November 07, 2007

The Jury's Out

So today I was called upon to do jury duty in my county's general district court. We check a call-in line the night before, and my panel was called for today, so I let the folks at work know and packed my trusty bag with two needlework projects, two books and change for the Coke machine. God forbid I should be bored or uncaffeinated. I had to leave the scissors at home, since they wouldn't have passed through the metal detector, but I packed a retractable seam ripper (probably in itself a weapon but it wasn't specifically excluded) since as usual, I can't find either of my clovers. I've done jury duty before in this county, and it can be grueling and unpleasant. The docket is crowded in our booming county, and trials can run to midnight or more. Another gentleman and I actually had to argue with a couple of people on a past jury that simply not liking the accused or his lifestyle was not enough reason to convict. Plus for me, jury duty is unpleasantly like work, even though I work in the transactional end of law rather than in litigation.

After checking in and receiving our jury numbers and our $30 in cash, we waited around until we were sent home, as there were many more of us than were needed to fill the jury box for the two trials, as during the voir dire, apparently no one was dismissed. So that left me free at 11:30 to go spend my $30, which Big Law does not demand we turn over to them. And you know what I spent it on, I'll bet: Country Cottage Needleworks' Gingerbread Cottage.

Tomorrow I've been called to serve again. I am hoping for the same result.

I had a chance to start it this afternoon:

And I worked a bit more on the Christmas Cardinal ornament:

I'm enjoying the cardinal theme a lot, so I bought another one. This is by Imaginatings. I'd love to finish these three projects in time to have them framed for Christmas. But you know, the jury's out on that....

11 comments:

Anna van Schurman said...

Ah, jury duty. How much stitching have I accomplished while on jury duty? But I only got $5/day.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Beautiful! And a good buy!

Deb said...

Wow, Glenna! I'd say Jury Duty might pay in stash, that's for sure. I love your choices, especially the cardinals. You've made this a "Cardinal Christmas" for me! Thanks for making me SEE them.
Love and hugs,
Deb

Deb said...

PS: On the other hand, I can't imagine sitting as long as it takes to hear and make a determination with a group at trial. That's got to be one of my ideas of real torture! I'm thinkin' of you and prayin' your "boookie" and back hold up! :o
Deb

Annemarie said...

You actually get paid for jusry-duty? Is there a way to make it into a living? I would LOVE to do jury duty, but in our country the public is not expected to say anything. Probably a good thing too: I'm sure there are a lot of people in this country who need to be told that lifestyle is not a reason to find someone guilty.

Your stitching is, as always, lovely. Good choice!

mainely stitching said...

I'm so jealous - I'm STILL waiting for my Cardinal pattern from Imaginating. I think the mail carrier is skipping my house!

Mindi said...

Very nice start on Gingerbread Cottage, I'm so jealous! I broke down and purchased Snowflakes, but held off on the other new releases for now.

The Imaginating designs you picked up are very nice. I hadn't seen them before and may have to add them to my list.

sammyjo said...

I love the cardinals, and jury duty sounds like fun to me lol

Anonymous said...

Your cardinal is taking shape nicely. Really like your new cardinal pattern too! Seems you have the same problem with cardinals that I'm having with snowmen this year - can't get enough of them! :D

Michelle said...

Love the cardinals! That's an awesome outcome for being called to jury duty. Great new start.

staci said...

I've just found your blog, it's lovely!!!

Way to go with the jury duty--I'm glad it worked out for you :)