I spent most of Monday in a court room. Jury summons. I had to sit there an entire day while my fate was decided. They ask a menagerie of questions. Gun control. Immigration. Family violence. I believe in the constitution and the right to a trial by jury, but there has to be a better way than stuffing seventy strangers into a room, smattering them with questions when really jurors 1-14 have already been chosen.
I walked out beyond frustrated. We live in a country that preaches democracy. Other countries envy our system, but I feel like our system is broken and corrupt. Just watch
House of Cards on Netflix to understand what I mean. As I sat there, wasting my time, I couldn't help but think, our democracy is a farce. When we were released people clapped in the hall for not being chosen. Disrespectful, yes, but did they feel frustrated because it was a waste of time, or because they too feel like the system is fixed?
By late afternoon I was free and with the thermometer pushing mid 70's I decided to work my frustration out with my hands in the garden with the last few hours of daylight.
No day in the garden is complete without my helper. You know how it goes. I plant the potatoes. She digs them up. Annie enjoys being outside as much as I do. In this moment she was listening to the neighbor kids walk by and wondering why I wouldn't let her out of the gate to greet them.
We sowed lettuce in the raised bed, and started tomatoes, kale, spinach, and herbs in seed pots that will sprout in the warmth of the garage until April. I am very thankful I have a garage with heat/AC so I don't have to worry about cat paws digging through seed pots in the house!
It didn't take long to get over being discouraged. A little sunshine, hands deep in the dirt, and dog kisses are good for the soul. And sadly, I probably won't think about jury summons until next time I'm called to duty.
