The Medl in News
MAY 2020
sole person sent outside to clean up the papery mess. I guess I learned to keep the actions of my classmates confidential, too.
UNSUNG HEROES
In college, I had the chance to meet some real characters. My undergraduate chemistry professor was like someone out of a cartoon: Bernie Sanders hair, prone to wild gesticulation, and downright eccentric in his lectures. Sure, I didn’t become a chemist, but there was never a dull moment in his lab. And of course, in law school, I had a civil procedure professor who made a huge difference in my life. Beyond being a great teacher of a very dense, dry subject, he cared deeply for his students. After I was injured in my second year, he offered to teach me flying lessons for free. That he would take the time to do something like that for me during a very tumultuous time in my life was deeply moving. As I was adjusting to the new normal of living with chronic pain, he took it upon himself to get me off the ground and away from my troubles. That was going above and beyond the call of duty.
Thanking Teachers Everywhere
While recent events may have disrupted the school schedule, we shouldn’t let that overshadow a very important date on the calendar. In fact, Teachers’ Day, which takes place on May 5, is more important now than ever. In the face of a growing pandemic, countless educators put their own health on the line to be there for students, and in the wake of school closures, they adapt to new technology to be there for kids from afar. Even outside times of crisis, teachers provide an invaluable service that reaches far beyond just making sure we all know our times tables. Come to think of it, I still use many of the lessons my teachers and professors taught me over the years. These lessons may not have always been on the syllabus, but they’ve proven invaluable nonetheless. My fourth grade teacher, for example, showed me the lasting value of entertainment. She had a knack for making learning fun, especially with her ability to weave enthralling narratives out of history lessons. To this day, I love the study of history and cultures, and I credit that to the way she brought those early classes to life. Of course, she was also the teacher who introduced me to real homework, but I don’t hold it against her. If anything, that showed me how to buckle down and get work done. In a similar vein, my high school history teacher, who was also the football coach, taught me a valuable lesson in civics. You see, he came into the classroom just as I launched a paper airplane sailing out the window. I was far from the only student participating in the activity, but I was the one who got caught. And so, I was the
To this day, acts of teaching like this inspire me. I may not be an educator myself, but in the conferences I’ve spoken at and
in my day-to-day client education, I’ve tried to embody the same spirit of upbeat, informative communication. If anything, the experience has deepened my appreciation for the tireless, often thankless, work educators put into raising future generations. So the next chance you get, thank a teacher.
– Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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Why May Is the Best Month to Start Bird-watching is like a lifelong scavenger hunt that you can play anywhere on Earth. The activity provides a mixture of science, travel, and beauty, and it’s a chance to get outside for feathered adventures and quiet reflection. BIRD-WATCHING FOR BEGINNERS
Gear Up One of the best things about birding is that you don’t need a lot of equipment to do it. As long as you’ve got your field guide and comfortable walking shoes, the only other thing you’ll need is a pair of binoculars. And
The month of May is a great time of year to go birding because rising temperatures prompt spring migration. So if you’re eager to begin bird-watching, there’s no better time than now. Here are some tips to get started. Educate Yourself Thousands of species of birds span all corners of the globe. That’s why finding them is an exciting prospect — there’s no end to the hunt! Start by researching birds that are native to your location. Purchase a field guide with pictures of each bird and maps of their range and use it to figure out where different birds live. From there, it’s easy to pick your first spotting goal. You can even get yourself extra excited by watching a few bird documentaries.
they don’t have to be fancy. As long as they can zoom in on faraway trees and perches, they’ll work for now. You can always upgrade later. Go Exploring Your very first birding excursion is important because you don’t want to be overwhelmed or underwhelmed. So use your field guide to home in on a single bird and go find it. It may be local, or you can plan a trip to a specific bird’s natural habitat. Stay focused and don’t get distracted by other species. The thrill that comes with spotting your first bird will keep you coming back to find the rest.
Bird-watching is a wonderful hobby because it’s easy to get started and can last a lifetime. As long as you can walk, drive, or look out a window, you can be a birder. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and find some birds!
CALLED IN FOR POLICE QUESTIONING?
Don’t Go Without a Lawyer
If you’re called to the police station, remember: You shouldn’t go alone.
Temporary detention is when police have “reasonable suspicion” that the person being questioned committed or was involved with a crime. Keep in mind that common behaviors could be considered grounds for “reasonable suspicion” because it depends on the context of the police’s perspective. Courts often favor the police’s perspective on these issues, but if your attorney can prove the police have nothing but a hunch, then the law can prevent citizens from being detained. With probable cause, police can make an arrest . This is beyond simple questioning. Even if you are completely innocent, if there’s evidence that can be linked to you, then you can be taken in. Getting an attorney is incredibly important in any of these scenarios because regular people aren’t used to speaking to the police with unerring precision. You might accidentally lie by misremembering a detail or admit to facts that can hurt you. An attorney is trained to protect you. Our expert team knows how to help you. Call our office at 817-900-6000 if you ever need our expertise.
Even for innocent suspects with a clean record, the police ask questions designed to lead a person to admit fault. People can unknowingly answer questions in a way that corroborates evidence the police already have. Go to the station with a lawyer. There’s no requirement for you to comply with the police’s request, and after you contact an attorney, they can contact the police officer or detective to find out more information about your charges. Often, lawyers can get a case dropped or prevent a client from ever being arrested. It’s important to know your rights when you’re interacting with the police. There are three types of police questioning, and each has different rules. A voluntary encounter is just that: A suspect is free to leave whenever they wish to do so. If you can’t leave, then it’s not a voluntary encounter.
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Between “Star Wars” Day and Free Comic Book Day, this month seems to have a lot to offer those who traditionally identify as “nerds.” While I’m not a huge fan of Marvel, DC, or that galaxy far, far away, I do still have my own propensity to nerd out. Thanks in no small part to the teachers I mentioned on this month’s cover, I’m actually quite the geek when it comes to language. It all started when I’d drive my parents crazy by saying things like “I ain’t been doing that.” I think they thought I actually thought that was proper sentence construction, but truth be told, I was just doing it to annoy them. Plus, I was discovering the joys of playing around with the rules of the English language. After all, the first step in appreciating a complex system is usually to break it. Of course, now I’m the one driven crazy by the latest language misuses of our time. A particular pet peeve of mine is our tendency to use nouns as verbs. These days, we don’t search for something on Google, we “Google it.” During the holidays, instead of giving one another gifts, we “gift things.” Even my own solemn profession is being affected. When I was in law WORDS WORDS WORDS The Modern Trend That Drives Me Mad
school, we learned about sending people a notice. Now, I’ll get word from my colleagues that they’ve “noticed” someone.
Is it critical that we stop doing this? Not really. Does it drive me crazy? Absolutely. This is no doubt penance for my years of subjecting my parents to “cowboy talk.” Still, seeing this transformation over time has been an important reminder of just how flexible language can really be. However, I’m fortunate to be in a profession where dotting your grammatical I’s and crossing your linguistic T’s is still very important. For the foreseeable future, the courtroom will remain a haven for those of us who rigidly respect the nuances of language.
So, dear reader, what do you nerd out about?
– Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
Rhubarb Cake
Brain Buster
Ingredients
•
2 1/4 cups white sugar, divided
•
1 tsp baking soda
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1/2 tsp salt
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2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
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2 eggs, beaten
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1 cup sour cream
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3 cups rhubarb stalks, diced
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1/4 cup butter, softened
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish. 2. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking soda, salt, and 2 cups flour. 3. Stir in eggs and sour cream until smooth. 4. Fold in rhubarb and add mixture to the prepared baking dish. 5. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup sugar and butter until smooth. 6. Stir in 1/4 cup flour until mixture is crumbly. 7. Sprinkle mixture on top of cake batter and bake for 45 minutes. 8. Let cake cool for 5–10 minutes and serve.
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
To Our Teachers
2.
Bird-Watching for Beginners
Called in for Police Questioning?
3.
What Gary ‘Nerds Out’ About
Rhubarb Cake
4.
Packing Clothes for Vacation
HOWTO DRESS ON VACATION
A Guide to Packing Light and Looking Good
demanding way. For example, your feet contain about 250,000 sweat glands, so clean socks are essential for preventing smelly feet and shoes. Likewise, make sure you have enough undergarments for the whole trip unless you know you’ll have access to a washing machine. If you do have to wear an article of clothing a second time, use a freshening spray like Downy’s Wrinkle Releaser. The spray will eliminate odors and can give your clothes a flat-ironed look. Speaking of clothes, the best outfits are the ones you feel confident in. Consider getting your favorite items tailored and fitted before your trip, and plan multiple outfits that can be reorganized into unique combinations. From classic choices, like jeans, to more unique choices, like print shirts and layered jackets, there are lots of distinct items you can mix and match. Also remember to bring both formal and casual options, just in case you want to dress up for a night out. Lastly, accessories can breathe new life into an existing outfit. Scarves, belts, jewelry, bags, and hats can add a pop of color or elegance while taking up less space than another full outfit. Try to bring a few that’ll work well with your other items!
Ask any seasoned traveler and they’ll tell you the same thing: Having some spare room in your suitcase never hurts. People tend to shop for new clothes or souvenirs while traveling, and these purchases can take up space fast. However, with longer vacations, it can be difficult to limit how many clothes you’re bringing. How do you keep a smaller wardrobe fresh and comfortable while also looking your best? Try using some of these travel wardrobe tips.
Packing light isn’t necessarily about packing less; it’s about addressing your needs in the healthiest, least physically
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