Stacy Horn

We’re talking on Echo about whether or not we look like our mothers. The women are, I should say. This is my mother (and my step-father Jim). Everyone says we look alike, but aside from the coloring, I don’t see it so much. But I have to say, as I age, I’m starting to look like she did when she was older. I’m not sure how old she was in this picture, somewhere in her 40’s, I’m guessing. Anyway, she was pretty, I think! (She died when she was 66.)

I love this picture of Grace Church that they’re using on this concert flyer! It’s a lovely program. The Song for Athene was sung at the funeral for Princess Diana. It’s singularly beautiful, haunting and ethereal piece.

Last weekend, at this meditation retreat, the woman leading it said, “I don’t pray for anything anymore.” I was just astounded at the simple beauty of this. She was basically saying, there’s no way of knowing if what you pray for is going to end up being a good thing or a bad thing. She didn’t mean don’t strive for things, but don’t pin all your hopes on getting them, because maybe you will and it won’t be pretty. So live your life, try to get what you want, but focus on playing the cards you’re dealt, rather than getting the cards you think you want. I so instantly loved this I called out, “I’M NOT PRAYING FOR ANYTHING ANYMORE EITHER.”

Then the other night, I’m watching the TV show Criminal Minds and one of the characters quotes Arthur Rubinstein. “There is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.”

It’s like the universe is trying to tell me I’m made the right call.

I can’t believe I was selected. I might be just an alternate, they didn’t say, but still. I’m on a jury! I have to say, I’m looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, everyone has probably already seen this, but here’s a really cool robot called Big Dog that was designed by Boston Dynamics. It makes me feel like I picked the wrong thing to do for a living.

[Video removed because the link no longer works.]

So as you can see, I’m in a good mood. I feel pretty again and ready for Spring! Jury duty starts today. You’re asked to call this number the night before, and the recording told me they have wi-fi, and you can bring cellphones, but you can’t take pictures (hmmm).

I’m debating just bringing a book and leaving the computer at home. Maybe I’ll bring it this time, just to see. Or not. Oh, I don’t know. I never get picked for a case. From what I can tell, if you show any capacity for thought they don’t want you. Of course I have to out myself as the author of a book about the NYPD, which doesn’t get me out of having to sit there every day, but it also means no defense lawyer is ever going to let me sit on a jury.

But I worked very hard to get enough things done so that if a miracle occurs, and I do get picked, I won’t feel anxious about all the work I should be doing.