On Wednesday July 23 (which was also my dad’s 88th birthday if he were still alive) our senior center took a trip 40 minutes north of the city to Gibsonia and the Narcisi Winery.
We were there once before in October 2023, which I wrote all about here.
Shortly after we arrived, I dug out my phone to start taking pitchers, and thought “you know, I’d just be repeating an older post” so I decided to put the phone away after taking this pic of their orchard.
I’m a little sorry I did that, my friend Mary dressed extra special for the day and wore a nice outfit that included a lovely peasant blouse. Why didn’t I get a photo of that at least?
I wound up ordering the same thing I did the last time we were there; a petit filet mignon steak salad with jalapeno ranch dressing.
(But I did have a wine slushi this time ‘round, my first alcoholic drink in probably 10 years. It was refreshingly buzzy.)
Their specialty is pasta dishes, which everyone else at my table got except for me. It’s just that they serve so much hot bread and dipping oil before your meal arrives, I loaded up on that again and was carb’d out.
I was also smoked out—my pal Dennis sat on my right and during our meal, got up to go outside and have a cigarette thirteen times. 13 times! I love the guy, but still…
Dennis on the right, puffing away; we could see him directly outside the window behind our table. We had a lovely view of the winery’s grounds
All in all, it was a really hot day but still a nice time. I felt a little guilty being there without my dear friend Evvie (who is still dealing with her sciatica, now our second outing without her) but my gosh, Mary is so dear & funny. She’s so tall & slender though, I just wanted to shake her. Just kidding, Mary!
Here’s the surprise though; after the Access shuttles returned and took us home (we were gone the whole day) I found a certain piece of mail taped to my front door. It’s been 15 years since I last got one of these, I should’ve known one was coming.
I’m to report for jury duty on Thursday, August 28 (which also happens to be my sister Shawn’s birthday). I almost dread having to take a bus to downtown Pittsburgh, it’s been so long since I was last in the city. I worked down there for almost 30 years, y’know.
Here’s what I’m also nervous about—my long covid, which still isn’t under control. Last week, I was in a good amount of pain Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Burning in the face, tops of my hands, backs of my legs. Sunday morning I woke up and it was completely gone. Things were fine on Monday too, thank you Lord.
And then Tuesday (the day before our winery trip), I awoke with my face and eyes in so much pain I spent most of the day on my bed with the bedroom door shut and my eyes closed. These relapses are pretty debilitating. I felt positively blessed when I got up Wednesday morning and aside from some mild burning around my eyes, knew I could go on our trip to the winery.
I just wonder how things are going to be on August 28 when I’m expected to be at the Allegheny County Courthouse at 8:30 am. All I can do is keep my fingers crossed and hope I don’t get a visit from Post Covid Pyle.
Contact your jury commissioner and explain your condition. They will undoubtedly let you have a reprieve and call you at a later time.
ReplyDeleteThanks dkzody, I just may have to do that.
DeleteYour winery trip sounds wonderful! I'm sad that Evvie is still suffering from the sciatica issues. Dennis's smoking seem so excessive. I can't imagine not being able to refrain for the length of time of a meal. And it has to affect the taste of the food and wine.
ReplyDeleteI have been sitting here for over 15 years waiting to be called for jury duty again. My first case was in the 80's and the girl admitted the crime in the first hour on the stand (her premise was that she admitted it so she shouldn't have been charged). I was able to chosen, seated, listen to testimony, vote, give the verdict, be thanked, go through the drive thru for a breakfast sandwich and be back to work by noon. Not the Perry Mason moment I was hoping for.
The second case was bad timing - it was scheduled for the week of our county fair and I was a volunteer fair superintendent. We were called in on the Friday before, I sat for the whole day and they selected the jurors before they got to me. Since then, nothing. Nothing. I have the time. I have more than the interest. Call me!!!
I am sorry that you are still suffering. And I am sorry it is so hard for others to understand that the symptoms come and go (although I am glad they do go). I am not sure the court will understand that you have no control over it. Hopefully you won't be selected.
I want to thank you for calling my living room "cozy". That is very kind. As Mr Merry often says, we live in our house, lol. Mr Merry actually built that big old room on the side of our house after our oldest daughter married a man over six feet tall. We realized that having our children and grandchildren over for Christmas could mean 30 people. And at the present time that number is 23 and counting.
Thank you for sharing your own jury episodes Miss Merry, I actually served on a pretty interesting case way back in 2010 and I wrote a blog about it here with pictures and everything. And you are very welcome in regards to my comments about your lovely home; you can tell that it's cheery and sweet and full of love. I know that sounds corny but I can't help it! ☺️
DeleteYour trip sounds great ( minus the smoking buddy ! )
ReplyDeleteI have never been called for Jury service - my late husband was called three times and enjoyed each time
Like others have said , maybe email in with an account of the unpredictable nature of your Long Covid - you may get released
I am really sorry that Covid still has its claws into you
Siobhan x
Thank you Siobhan, it's funny how some of us get called for jury service and others never do. Well, I'll just have to wait until the end of August and see how I'm doing. I do want to serve if I can.
DeleteI've been on two juries and have great stories. My husband got called for federal jury duty and had to drive 80 miles to the big city but thankfully wasn't chosen. Those are some seriously scary criminals and we were really relieved! I would think your history of long covid could get you at least a short reprieve from serving, riding a bus and sitting in a courtroom when you're in such misery should certainly be a legitimate reason to delay your service. Good luck! 13 smoke breaks? Just wow! 😬
ReplyDeleteBobi, thanks for sharing and this is so strange--earlier today I was telling a friend at the center how 10 years ago, my brother-in-law Jim from back home (roughly 70 miles south of me) was called "to the big city" for federal jury duty... at least he had me up here to stay with! As for my history of long covid, there's nothing officially documented and I was told I'd need a current medical afadavit. I'm just going to pray for a good day on the 28th. And yes... 13 smokes in 80 minutes time!
DeleteI definitely would let the juror people know that you're suffering from long covid and would be happy to provide medical documentation. The meal sounds great; I probably would have had an Arnold Palmer (half lemonade and half iced tea) I wish I liked wine because a slushie on a hot day would be very refreshing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret! Unfortunately, I don't have any medical documentation to provide for my long covid symptoms; my last LC related doctor visit (with a neurologist) was last September. And I'm not a wine drinker either, but trust me this slushie was very refreshing! :^)
DeleteI don't remember how old you are, Doug, but here people over 65 are able to request to be excused from jury duty and it is then automatic. I had to look into excuses the last time I was called because I have profound hearing loss, not helped by hearing aids, and was worried I would not be able to be fair due to not hearing testimony. Fortunately it didn't come to that as the system wasn't very helpful - they'll get you a sign language interpreter (I don't sign) or headphones that amplify the volume (also not my particular problem). As it turned out the opposing parties settled at the last minute and now I'm old enough to be excused. Phew.
ReplyDeleteCeci
Phew is right, I can't believe they would go to all that trouble over one Juror, Ceci I'm sorry about your profound hearing loss, I'd be interested to hear more about it someday. We have an age limit too, but it's 70 here. I'll be 64 in a couple months so 🤷 Ah well! Thanks Ceci.
DeleteYou could also get a Doctor's note like I did a couple times while working graveyards.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ken I want to serve but I still plan to look into that--hey it's nice hearing from an old friend! 🙂
DeleteI think you should get excused easily. I look forward to learning what you decide to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you DJan. I really think luck is on my side, I am able to go to the senior center a couple times a week.
DeleteHi Doug, sounds like you had a great outing! Sorry Evvie wasn’t able to make it, I miss seeing her beautiful face in your photos. I hope you wake up on the 28 feeling well. I can’t imagine having to do something like that when you are feeling terrible.
ReplyDeleteTake care!♥️
Robin
Hi Robin! I'm so glad to hear from you, you've been on my mind a lot these past couple weeks. Very sweet what you wrote about Evvie, yesterday I walked to the center but wasn't feeling very well. Was a happy surprise when Evvie showed up for an hour, she is doing better and even gave me a ride home. She reads all my blogs, so I hope she sees this. I sure hope you're well.
DeleteA wine slushi? I restrain myself from commenting.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of Dennis looks a lot like me, except that I’m taller and have never smoked.
If you wanted to get out of jury duty, I would think that long covid would be a more than adequate excuse.
Peter I thought you might have an opinion about that slushi! I assure you, it was very tasty and refreshing. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Well, I'm very glad you never smoked; I did for 25 years, quit 15 years ago but very much regret it. As for the long covid, I just have no medical documentation to provide to the court. If I can make it to the center a couple days a week, surely I can do this for one day.
DeleteWhenever I hear of a heavy smoker like Dennis, I always wish they could see my mom in the last few days of her life. Even though she was no longer smoking, she fantasized/hallucinated that she was holding a cigarette and lighter, "light-up" and inhale, and we would see her visibly relax. She was in excruciating pain from the cancer that was eating her alive - she weighed about 60 pounds at the end. I don't know that it would change anyone's mind but it was horrible to see, and worse for her to experience.
ReplyDeleteDamn long Covid. Hopefully you feel well enough to attend, and can tell the lawyers "he/she's guilty as sin" and get sent home. :)
Maebeme, that broke my heart reading about your poor mom. My gosh I am so sorry. My dad was a heavy smoker too and also died from cancer. He tried switching to a pipe at the end, but just couldn't give up tobacco. I love Dennis, but can't help but feel he's living on really borrowed time. And thanks for the jury well wishes, I'm going to remember what you said :^)
DeleteYou could get a doctor's note explaining your absence. If you do go there, you could tell the judge that the defendant is guilty. That way you'll be excused from the jury. Worked for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gigi, I'm not trying to get out of jury duty I just hope that the long covid stuff stays out of the way for that day. 🙂
DeleteI love Narcisi winery…just for fun my sister and I went to a manage your money in retirement dinner…I’ve always wanted to go to one of those..I
ReplyDeleteGood food..I have always wanted to go to one…I got called to jury duty once but we all were sent home because they settled out of court as we were sitting there..my sister has an incredible 9/11 story..if there is such a thing..she was living in nyc working on Conan when she got called to jury duty on sept 10 and 11…she needs to write the story down before she forgets but basically she wet to jury duty sept 10..got called 1st to come back sept 11…but because she got called first she had a later time…the courthouse was a block away from the twin towers..the later time was after the first plane hit..the cab driver told her to forget about jury duty and to go back to her apartment…there is more to the story but that’s the gist…or you could do like Tina fey on 30 Rock and dress up as Princess Leia for the interview..that will also get you dismissed..
But I always wanted to get called to duty..it was only that one time
Beth
My goodness, that's quite a story about your sister and 9/11 Beth! My gosh, she's lucky she made it out of there alive! Well, I was just telling a friend that I do want to serve, I just want it to be on a healthy day hopefully. Thank you for sharing your own memories here Beth! 🙂
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