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Cleaning Out the Clutter How Unplugging and Reorganizing Refreshes Us
I’d generally be thinking about spring-cleaning this time of year, but last year’s hurricane forced me to get a head start. No matter when my family declutters, it’s always a therapeutic process. We threw away countless things that had long outstayed their welcome, and getting rid of all the old baggage was a silver lining to an otherwise awful situation. With that chore out of the way, I’m free to focus on the other things the season offers. March is a big month for us, with spring break, my wife’s birthday, and our wedding anniversary all coming up. It’s busy, but it also allows me to take a step back from work, and I feel like it’s the first real break we get after the new year. Spring break will be special this year because it’s probably the last when my entire family will all be together. My oldest son, Connor, is in college but remains local. Chase, a senior in high school, is more likely to attend school farther away. We’re still ironing out the details of our annual trip, but I hope to make the most of it and create lasting memories with all six of us together.
The law never ends, making it easy to get sucked into constant connectivity. Unless you make a conscious effort to step away, you will never get a break. There’s always one more email coming in or a new problem revealing itself.
So, responsibly unplugging requires a form of spring-
cleaning all its own. I must ensure everything is in order and loose ends are tied up, or I could return to an enormous
mess. It’s a little hectic and stressful but well worth it. I don’t check my email or voicemail at all during these trips, and I certainly don’t read the news. It’s incredibly calming to put everything aside, live in the present moment, and focus on the people in front of me. Most of us are addicted to our phones these days, and every app is designed to keep us scrolling and feeling like we can’t look away. Putting our devices down requires diligence and determination, but having designated “no phone” times has helped my family. The result is more mental and emotional space for things that really matter. You might even call it a spring-cleaning of the mind.
The law never ends, making it easy to get sucked into constant connectivity.
Jamie and I also try to take a brief getaway for our anniversary (and a longer one in a milestone year). During that time, we consider it essential to unplug, put the phones away, and spend time together. We’ve always had rules about no phones at the dinner table, but a weekend trip without our devices gives us more time to refresh our minds and spirits.
–Mike Hill
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MARCH 2023
The Sweet Scents of Spring 3 Potpourri Mixtures You Need to Try
Many have heard about using a stovetop potpourri to simmer oranges, apples, and cinnamon to make your home smell like
Lime, Mint, Ginger, and Thyme Add 3 sliced limes, a handful of fresh mint and thyme, and finely sliced ginger to a pot for this mixture. When the ingredients come to a simmer, you’ll immediately smell a citrus-mint aroma that
Christmas. But you can also fill your home with fresh scents that remind you of spring. The best part is that you probably have most of the ingredients you
will spread throughout your home. Lemon, Cinnamon, Mint, and Thyme
This mixture is perfect if you want to add a hint of spice and warmth to your fresh spring scent. Combine 2 sliced lemons, a handful of fresh mint and thyme, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a pot before bringing the water to a simmer. One of the best things about potpourri is that the mixture will last a couple of days. Once you turn off your stove and drain the water, you can keep the ingredients in the pot and reuse them. All you have to do is add more water and bring it to a simmer again. Alternatively, you can prep your ingredients in advance, store them in an airtight container like a mason jar, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to use them. So, fill your home with sweet fragrances to usher in a joyous spring!
need at home or in your garden!
But first, what is potpourri? Potpourri combines fruits, spices, herbs, and other edible ingredients to make rich scents that spread throughout your home. It’s one of the most natural and cheapest ways to freshen the air you breathe. Here are three stovetop potpourris to make your home smell like springtime. Lemon, Rosemary, and Vanilla Making this sweet-smelling scent is easy! Just add 2 sliced lemons, a handful of fresh rosemary, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract in a large pot filled with water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and enjoy the fresh and clean scent!
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Boxing brings many images to mind: Rocky Balboa, Mike Tyson, broken noses, and bloodthirsty crowds. Few of us think, “That’s the sport for me,” especially during our later years. But surprisingly, boxing is an excellent way to build strength and endurance during retirement — without getting any black eyes. Fitness boxing and shadowboxing are two forms of the sport that don’t involve striking another person or worrying about them hitting you back. They incorporate the agility, strength, and stamina boxing requires without the violence for which it’s so well-known. These forms of boxing are multi-beneficial cardiovascular workouts you can adapt to your needs and abilities. Proper boxing technique requires using your entire body. Your strength starts with the muscles in your legs and continues through a tight core and properly aligned hips before reaching your arms. Boxing also improves hand-eye coordination, which tends to wane due to natural brain aging. Finally, there’s some evidence that boxing could improve memory. A 2014 study found 2 floridaestateplanning.com Why Boxing Is an Ideal Workout
that adults with mild cognitive impairment improved after shadowboxing for 60 minutes a week over six months.
Fitness boxing uses a punching bag as your opponent instead of another person. You’ll need boxing gloves and access to a heavy bag to get started. Fitness boxing is perfect for someone seeking a bit of a challenge. Many people find it satisfying to hit something safely and consider it an ideal stress relief tool. Meanwhile, shadowboxing involves punching the air — meaning you’ll need no equipment at all. Though you’re not making contact with anything, you can still learn the proper form and technique to create a custom exercise routine. Shadowboxing is easy on your joints, making it a fantastic option for people with arthritis or osteoporosis. Your body weight and movement give you the workout you need. One of the most significant benefits of boxing is that you can customize it. Many people shadowbox while sitting. Further, you can decide how hard and fast you want to punch; that way you can slowly build the intensity as you gain stamina. As always, consult your doctor to confirm a new exercise routine is safe. Ready to get started? Many gyms offer fitness boxing classes, and you can find shadowboxing lessons online that are perfect for every fitness level. Get your heart pumping and fists flying!
Goal-Oriented Planning
Determining What Matters Most
What are your estate planning goals? Many clients don’t have an answer to that question. In this blog post, Craig Hersch discusses which goals matter most. Read his full thoughts at FloridaEstatePlanning.com/goal-oriented-planning . I begin client conversations with a simple question: “What’s your estate planning goal?” Clever clients often respond, “I want to spend my last dollar on my last day of life!” Others will say, “I don’t know, I just want to divide my assets equally among my children,” while many assert, “I want to minimize taxes.” None are true goals. They ignore the human elements involved with losing a family matriarch or patriarch and your hopes regarding how successive generations will use the wealth you worked so hard to accumulate. Discussing one’s demise isn’t anyone’s favorite topic, so I ask more detailed queries about the client’s values, hopes, and worries that will lead to goal-making. Are you concerned that your survivor will remarry and direct inheritance away from your children and grandchildren? Is family harmony important to you? Would you like to protect the inheritance you’re leaving your children from a divorcing spouse, creditors, or predators? Are you concerned that the inheritance you leave behind will inhibit your loved one’s drive and ambitions? The answers to these questions and others help us create a goal-oriented estate plan.
All goals change over time as you mature and as your family ages. My children are in their 20s, just beginning their adult lives. My goals for them now will likely change as they have families and careers of their own and even approach middle age.
Hopefully, my wife and I will be around to witness their maturation, and that’s why a good estate plan isn’t static. An estate plan should be reviewed often to determine whether it reflects your loved one’s current situation. Note that I haven’t said one word about taxes yet. Taxes are vitally important, but an estate plan shouldn’t let the tax tail wag the dog. The problem with most estate planning practitioners is that they’re technicians. Their first thoughts center on technical aspects such as taxes and strategies. I believe that’s why many clients first focus on the technical. That’s how their attorneys have guided them. My philosophy is to determine
the clients’ goals, review the types of assets they own, and only then suggest strategies that may minimize their tax burdens.
Irish Pancakes
Start your March mornings off with a seasonal flair by making these traditional Irish pancakes! Thick yet crispy, these pancakes are a sweet way to fuel your day.
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking soda
• • •
1 large egg, beaten 1 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp kosher salt 1 tbsp white sugar
2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
DIRECTIONS 1. In a bowl, sift the dry ingredients together. Set aside. 2. In a skillet, brown 1 tbsp of butter.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the beaten egg, buttermilk, and browned butter. 4. In a constant stream, add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients while stirring. Do not over beat! 5. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tbsp of butter, stir until the skillet is coated, and then add a few large dollops of batter (about 3 inches wide) to the pan. Do not overcrowd. 6. Cook 4–5 minutes a side, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve with butter, jam, and syrup. (239) 265-9779
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INSIDE this issue
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Spring-Cleaning for the Mind PAGE 1 Make Your Home Smell Like Spring! PAGE 2 The Blow-By-Blow on Fitness Boxing PAGE 2 How We Encourage Goal-Oriented Planning PAGE 3 Take a Break! PAGE 3 Irish Pancakes PAGE 3 The Best St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in America PAGE 4
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Check Out America’s Best St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
As we inch closer to the beginning of spring, nature around us is coming back to life. Soon, the grass and trees will return to their typical green hue if they haven’t already. Luckily, you don’t need to wait until April to see an abundance of green again. On March 17, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and people across the country will dress in green to honor the occasion. Certain cities in the U.S. go big for St. Patrick’s Day. If you’ve never attended a St. Patrick’s Day parade or celebration, maybe this is the year. Here are three cities with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations worth checking out. Chicago, IL Nobody does St. Patrick’s Day quite like Chicago, Illinois. The entire city gets a makeover! This year, on March 11, Chicago will host its St. Patrick’s Day parade, which includes dyeing the Chicago River a beautiful shade of emerald green. They’ll start tinting the river around 9 a.m., and the color will fade within six hours, so make sure you get there early! Chicago’s St. Patrick’s
Day Parade is also one of the biggest in the country. You’ll see floats, Irish step dancers, and much more. New Orleans, LA Once Mardi Gras concludes, all eyes are on St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans, Louisiana. The city hosts a parade on March 11, and it’s always quite a spectacle. You’ll see the makings of Irish tradition everywhere, including cabbage, onions, and potatoes, so keep your head on a swivel. You can also head to the Irish Channel neighborhood on March 11 to attend an all-day block party. Plenty of green beer will be available at this event, so come ready to celebrate! New London, WI Let’s say you want to do something slightly toned down but still exciting for St. Patrick’s Day. Then, you’ll want to check out New London, Wisconsin, for one of the country’s most unique St. Paddy’s Day celebrations. Leprechauns will change the city signs from New London to New Dublin. The city also puts on an Irish funeral parody in its annual downtown parade.
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