City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

Do you all remember the song lyric, "I've been for a walk on a winter's day?"  Earlier today, taking advantage of sunshine, blue sky and temperature above freezing, I took such a walk and enjoyed it very much.  I did not really dream of California.

Today is Sunday.  On Tuesday, a winter blizzard is forecast.  Sometimes the weather forecasters over hype the drama.  I do hope this is true this time around, because around 12 inches of snow has been predicted.  Tuesday is already a scheduled day off for me, so if the big snow does arrive, I will be able measure my wish to take lots of snow scene photographs to share with you against my natural inclination to stay warm and dry indoors.  Knitting perhaps.

In my last post I showed a photograph of a zigzaggedy knit scarf.  That scarf no longer exists.  I was not pleased with how it was developing, unraveled it, and cast on a new version.

I prefer the flow of the colors in this version, with the bands of turquoise/purple stars appearing somewhat randomly throughout the smaller details of the rosy checkerboards.  

I should be able to finish the scarf on the upcoming blizzard day.

I would already have finished the scarf if I had been allowed to take my knitting with me to the courthouse where I spent two days as a potential juror last week.  Knitting needles are not allowed past the security checks.  Instead, I took along a hefty Georges Simenon omnibus containing five Maigret novels.  Maigret and the Reluctant Witnesses is the novel I am currently reading.

Of course, when I was amongst the jurors summoned to a "voir dire" courtroom process before a judge, a defendant, prosecuting and defending attorneys, I kept my book firmly closed.

I believe that jury duty is an important duty for us to accept.  I have served on juries before.  I was greatly relieved when I was one of those whom the judge excused from jury duty late on Friday afternoon.

Some city views are not pleasant ones.  Without revealing another word here about the nature of the case that was seeking its impartial jurors, I will say that sitting in that courtroom gave me much to consider about how fortunate I have been in my own life.

My good fortune includes making the acquaintance of so many interesting people around the world via this blog.  I continue to thank you all for your visits and comments.

In my next post, I do hope to take you outside again to see how this city handles a snowstorm.