When I was in my early 20's I served on jury duty. At that time you served for two weeks and could be on multiply juries. I was on one all the way to verdict -- it was civil -- not criminal and selected for another that was settled.

Now it is one day or one trial. I have been called but not selected.

I get rather passionate about the issue of jury duty. People are always trying to get out of serving. I refer to a jury as "twelve people who couldn't get out of it" rather than a jury of peers. I think it an honor to serve -- not an inconvenience.

But there IS a lot of sitting around involved. I have a needlpoint pillow I did during my two weeks on jury service.