The Law, Boiling Water, The 4th Degree and an Enlarged Pack

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There are months that pass and are as exciting as watching paint dry. And then there are some that really pack a lot into a few weeks. We just had one of those months.

After deferring my jury duty call for several months because of surgery, I reported like a good citizen, filled out my form and waited along with the room full of excited(?) possible jurors. Finally a group of about 30 of us were called to a court and selection began. One after the other were dismissed. My number was called and I took my place in the jury box. They liked me , they really liked me! and I was left there! After years of reporting for duty and being sent home, I was on a jury! An assault with a deadly weapon case. What an experience! The case lasted for two days and we found ourselves faced with what we knew to be true and what the evidence, or lack there of, proved. Reasonable doubt. What a tricky thing. No fingerprints, no two witnesses could tell the same story, and as hard as she tried, the Assistant District Attorney could not provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt for the guilt of the defendant. We had to deliver a "Not Guilty" verdict even though we all knew him to be as guilty as sin! What a great experience with the way our legal system works. We all just hoped that when he comes before a judge again, and we know he will, the evidence will be a lot better.

Next came the morning of May 2nd. There was a massive water main break in the line coming from the Quabbin Reservoir, the reservoir that supplies the entire eastern half of the state. Well most of it anyway. Mom and the rest of the family were not affected in Lawrence. Alerts went out to boil all water for consumption. Tom called me from the Cape to tell me to go get some water from the store. This was not something I really wanted to do. Boiling a pot of water to use for cooking and coffee and rinsing dishes seemed a whole lot easier than fighting my way through the mobs I knew would be at the stores. I did a lot of camping as a kid and knew there was no real danger as long as the water boiled for a few minutes. So for the next three days we boiled water for drinking and dishes and life went on. It was a terrible thing to have happen, just not as troublesome as some would have you think. It would have been a lot worse to have been without water all together.

Tom being in the Cape and not here at home was because he was busy being inducted as a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. I could not go with him as the Cape Codder Hotel is not puppy friendly. These dogs are smart but not smart enough to be left alone for that long. Saturday morning my handsome Knight dressed in his new tux and headed to Cape Cod where he was sworn in. Dad was a 4th Degree and it meant so very much to Tom, Mom and Auntie for Tom to follow in Dad's footsteps. As you can see in the pictures, he is a very handsome Knight of the 4th Degree.

We now, officially, have a PACK of Cocker Spaniels! Last week our neighbor, Beverly, who runs a dog and cat rescue let us know about a little 2 1/2 year old male Cocker in New Hampshire whose family worked all the time and had him in a kennel for many hours a day. As hard as it was for them to let him go, they knew he needed a better way of life. The Dad and one of the sons brought the dog to us. After a meet and greet in the yard, Atticus and Yaar decided Brewski should join the family and make us a full pack! Brewski is a true love. He and Atticus have had a tussle here and there but this morning they were facing each other in the "play" posture and all is well with the world. Of course Yaar is still the Diva and where she goes the "Boys" go. They all line up for dinner, treats and pets. What a joy the pack is! But this is it, there will be no more!

And last, but not least, I'm married to a BUM! Actually, Tom is on extended vacation so there's no need for him to dress daily. Reed Elsevier closed 23 magazines in April (Purchasing included)and are paying staff salaries until mid-June. So, until then, Tom's technically still an employee of Reed Elsevier and unable to work elsewhere. I don't think there is any worry about future employment for Tom. The day after the closure, he started getting offers! He's a very sought after commodity! Each day there are emails and phone calls to see if he is available yet. I think this could be a very good thing for him.

Well, that's been our last month. I hope yours has been good for you all too. Coming up for us this month will be Josh's graduation from Merrimack which will bring a visit from son Jerry and daughter-in-law Jenene. Jessica has to work and can't make the trip. Josh is a Legacy because of Tom so there will be some pomp and ceremony for that. Next month will have Graduation pictures, I promise.

Bye for now.