass muster with the court (fingers crossed) also they were comfortable enough for me to wear all day if necessary.

However my left leg still had a cankle. So dresses and even my comfortable trousers with the slits up the sides could not be worn. Fortunately, I had plenty of other clothes to rely on!

Fast forward to the week before I was scheduled to report, my left foot was now back to normal size and my cankle was gone! I dug out the alarm clock I hadn't needed since Thailand in 2016 & installed a fresh battery. Now I was all set to do my duty and serve!

The Friday before I phoned for instructions and was told not to report Monday, but to call Monday after 5:00 PM concerning Tuesday. I was gnashing my teeth! I only want suspense in books & movies. I prefer knowing one way or the other!

As it turned out, once again I didn't have to report. This was a disappointment, also a lot of bother and worry for nothing! However at the same time I understood why. This way, they didn't have to pay me for sitting around days waiting to be interviewed by the attorneys.

I went thru that in the early 90's back in my previous hometown. This particular case was so well publicized in Florida that I'm surprised they didn't move the trial to another state.

I sat for 2 days amongst an enormous crowd of potential jurors. Late in the afternoon of the first day I was interviewed. At the end of the second, the jury was selected. A heavy-set man bragged constantly that he couldn't understand why he was there. He swore he would never be picked due to who he was. This guy was the first juror chosen! There were lots of smirks and chuckles.

But I was dismissed.

GOING GREEN, SUMMER SALADS WITH COLOR

Honestly, I've never been a salad person! To my mind, it was tantamount to chomping down on yard clippings! I could live happily on pasta & pizza. Unfortunately I had a health scare a few years back that forced me to dramatically alter my diet. I've since learned that as with pasta & pizza there's a variety of toppings that can make salad both healthy and delicious.

With the exception of red oak & radicchio; one thing you will rarely find in a salad of mine is lettuce! It may be healthy, but I can decipher no taste whatsoever.

Below are 2 of my favorites:  

 

      

                        DIANNE'S FRUITY DINNER SALAD

I always start with a base of fresh leafy kale & baby spinach on a dinner plate with high raised sides.

Generously add lots of seedless grapes, raspberries, & blueberries.

Sporadically scatter chopped walnuts.

Top with grilled chicken strips.

Lightly SPRINKLE, (NEVER soak a salad in dressing or oil!) raspberry or pear salad dressing.

On the side add a wedge or 2 of goat cheese or Swiss.

Best served with raspberry, apricot, peach, or mixed berry tea.

  

 

                                   DIANNE'S GREEK SALAD

The day before, slice cucumbers & soak them in lemon juice in the refrigerator overnight.

Again, start with the kale & spinach base.

Add a little radicchio lettuce for color.

Top with the sliced cucumbers

Add halved cherry tomatoes, sliced miniature sweet peppers, & chopped black olives.

Top with cooked shrimp.

Liberally scatter crumbled Feta cheese!

Then LIGHTLY sprinkle Greek dressing.

Best served with orange & cinnamon spice tea, or lemon ginger tea.

 

Note:  The last salad above should come with a warning, but only if you have Acid Reflux issues like me. Volcanic pain in the chest along with a fiery lava sensation in the throat, needless to say is no fun.

However, I've found that I don't have a problem if followed immediately by over the counter medication. Also milk in the tea helps!