Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Tigers battle Pirates

The Tigers opened up district play last night in Mesquite against the Poteet Pirates.  Terrell kept the game close, but they could never get the big hit.  They lost the game 5-1.


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Smile

It's not unusual to see photographers using the buildings in Terrell as a backdrop for photos.


Monday, February 27, 2012

Not a very productive day

I spent to much time playing around on the computer yesterday waiting for the Daytona 500 to get rained out.  The Tigers picked up their first win Saturday afternoon against Wills Point.  They have their first district game tomorrow night against Mesquite Poteet.  

I will figure out how to do these types of pictures one of these days.  Both pictures are of Tigers pitcher Tyler Horn. 




Sunday, February 26, 2012

Cowtown Saturday

Today is the Cowtown half, full and ultra marathons in Ft. Worth.  Yesterday was the 5K & 10K.  Last year I ran the 5K, this year I went for the 10K.  This is one of the larger races that we run.  Running is always fun, but the finish area is a cluster. Saturdays results are here.



Saturday, February 25, 2012

Tournament time

The Tigers are playing in the Wills Point baseball tournament.  Yesterday it was a pair of games, the first against North Forney, the second against Ferris.  This afternoon they take on host school Wills Point.



Friday, February 24, 2012

Skywatch Friday

It got up to 82 degrees yesterday in Dallas.  The sunset was nice but it didnt want to hang around while I went to get my camera.  More Skywatch Friday sites are here. 


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Terrell after dark

Almost as exciting as Nick at Nite.


The Tigers begin tournament play today in Wills Point. Their first game is at noon against Palmer.  Follow the baseball and softball Tigers on Game Changer.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Tigers drop opener

The Tigers held a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the 6th inning but they couldn't hold on to the lead.  They lost the game to North Forney 6-4.  Despite the loss, there were several bright spots in the game for the Tigers. Next up is the Wills Point tournament, the Tigers first game is Thursday at noon against Palmer.  




Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Back to work

I went back to work on Friday, but that really didn't count since I held my own court telling everyone where I had been.  So yesterday was a classic Monday.  


Monday, February 20, 2012

Best breakfast in town


Kountry Kitchen has the best breakfast in town.  It's hard to resist a short stack, biscuits with sausage gravy and a side of bacon........with a diet coke.

You can tell election season is on its way.  Notice the sign in the window.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

On Your Mark

Waiting for the start of the Heart and Sole 5K yesterday at Winfrey Point on White Rock Lake.  It was cold, wet and windy, but still fun.  This was the second year we ran this race, the final hill is a killer.


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Back to basics

Now that I am done driving into Dallas every day, I can get back to doing fun stuff.  Last night it was watching the Terrell JV team scrimmage against DeSoto.



Friday, February 17, 2012

Skywatch Friday-Verdict in

My shot of Dallas. Visit other Skywatch Friday sites here.  The trial is over.


For those of you who have been wondering...

I received my notice to appear at the Federal Court in Dallas on Jan 17 for Federal Court duty.  I thought it would be neat to show up, see what it was like an get a day off of work.  They herded 56 people into the court room.  I should have known I was in trouble when I was placed in the first row. Sure enough I was picked, juror #4, sitting front row, center....wonderful.

For the next 5 weeks, I learned more than I wanted to know about mortgages, title companies, wire and bank fraud.

During the opening argument by the prosecution they mentioned the name Eugene Lockhart, I thought that name sounded familiar, then Cowboys Realty and Americas Team Mortgage was mentioned.  I hadn't heard of those before, but I knew this had to tie into former Cowboys players.

Sure enough, it did.  Eugene Lockhart played for the Cowboys and the Patriots in the 80s & 90s.  He pleaded guilty last year to mortgage fraud and testified in this case to hopefully shorten his sentence.

The case included 11 defendants, 6 plea bargained last year, including Lockhart, and the remaining 5 were part of this trial.

For over 4 weeks we heard testimony from home buyers, bank officers, home builders, and escrow officers. We also heard from expert witnesses, character witnesses, family members, and another former Cowboy Kevin Smith.

After listening to all of the evidence, and deliberating for a day and a half we decided that 4 defendants were guilty of either conspiracy, bank fraud or wire fraud.  We could not come to a verdict on one defendant who was only charged with conspiracy.

While I am not happy that I ended up missing so much work, I am not upset that I was picked. I am going to miss showing up for jury duty early and talking to the other jurors about their life and families.

How many countries in the world have a system like ours, where each person can get a fair trial?  Say what you want, but we all have a role to play, it's what makes our system work.  

I just hope I don't get a summons for a while.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

In a fog

Still no verdict, we go back for day 2.


The Terrell Police Department has its own Facebook page.  Be sure to check it out and give it a "like".  Give Terrell Daily Photo a "like" while you are there.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Direction needed

One thing I will not miss is driving in downtown Dallas.  Hopefully, today is the last day of court. We start deliberations this morning.  I am ready to go back to a normal work schedule.


Terrell ISD has named the two finalists for the open Athletic Director/Head Football Coach position.  Click over to the Terrell Tribune to find out who they are.


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Hay

Closing arguments begin today! If deliberations start today, it could be a long night.


The Terrell Tigers baseball team will try to scrimmage tonight against Kaufman.  If the field is unplayable because of the rain, they will move it to Kaufman.  They also had a problem with a light pole Friday night.  That also has to be fixed before they can play.

The boys soccer team hosts West Mesquite,  varsity starts at 7PM.  The girls team, who are off to a 12-1-3 start, will play West Mesquite.





Wills Point Baseball Tournament
Feb. 23rd, 24th & 25th
1. Wills Point 4. Terrell
2. Ovilla Christian 5. Ferris
3. Palmer 6. North Forney
             
Thursday 
24-Feb
12:00 Terrell vs Palmer
2:15 Ovilla Christian vs North Forney
4:45 Ferris vs Ovilla Christian
7:00 Wills Point vs North Forney
Friday
25-Feb
12:00 Terrell vs North Forney
2:15 Terrell vs Ferris
4:45 Palmer vs Ferris
7:00 Wills Point vs Ovilla Christian
Saturday
26-Feb
10:00 Palmer vs North Forney
12:15 Wills Point vs Ferris
2:30 Palmer vs Ovilla Christian
4:45 Wills Point vs Terrell

Monday, February 13, 2012

Court Break

We have a break in the trial today, so I'm going to my real job.  Back to Dallas tomorrow....hopefully for the last day.  We got a little snow last night, nothing to brag about though.


Sunday, February 12, 2012

Deep Ellum

Part of my drive home from Dallas goes through the Deep Ellum part of Dallas.  It used to be an area filled with clubs and bars.  Now days there are still a few clubs, but it mostly looks like buildings with For Lease signs posted in the windows.


Saturday, February 11, 2012

JFK

The X on the road is the place where President Kennedy was shot. 

Friday, February 10, 2012

Skywatch Friday

Another week of jury duty in the books.  Hopefully, the trial will come to an end next week.  Skywatch Friday sites are here. 


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Fudge

I was out taking pictures in a place I probably shouldn't have been.  I clinched my cheeks and walked away very quickly.


Terrell High School graduate Jherrod Stiggers who is now a Freshman on the University of Houston's basketball team will red shirt this season.  He is still recovering from knee surgery he had earlier in the year.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Tigers and Falcons scrimmage

Terrell and North Forney scrimmaged last night in Terrell.  It was the first chance for both teams to hit against live pitching in game situations.



Trial still going on, the prosecution rested its case yesterday.  We still hope to be done sometime next week.



Tuesday, February 7, 2012

My temporary commute

Court starts at 9AM.  I leave my house by 6:45AM to beat the rush hour traffic. I'm usually pulling up at home around 6:45PM.  I'm not complaining, I look forward to going to court everyday. It's the least I can do. 


Monday, February 6, 2012

Monday Monday

I dont think these flowers are supposed to be blooming right now.  I will certainly take blooming flowers over what we had last year at this time.


The City of Terrell is in the process of transforming the animal shelter to a no kill shelter pet adoption center.  Cilla, who I have mentioned on here before, is helping lead up the change.  Check out and 'like' their Facebook page. You can also make a donation.

Results for the Dallas Running Club Best of Times age handicapped run are posted.  I ran the 5 miles in 52:59.

The baseball Tigers have their first two scrimmages this week. Tuesday North Forney will be here and Friday night Sulphur Springs comes to town.

The boys and girls soccer teams open district play Tuesday night. The boys host Crandall. The girls will be in Crandall.

Great job by the New York Giants last night.  Does this mean Eli Manning is a sure bet for the Hall of Fame?  Now that the season has ended, now long before Peyton is a free agent?

I will be on jury duty again all week.  We were off Thursday and Friday and I kind of missed it and the other jurors.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

From a distance

Saturday was the DRC Best of Times Age-Handicap 5mile run at Winfrey Point.  This is the closest I got to Dallas.  It was nice not having to drive all the way in to downtown.

The temperature at the start of the race was mid 40s and windy.  Everyone lined up behind an ambulance to try to block the wind.





Saturday, February 4, 2012

Senior Night

Last night was senior night for the Lady Tigers basketball team.  





Friday, February 3, 2012

Skywatch Friday

A little Dallas to hold you over till next week. I was walking down the street, turned towards the building on the bottom and looked straight up.  Made me dizzy.

More Skywatch Friday sites here.


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Something different

Sitting on a jury for the past two and a half weeks makes every day seem like ground hog day, we even have been joking about it.  Today really is ground hog day and the trial is in recess, go figure.  We start back up again on Monday.


I was able to get out to the ball field yesterday afternoon to catch the Tigers practicing.


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

A short break

After court today we get a two day break.  Then back at it again on the 6th.