I used to be called for jury duty every two years. But since I moved (2020) they seem to have lost me. It was sometimes an experience - the first trial, a civil one against a company that led to the client being injured - the lawyer was crying. Some of the evidence was eye-opening - a big bag of crack, guns, etc.

When I first moved to NYC (25 years ago, almost) I got called for jury duty twice in a row (once for Kings County, once for NYS) almost immediately, was put on the jury both times, and haven't been called since. I have no idea how anyone could be a truly impartial juror for Trump, though - one of the requirements is to consider only the evidence presented in court and I just don't know how that's possible with someone whose full time career for decades has been Being An Asshole On Television.

In self-care news, my local rec center pool is finally open again after 6 months of renovations and you guys, OMG. SWIMMING. (They are still not finished renovating the locker rooms, but at least the delays in re-opening the pool means it's warm enough outside that I can drive home wet and use my own shower without my hair freezing on the walk to the car.)

(skipped and skimmed a bit)

Happy birthday, Sheryl! Happy belated birthday, ND!

Flight news: United canceled their flights to and from Israel until next week. I'm flying next Friday. I do not like this game at all, and I'll probably know only on the day of the flight if I'm flying or not.

Spring has definitely sprung.

The maples and the redbuds and the sweet gums and the pear trees are leafing out. The oaks are flowering. The dogwoods are in glorious bloom.

The ornamental peppers I planted in the big flowerpot on my balcony have sprouted, and are now just barely visible poking above the surface of the soil.

Last month I put out a bunch of grocery-store birdseed (What? It was an impulse buy.) in the big ceramic plant saucer that I normally rig as a bird bath. The birds picked out the sunflowers and left most of the rest. Not even the squirrels were interested. It all got drenched in a rainstorm. I dumped it out into the big flowerpot, and to my surprise a lot of it sprouted. The sprouts are an inch or two tall already, growing like weeds (pun intended). I'm curious to see what the plants actually look like, I have no idea what they are. I think some of it is millet. I'm also curious to see if they crowd out the peppers, or vice versa, or whether they manage to co-exist.

Or, the squirrels might dig them all up.

Entertaining, however it works out.

I cleaned and filled the hummingbird feeder. I'm hoping for a first sighting before May 1st.

I think it is millet. Mom has accidentally grown it, too Shir, hope you get to visit. wish I could see you.(Sometime, I hope)

United canceled their flights to and from Israel until next week. I'm flying next Friday. I do not like this game at all, and I'll probably know only on the day of the flight if I'm flying or not.

Ugh, I'm sorry. This on top of everything else going on over there...I really hope you get to come visit!!

Shir, good luck getting a flight!

We’re having a busy school vacation week. We had a play date with vw and Stitch, then ltc spent two days with my in-laws, today she is at museum camp, and tomorrow she goes to Mom’s for two days, while TCG and I get a date night!

Everything crossed for you, Shir

Yay for ltc's busy schedule, and especially for date night!

All kinds of flight~ma going your way.

Hive mind! need some info.

I've started having nosebleeds. Haven't had them before, but starting Monday I was having them. From one nostril. They do, eventually, stop. I did a search and, well, I was doing a lot wrong. But going through half a box of tissues to mop up the blood.

Any advice?