Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Funny Flathead Beacon Police Reports! #4 - Holiday Edition.
A Polebridge man reported that a contractor he had hired thumped a tool in his hand then got this look in his eye, like he’d seen “on television dramas before someone is about to hurt the other person.” The man suggested that deputies run a “mental packet” on the contractor, “rattle his cage” and put a spotlight on him.
12/12/2011
5:38 p.m. A man on Anderson Lane reported that he found three stray horses and two miniature donkeys. He successfully herded them into his pasture.
8:45 p.m. Deputies responded to an incident in a pink trailer involving an excitable mother and daughter. The two were separated after mutually accusing one another of abuse. There was no evidence that anyone was actually abused.
10:01 p.m. The mom from the pink trailer called from her bathroom to report that her daughter was cursing at her and following her around the trailer.
12/13/2011
12:45 p.m. A tenant at a trailer park on Whitefish Stage reportedly saw another tenant steal wood from his neighbor. The accused tenant did not confess, but did offer to give his wood to the neighbor if it would make things right.
3:14 p.m. A woman on First Street West reported that a young, machete-carrying man in a pinstriped jacked beat up her boyfriend.
4:33 p.m. A disgruntled man on North Springwood Road said a young boy ran in front of his vehicle then flipped him off. The man tried to track down the kid but was unsuccessful.
5:33 p.m. A wolf, or possibly a dog, was seen hanging out at a business in Whitefish.
12/14/2011
3:37 p.m. An employee at the Dollar Tree reported that someone repeatedly grabbed a drill off the shelf and attempted to return it for cash at the front counter. (wow, I didn't realize they sold drills at the dollar store...LOL)
12/15/2011
11:28 a.m. A disappointed mom on Jellison Road in Columba Falls reported that her son brought home a couple of 13-year-old girls.
2:03 p.m. Three dogs habitually gather at a Marion woman’s house and tear up her yard.
4:02 p.m. An obnoxious drunk in a gray hat was refused second helpings at the food bank.
7:52 p.m. Someone reported that their identity was stolen seven years ago.
8:51 p.m. A young, bearded man with strings hanging off his hat was panhandling and trying to sell movies in front of a store on Third Avenue East North.
12/18/2011
2:40 p.m. An unwanted man showed up with a case of beer at a Ranch Lane resident’s house.
9:03 p.m. An intoxicated man from Bigfork reported a possible child abduction he had witnessed earlier that day at the dump. He claimed he saw three children that didn’t look anything like the woman they were with. He also said that he attempted to give the children some Lincoln Logs that he had found while dumpster diving, which angered the woman. He had no other pertinent information.
12/19/2011
1:26 p.m. Someone in Columbia Falls successfully broke up a dog fight with a stick.
8:11 p.m. Someone in Whitefish called 911 to report seeing a woman who smelled of alcohol buy more alcohol. The caller didn’t know if the woman had been driving, but assumed so anyway.
9:16 p.m. A man reported that he was hit by a bus last June
9:16 p.m. A man reported that he was hit by a bus last June
12/20/2011
9:18 a.m. A Polebridge man reported that a contractor he had hired thumped a tool in his hand then got this look in his eye, like he’d seen “on television dramas before someone is about to hurt the other person.” The man suggested that deputies run a “mental packet” on the contractor, “rattle his cage” and put a spotlight on him.
9:24 a.m. A Hungry Horse resident complained that the neighbors built an offensive, anatomically accurate snowman in their front yard. The snowman has since been modified.
2:22 p.m. The freshman at the Bigfork High School lost his marijuana to the principle after making a failed attempt to take it to school.
9:23 p.m. An angry, intoxicated man calling from Fourth Avenue East reported that the neighbor woman was beating her screaming children so loudly that is was “screwing up” his movie. No beatings actually took place, the kids were just loud.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Shit Girls Say...Listen! Listen! Listen! This is seriously funny (if you're a girl).
You can also follow them on Twitter @shitgirlssay
Thursday, December 15, 2011
More Funny Flathead Beacon Police Reports! #4
12/7/2011
10:44 p.m. A lumberjack looking man and another man were cut off and kicked out of a bar on Highway 35 in Kalispell. They stood outside the bar and argued until a deputy sent them home.
11:39 p.m. An employee at a Main Street hotel reported that drunken man wearing a “gopher hat” was getting into the complimentary hot chocolate and refusing to leave.
12/8/2011
9:30 a.m. A man on Concord Drive claimed that his wife might call in and say he slammed her hand in the door and that if she does, it’s not true.
2:14 p.m. Two men were harassing each other via Facebook.
12/11/2011
7:28 a.m. A 5-year-old boy wanted to explain that his cat “just ate poop.”
8:58 a.m. A woman on Fifth Avenue East found a note on her door that said “your house has been watched tonight by the creeps.”
12:11 p.m. Reportedly, a woman on Highway 35 in Kalispell called someone a “sourpuss.”
Monday, December 12, 2011
Funny Flathead Beacon Police Reports! #3
On 12/4/2011
12:32 p.m. A man on Wettington Drive thinks that his ex has been creeping around and that his neighbor might allow her to hide at their house.
On 12/6/2011
2:32 p.m. A Columbia Falls man claimed that his ex-girlfriend stole his spare key. She had no problem giving it back.
6:58 p.m. A Hungry Horse woman reported that her unregistered “dropped down low” baby blue pickup truck had been stolen and that it probably didn’t have enough gas in it to make it around the block. Someone else reported that the same woman also lost her 3-year-old child and that she was shooting her “snub-nosed” pistol at someone’s house. The child was found and fine, but the baby blue truck is still missing.
3:01 a.m. A Kalispell woman claimed that her druggy, abusive son came over and stole her dog.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
More Funny Flathead Beacon Police Reports!
12/1/2011
10:33 a.m. A basset hound was spotted moseying down Ezy Road.
3:48 p.m. The owner of a Kalispell store claimed that a man with droopy drawers threatened to hit her if she didn’t “shut up.”
7:53 p.m. The owner of a trailer park on Jellison Road in Columbia Falls reported that an intoxicated man was urinating in the road and driving drunkenly through her park. She wanted to enact a citizen’s arrest.
7:59 p.m. Reportedly, a weird woman knocked on a Short Court woman’s door and asked if she needed her carpet vacuumed.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Funniest Police Blotter Stories EVER! From Flathhead Valley Montana.
Montana has come up a few times - and I've been reading their local weekly newspaper to get an idea of what life in the West is like - and uh - these are directly from the police blotter of Flathead Valley as reported in the Flathead Beacon - these are SERIOUSLY FUNNY (at least to someone like me where murder, rape, and robbery is almost a daily occurrence in Philly). I wouldn't mind living in a place where crimes like these occur:
From the Flathhead Beacon Police Blotter
11/30/2011
4:37 p.m. Three destructive canyon kids kicked in a wall at the maze. They were caught and left to the mercy of their parents.
11:28 a.m. Someone saw a man walking through the trees near Bruyer Way Loop dragging a leash with nothing on the end of it.
3:58 p.m. A 15-year-old girl was offended by some lewd comments posted on her Facebook page.
9:21 p.m. An intoxicated Somers man reported that his angry wife literally had him “by the balls” for the second time that evening. He did not need medical assistance and the two were separated for the night.
11/29/2011
2:09 p.m. A loose calf tried to make friends with a woman walking down Trumble Creek Road. It was taken home.
8:00 p.m. A woman on Ridgewood Drive reported that her granddaughter’s mother wouldn’t return her cable box.
11/28/2011
2:15 p.m. Two men argued loudly about scriptures in an alley near Second Avenue West.
4:19 p.m. A woman on Liberty Street reported that a man threw a pile of dog “doo doo” on her car and told her that she was the rightful owner of the doo.
4:20 p.m. An awkward situation involving a man straddling a woman laying on a sidewalk was witnessed in Evergreen.
7:00 p.m. Reportedly, people have been living in their truck at the Burger King parking lot for the last year. The caller considered allowing them to move into his guest house.
8:35 p.m. Someone from the Whitefish train depot called in to discuss a strange man with a comb-over who was chanting about train safety.
11/27/2011
1:29 p.m. A Rottweiler that appeared “bold” and a small white dog were seen running down Foys Lake Road.
5:21 p.m. Someone called in to discuss the person they saw at a hotel on Highway 93 South who may or may not be an officer.
11/24/2011
11:37 a.m. A dad on Wyoming Street said a pit bull was circling his children. He yelled at the dog and it ran off.
3:14 p.m. A janitor, who thought he was alone in a Kalispell store, heard strange noises over the intercom.
6:40 p.m. A big dirty truck was seen swerving down Highway 2 West.
10:37 p.m. A Kalispell woman reported that her roommate’s mom stopped by and, for unknown reasons, attacked her. She left shortly after and could most likely be found at Walmart. (OMG - this is one of the best!!!)
11/22/2011
11:59 a.m. A woman from Hungry Horse claimed that her estranged husband went and married another woman.
8:28 p.m. A gas station employee complained that a drunk was tooling around in the bathroom.
11/21/2011
9:37 p.m. A small intoxicated man wearing “Nintendo pants” was seen crying in a bar on Highway 35 in Kalispell.
11/20/2011
10:32 a.m. A Kalispell resident reported that two happy chocolate labs were in his yard and wouldn’t leave.
11:29 p.m. A woman on Halfmoon Flats near Columbia Falls reported that she had been sitting in her vehicle, afraid to get out, for the last 20 minutes because an unfamiliar dog was lurking around nearby. She decided to make a run for it.
12:25 a.m. A bartender in Martin City asked for assistance with a big, bald man who drunkenly claimed to own the bar and refused to leave. He was napping on the floor when officers arrived.
5:16 a.m. Two kids were standing on Highway 35 in Kalispell videotaping each other. The caller suspected they were on drugs.
5:16 a.m. Two kids were standing on Highway 35 in Kalispell videotaping each other. The caller suspected they were on drugs.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Christmas Chex Mix - White Chocolate and Peppermint Crunch
6 cups Rice Chex® cereal
1 bag (12 oz) white vanilla baking chips (2 cups)
1/3 cup coarsely crushed peppermint candy canes (14 miniature, unwrapped)
Line cookie sheet with foil or waxed paper. Place cereal in large bowl.
In microwavable bowl, microwave white vanilla baking chips uncovered on High about 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until chips can be stirred smooth. Stir in half the crushed peppermint candy.
Pour over cereal; toss to evenly coat. Spread mixture in single layer on cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle with remaining candy. Let stand until set, about 20 minutes. Gently break up coated cereal. Store in airtight container.
Makes 20 servings (1/2 cup each)
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Jacks Dog Farm - Tops The Happy List
We "stopped" by Jack's Dog Farm not planning to purchase a puppy, however, when we laid our eyes on 3 little chocolate labs, I was smitten.
And you can see from my photo of Jack Henry, he is totally adorable!
The kennels that the dogs were kept in were very clean, all had fresh paper and fresh water. There were German Shepherds (adorable!!) and many other breeds (they are known for their Jack Russell terriers I later found out).
Jeremy came out to help us almost immediately. He was very kind and helpful and didn't pressure us in anyway. (Like we needed any extra help - we knew we were doomed as soon as we held the first puppy!).
I did notice a bit of a cough and Jeremy sent us home with meds just in case. Jack Henry came with papers and had already received the vaccinations that were due.
Once we got home, I became concerned about the cough. We'd just lost our dog Diablo unexpectedly, and I had "new mom" syndrome and panicked because of the recent loss of Diablo so I took him to our vet, Ark Animal, which happens to be the same vet Jeremy uses. They put Jack on a round of antibiotics and when I called Jeremy to let him know, he paid for the whole vet bill and was very very professional and kind. We later heard from many friends that new puppies and or rescues they'd gotten from either other breeders or shelters often had the same thing. I met other people who'd bought their dogs there and 2 had dogs that were fabulously healthy, awesome dogs, and one person said her puppy had been sick but that they also took care of the vet bills and now her Boxer is happy healthy and wonderful.
When I talked to Jeremy after Jack went to the vet, he gave me the name and number of a person who had bought a puppy from the same litter a few days before, in case I wanted reassurance. I think, it's not unreasonable to expect that a new puppy from any breeder might not be in tip top health - crap happens! What SHOULD be expected is for the business to work with the customer to remedy the situation - which Jeremy at Jacks Dog Farm absolutely did. Keep in mind too, if you call someone to complain and start off the conversation with a bad attitude, it doesn't help the situation. You should expect to be treated the same way you are treating the other person.
After I got home, I did some research on Jacks Dog Farm and read some horribly written reviews - I know animal people are passionate and sometimes over the top - and I think that Jacks might have been targeted by these crazy over the top people - and from the way they can barely piece a sentence together, I find it hard to believe they can afford to pay for a pure bred dog.
If you are thinking about going to Jack's Dog Farm, please, just stop by and see for yourself!
Also, Jack Henry's temperament is AWESOME! Every time we take him out (to kids soccer games/field hockey/the park) - everyone compliments how laid back and easy going he is!
We're so happy with him and I give Jack's Dog Farm 5 Stars for such a wonderful dog and 5 Stars for the way they handled our situation.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Puppy Dog Surprise. Welcome Jack Henry!
The house was so empty with Dibalo being gone, and since I work from home, the silence was overwhelming. All I could do was stare at all the places he claimed as his own; the space next to my desk, the spot at the front door, in front of the fireplace. I couldn't focus on getting anything done - no writing, no reading, no cooking, no baking, no EATING! I didn't even feel like Pintersting!
I had sworn the day after Diablo died, I would not ever want another dog. And then a few days later, I opened the computer and started searching for dogs. And this seemed to be the only thing that got my mind off Diablo.
John said "Wait a month."
I said, "I need something to distract me - and the only thing that's going to distract me is a new dog."
And so...he said he was going to get me an iPad as a birthday/Christmas present, but if I'd rather have a dog, he'd give that to me instead.
After breakfast at the Cross Keys Diner Tuesday, we went to Jack's Dog Farm and picked out a chocolate lab pup. I named him Bob (though for some reason, the few people we told about Bob, kept calling him Jack - and we kind of liked that name too). We decided to surprise Katie with him and the staff at Cutter's Mill is so awesome, I called and talked to Kayla who said they would love to help us surprise Katie. They made up a dog tag that said "I Belong To Katie Freed" and John arrived just before opening on Saturday morning with "Bob" (who would later become Jack Henry - or "Just Jack"). Katie and I arrived at Cutter's Mill (they always have dog events there, so seeing a dog inside Cutter's Mill is not surprising!). Rich, the manager, was holding Bob/Jack and we asked to see him. I asked if I could video tape him and he said "sure" - and then I asked Katie to read the dog tag and that's when she discovered that the adorable chocolate lab was our new pup.
"I call him Bob - but we were thinking about the name Jack," I said.
"Jack. For sure," Katie said.
And so that's that.
Though we miss Diablo terribly and he fills a place in our heart that no one will ever replace, he'd surely want us to fill the empty house with love and laughter again.
Thanks to everyone who called, sent flowers, cards, emails, and left comments. Animal lovers are a special kind of people and John, Katie, and I were so touched.
And Thank You to Rich and Kayla at Cutter's Mill in Chalfont!
"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." ~Ben Williams
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
If Only...Goodbye To Dog Diablo
If only…
If only I’d have taken Hellberg Avenue instead of Hillcrest Avenue.
If only I’d have waited five minutes later before lacing up my shoes and getting the dog leash off the counter.
If only I’d have held that leash and that dog tight by my side…
Mondays for me, have always been a favorite day. A day of beginnings – “start the diet on Monday” – “start writing a new book on Monday” – “start working out on Monday” – but on Monday, the 26th of September, it was a day for endings.
Almost every day I walk my dog Diablo – a crazy energetic loving Australian Cattle Dog with the softest coat of fur you’ve ever felt in your life. We walk for at least 60 minutes. I change up our route, but I’m sure everyone who lives by us in Chalfont has seen us pass by them at one point or another in the last 4 years. Diablo even got me kicked out of Manhattan Bagel – I used to stop in for a morning bagel and I’d bring Diablo in – it was only for a few minutes – and one employee chastised me in front of everyone in the store! A year later however, the owner approached me and apologized and said Diablo and I were welcome at any time. Because seriously, he knew how awesome Diablo was.
Almost every day we walked to North Branch Park, and if no other dogs were around, I’d let Diablo off leash and he’d roll in the big mud puddles, he’d swim in the creek, he loved to run but would always turn around once he got too far away and he’d run right back to me.
My family has many crazy memories of Diablo – me jumping in the creek to save him, Diablo running so fast, he ran sideswiped my legs and knocked me to the ground. Diablo biting another dog at North Branch Park –who happened to be a police K9 – who happened to be a police K9 who works with the same department John & Thor work for! It was an oddly random surreal incident – as we had never encountered Ed and Bo at the park before that day. There was Diablo jumping out of the car when we were driving! There was the time I went to a vet clinic to get him his rabies shot and he again, knocked me over and I landed, in front of about 100 people waiting in a long line, on my ass and hurt my coccyx bone. It literally took about 4 months to heal. And when John and I came back from Australia – Diablo was fine when we brought him home from the kennel, but then the next day – he was limping so bad he couldn’t walk. John thought we should rush him to the vet and I said, “How could he have gotten hurt? He was fine yesterday! Running and jumping. Fine last night. Let’s just wait.” Then at 5 pm the pizza delivery guy rings the doorbell, and Diablo, smelling a stranger with food, miraculously is healed and runs to the door, jumping up to greet the stranger. His injury had been an act – a big “FK You” for leaving me for 9 days! Yep, that’s our Diablo.
Diablo was afraid of paper. When I sat at my desk filing papers or I took down a binder full of notes about the book I was working on, he would run out of the room and up the stairs. Maybe to him the rattling of paper was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
And of course, he always tried to attack the vacuum cleaner. A dog ‘therapist’ whom I met at a party once told me that dogs attack the vacuum because the dog thinks the vacuum is attacking the person vacuuming – therefore he is trying to protect me. I don’t know, I just think it’s because Diablo was crazy like that.
He also tried to attack cars. Not often, but there have been a few times in the last four years where we’d be walking and all of a sudden, he pulls at the leash and tries to lunge at a car. So, usually, when I’m walking with him along Limekiln pike, close to the road, I have the leash shored up to keep him tight by my side.
And this is where it all went wrong on Monday morning.
We were waiting to cross Hillcrest and Limekiln pike. There isn’t a sidewalk there, so you have to stand on the side of the road, but there’s a small shoulder.
Diablo and I have a routine downpat. When it comes time to cross the road I say “Wait,” and he sits and looks up at me. Then when it’s clear, I say, “Go!” and we run across the street - actually – usually it’s him pulling me across the street.
Diablo sat and looked at me. Some cars drove by. And then a large dump truck – the kind with wheels as tall as I am roared by.
It happened in a split second.
Diablo lunged at the truck, trying to attack the wheels. Look Diablo, you’re a crazy tough mother fucker, but you’re not gonna win, little D.
He was thrown back to the side of the road. Or maybe I pulled the leash to bring him back. I don’t remember.
I do remember that he started seizing and blood was everywhere.
I lost it. Crying. Panicking. I thought he was dying right before my eyes. And, in essence, he was. People stopped to help.
And some kind old man who was trying to tell me Diablo had just bit his tongue.
I remember sobbing, “Won’t someone please just help me. Please take us to the vet.” I said it over and over because it seemed like forever.
And then Diablo got up! He ran away! He was alive. And running! 2 people offered take us to the vet. I ended up going with Ian, because he had put the floormats on the seat of his car and even though I was sick about Diablo, I was worried about getting blood all over a stranger’s car.
Diablo seemed almost ok. Ian drove me down the street to my house. I quickly gave him stuff to clean out his car and then rushed Diablo to the vet.
John had been working but thank god they let him leave and come home after I called to tell him about the accident. I was so appreciative to have him there. I couldn’t imagine being alone.
The vet told us Diablo had suffered terrible damage to his head. Though they felt they could fix him, it would take much time, much money, many visits to the vet (Diablo HATES the vet), there were no guarantees, and his quality of life would be compromised.
We made the decision to send him to that great big bacon boneyard in the sky. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.
They brought him in, he was full of muscle relaxers so he laid on a towel on the floor, and John and I cried as we told him how much we loved him, how much Katie loved him, how we would miss him, how much joy he brought to us in the last 4 years. I got on the floor and lay beside him, his breathing slowed as we talked to him – he knew we were there.
And then the vet injected him and we watched as his chest rose and fell for the last time.
It. Was. Just. Heartbreaking.
John and I sat outside the rest of the day, drinking wine and beer (John) and cranberry whisky (me) and talking about Diablo until the sky grew dark and our eyes were red from endless tears and our chests hurt from laughing at Diablo’s funny moments and from crying because of heartache.
At the vet, I requested to take home his leash and slept with it curled up in my hand close to my heart.
I know, I know, he’s just ‘a dog’ to some people, but to us, to people who treasure their pets, they will understand why, 2 days later, I still can’t stop crying.
And I can’t stop thinking – if I’d have taken a different route – if I’d have waiting one minute later to leave the house – if I’d have held that leash and kept Diablo right by side – and that’s the lesson in there. If I can save just one pet – if someone reads this and remembers this story and makes sure to have their dog firmly by their side when crossing a road – well, some good might come out of this heartbreak.
Diablo, there is an emptiness in the house and in our hearts – no one could ever replace you. You were amazing and funny and my best friend always by my side for 4 years. I am so sorry I let you down. I would give anything, anything, to re-live that morning – I’d give anything to have a ‘do over.’
I do know though, that you had an incredible 4 years of walks, runs, swimming, Frisbee catching, bike riding, bacon, and belly rubs.
Thank you for bringing so much happiness to our lives. We love you and miss you and there will never, ever, be another Diablo. I’d say Rest In Peace, but knowing Diablo, I’ll have to say, “Run Forever In The Sunshine, Our Little Devil Dog.”
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Doylestown Cop Shot by John Leonard Egland During Hurricane Irene
UPDATE: 8:22 a.m. - New Info: Murder Suspect is John Leonard Egland and he is believed to have murdered his exwife, her boyfriend, and the 10 year old son of the boyfriend in Virginia, and then shot and killed his ex mother in law in Buckingham, Pa. He is armed and dangerous and his truck was found abandoned in Warwick township. He could be looking to steal a car or could have already stolen one - please stay alert no matter where you are until he is in custody. This is his description. Also - there still has not been one mention of this in the TV news.
Around 2 a.m. I was huddled down in the basement with dogs Thor and Diablo watching Action News on my laptop. It was nothing but an endless loop of radar maps/flooding reports/video footage. I checked my face book and saw one of my friends who lives in Doylestown mention that a cop had been shot! I immediately went to my Twitter feed and found...nothing but local tweets about Irene.
I kept checking my Twitter and finally, THE ONLY person to mention it was Bill Devlin a staff writer w/ local papers.
From the little tidbits I was able to piece together - some military dude killed his mother in law in Buckingham and then shot at police in Doylestown and injured at least one cop (who may or may not have driven himself to Doylestown hospital).
Now, what concerns me, is that this guy, armed with guns/rifle was driving around in a 2011 pickup and last seen in New Britain. So, we have an armed, really pissed off killer who has no qualms about shooting at a cop or 'allegedly' killing his mother in law and ONE LOCAL REPORTER is the ONLY PERSON on this story?
How many of us had garage doors open to sweep out water? How many of us would have opened a door at if someone was knocking - thinking we are in the middle of hurricane and it could be a neighbor or police?
This is a story that should have been reported by the TV news stations. This should have been blasted out on Twitter to warn people...
AND THIS STORY WASN'T IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR ANY MAIN STREAM NEWS ORGANIZATION to report on????
This is EXACTLY why I get my news from Twitter! Every breaking news story - I've discovered by reading my Twitter feed.
This is a breaking story, and since, obviously, you're not going to hear about this by watching TV, follow
@DevlinIntel and @courier_intell for more news.
Here's a more detailed news story...
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/nbc-doylestown-police-officer-shot/article_b576c717-a659-5385-83db-65fcdf6f0a54.html
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
My 3 Days With An Attempted Murderer - Jury Duty Doylestown
I was terribly excited when I received my Jury Duty notice for Bucks County. The letter that arrived in the mail assigned me a number and starting on Friday at 4pm I was to call in and listen to the recording. If my number was called, I was to report to the Doylestown Court house.
On Monday night when I called in, my number was listed - meaning I had to report on Tuesday morning.
I stood in front of my closet like a school girl - pondering my fashion selection carefully. As I'm a writer full time now, I have plenty of flip flops and casual wear - and when it comes to dressing up, well, I have plenty of party dresses and don't own anything that screams: I HATE MY OFFICE JOB BUT SINCE I HAVE TO BE HERE I MIGHT AS WELL LOOK FABULOUS. In the end I wore white Capri's and a nice yellow/black blouse and brought a yellow light jacket figuring it might be cold in the courthouse (in actuality, it's like a got-damn freezer).
Most movies and TV I watch, most books I read - center on the light hearted/comedy/mindless entertainment that leaves me feeling good about life. However- I do love true crime stories.
And once upon a time, I wanted to be a lawyer. Until I realized all the paperwork involved. And that it's rarely about justice and more often about cutting deals.
So I was excited to be called to jury duty. Really. Excited. Seriously. Excited.
Getting to the court house was a breeze. Parked in the FREE lot on Broad and Union and then waited with some friendly people for a shuttle bus to drop us off at the front door of the court house.
It's extremely easy to find your way around and if you can't, the employees are more than kind and helpful.
After I, along with over a hundred other people, filled out paperwork and watched a brief movie (I was disappointed there was no complimentary breakfast bar - though we did have vending machines) - I was one of 54 people led away to a court room to be questioned (politely) by attorneys in a criminal hearing to determine if I would be among the 12 chosen.
The prosecutor and defense attorney ask questions and if your answer to the question is yes, you raise the number they assign to you. There are many questions. And then they whisper back and forth and decide who they want to keep and who they want to dismiss.
I was chosen.
Juror #5.
The case: The defendant was accused of stabbing the victim 11 times. We listened to eye witness testimony, and we listened to the victim himself. He showed us his stab wounds and they were horrific.
We left after the first day and I can tell you, it is incredibly hard to keep mum about the case. Until the case 'goes to the jury' - the jurors can't talk to each other about what they've heard - and of course, they can't speak of the case to friends/family/etc until after they've handed out a verdict and are excused by the judge.
Oh - the judge. She rocked! Judge Diane Gibbons. So down to earth, no nonsense, yet extremely warm and approachable.
The second day, the state and defense rested and then we went into deliberations. We took a vote and 4 voted right away the defendant was guilty of attempted murder ( I was the only woman that voted guilty that first vote). The others needed to think about the evidence/review evidence/etc.
We didn't leave until 8pm the second night - though they did order pizza and soda for us (for free!) for dinner (once in deliberations, you can't leave for lunch/dinner).
The third day - all but 2 people believed he was guilty.
I now understand WHY so many people 'get away with murder' - do you know how difficult it is to have 12 people come to a very important decision - one that impacts so many lives?
Hell, it took us forever to decide what we wanted from the lunch menu!!!
And of course, there were all different personalities:
The Critical Thinker (who carried around a French translation of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) who wanted to see the good in everyone.
The Little Man With the Loud Voice.
The Comedian (a girl who switched her vote to guilty on day 2 and never looked back - a champion of the guilty verdict).
The Psychologist: Not so much about the crime - but he was juror that got into other jurors heads and tried to understand why they believed what they believed - he was also the guy who made it a point to include everyone. He would make a fine host as a party!
Then there were the quiet people.
I loved these people because they had little to say, so when they DID speak, people listened.
A few times it became heated - but a mild heat at best. Though we had some incredibly passionate people, 99% of the time, it was respectful.
When we finally got the last 2 "guilty of attempted murder" votes - I wanted to jump in the air with relief.
It wouldn't seem right, though, so instead, I hugged people.
Watching the defendant during the trial - he seemed to seethe with anger and hate. While the victim (a 6'3" - 250 pound black man) was soft spoken, came off as intelligent and sincere.
And when we walked out into the courtroom that final time, I met the victim's eyes and smiled. We fought long and hard for him to receive some sort of justice, and I was thrilled that we could give that to him.
Judge Gibbons came to the jury room after the verdict was read and we were dismissed. She said she agreed with our decision. She also informed us the defendant had a long violent criminal history (something we were never told during the trial).
It was a fascinating experience and if you are wondering why I didn't mention the defendant's name - I can tell you this - it was in the news - and the defendant hired a very expensive defensive attorney. I've no doubt he has some heavy criminal connections and really don't want him tracking me down.
If you're ever called to jury duty in Doylestown - here are a few things to keep in mind:
1) Bring a sweater. It's freezing inside!
2) Most restaurants around Doylestown accept jury checks as payment!!!!
3) If you make it onto a jury and spend a significant time together - when you leave, try to get email addresses. My biggest regret is that I was so damn relived to be done and so excited to get home and FINALLY talk to everyone about it, that I hurried off without finding a way to keep in touch.
4) If you're in Courtroom 1 and you're juror #5 - do NOT move around on the seat too much when a witness is on the stand or the Judge is talking. It's embarrassingly squeaky and you will receive less than disturbing glares from the attorneys.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Shoo-fly Cupcakes!
2 1/2 c. flour, unsifted
1/2 c. margarine or butter, soft
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. soda
Mix flour, margarine, brown sugar and baking powder together, save 1/2 cup crumbs for on the top. Mix the remaining ingredients together and add to the first mixture, stir until mixed. (do not beat). Lumps will disappear. Fill each cupcake paper 3/4 full. Sprinkle 1 tsp. crumbs on top. Bake 375 degrees for 20 to 25 mins. Cinnamon can be sprinkled over top before baking. Makes 18 - 24 cupcakes.
When we have take out dinners as fund raisers, folks ask for these cupcakes for the desert with their dinners. This cupcake is also very good while having a cup of coffee.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Don't Be A Victim Of Your Past - Be The Author Of Your Future
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| Drawing by KT |
Relationships start out awesome - it's the middle that's the rocky part - and if you get through the middle - the rough edges smooth out and it's usually smooth sailing.
A project always starts out great - everyone is excited - the middle drags because the excitement fades - and then suddenly you're closer to the end and the speed picks up again.
I'm in the middle of a book - I've been stuck here for awhile.
Many writers advise to write even when you don't feel like it. That's what I was trying to do yesterday, force the words.
There's a scene where one character is telling the other to forget the past and move on. I wanted a really good quote for that - I wanted it to be the character's own quote. What came out was long and sub par.
Finally, I gave up on writing and watched the finale of Oprah - damn if I didn't get teary eyed - then hang out with JT - and then, on the way to the gym, an idea of how to move the story forward came out of nowhere.
Lying in bed later that night - still thinking about the book,about life really, about my life, and how lucky I am and how all the struggle and drama in my life seemed to fade when I took responsibility for everything that happened. And when crap happened to me - I'd always try to find the lesson in it, or the 'silver lining' - my life became one long rainbow. Then a quote popped into my head:
"Don't be a victim of your past - be the author of your future." It was the perfect quote for my character.
You can't re-write your past - but you can write your future. You can change your story any time you choose.
Listen bitches, if this quote - my quote - ever appears in Hang Over 3/4/5/6 - please let me know so I can sue those bastards!!!!
Now - go forth and forget about your past and write the most fantastic story of your life!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings: So Good So Good So Good!
So, here is the recipe. You can always use apple pie filling in place of the apple if you hate coring and peeling apples (even though it's only 1 apple!).
Enjoy, bitches!
Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1 package Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
1 granny smith apple (or whatever you have on hand!)
1 stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 light brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (or Chinese Five Spice)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup Mountain Dew
Grease 8x8 Dish.
Separate and stretch out Crescent Rolls.
Peel, core and cut apple into 8 pieces. Place apple slices onto crescents, roll up and pinch to seal and place in dish. Melt butter and mix in sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Pour on top of crescents. Pour Mountain Dew in pan. Bake 35 - 40 minutes. Serve with a side of locally made vanilla bean ice cream!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
PSC Highpoint Gym, My Bikini, and Yukon Gold Spring Rolls
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| 5 years ago. I will wear this bikini again by July! |
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| click on above picture for more book info! |
I'd been a member there 2 years ago and had loved it until they messed w/ their TV system. For awhile, I lost Food Network, Bravo, and all my favorite channels that kept me on those damn cardio machines. I HATE cardio. What I loved about PSC Highpoint was the fact each cardio machine had it's own TV, so you could watch whatever. Most clubs I've been to have large screens (they have those too!) but you have to watch whatever the TV's are set on. It was one of the things I hated about Planet Fitness.Now, we dropped our cable at home. The price was outrageous! And I thought I could get more writing done w/out the distraction of cable. OMG. I was sooooooooooooooooo wrong. I seriously miss it. I miss Food Network and Bravo and HGTV and the Travel Channel. Mr. Stiffy does not miss cable at all (yay for him).
So, I thought about rejoining a gym and PSC Highpoint had a 30$ for 30$ trial period. So, I joined on April 6th.
The TV's now play most of my favorite channels.
Yesterday, I worked out twice! I watched Food Network for an hour in the morning and then went back to later that night b/c there was a repeat of The Housewives of NJ on (and I haven't seen the new season, obviously).
I also lifted - chest and triceps.
I felt fabulous, if a bit sore, last night and this morning - and couldn't wait to go back in the morning and watch Morning Joe! Which I did.
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| potato spring rolls |
Who cares? As long as I'm getting in shape, I don't give a crap.
Tuesday we went out to eat and I had sloppy joe mac n cheese AND these awesome yukon gold cheesy spring rolls. And of course, Monday, we ate at Wegmans and I had 2 asiago & artichoke croquettes that are sooooooooooooooooooooooo fantastic but I looked up the calorie content when I got home and they have 320 calories apiece and 53 CARBS apiece - HOLY COW!
And if cable gets me to the gym, I say; whatever works!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Taco Johns - Potato Ole Recipe
It's been years since I've been to a Taco Johns. They just don't have them on the East Coast. Yes, I know we have pierogies and cheesesteaks and hoagies, but my GOD, sometimes, I just want some damn nachos and potato oles from Taco Johns.
I tweeted about how much I miss those potato oles - they are little crispy crown potatoes that have this fantastic spicy yet a hint of sweet seasoning.
Someone was kind enough to send on a recipe for homemade potato ole seasoning. I tried it out today, and it is fabulous! Granted, it's been awhile since I've had them, but they satisfied my craving! Ole!
I used Ore Ida Crispy Crowns - but I suppose they'd work on tater tots too!
Cook Crispy Crowns as directed.
While cooking, mix:
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| Taco John's Homemade Potato Ole's! So Good! |
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