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The Medlin News
NOVEMBER 2025
A ROLE MODEL REMEMBERED What My Father Taught Me
For many of us, November is a time to gather with family and friends and give thanks. This season is a great time for reflecting on what and who has helped shape us. Since it’s also National Inspirational Role Models Month, I’ve been thinking about the person who influenced me the most. The answer’s clear: It was my father, Homer. I don’t think I realized it as a kid. In fact, I’m sure I didn’t. But looking back now, it’s obvious. My dad wasn’t a man who talked a lot about values or tried to steer me with speeches. He was more about living by example. With every interaction and small decision, he showed me what it looked like to be responsible, fair, patient, and kind. My dad didn’t have an easy upbringing. He was born in 1920 and grew up during the Great Depression. That type of childhood leaves a mark, and he was frugal to his core. It was lights off when you leave the room, waste nothing, and save when you can. But my father wasn’t cold or hardened. He was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. At a time when prejudices were common, he strongly believed that no one should be made to feel “less than” because of the color of their
skin, where they were from, or anything else outside of their control. He was also kind to animals and believed you shouldn’t kill anything unless you planned to eat it. And where another person might raise their voice or throw a punch, he found a way to diffuse a situation. He was the type of person who could calm a room just by walking into it. I saw that time and time again. My dad also had a quiet way of teaching lessons that stuck. I’ll never forget the day I stole a pack of Pez when I was 5. He didn’t yell. He didn’t scold me. Instead, he gave me a nickel, took me back to the store, and told me to hand it to the clerk and admit what I’d done. I stood there sobbing through the confession. And then he took me to fly a kite. That was his style. He made a lasting impression in other ways as well. He taught me how to care for cars, handle tools, and keep a cool head. He believed there was always more to learn and used to say, “A smart man learns from his own mistakes, but a smarter man learns from someone else’s.” That line’s always stuck with me. My dad supported me even when I chose a career path he didn’t expect. I started in wildlife management, and I think he scratched
his head a little at first and wondered how I’d support myself. But he bit his tongue. He was proud when I went to law school, passed the bar, and became an attorney. He understood that defending the accused is as important as prosecuting the crime. My dad believed in fairness, and I think he knew that’s what I was after, too. If I had to sum up his legacy in a few words, I’d say he believed a man’s first responsibility was to care for his family. After that, it was to care for the community. My dad worked for Southwestern Bell his whole life and took pride in knowing his work helped people stay connected. He’d be amazed to see where technology has taken us, but I also think he’d care more about how we treat each other than the tools we use to communicate.
If I can live up to half the man he was, I’ll consider that a life well lived.
– Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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The Monday Slump Is Real … And It’s Biological
Weekend whiplash wrecks your momentum.
If you wake up on Monday feeling like you got hit by a truck, you’re not alone and certainly not imagining it. The “Monday scaries” are more than a funny meme; they’re rooted in biology. Two days of relaxed routines, late wake-ups, and maybe a little indulgence throw off your internal body clock. That weekend shift in your sleep schedule can feel like jet lag come Monday morning, making it harder to wake up, focus, or function at full capacity. Stress hormones spike on Mondays. Adding fuel to the fire, your body naturally produces more cortisol, the primary stress hormone, early in the day to help you wake up and move. However, research shows cortisol levels are often higher on Monday mornings. You’re not just waking up; you’re mentally bracing for everything the week is about to throw at you: meetings, deadlines, commutes, and inboxes stacked like Jenga towers. Your brain senses a threat, even if it’s just a packed calendar.
The weekend is a break from responsibility. You can lounge, laugh, socialize, and embrace your most authentic self. Then Monday shows up and demands a complete 180. That stark contrast of freedom from structure creates mental whiplash. You have to shift gears without a warm-up lap, and your brain rebels. It’s not that Mondays are objectively worse; they just highlight how much better weekends feel. Miserable Mondays is a myth. Surprisingly, research suggests people don’t report being significantly unhappier on Mondays than on other weekdays. The problem isn’t Monday itself. It’s our perception of it. We idealize the weekend and villainize Monday, giving it a bad rap it might not fully deserve. The dread is often psychological, built on expectations rather than experience.
Make Mondays better! There’s no magic wand, but there are strategies. Try keeping your weekend wake-up time close to your weekday time to minimize sleep disruption. Wrap up your workweek with a to-do list for Monday so you’re not walking in blind, and schedule something you enjoy for Monday: a fancy coffee, a midday walk, or a catch-up call with a friend. A small pleasure can take the sting out of a stressful start.
Holidays, Highways, and DWI Risks PROTECT YOURSELF BEFORE TROUBLE STARTS
The holidays are just around the corner, bringing plenty of reasons to celebrate. They also bring more patrol cars to Texas roads. Local law enforcement knows that Thanksgiving, football season, and end-of-year parties mean a higher risk of impaired driving, but most people don’t set out to break the law. They have a drink, maybe two, and figure they can drive. That first decision can have serious consequences, but what happens next matters even more. Texas law defines alcohol intoxication as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more, or not having the normal use of your mental or physical faculties due to drinking. You could feel just fine and still be arrested based on how you drive, speak, or perform on roadside tests. Officers are often on alert during the holiday season. Things that might otherwise go unnoticed, like a broken taillight or rolling through a stop sign, can quickly lead to a DWI investigation.
If this happens to you, remember to stay calm and say as little as possible. An officer may perform several field sobriety tests, but you have the right to refuse them under Texas law. You also have the right to remain silent until you speak with a lawyer. Refusing a blood or breath test can lead to automatic license suspension, but agreeing to the test doesn’t mean the charge will disappear. Either way, the steps you take after a stop can greatly affect the rest of your case. We’ve seen how quickly things spiral when people try to explain themselves or cooperate too much. Even a small comment can appear later in a police report or courtroom. But one mistake doesn’t have to lead to another. If you plan to drink, plan ahead. And if something goes wrong, don’t wait to reach out for help. Getting an experienced attorney involved early can make a big difference in how things turn out.
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WHY FORM MATTERS IN TEXAS THC CASES Felony for a Gummy?
THC vape pens and edibles have become popular in recent years, but their popularity doesn’t affect their legality, especially in Texas. Under state law, possession of THC in any form is illegal. But edibles and vapes can actually land you in even more trouble than marijuana flower. Many people don’t realize it, but the form of cannabis you carry matters. In Texas, marijuana and THC concentrates are not treated the same. Leafy marijuana is listed separately from products that contain extracted THC. That includes oil cartridges, dabs, and food items. These items fall under Penalty Group 2 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. That makes possessing these substances a felony, and the difference in punishment is severe. Possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana flower is usually a Class B misdemeanor, with penalties up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. But if you’re caught with under 1 gram of THC concentrate, even just one edible or a partially used vape cartridge, you’re looking at a state jail felony. That means six months to two years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines. Penalties for larger amounts can lead to long prison sentences. Possession of very large quantities (400 grams or more) is even punishable by up to life in prison.
Many people don’t even know
that what they’re carrying is considered a felony- level offense. They assume that because marijuana is decriminalized or legal in some states, a THC-infused candy or vape pen won’t be a big deal. However, there’s no exception for personal use or low amounts when it comes
to possession of THC oils and edibles in Texas. And once charges are filed, the process can move quickly. These cases need careful attention, especially when it comes to how law enforcement conducted the search or handled the evidence. If you’ve been charged with possessing THC concentrate, take it seriously. A legal product elsewhere could leave you facing a felony here. Know your rights, and if you’re already facing charges, talk to an attorney as soon as possible.
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 9x13- inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, add pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Stir to combine and pour into the prepared pan. 4. Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top, followed by nuts or graham crackers and toffee bits. 5. Pour melted butter evenly on top. 6. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the center is set and edges are lightly browned. 7. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Ingredients • 1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin • 1 (10 oz) can evaporated milk • 1 cup light brown sugar • 3 eggs • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice • 1 box yellow cake mix • 1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans • 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional) • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Gratitude for the Man Who Raised Me
2. Your Brain Isn’t Built for Mondays
Festive Nights, Costly Consequences
3. Surprising Penalties for THC in Texas
Pumpkin Dump Cake
4. Bundle Up and Step Out
Less Scrolling, More Strolling The Case for a Daily Walk As the temperatures dip and daylight starts to dwindle sooner in the evenings, staying active often falls to the bottom of the priority list. It’s easy to settle into the routine of indoor comfort with more screens and less movement. However, carving out time for a daily walk, even in the chillier months, is a simple and effective way to stay physically and mentally sharp. Fall and winter are nature’s underrated workout months. There’s something calming about a quiet sidewalk covered in fall leaves or a peaceful neighborhood dusted with frost. The colder seasons offer a refreshing and grounding change of scenery. A short walk outdoors allows you to unplug and take in the subtle beauty that’s easy to miss when you’re rushing from one indoor task to the next. The science of seasonal movement is real. Cooler air does more than wake you up. It makes your body work harder to stay warm, thus increasing the calorie burn of even a casual stroll. That
quick burst of movement in the cold can also boost circulation, improve energy levels, and clear mental fog, especially if you’ve been sitting at a desk for most of the day. Create a cozy routine you look forward to. One of the best ways to stay consistent during these cooler months is to make your walk enjoyable. Layer up in comfortable gear, choose a playlist or podcast you love, and set a daily reminder to step outside. Whether it’s 10 minutes around the block or a long weekend loop, consistency matters more than intensity. Make it social, rewarding, or both. If you aren’t feeling motivated solo, ask a friend or neighbor to join you a few times a week. If you prefer going alone, add a small reward: a stop for a warm drink, or the satisfaction of checking it off your daily goals list. These little incentives can make your walk something to look forward to.
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