Sunday, June 19, 2011

A Dad's Day Tribute!

Is this a gray area? ...Or a Shy Guy?

photo by Suzanne maybe a couple of weeks ago
actually taken from my cell phone!

Karo doesn't always like his picture taken.  But I did get this one and thought it was pretty funny.  I have done more with my cell phone lately, especially having spent over a week downtown on jury duty.  That story, maybe later.  Karo is a great dad, stepdad to my son, and grandfather.  I was widowed in 1986, with a young son-it was ten years later that Karo came into my life.  By then, my son was 16 and a REAL handful.  He's been very good to us over the years, and is the best grandfather to Shawn.  I am the only living grandparent of this little boy, and Karo is truly the best grandfather, I believe specially chosen for Shawn.  By the way, both pairs of Shawn's Great Grandparents are living, and they share in the love and care for him.   
Happy Father's Day to my husband, Karo!


Karo and Grandson Shawn jamming a bit
photo by Suzanne * June 17, 2010


Karo's son Chad and Karo jamming
in our music room
Karo was, and still is, a very good father.  He was everpresent as a single dad in his son's life.  Chad, who is now 40, lives in Paris, Texas with his wife and family, and is a family Doctor.  He stays very busy, and we don't get to see them much.  Chad, too, is a caring and loving dad to three daughters.

Chad's daughters-our granddaughters
Madison, Mary and Katy

My Dad and us three kids in 1956
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
I'm the one with the smirk on my face (and the bad hair) sitting behind my brother!
 
 
 
Karo's Dad, brother Danny, and Karo (in front with his mouth open!)
1955 * Bridgeport, Texas


My brother Stan and his son James
July 8, 2006 * Kansas City, Missouri


My Stepdad Bob, a Great cook!
Weatherford, Texas * November 1989 (maybe)


Rusty and son Shawn sampling Easter candy
Fort Worth, Texas * April 16, 2011


Grandpa and Shawn laughing it up!
December 21, 2010

***
And, in the news...Fort Worth, Texas has won the "All-America City Award for 2011.  This is the third time  our city has won this award.  Once in 1964, and again in 1993.
 Congratulations Fort Worth!!!

Fort Worth mayor Mike Moncrief celebrates with staff!
photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Star Telegram

***

And now, my dear readers, I must retire for the evening.  I spent 6 grueling, emotional days on a jury and then came down with a nasty cold.  I'm trying to work my way back to normalcy-never fear...I'll catch up to you!  I have been browsing, you see.  And, I've been trying to rest and relax more-I'm one of those kids who just can't give it up and go to bed at a decent hour, but I'm trying!  And at 7:45 PM, it's a weltering (excuse me-that's 'sweltering') 100 degrees in Fort Worth-GAHH!

Don't forget the poll on my sidebar...we have 4 voters so far! 

***
And remember this...
"It is not flesh and blood, but the heart
which makes us Fathers and Sons."
~Johann Schiller

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Flag Day In The US of A!

 Flag Day is Observed on June 14, 2011


I took the photo of this flag in our neighborhood on the night of May 24, 2011, during some pretty heavy storm activity.  It stood so tall, and a tornado was coming from back behind the flag.  Fortunately, it continued to go northeast of us, and the flag remained unscathed.  Unfortunately, the storms ravaged on and did much destruction in other cities and states.  I know those folks are still suffering from the damage and the trials of rebuilding.  Our prayers go out to these families for a quick recovery.

Photo by Suzanne * Fort Worth, Texas * May 24, 2011 


Red, White and Blue!  Our country's favorite colors!  While serving on the jury this past week (which is now in deliberation), I captured our beautiful U.S. Flag and our striking Texas Flag during a lunch break.  These two flags fly proudly in front of the Tarrant County College across the street from the Criminal Justice building.  After quite a few attempts, I was finally able to snag this photo as they were floating in the wind.

Downtown Fort Worth, Texas
Tarrant Co. College, Trinity River Campus
Photo by Suzanne * June 8, 2011

Remembering a Texas Governor

Governor William P. Clemens, Jr. 
April 13, 1917 ~ May 29, 2011
Photo taken by Suzanne June 5, 2009

Governor Rick Perry of Texas ordered all flags of the United States and of Texas to fly at half-mast on May 30, 2011.  This was in honor of former Texas Governor William P. Clemens, Jr. who passed away on May 29, 2011 at the age of 94 years.  Governor Clemens served as our 42nd and 44th Governor.  He served from 1979 to 1983, and from 1987-1991.  While on my way to work that week, I noticed this flag flying half-mast in front of one of our city buildings to honor the former Governor.  And I couldn't help but notice the beautiful, massive 'Crepe Myrtle' tree behind it.  Wouldn't do, but to have a photo.  What a lovely scene. The flag has now returned to full mast.

***
SHARING THE LOVE...FLAGS ON PARADE!!!

United States of America

India
Australia

United Kingdom
Canada
Denmark

Italy

Brazil
Germany 
China

New Zealand
South Africa


Russia

These are just a few of the beautiful flags of the world.  It's amazing to me that each country has it's own colors, yet we all agree on our patriotic symbols...flags being one of them.
So, let's celebrate Flag Day for all the world!

***
This time last year, I had been blogging for only a few weeks.  I didn't know what the heck I was doing.  Do I know now?  Probably not!  But, on June 12, 2010, I wrote and entered a post for Flag Day.  You can see it in my archives if you have a chance to browse...or click below to go there, if it works!

Thanks for stopping by...drop me a line if you get a chance.
  See you next time!

AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON MY SURVEY...
OR RATHER, 'KARO'S' SURVEY!
Celebrate Flag Day June 14, 2010!

I have a lot to be thankful for!
My Family and Friends
My wonderful and fun blogmates
Wikipedia
Yahoo Images
Google


Please forgive me if I failed to include your country's beautiful flag,
for there are so many to be proud of!


Shawn, sporting his Flag t-shirt and waving his Flag!
photo by mammaw * july 4, 2010
 
***
"Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue."
~George M. Cohan

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

A Prospective Juror's Musings...#0001122868!

You are hereby summoned to serve as a Juror in the Civil or Criminal Courts of
Tarrant County, Texas!

I was summoned to appear Monday, June 6, 2011 to possibly receive a court appointment so I could serve on a Jury.  Ohhh, such dread!  I had to go last year this time, and a couple of years before that, but was not chosen.  So, I grudgingly trudged downtown, anxiously awaiting the humiliating, cattle prodding procedure-and worried that THIS time, THREE could be a CHARM!

7:45 am * they're letting us in...off with the shoes, grab a bucket and put your shoes, purse, men's belts, and extra baubles or bling you might be wearing.  Now, this is understandable, but one lady was real concerned about whether or not the floor had been mopped recently.  She had so much jewelry in her hair and was asked to remove most of it.  I later saw her just sporting a pony tail! 

After going thru some 'make believe' mazed line that went nowhere, we made our way to the large check in room, where, if you're not there before 8:00 am, it's standing room only.  Got checked in, got a seat, and the great wait begins.  Cell phones going off all throughout the room...I can remember when you had to turn them off even a few years ago...time marches on quickly.  At 8:50 am, we're still waiting for the lengthy line of  'would-be-jury-agitators' to try to muzzle their way out of being there.  You're only allowed one time to beg off, which is what I had done in April, by going on line, (I was able to postpone until June) then you must 'bite the bullet' and show up.

9:30 am * roll call, and everyone gets a number to remember.  Then another roll call by your number-only scrambled up.  We were called in groups ranging anywhere from 13 people to 60 prospective jurors.  One #  went missing, so I guess they replaced the person.  Six groups went by, and on the 7th group they switched from numbers to names.  I was in the 7th group of 65 people.  So, what are the odds of me getting picked?  They gave us our court number and the judge's name, and sent us packing, to be in that court by 11:00 am.  Well, a relief for a break, and I had started chilling out some by then.  I hit the snack bar for some chips and a $1.25 bottle of water.  Everything was at least 90 cents.  Called Karo, gave him the scoop, then sat down, of course, with my little green notebook to write!  

10:45 am * I'm upstairs waiting for the next cattle call...and here it comes.  The bailiff calls roll, gives us each yet another number, and proceeds to seat us on church-like benches.  So, I sit gratefully, take out my notebook, and continue to write-after all- I was getting a story, wasn't I?  I just hope those sun-chips hold me for a while.  And the bailiff passes thru our crowd of 65 and picks up our 'boarding passes'.  He, then,  scrambles up our numbers and re-seats us on the benches.  Once that's done, he reads us our 'no cell phones, no reading in the courtroom' act, and proceeds to send us in there by our new numbers.  

Once seated, they give us a birdseye of the case to be presented.  And, not what I wanted to hear!  A horrific situation that has gone on for several years.  And the questioning begins, with 5 attorneys present.  It takes the 1st attorney 1 1/2 hours to question, when the judge finally says, "it's time to break for lunch at 12:30."
"Yes!  We have a lady Judge!"

1:30* Back in the courtroom...the same lawyer-he's not done yet.  So far, I'm not getting called on for any opinions.  I'm trying not to make eye contact with any of the attorneys.  The first attorney finally finishes and we're at break again at 2:40 pm. When we're brought back in the Judge says we may have to stay until after 5:00, because it's taking so long with the questioning.  During this time, they finally get around to me.  The attorney for the defense asks me if I'm a stockbroker...I say "no, I work in operations."  And he asks where I went to college, so I tell him.  Another one asks me if I have any biases concerning the case, and I had to say "No", considering the fact that I was not familiar with the case.  They of course, weren't able to give us the particulars, so, at that point, I had no biases.  But others did, and it does eventually come down to "we will not be able to pick jurors by 5:00.  So at 4:45, all but those with biases are asked to take another break.  I'm still not concerned, but Hey!  One never knows. 
5:05 pm * The bailiff comes out to get us...I had barely sat down, and they are calling off names again-I don't even remember who was calling the names...BUT OMG!!! They called my name loud and clear!!!  My unbelievable name-and they didn't stutter!  AAGGH!!!  This is not "Queen For A Day?"  It's more like "Don't Pass Go-Don't Collect $200.00"!

So, here I am, three days later, sitting on a 12-person jury for the duration of this week, and possibly into a few days next week.  I'm okay with it.  We can't talk about it until it's over, and that's rough.


Photo by Suzanne, June 8, 2011
 
This is the building we are in...it's 8 stories tall.  A very nice building.  We jurors have been treated with the upmost respect and with much consideration.  The Judge, attorneys, and our wonderful bailiff thank us every day for our time.  And I have already learned so much!  I know that once this is over, I will be grateful for the opportunity and experience, because I will come away from it with my life having been touched!
 
'When Women are Jurors'
by Charles Dana Gibson * 1902
Very few women served on juries in 1870's Wyoming.  But in the middle of the 20th century, we saw more women serving on juries on a regular basis.  It wasn't until 1954 that a woman was allowed to sit on a jury in the state of Texas.  That woman was Miss Louis Summers, who served with 11 men, and was the forewoman. 

Thank you so much, my gracious readers!  If you haven't noticed yet, there is a new survey at the top of my sidebar.  This comes from Karo!!!  Really, this is HIS survey, but it is legit!!!  Please feel free to vote...it could be fun!  And I hope to get with Rusty soon for his exciting updates on the Dallas Mavericks!

Thanks to the Judicial System of America
Thank You downtown Fort Worth, Texas
Thank You Yahoo
Thank You Google
Thank You to my husband Karo and grandson Shawn