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Review Brooks & Crowley
June 2020
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‘WE’LL BE VERY HAPPY TO SEE EACH OTHER’ Neil’s Reflections on Our Current Times
One day in late March, I went to the grocery store, and a young high school kid was stocking shelves while wearing a mask. I asked him, “Are you used to wearing the mask yet?” He seemed to sigh and replied, “It only took me a couple of days to get used to it.” He looked around and continued, “What I can’t get used to is seeing everybody else in a mask. It makes me think that something’s really going on.” I could tell he’s a very bright kid. My friend and I had been talking about a convict that was released recently. The man was a bank robber. Before they were closed to the public, banks required everyone to wear a mask. I have to wonder: Will that convict walk into a bank and think, “Huh, this place is already full of bank robbers!” or, “Why’s the competition so stiff these days?” This isn’t a complaint about wearing masks — safety and taking precautions couldn’t be more important right now. Ultimately, I think the young man at the grocery store and I are wondering the same things: What the heck are we going through, and how long can this last? In a literal sense, of course, we know exactly what we’re going through. The pandemic has been hitting Boston particularly hard, with national coverage focusing on every aspect of our battle against COVID-19. My heart, and my family’s hearts, aches when I hear the terrible stories of what’s going on around us. Being healthy right now, we know we have it lucky.
My kids seem to understand that this is going to go down in the history books, and they’ve been pretty patient about it. Maybe it’s because they have plenty of time to tease me about my TV habits — or lack thereof. I used to only watch one or two movies a year. Diane and I recently started watching “Ray Donovan” on Showtime. Whenever we play an episode, the kids will chuckle, “Are you binge-watching again, Dad?” Except I only ever watch one or two episodes at a time, while my kids could probably watch several in a row! They have convinced me to watch family movies like “Frozen II” lately. As a dad, I’m happy we’re all spending more time together. It’s just easier to do certain things more frequently. I’m teaching my 15-year-old how to drive in empty parking lots, and our daily family dinners actually include the whole family. Usually, my girls’ sports games or practices would keep us busy and apart. These days, we have enough spare time to eat dinner and put together puzzles, some with 1,000 pieces. That would’ve been hard to make time for before. Now? We get to take time to notice all the details. I get more time to notice the details of my life and the lives around me, too. I notice that seemingly everyone is on social media more than before. I’m not on Facebook, so I can’t peek into other people’s lives. When I think of social media, I’m reminded of Theodore Roosevelt’s quote, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This couldn’t be truer now, when some people rely on social media to communicate with others. Imagine you’re having a great day, then you go on Facebook and see somebody having a better day. Whenever I
hear someone going through this, I try to lift them up by joking, “ Now your day wasn’t so good? It was fine five minutes ago!” While I keep up with family and friends through group texts and phone calls, I also prefer not having a Facebook account. I’d rather hear news about your life by you telling me and getting excited for you right there and then. Once this is over, I think we’ll be very happy to see each other. I know I will be. I love spontaneous conversations and learning something new about people. I never knew how much I’d miss walking into a busy bar or restaurant. Going out and meeting people I know by happenstance used to be part of my routine. I hope that by the time you read this, Boston will be a much safer place. I hope you and yours are holding up well, and I can’t wait to see you in person again — even if we’re still forced to wear a mask and bump elbows. Until next time,
–Neil Crowley
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Can’t Sleep?
There’s an App for That
CALM: HAVE A CELEBRITY READ YOU A BEDTIME STORY
On Sunday, June 20, the sun will stay up in Alaska until almost midnight, longer than any other day of the year. That’s because June 20 is the summer solstice, the day when one of the
get your eight hours in spite of Mother Nature’s curveballs.
PZIZZ: WANDER SCIENTIFICALLY CRAFTED ‘DREAMSCAPES’ Step aside, white noise machines: Pzizz is here to take background noise to the next level. Instead of simply playing ocean sounds or chirping birds to help you doze off, this app relies on a branch of psychology called “psychoacoustics” for its custom sound blends. Its researchers combine ambient sounds with narration to create “dreamscapes” tailored to different points in your sleep cycle. It’s a well-thought-out product with a clinical trial under its belt. Head to Pzizz.com to learn more or download the app through the Apple App Store or Google Play for a seven-day free trial.
If you’ve been feeling nostalgic for the bedtime stories of your childhood, then Calm is the app for you. This award-winning application was named the world’s happiest app by Timewell and has helped thousands of people de-stress since it came online in 2012. Though it’s perhaps best known for its meditations, the app also has a library of “Sleep Stories” for adults and kids alike, many read by famous voices like Matthew McConaughey, Stephen Fry, and Alan Sklar. Head to Calm.com to browse the library or download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Earth’s poles is tilted so drastically toward the sun that light hits our whole hemisphere for a few extra hours. It’s a beautiful phenomenon, but it can also be disruptive — particularly if you’re trying to sleep. Life has already thrown a lot of stressors at us over the last six months, so if the extra daylight is the icing on the cake of your insomnia, it might be time to turn to your smartphone for some high-tech help. These two innovative apps can help you
Good luck, and sweet dreams!
I’ve Just Been in an Accident … Now What Advice From ‘8 Costly Errors That Insurance Companies Want You to Make’
Getting in an accident is overwhelming. You may be hurt while trying to make sense of what just happened, and it can be difficult to focus on the correct next steps. You just want to put your life back together. But the worst part is that insurance companies will capitalize on your confusion, starting from the very moment an accident occurs. So … now what? First, check yourself to make sure you haven’t things people will try to deny ever happened. Photos ensure liability and prevent disputes later on.
love to dispute, delay, and underprice people’s claims. It saves them money, but an attorney will not let them off the hook easily. At Brooks & Crowley, we have seen it all. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have medical insurance, just changed jobs and health plans, are unsure of your coverage, have public health insurance, are retired, or are on Medicaid. We can help. We see people’s frustration with the fragmented system that has been set up by the insurance companies to protect their own interests, and we have the experience and the knowledge to bring order and answers to your life. Read Neil Crowley’s brand-new book “8 Costly Errors That Insurance Companies Want You to Make” for even more insight on how to protect yourself from insurance companies while in a bad spot. You can get a copy for download from our website or give us a call at the office and we’ll send you one.
sustained serious injuries. There’s nothing more important than your own safety. That’s why you want to keep a flashlight and a first- aid kit in your glove compartment. Don’t rely on your phone’s flashlight feature because it’s common in accidents for phones to go flying or break upon impact. A flashlight and a first- aid kit are very useful in many circumstances, but even more so after a car accident. Second, if you have your phone or another camera, take photographs at the scene. It is important to include pictures of the accident, scene, roadway, cars, other driver, and license plates. You’d be surprised by the amount of
Third, don’t admit fault at the scene — not even if it feels like the nice or right thing to do. Insurance companies will use it against you. Tell the other driver that you will have your attorney call their insurance company. This prevents you from needing to make any other statements. Protect yourself from being misquoted by the other driver, witnesses, or the police. Fourth, after the accident, work on fixing your car and getting any medical attention you need. You don’t need to accept the first offer that insurance companies make to compensate you; you’ll find out that insurance companies
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Your Guide to the Perfect Virtual Happy Hour It's Time to Raise a Glass
4. Dress to the nines. Since you’re in the privacy of your own home, you can try out your wackiest, fanciest outfits without public judgment. If you’ve always wanted to try on a Roaring ‘20s flapper dress or a Roman toga, now is the time! Remember, if you go with the "Harry
LAUGH OUT LOUD 1. Pick your platform. In the days leading up to your VHH, your friends need to agree on a single platform. Once you choose, make sure everyone has If you can’t see your friends in person to clink wine glasses or whiskey tumblers, never fear: A virtual happy hour can bring all of your closest pals right into your living room. The concept is simple. Using online meetup programs like Google Hangouts, Zoom, or FaceTime, you can drink with friends across the country without leaving home. If you don’t want to get out of your sweatpants but want to sip a classy cocktail, this is a win-win. But, you can also ditch the sweats and go all-out for the full virtual happy hour (VHH) experience. Here are five short steps to VHH success.
downloaded it and encourage your buddies to do a test run to ensure they can be seen and heard. 2. Theme it up. Every party is better with a theme, and VHH is no exception! Considering the decade, Roaring ‘20s is a popular choice, but you can go with whatever floats your friend group’s boat, whether that’s Kentucky Derby or "Harry Potter" (alcoholic butterbeer, anyone?).
Potter" theme, your bathrobe could easily pass as a wizard’s robe in a pinch.
3. Write your menu. While you could just drink whatever beer or half-open
5. Drink! You’ve planned perfectly,
so now it’s time to enjoy each other’s company. Plus, there’s one final perk: Since you’re drinking and giggling on your own couch, you don’t need to worry about a designated driver or an Uber to get you the handful of steps to your bedroom. You’ve got this!
bottle of wine is sitting in your respective refrigerators, where’s the fun in that? To really class up your VHH, chat with your friends about the ingredients you all have on hand and come up with a themed cocktail menu to “order” from on the big night.
Paleo Sausage Frittata Bacon may be a paleo favorite for breakfast, but this hearty sausage meal can be enjoyed any time of day and is the perfect way to mix things up!
Ingredients
• • •
3 tbsp coconut oil
• • •
4 green onions, diced
1 lb mild Italian sausage
10 eggs, whisked
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and grated
Black pepper, to taste
directions
1. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat coconut oil over medium heat. 2. Crumble sausage into the skillet and cook until browned.
3. Add sweet potato and cook until tender. 4. Add green onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes. 5. Spread this mixture evenly throughout the skillet. Pour eggs over mixture and sprinkle black pepper over top. 6. Cook without stirring for 3 minutes or until bubbly. 7. Transfer skillet to oven and cook under broiler on low until frittata is cooked through.
Inspired by SarahFragoso.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026 Inside This Issue
1
Neil’s Reflections on Our Current Times
Can’t Sleep? There’s an App for That
2
Your Guide to the Perfect Virtual Happy Hour I’ve Just Been in an Accident … Now What?
3
Paleo Sausage Frittata
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Pieces of Joy in and Around Boston
The Good News in Boston Finding Joy Around Our Communities
Good news continues to pour out of Boston and its surrounding communities. Once again, we at Brooks & Crowley want to share a few of the stories being shared around the web — stories that are bringing smiles to our faces and the faces of everyone involved. Take a look! The first story comes out of Canton, Massachusetts, where World War II veteran Howie Hanson received a special parade in his honor. Hanson, who served in the 6th Battalion on Omaha Beach on D-Day, celebrated his 95th birthday in May, and his community wanted to come together to give him a day he would remember. First responders, including local police, fire crews, and emergency
medical technicians, paraded down the road in front of the nursing home where Hanson lives. Hanson wasn’t the only World War II veteran to celebrate a birthday during the pandemic. Ottavio Cerullo recently turned 99. A nursing care worker, Shari Sweeney, who works at Compass on the Bay Assisted Living Facility in Boston, says they had already intended to hold a celebration for Cerullo before the pandemic. After the pandemic hit, staff were worried their plans would fall through — and they did. That is until Sweeney coordinated with the mayor’s office and organized a parade in honor of Cerullo.
The last story comes courtesy of Steve Carell, best known for his work as Michael Scott in “The Office” (much like his co-star, John Krasinski, who we featured last month). Carell, a Concord, Massachusetts, native, recorded a special thank-you to everyone at Emerson Hospital in Concord. Not only was Carell born at Emerson Hospital, his mom was a nurse at the hospital for over 30 years. He shared his appreciation for everyone at the hospital and cracked a few jokes, undoubtedly bringing joy to the front-line workers and the community. The video can be found on Emerson Hospital’s YouTube page at YouTube. com/emersonhospital.
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