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MAY 2020
Legally Brief With Kevin Patrick Automobile accidents | Daycare injuries | wrongful death
We’re All in This Together A THANK-YOU TO OUR FRONTLINE HEROES
These last few months have been unlike any I’ve lived through. Until now, the closest I’d gotten to dealing with a pandemic was reading about the 1918 Spanish flu back when I was a history major at the University of Georgia. I thought I understood a few things after that, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality we’re living in today. As scary as these times are, I’ve found so many things to be grateful for in the last few weeks, and I hope you have, too. It has been amazing to see the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and the country as a whole come together with real community spirit to fight this pandemic. My team and I are also incredibly thankful for our frontline heroes: the first responders, nurses, doctors, delivery drivers, grocery store workers, and factory employees who are putting their own health on the line to make this country and community safer. In particular, I feel like I have more appreciation than ever for medical professionals and first responders, including those in my own family. One of my grandfathers was a fireman in Michigan after WWII, and the other was a doctor. My grandmother was a nurse, and so is my mother-in-law. Now more than ever, I recognize how much they must have sacrificed to help others. On the work front, my team and I are doing everything we can to make this tough time easier for our clients and
to stay safe and healthy ourselves. We’ve been making care packages to be supportive of others in this tough time. We’re also working remotely as much as possible. At age 37, I’ve found a brand- new appreciation for technology! Even though some of the Georgia Supreme Court’s and other courts' operations are on hold, our team is using all the high- tech means available to continue working our cases. Thankfully, as of this writing, my own family is healthy and well. We’re really appreciating the little things right
now, like having food on the table and spending time together. Getting to see my wife and kids more often has been an unexpected blessing. As difficult as things are right now, I have faith that this too shall pass. If we stick together and help each other, we’ll come through this pandemic as a resilient community with more appreciation for each other than ever before.
Wishing you and your family good health,
This publication is for informational purposes only, and no legal advice is intended.
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Health Benefits of Family Gardening
Why May Is the Best Month to Start BIRD-WATCHING FOR BEGINNERS
Give Your Kid the Gift of a Green Thumb
Yes, there will always be football season, basketball season, and soccer season, but right now, it’s gardening season. That means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and play in the dirt. If you’ve been searching for a way to get the kids away from technology and engaged with the real world, gardening is the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy. Not only is it fun, but it’s also beneficial for your kids’ development. For example, gardening can improve your children’s analytical abilities. As Dr. Wendy Matthews says, “Gardening exercises important reasoning, initiation, planning, and organization skills.” Furthermore, several studies, including one at Texas A&M University, suggest that gardening improves a child’s attitude toward fruits and vegetables and may make them more likely to choose them as snacks. Gardening helps kids identify with where their food is coming from, and nothing tastes better than a freshly picked strawberry or pea pod they grew themselves. Jack Gilbert, a scientist at the University of Chicago and a parent himself, and his co-author, Rob Knight, emphasize the health benefits of garden time in their book, “Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child's Developing Immune System.” The two found that exposure to different microbes, like those found in a garden, strengthens a child’s immune system and makes them less likely to develop allergies. If this is your first time gardening, you don’t need much to get started. Grab a few shovels, a pair of gloves for each family member, and fresh potting soil, and you’ll be set. Then, you can decide together which plants you’d like to grow! Carrots are fun because of the surprise factor — just imagine your child discovering that the part they eat grows below the ground! Peas are tasty and fairly easy to grow, as are strawberries. The options really are endless. Depending on the growing season in your area, you can choose to buy seeds or opt for rooted plants.
Bird-watching is like a lifelong scavenger hunt that you can play anywhere on Earth. The activity provides a mixture of science, travel, and beauty, and it’s a chance to get outside for feathered adventures and quiet reflection. The month of May is a great time of year to go birding because rising temperatures prompt spring migration. So if you're eager to begin bird- watching, there’s no better time than now. Here are some tips to get started. EDUCATE YOURSELF Thousands of species of birds span all corners of the globe. That’s why finding them is an exciting prospect — there’s no end to the hunt! Start by researching birds that are native to your location. Purchase a field guide with pictures of each bird and maps of their range and use it to figure out where different birds live. From there, it’s easy to pick your first spotting goal. You can even get yourself extra excited by watching a few bird documentaries. GEAR UP One of the best things about birding is that you don’t need a lot of equipment to do it. As long as you’ve got your field guide and comfortable walking shoes, the only other thing you’ll need is a pair of binoculars. And they don’t have to be fancy. As long as they can zoom in on faraway trees and perches, they’ll work for now. You can always upgrade later. GO EXPLORING Your very first birding excursion is important because you don’t want to be overwhelmed or underwhelmed. So use your field guide to home in on a single bird and go find it. It may be local, or you can plan a trip to a specific bird’s natural habitat. Stay focused and don’t get distracted by other species. The thrill that comes with spotting your first bird will keep you coming back to find the rest. Bird-watching is a wonderful hobby because it’s easy to get started and can last a lifetime. As long as you can walk, drive, or look out a window, you can be a birder. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and find some birds!
Last but certainly not least, the best part of gardening as a family is the healthy, fresh produce you’ll get to enjoy all summer long!
You can always reach Kevin directly at 404-566-8964 or Kevin@PatrickTrialLaw.com. (If you ever need it, his cell phone is 404-409-3160.)
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Start a New Mother’s Day Tradition! 3 Ways to Enjoy Atlanta With Your Mom
Do you know what you’re getting your mom for Mother’s Day? You could choose old standbys like flowers, chocolates, or a thoughtful card, but in our view, one of the best gifts you can give your mom is the gift of your time. This Mother’s Day, try spending the day together in Atlanta! If you’re stumped for activities, one of these three options could be just the ticket. GET YOUR BRUNCH ON Brunch is as much of a Mother’s Day tradition as a card or bouquet, but it’s a level up because you get a seat at the table! In these uncertain times, many restaurants now offer takeout or home delivery, so you can still support local business. You can even make brunch yourself! If you aren’t sure where to begin, check out YellowBlissRoad.com for over 50 delicious brunch recipes to try. You may even begin a new Mother's Day brunch tradition with this one. MEET UP WITH MOTHER NATURE It might not be a traditional, but taking an easy hike through the beautiful scenery outside of Atlanta can be a great way to bond with your mom. Enjoy plenty of trails near the city for beginners, like the 2-mile Arabia Mountain Mile Rock and Forest Loop, which winds through forests and granite expanses to a small lake. Another option would be to take a daytrip to Red Top Mountain Iron Hill Trail an hour out of town, where you and your mom can meander along the lakeshore and enjoy a picnic lunch with a view. If your mom is an expert hiker, try to find a new trail to tackle together!
MAKE SOMETHING TOGETHER Think back to when you were a kid. Did you and your mom draw, cook, or do craft projects together? If you did, then consider leveraging that nostalgia into the perfect gift. Put an adult spin on the memories and spend time together scrapbooking, painting, or otherwise crafting. You could also try surprising her by inviting her to your place to bake a cake or test out her mother’s pot roast recipe. If you spring for matching aprons, you might just make her year.
Sticky and Sweet Pork ‘Ribs’
WORD SEARCH
Ingredients • 2 heads garlic, cloves separated • 3 thumbs ginger, chopped • 1 cup hoisin sauce • 3/4 cup fish sauce • 2/3 cup honey • 2/3 cup rice wine • 1/2 cup chili oil
• 1/3 cup oyster sauce • 1/3 cup toasted sesame oil • 5 lbs boneless pork shoulder, flattened • 3/4 cup brown sugar • 1 tbsp molasses
Directions 1. In a blender, purée garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, honey, rice wine, chili oil, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil until smooth. 2. Reserve and chill 1 1/2 cups for later use. 3. In a bag, add the remaining mixture and pork shoulder. Marinate for at least 8 hours. 4. Using a convection plate on the grill, cook pork until the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 140–145 F. 5. In a large saucepan, simmer brown sugar, molasses, and reserved marinade for 6–8 minutes. 6. Baste the pork with the brown sugar glaze for 2 minutes before serving.
BUTTERFLY FLOWERS JEDI LADYBUG
MAYFLY MEMORIAL MEXICO MOTHERS
OUTDOORS POLLEN SUNSHINE TAURUS
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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2860 Piedmont Road N.E. • Suite 140 Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Inside This Issue 1 Coming Together in a Crisis 2 Bird-Watching for Beginners What Is Gardening Good For? 3 3 Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Atlanta Sticky and Sweet Pork ‘Ribs’ 4 How to Help Your Epiphytes Thrive
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All About Epiphytes How to Care for Your Orchids, Air Plants, and Ferns
Perched high in the trees in the rainforest, epiphytes reach for the drops of water that splash down from above. The plants take what they need and let the rest drip down to the forest floor. While these organisms originated in the wild, epiphytes like orchids, air plants, and staghorn ferns have become popular houseplants because of the unique, delicate greenery they bring to your space. Epiphytes are part of the Bromeliaceae family, a group that also includes terrestrial species like pineapples. The leaves of the plants in this family are arranged in a rosette, or circular shape, and they have tiny scales that help the plant absorb moisture and protect itself from harsh sunlight. Unlike many plants, epiphytes don’t take in all the water they need from their roots. They also absorb water and nutrients through their leaves. Their roots don’t grow in the dirt, either. Instead, they help these plants cling to the trees or other plants they naturally grow on. If you've ever seen a tree with another plant growing off of it at a botanical garden in a warmer, humid environment like Florida, that tag-along plant is an epiphyte.
Because they are unique, your epiphyte houseplant needs specific care to thrive. Submerge the leaves of smaller air plants in a shallow bowl of water once a week for an hour (times may vary depending on your area’s humidity). Then, remove the plant from the water and let it dry upside down to remove excess moisture. If you choose to house your orchid or staghorn fern in a pot, use a soil specifically made for them and add some sphagnum moss to keep the roots aerated. Mist your plant every couple days and provide the leaves with a more thorough watering once a week to achieve the level of moisture they would receive in the rainforest while allowing the roots to breathe. You can also mount your epiphyte on a wood panel, as some orchid collectors do. True enthusiasts are very careful to match the wood with the type of tree the plant would grow on in the natural world, but driftwood, cork, and large pieces of bark work well too.
Caring for your epiphyte properly will help your plant thrive and allow you to enjoy the tropical beauty of these unique organisms.
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