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A J ourney T hrough T ime and F amily M emories
DECEMBER 2024
Many of us have wondered what it would be like to live during a different time period. This thought usually first enters our minds when we’re in school, learning about different historical events and periods. When hearing about the romanticized Middle Ages, many have imagined themselves as knights fighting battles on horseback or princesses who live in castles overlooking small medieval villages. Maybe you’ve dreamt of being one of the first pilgrims to set foot in America, an artist during the Renaissance, or a gladiator fighting in the Colosseum during Rome’s glory days. On Dec. 8, we get an opportunity to reignite our imaginations and explore the world of yesterday when we recognize Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day. If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t want to travel back centuries to a time when there was no electricity. Instead, I’d want to visit my parents during their youth. I’d love to get to know them through the years so I could better understand how they became who they are today. This idea interests me way more than any historical figure or past time in history ever could. My thoughts and beliefs about my extended family come directly from what my parents have told me and what I have observed throughout my life. As I’ve grown older, one thing I’ve realized is that they’ve been telling me their truth, but is that the objective truth, or is it formed solely based on the opinions of others? If I had an opportunity to experience or observe the situations they lived through, would I interpret their lives and major life events differently? These are the ideas I would love to explore.
My parents moved to America when I was still too young to remember the experience, but I’ve heard
so many stories about their past. I was raised on stories of what it was like to live in a communist country. My dad’s grandparents were very successful entrepreneurs until
the Soviet government took everything from them. He was raised to have that same entrepreneurial spirit and made sure to pass that on to me and my sister. I’d love to see the relationship between my dad and his grandparents firsthand and how it formed him into who he is. However, my dad’s relationship with his parents was a bit of a roller coaster. Being a daddy’s girl, I was completely influenced by my dad’s version of events and I would blindly support him no matter what. As I got older and gained perspective, it made me wonder if, like most relationships, it was more complicated than I believed. I would love to see their relationship develop from the time my dad was born through adulthood and evaluate the good and bad myself. As for my mom’s side of the family, I would have loved to see her mom as a young parent. She was widowed at a young age before marrying my mother’s father (my grandfather). My mom always felt like the least favorite of their three kids. My mom told stories of how her mom was very strict, unbelievably hardworking, and incredibly smart. My maternal grandmother emigrated to America when I was already in high school, so the woman I met was very different from the woman my mom described. She was so sweet and exactly what you imagine when you think of a little old grandma. There is no question my grandmother’s influence is why my mom is the woman she is today, but it would be fascinating to see their relationship develop from childhood through adulthood. If time travel were possible, I could learn so many things about myself and my family. Were my parents like my kids when they were younger? Would I have been friends with my mom if we were the same age? Would I have developed the same viewpoints as them if I had had the exact same experiences? I’ll never know the real answers to these questions until time travel technology is real and readily available. In the meantime, I’ll just have to make do with my imagination!
IF TIME TRAVEL WERE POSSIBLE, I COULD LEARN SO MANY THINGS ABOUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.
- Esther Vayman
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A G uide to the P erfect R eading P aradise KEYS TO A COZY BOOK NOOK
PERK UP YOUR PAGE-TURNING. Although the sight of someone going cover to cover in a dingy dungeon may work in a horror film, it’s the wrong way to keep your eyes open and your senses alert. A book nook should be a place for rejuvenation, so keep your space illuminated and lively. Natural light will always work best, but a strategically placed lamp will also do the trick. The goal is to give your eyes a break — not another way to strain them. SHAPE WHERE YOU SIT. Remember those tiny — and hard — wooden seats we endured most of the day when we were kids at school? Well, there’s a good chance your kids still spend plenty of time on them in school! To build the perfect book nook for younger readers, furnish it with softness: a cozy chair with an ottoman or couch with lots of pillows and a blanket nearby. Naturally, adults shouldn’t skimp on comfort, either — your body deserves a break after all those hours in the car, behind a desk, or on your feet.
LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLAG FLY! In addition to providing children with a place to read for pleasure, book nooks can open the door to their creative sides. Encourage them to be little art directors and personalize their spaces with their favorite colors and images. Who knows? Maybe the walls could be the perfect gallery for their drawings! Helping to make your child’s nook a pleasant destination will help them find joy in reading. Of course, the same philosophy should also apply to adults who need a good nook. Like the act of reading itself, creating a literary safe space presents endless possibilities for fun and fulfillment.
Is your home where the hectic is? Crave a place in your house where you or your loved one can find peace with a great paperback and a comfy couch? Well, it may be time to build a book nook! Book nooks can range from cozy, modest spots to mini in-house libraries complete with shelving and large furniture. Whichever direction you take to create your special place for reading and relaxation, a few tried-and- true tips will help transform your corner into a tranquil sanctuary.
H ow to C o -P arent with G race and F lexibility REIMAGINING THE HOLIDAYS Navigating the holidays when you co-parent can be incredibly stressful and challenging, especially when it’s the first time you’re celebrating without your kids. I won’t tell you that you shouldn’t feel any sadness about the situation because it’s than a date on the calendar. It’s a time to celebrate, recognize, and appreciate the memories and love you’ve fostered and developed with your children.
As a Christian, I remind clients of the same faith that Jesus wasn’t born on Dec. 25. The Roman emperor Constantine chose that date three centuries after Jesus died. If you’re celebrating the holiday for spiritual reasons, it’s perfectly okay to celebrate on a day when your kids are with you. The same goes for Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or any other holiday. The actions you take on the day of your celebration will matter more than anything else, regardless of when it falls on the calendar. Your kids won’t remember the day they celebrated Christmas with you, but they’ll remember the moments you shared. The first holiday season away from your kids can feel like Santa didn’t come, but this is an opportunity to shift your traditions or establish brand-new ones. You can still create magical moments they’ll carry for the rest of their lives. If your kids are worried about Santa’s visit, you can always tell them Santa knows things are different this year and has made a special trip just for them. Co-parenting during the holidays requires flexibility and, sometimes, a shift in perspective. Don’t focus on the box with a little number on your calendar. Instead, focus on the love and memories you share with your kids. You can still celebrate, even if it’s on a different day or in a new way. Remember, the new space you’re in doesn’t mean the holidays are going to be any less special. It’s the love you give your children that truly makes the season bright and merry. - Andrea Johnson
completely natural! However, I think it’s important to remember the holiday season is about more
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIE?
Amanda D. “The Santa Clause” Amanda H.
Maggie “Four Christmases” Abby F. “Klaus” Madison “The Grinch” Brittany “The Holiday” Julia “A Christmas Carol” Mari “The Polar Express” Grace “White Christmas” Esther “Home Alone”
RAVE REVI EWS
“Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer” Abigayle H. “The Muppet Christmas Carol” Jennifer “Home Alone” Brooke “National Lampoon’s
“COMPASSIONATE, CARING, AND COMPETENT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO DESCRIBE THE LAWYERS AT VAYMAN & TEITELBAUM. A DIVORCE IS A TRAUMATIC TIME, AND THE SUPPORT THEY PROVIDE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THEY ARE GOOD AT BOTH WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY DO IT. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.”
Christmas Vacation” Ashlyn “The Santa Clause “
C reamy T hai C arrot and S weet P otato S oup
ingredients • 1 tbsp coconut oil • 2 cups chopped yellow onion • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger • 2 tbsp red curry paste • 4 cups vegetable broth, divided
BRAIN BREAK
• 1/4 cup almond butter • 3 cups diced carrots • 3 cups peeled, diced sweet potatoes • Salt and pepper to taste • Cayenne pepper (optional)
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
directions 1. Melt coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté for 5–6 minutes. Stir in curry paste. 2. In a small bowl, whisk 1/3 cup broth with the almond butter until smooth. Add the mixture to the pot, along with the carrots, sweet potatoes, salt and pepper, and remaining vegetable broth. Stir to combine. 3. Bring soup to a low boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. 4. Blend with an immersion blender until the soup is smooth. 5. Season with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for more spice if desired.
CARDINAL COCOA FROSTY GARLAND GENEROSITY MENORAH
MITTENS PEPPERMINT PINECONES SNUGGLE UNITY YULE
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I nside 1
A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST
LITERARY LOUNGES FOR FAMILY RELAXATION
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THE FIRST HOLIDAY WITHOUT YOUR KIDS
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QUESTION AND ANSWERS
CREAMY THAI CARROT AND SWEET POTATO SOUP
UNRAVEL THE MYTH OF THE 16TH- CENTURY ROCKET CAT
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T he F eline -F lying M ilitary T actic T hat N ever T ook O ff CAT-APULTING INTO HISTORY
Throughout military history, you’ll find strategic experiments ranging from the genius to the downright bizarre. But few can top the zany brainchild of Franz Helm, a 16th-century German artillery aficionado whose bright idea left historians — and cat lovers — utterly bewildered. Let’s set the scene with Helm’s magnum opus, the “Feuer Buech,” published in 1584, a treasure trove of ( literally ) explosive innovations in warfare. Imagine this: a battlefield in the Renaissance, not just filled with the clang of swords and the thunder of cannons, but also — wait for it — flying, flaming cats. Yes, you read that right. Franz Helm’s groundbreaking military tactic involved jetpacks for cats. Picture a kitty, strapped with a sack of gunpowder, zipping through the air like a furry missile aimed at enemy strongholds. The hope? These feline projectiles would scamper back to their homes — presumably in enemy territory — and start a blazing inferno. One can only wonder about how they would train cats to become arsonists. The method was straightforward: kidnap an enemy cat, strap it into a gunpowder-laden backpack, light the fuse, and hope Mr. Whiskers doesn’t get cold paws about blowing up its evil overlords.
when combined with a profound misunderstanding of cat behavior. As any cat owner will tell you, cats have their own agendas. The chances of a cat completing its fiery mission are about as high as it bringing you the morning newspaper. Thankfully, we have no evidence that this pyrotechnic plan ever came to pass. Considering cats’ notorious independence, we can rest assured that no self-respecting felines took part in these explosive escapades.
Preserved for posterity at the University of Pennsylvania, the “Feuer Buech” reminds us of the lengths human creativity can go — especially
So, next time you’re cuddling with your cat, be thankful its biggest inclination is to knock pens off your table rather than infiltrate enemy castles with fire.
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