We finally got out of town for the first time in ages. We have not spent an overnight since before Covid hit us two years ago! It’s not that we didn’t want to, but things as they were, it was difficult to get away. From my heart trouble to David’s shoulder injury, we have been kept close to home for far too long. And of course. there’s the animals that I, at least, hate to leave for long periods.

So last weekend we got into our trusty Jeep and off we went to Cincinnati where our son and his family live. We have not been down there since they got married so it was long overdue.

They also have this huge cat with batman like ears and another black and white long haired cat. They are both bigger than Annie.

We went down to Cincinnati to see family and to do some Christmas lights looking. Before we did they we went out to eat at an amazing restaurant, The Golden Lamb. It was built in the 1800’s and people like George H. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Charles Dickens have eaten there. Yes, Charles Dickens, the author of A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities. That Charles Dickens. His picture is on the wall with other dignitaries who have eaten there. We looked around at all the old furniture and books that lined the walls. It was a beautiful place to visit and I’m glad we did. It is still used for a bed and breakfast also. It would be fun to stay there.

After we ate a gigantic meal, I had their turkey dinner, we set off for Armco Park where there were lights to see. First we went through a neighborhood of large, older homes that were decorated for Christmas. These homes were three stories high and some had Christmas trees clear at the top window. They were all so beautiful. I’d like to see the houses in daylight.

Then we drove to the park and it was wonderful.

If pigs could fly!

And of course, the reason for the season.

I’ll be busy the next couple of days preparing a feast for Christmas day. We are expecting a huge ice storm and lots of snow and below 0 temperatures, so it may be just David and I here that day. Just so all my family and friends are safe and warm in their homes during this storm that is coming.

So wishing you all, wherever you are in the world, a blessed Christmas Day. God bless us, everyone! Bye.

I grew up watching Perry Mason with my mother. He always won his cases. I watched People’s Court for years and saw how people reacted to a judge. I’ve seen countless court cases on tv at one time or another, but I never thought I’d take part in one until this week.

Last week I told you I got a call from a lady telling me to show up for court in a few days. I told her at the time that I was a little hard of hearing and found it hard to hear people from far away, but she would not accept that excuse and told me to show up for court.

So last Tuesday, David and I went downtown to our historic courthouse. We got into a line at the door where we were checked by security. Then upstairs to circuit court where people were lined up again to sign in. Then we all sat on benches in the courtroom and waited. And waited. And waited. Some lawyers came in. Then the person being judged and his lawyer came in. Finally, the judge came in. Not how I pictured a judge. She was pretty and young and didn’t look like a judge at all. But then, what do judges look like now? Times have changed. They are not all men anymore and that’s a good thing. Women were important judges in the Bible so there is no reason women should not be judges now.

Then the judge told us some rules, many of them I didn’t hear and had to ask David what she said. Then a video was shown about what to expect being a juror. Then the real process of choosing the jury began. First twelve people were called to come up and sit in the jury box. Then the judge said if anyone in the room had a reason they should not be on the jury to come forward and tell her now. I didn’t hear that part! David told me I better go up and tell her I could not hear everything that was being said. I was in a panic, really. So I got into the line. There were several people with excuses, but not all were excused. I didn’t know what I would do if I wasn’t. What if I sent an innocent person to jail because I didn’t hear all the information? Then it was my turn to go up to the judge. I was so terrified, but I took a deep breath, walked up there and she asked me what was my excuse. I told her I had been having trouble hearing all the talking in the courtroom and if I were put on the jury I may not hear everything I should hear. She then asked me, “Don’t you have hearing aids?” Ummmmm. Well, I have thought about getting some for a long time, but my pride has kept me from doing so and the prices are so high so I told her we could not afford hearing aids! For some reason, something I said or how terrified I looked made all the lawyers and the judge laugh and she leaned down and said, “You are excused.” I almost dropped right there, but I turned around went to get my coat and David and I left. David asked me what we were all laughing about. I wasn’t laughing so I don’t know.

I was a little disappointed and a lot grateful that I didn’t have to sit on the jury. It was a murder trial, too. One girl who was chosen was so elated she pumped her fist in the air.

All in all, in retrospect, it was very interesting to see how a jury is selected.. David is on the list now and we are wondering if he will get called. I will go with him and watch everything and if he should be chosen, I will stay for the trial. Maybe I will have hearing aids by then.

It’s almost Christmas and I am not ready. We did shopping for dinner today and wow was our list long. Next week will be busy, but this weekend we are doing something fun. I will tell you about it later.

Here’s to judges and juries and may they always make the right decisions. Bye.

You know how sometimes you plan something and look forward to it and wait and wait and suddenly it’s here and then….it’s all over? I don’t know about you, but when I’ve devoted my life the last year to making things for my sale and now I don’t have to make anything if I don’t want to, it kind of puts me in a spin of sorts. The couple of days after the sale I felt like I was on vacation with nothing to do, but exactly what I wanted to do. It was like I had put myself in sewing jail for a whole year. Don’t get me wrong, I love to sew, but my output this year was pretty amazing even to myself.

My sale went really well. I sold a lot of stuff. I was surprised at the things that didn’t sell. Isn’t that always the case? The very things you think everyone will love didn’t hardly get a second glance and other things went swiftly. But I made enough to buy either a new sewing machine or lots more fabric. We’ll wait a while and see what I decide. I thank everyone who came even if you bought or not. I enjoyed seeing some people I haven’t seen in years. Three of my very handsome grandsons came with their mothers and I had baked chocolate chip cookies the night before so I fixed bags of cookies for them to take home. My best friend from high school came with her husband and we had a good visit. They were doing a tour around the state going to different things and my shop was on their tour. I only see her every two or three years, if I’m lucky, so it was so nice to see her again. But, I’m glad it’s over. That’s not to say my life isn’t going to get more stressful because……

The phone rang today. Now I don’t answer the phone often during the day because it’s always a robot call or a salesman or someone from medicare thinking I need to change something or someone telling me someone is using my credit card and things like that. I figure if it’s an emergency or one of my kids or friends they will leave a short message and I will get back with them. Well, I answered the phone today and it was a lady calling me for circuit court duty. I told her I didn’t hear very well, but she said they had devices people could use to hear. I told her it was awfully short notice, next Tuesday when I am supposed to show up, but I said I’d be there. Since that call I have felt so tense and worried. I love to watch court shows and murder shows, but I’ve never wanted to serve on a jury. It’s a Big responsibility and what if I get it wrong? I read up on court duty and it said it could last for two weeks sometimes. Just what I need right before Christmas! And it said there is a lot of waiting. I’m not good at waiting. I’m an impatient person. They said to bring a book and snacks(not to be read or to be eaten in court, of course.) I will fill up my Kindle and charge it well and hope that will keep me entertained while I wait. That’s what I get for answering the phone!

I’ve got most of my Christmas shopping done. The kids are too old for toys so it’s clothes and giftcards this year although I always find a fun gift that no one expects that I give to the younger kids. Plus I have a lot of things left over from my sale I can give as gifts, too.

Today I did go out in my shop and sew a little. I got some new fabric in the mail this week which I had forgotten I ordered so my mind is working on what to make with it.

I ordered a big box of Tootsie Roll pops. They are larger than the ones you usually get in the store. A big box of 72. I hope I will pace myself and only eat one a day. I love Tootsie Roll Pops better than any other candy. I also ordered a bag of all chocolate Tootsie Roll Pops. There are never enough chocolate ones in the bag so this will really be a treat. They all came today and I’ve already eaten one. David may have to hide them from me so I don’t go overboard with the candy! And I’d like to share them with the grandkids.

So much to do and so little time and court duty. Bah, Humbug. If you love court duty, please let me know why you do and help me out a little. Bye.

The day of my Christmas sale is almost here. I’ve been working and dreaming of the day for an entire year. Right after last Christmas I started sewing things for it and have sewn almost every single day since until this past week when it was time to set up my shop for the sale. Here are some views of my shop.

Ready for the big day. In other news…..

We spent Thanksgiving with some family and then went to our daughter’s house for some games. I took my camera with every intention of taking pictures of my grandsons but…..

I’m looking forward to Saturday and my sale. I had two dreams. One, nobody showed up for the sale and I sat there all day by myself. The other dream I had there were so many people showing up they would not fit into my shop and they were lined up all down the street. Let’s hope it’s a happy medium between these two dreams! Bye.