MAY 2019
together. That’s not saying they don’t have their bad days; they do argue or fight at times, but those moments never last long and are often resolved by the two of them working together. Back when Patrick was born, Caroline was around 2, almost 3, and was at a stage of her life where she looked up to every “big girl” she met. This included women anywhere between the ages of 8–25. She thought the world of them, and often would go out of her way to speak to a group of women if she had the chance. The day that Patrick was born, my dad was taking care of Caroline, and I picked her up to meet her little brother. We got into an elevator with a group of women who were all in their early twenties. Caroline, who was wearing her “I’m a big sister” shirt, was looking at them when one of them asked if she was a big sister. She excitedly told them that she was. The women started telling her that being a big sister “is awesome!” and that “it rocks!” Caroline was drinking up all the attention, and it made her even more excited to see her new baby brother. Then when we got to the room, Caroline met her little brother for the first time. I’ll always remember that moment. Caroline had this big smile as she held him close. Parents often worry if their kids will get along, but I knew right at that moment that everything would be alright. Since then, they’ve been inseparable in anything and everything they do. Even though my brothers and I didn’t grow up very close, it’s very rewarding and heartwarming to see how close my kids are. I cross my fingers every day that they’ll always be tight throughout their lives. They’ll no doubt face some hard times, especially in their teens when things are a bit crazy for everyone, but I’m optimistic that they will remain close as they continue to grow as people. – Barry G. Doyle
GO BLUE
While wondering what to write about for this edition, I discovered that National Brothers and Sisters Day takes place on the second of this month. While I don’t have any sisters, the holiday has me thinking about my two younger brothers. We were far enough apart in age that we all developed our own interests independent of each other. But this holiday also makes me think about my kids, Caroline and Patrick. Watching them grow together adds quite a bit of joy to my life. They’re only 2 1/2 years apart and are very close. They do almost everything together, from games and chatting to just spending time
Teacher Appreciation Week runs from May 6–10 this year, and there are plenty of ways students of all ages can thank their educators for everything they do. Being a teacher isn’t an easy job, and the people who make it their profession are passionate about helping kids learn. Depending on how old your child is, they may need a parent’s help in showing their appreciation. Here are a few ways parents and children can appreciate teachers together. THANK-YOU NOTES This gesture is simple and sweet and can be very thoughtful. Telling a teacher what makes them outstanding can often be just as valuable as a gift. Help your child write an appreciative note and then write one yourself. Teachers often have to maintain the happiness of students, administrators, and parents. Your card could relieve some of the stress of that balancing act and let them know that you acknowledge their efforts. A HOMEMADE MEAL Making a homemade meal (or dessert) shows teachers that you went the extra mile to appreciate their hard work. You could make a favorite dish of yours or try to find a new recipe online. Either way, encourage your child to help you with the process so that the meal is truly a gift from both of you. DONATING SCHOOL SUPPLIES Many teachers use their own money to buy school supplies for their classroom. This is just one of the ways teachers go above and beyond on a
daily basis, and buying some extra school supplies can help ease that cost. Take your child shopping with you and help them pick out supplies that you know their teacher will appreciate. Your children spend several hours a day with their teachers, so fostering relationships with them is vital. Use this day to help your children understand the importance of teachers, to teach them the power of gratitude, and to encourage them to show respect for everyone who helps them in life.
CAROLINE MET PATRICK
MONKEY PAJAMAS
NO BED
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
EASTER BUNNIES
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As spring turns into summer, bikers from all around are taking advantage of the weather and heading outdoors for the first time in months. However, with the increase in motorcycles on the road, motorcycle accidents are more likely to occur. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle mostly see accidents caused by a motorist failing to yield. In many cases, a driver may pull out of a parking lot or open their car door in front of a biker, causing a serious accident. It’s essential that drivers be aware of other drivers on the road, especially motorcyclists, and take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents. CHECK YOUR BLIND SPOTS. Due to their size in comparison to other vehicles, motorcycles are much easier to miss in blind spots. Be sure to check your blind spots thoroughly before merging or switching lanes. LOOK TWICE. Making sure to check, and check again, for a motorcycle is vital. Motorcycles appear smaller in the distance than regular cars, and therefore it’s harder to judge their distance and speed. Give a motorcycle more space and time than you would another vehicle when turning, changing lanes, or merging into traffic. GIVE THEM SPACE . A car or truck is a lot heavier and slower to react than a motorcycle, which is why it’s important to give them plenty of space if you’re following one. This is also crucial when the weather’s bad. Wet pavement makes it harder for a motorcyclist to react, including breaking or turning. Following at a distance gives them the time they need to act safely. KEEP IN MIND. Unlike getting into an accident with another vehicle, a motorcycle accident is much more likely to be fatal for bikers. Being cautious and giving a biker the time and space they need to make decisions out on the road will minimize accidents altogether.
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3/4 pound boneless chicken thighs
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2 cups water or chicken broth
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2 tablespoons coconut oil
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1 yellow onion, chopped
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3 tablespoons Tex-Mex seasoning
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1 3/4 cups coconut cream
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2/3 pound rutabaga, diced
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1/2 pound carrots, coarsely grated
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1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
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1 teaspoon paprika powder
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4 tablespoons lime juice
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Salt and ground black pepper to taste
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Fresh cilantro (optional)
From all of us at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, be safe, cautious, and have a good time out on the road.
1. In a pot, cook the chicken thighs in lightly salted water or chicken broth for 30 minutes or until you can easily pull the meat apart with two forks. Remove the meat and save the broth. 2. Heat coconut oil in a saucepan. Add chopped onion and Tex-Mex seasoning. Stir continuously and fry until the onion gets soft and translucent. Stir in the broth and coconut cream. 3. Add the diced rutabaga and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the coarsely grated carrots and cook for 5 more minutes. 4. Mix with an immersion blender or hand blender, and add salt and pepper. Add more water or broth until you reach desired consistency. 5. Top the soup with chicken, roasted pumpkin seeds, paprika powder, freshly squeezed lime juice, and fresh cilantro.
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Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. 10 S. LaSalle Street Suite 2160 Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 263-1080 www.fightingforwhatsright.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
WHEN MY KIDS FIRST MET
2. TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IS HERE!
WHY I WORK
3.
4 SAFETY MEASURES FOR MOTORCYCLISTS
4.
BLACK GOLD
WHY DO WE COMPOST? Besides giving gardens and lawns significant nutrients, composting also reduces landfills. According to the United States EPA, “Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away.” Organic material often takes longer to decompose in a landfill due to being wrapped in plastic. The more organic material that is composted, the quicker it can deteriorate. LEARN ABOUT COMPOSTING DAY The best way to recognize this holiday is to learn as much as you can about composting. When you dive in, you’ll discover you can compost materials you never knew you could, including latex balloons and cardboard egg cartons. Once you do your research, you can start your very own compost by dedicating a part of your backyard to disposing of organic matter or by purchasing a compost bin. This article covers the basics of composting, but there’s still plenty more to learn! Head to your local farmers market or botanical garden and talk to the experts about any questions you have — they’ll be sure to give you some great tips.
Most people have heard of composting one way or another. Your mom might have kept a bin in the backyard for overripe Halloween pumpkins, yard clippings, and egg shells. You might even have a coworker who boasts about the giant compost pile they use to fertilize their garden and lawn. Whatever your level of composting knowledge may be, there is always more to learn about this popular and extremely beneficial method for handling organic food waste. Luckily, May 29 is National Learn About Composting Day! This day provides a great opportunity to introduce yourself to and begin the conversation about composting if you haven’t already. Below are a few answers to your basic composting questions to get you started. WHAT IS COMPOST? Compost is decomposed organic matter, which is especially good for people who have gardens or aspire to live a sustainable lifestyle. People put coffee grounds; vegetable scraps; paper products, including receipts, paper towels, and tissues; wood chips, leaves, and other types of waste that are not categorized as processed food, meats, or fish products in their compost bin. Compost can stabilize gardening soil, keep the soil from contracting diseases, and help the ground retain moisture.
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