the path

Graycee

in bloom

...in my backyard...

rambling rose, redbud, camelia

vinton cemetery

Vinton Cemetery

August 2005, September 2008

it's over

Turn your face to the sun,

and the shadows fall behind you.

Maori Proverb

The trial is finally over. It was horrific...a murder case where the body was burned in order to hide the shooting death...horrific. The trial and jury process has changed me in ways I have yet to fathom. I am so, so glad to be back to my simple life where gangs and guns and death and destruction are not part of everyday life. I am so blessed to be able to live simply and joyfully. I have to trust in the Universe that this experience serves some higher purpose. There was one bright benefit, though. My fellow jurors are a wonderful group of people. It was a pleasure to get to know them.

table mountain

Today there was a break in the rain. Not just a break, but sunshine. Taking advantage, I piled J and my Mom - who is visiting for the week - into the car and headed up to Table Mountain in Oroville to see if the wildflowers were in bloom. They are only beginning, but J and I had a grand time tracking through the boggy land, climbing on fallen trees, and visiting cows. My Mom - who is arthritic - stayed in the car and napped! It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Tomorrow, it's back to school for J, back to crosswords and mystery novels for my Mom, and back to the jury box for me.

J's favorite part was splashing in the puddles...

My favorite part...the cows...