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Notes From The Field
September 2024
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Knowledge Is Power HOW READING INCREASES YOUR MENTAL MUSCLE MEMORY
I have noticed in recent years a growing fear of being misled in the general populace paired with a constant search to find the right person with the right ideas to tell them what to think. On one hand, “Think for yourself” is an increasingly common refrain as more people become skeptical of news channels, media, and even other people in their communities. On the other, once someone has found a source they want to trust wholeheartedly, that same call to critical thinking disappears. A key way to combat this desire to resolve the tension and ensure you approach life with prudence is to take on activities that increase your intelligence — and I don’t just mean your IQ. Critical thinking, vocabulary expansion, and emotional intelligence are all important factors that must be fostered to act with wisdom. A great way to build these traits is to read more books.
It is certainly not a groundbreaking concept to read more to expand your mind, yet the benefits are worth considering again. If you have
difficulty reading books, don’t worry; we’ll discuss mediums to try and the importance of finding genres and books you resonate with. The first thing to consider is the way that reading books expands your overall knowledge. The more you read, the more likely you are to expand your vocabulary, which will allow you to more
“I am a firm believer
that reading is for everyone; you just need to find the genre
insights into dealing with relational issues, personal dilemmas, and conflict resolution are a burgeoning genre for those seeking counsel. In addition to this type of straightforward advice, you can also improve your problem-solving skills by reading fiction books that describe characters dealing with all types of conflict using various helpful and unhelpful interpersonal skills.
and books you connect with.”
fully describe your experiences and connect in conversations. If you choose to read nonfiction books (memoirs, histories, philosophy, psychology, etc.), you are also exposing yourself to concepts that
you are likely not familiar with and can learn a great deal about how the world functions. That which we do not have language for, we cannot see. Reading gives us new lenses.
G.K. Chesterton once reflected that one of the reasons why people need stories about dragons is not because dragons are real but that the so-called dragons in our own lives can be shown to be defeatable.
Reading also has a positive impact on your ability to solve problems. Self-help books and how-to manuals that give key
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BRAIN GAMES
SOLUTION
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This ability to learn from fictional characters also increases our empathy as it causes us to consider perspectives outside of our own. When we read, we get to encounter different cultures that are vibrant and compelling. Stories are embedded in the fabric of every society, even if they don’t come in the form of fables and fairy tales. The narratives we tell in our community about success, love, and the purpose of life shape the culture we live in, which in turn form us and the next generations. Stories expand our imagination for what’s possible and what we can strive for. If you have a difficult time reading books, know that you are not alone. For some, it is a great feat to finish reading a physical book, while others seem to fly through multiple books in a single week. As technology has improved accessibility, we now get to enjoy the benefit of reading through alternative mediums, like e-books and audiobooks. For some, the mere size of a book or the font size used can be a major deterrent to getting into reading. E-books are a great solution as you are not overwhelmed by the sheer size, and you are able to adjust the size of the font to whatever best suits you. Audiobooks, in turn, are a great resource if you find that you have little time to sit with a book, but plenty of mindless tasks that consume your days. Another common obstacle to reading is believing that because you have not yet found books that engage you, you are not a reader. If you have gotten this far, I assure you, you are a reader. I am a firm believer that reading is for everyone; you just need
to find the genre and books you connect with. If you have tried reading self-help books and found yourself frustrated, consider picking up a fiction book that has an interesting premise. If you often read classics but find yourself unmotivated, consider trying a memoir of someone whose life story resonates with you. When it comes to accessing books, you have countless options. Not only are libraries a great resource for physical books, but almost all libraries have digital resources for you to borrow e-books and audiobooks at your convenience. Many communities have also built little free libraries around neighborhoods that thrive on a system of leave a book, take a book. Additionally, there are always bookstores — both chains and local businesses — that sell new and used books that strike your interest. September is a great month to start a new book, as it is National Literacy Month. It’s never too late to learn more about the world and expand your intelligence. If you do decide to read something new, be sure to send my team a note. We’d love to hear your book recommendations!
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Nature’s Playground Awaits!
TAKE A BREAK
These National Parks Are Accessible to All
For decades, the 400-plus national parks encompassing over 84 million acres were unreachable for millions of Americans with mobility issues. Thankfully, recent advances at many national parks have made nature available for everyone. Let’s look at five accessible options for your next adventure. Great Sand Dunes Great Sand Dunes National Park has 5 billion cubic meters of sand and stretches 30 miles. The winds blow these sands into massive dunes with peaks reaching 13,000 feet in elevation. Now, with sand-friendly wheelchairs available for rent, utilizing inflatable wheels for accessibility, everyone can explore these natural wonders. Grand Canyon A scenic drive accessibility permit allows visitors to access roads that are closed to regular traffic, providing incredible views of the Grand Canyon without needing to get out of the car. However, for a closer peek, you can find wheelchair- friendly overlook platforms and a free shuttle to transport visitors around the park. Carlsbad Caverns Think again if you thought cave exploration was off the table for folks with trouble getting around. Carlsbad Caverns features an elevator that takes visitors 750 feet underground into a giant cave chamber, home to over a mile of paved trails through beautiful rock formations that took millions of years to form. Grand Teton Feel like going for a swim? Grand Teton National Park wanted everyone to feel welcome to cool off in the 1,200-acre Jenny
ABUNDANT APPLES
COOKOUT CRUNCHY FALL GOLDEN GRANDPARENTS HARVEST
LABOR MAPLE SPORTS WINDY
TASTY TURKEY MEATLOAF
This turkey meatloaf is packed with flavor and protein, perfect for a family dinner or meal prep!
Lake, so they built a path that allows wheelchair users to roll into the water.
Nearby, Teton Adaptive Sports hosts climbing trips, so nobody has to abandon their dreams of conquering the cliffs. Yellowstone
Ingredients
• 1 lb ground turkey • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup bread crumbs • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp ketchup • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 eggs • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste
This national park is one of the country’s best, with over 90% of visitors reporting never needing to leave their car. For adventurers with injuries, age-related mobility issues, or other disabilities who want a closer look, most of the thermal features Yellowstone is famous for are easily accessible due to its excellent boardwalk system. The accessibility changes made by these parks are a significant step toward ensuring our national treasures are inclusive for all who wish to experience nature’s wonders. Through innovative solutions like sand-friendly wheelchairs, cave elevators, and special driving permits, these parks give outdoor access to even more people.
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F and line a baking dish with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine turkey, onion, garlic, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper. 3. Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it in the baking dish. 4. Bake for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. 5. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
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Increase Your Mental Muscle Memory Through Reading
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Tasty Turkey Meatloaf
Parks Pave the Way for Accessibility
Eminem’s Family Feud
Slim Shady’s Mom Sued Him for Millions
Eminem has famously feuded with Machine Gun Kelly, Mariah Carey, and many other musicians and celebrities. In many cases, his rivals become the subject of his rap lyrics.
He has even written entire songs as parts of long-standing rap battles and disputes, some of which become massive hits. In 2018, Eminem released a music video for his single, “Killshot,” a song targeting rapper Machine Gun Kelly. Despite the video being nothing but a still image — a drawing of Machine Gun Kelly seen through a gun’s scope and crosshairs — it has amassed nearly half a billion views on YouTube. But one of his earliest, and perhaps most hurtful battles, hit close to home. Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, was sued for defamation by his mother, Debbie Mathers-Briggs, in 1999. She sought $10 million in damages, claiming that the then-26-year-old rapper had slandered her in songs and interviews. Background of the Beef Eminem first mentioned Mathers-Briggs in his 1999 single, “My Name Is.” The song
won the artist a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2000. The lyrics include explicit references to his mother in the lines, “I just found out my mom does more dope than I do,” and “I told her I’d grow up to be a famous rapper. Make a record about doin’ drugs and name it after her.” Mathers-Briggs claimed that she did not use illegal drugs and that the rapper’s lyrics were untrue and amounted to slander. Eminem’s attorney refuted this claim, arguing that everything the rapper sung about her was verifiably true. Rapper’s Result The court awarded Mathers-Briggs a settlement in this case, but it was far from the $10 million she originally sought. She initially won around $25,000, which was reduced to just $1,600 by a Macomb County judge, who awarded the majority of the settlement, some $23,354, to her attorney to cover legal fees.
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