Why a Love of Reading Serves You Well THE PLEASURES OF THE PAGE
“The person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn’t know how to read.”
–Benjamin Franklin
When you think back to your childhood summers, I’m willing to bet you recall the age-old pastime known as summer reading. For some of you, those memories will be of homework that kept you from having as much fun as possible. For others, they’ll be fond recollections of days spent exploring worlds far from their own. I certainly fall into the latter category. Summer reading was a great way to get out of the heat for a day, develop a vital skill, and learn about the world and myself. In fact, I sometimes wish that everyone had summer reading assignments. As someone who majored in English, my love of reading has only grown stronger over the course of my life. Reading keeps your mind sharp, keeps you entertained, broadens your horizons, and is a heck of a lot of fun. Whether you loved or loathed the days of summer reading, I hope you’ve found things you love to read as an adult. Whether for business development, personal growth, or simple pleasure, there’s very little that beats the value of a good book. You don’t need to pick anything particularly elevated or fancy to get the benefits of reading. “Moby-Dick” isn’t for everybody, and that’s just fine. What matters most is finding material that is well- written and enjoyable to you. If you’re into sports, for example, there is no shortage of excellent sports writing on the internet, in newspapers, and in books. I can promise that the discourse you find from these sources will be a lot more thoughtful and interesting than the screaming you hear on sports radio.
It’s hard for me to overstate how influential reading has been in my life. Of course, it’s incredibly beneficial for a lawyer to be a critical and inquisitive reader — they call it the letter of the law, after all — but books have given me so much more than that. Books have shown me corners of the world I’d never otherwise see, taught me about countless topics, and allowed me to grow and reflect. And the value in my life of reading Scripture is too enormous for words. Reading and its importance is a big, deep subject, one which I hope I’ve done justice to here. No matter how technologically advanced our society becomes, it’s impossible to imagine a future where the written word will be replaced. As such, learning to love reading is a skill that’s perfectly futureproof. No matter what you want to do in life, being a dedicated and passionate reader will help you with it. It may have been decades since you last stepped foot in a classroom, but I hope you’ll find a reason to do some summer reading of your own this year. The next time you need to beat the heat, consider doing it with a good book or a long article. I promise you won’t regret it. –Rob Usry
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You don’t need to pick anything particularly elevated or fancy to get the benefits of reading. “Moby-Dick” isn’t for everybody, and that’s just fine.
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THE ART OF STARGAZING Helping Humans Slow Down and Look Up
1. THE HIGHER, THE BETTER If you’re a city dweller, meander a little way out of town or try to find a tall building to keep the light pollution to a minimum.
2. EXTRA SET OF EYES While novice stargazers often want to immediately throw their money at a new telescope, astronomy experts recommend starting with binoculars instead. You’ll need to identify several anchor planets or constellations to help you navigate the sky before using a telescope. 3. UTILIZE ASSETS Put your phone to good use by downloading apps like Stellarium, Starwalk, and Google Sky Map. Each of these apps offers a unique benefit for aspiring stargazers. For example, Starwalk lets you point your phone at the sky to see stars, constellations, and planets in real time based on your location. 4. MARK YOUR CALENDAR In 1972, beloved singer-songwriter John Denver wrote about a meteor shower he witnessed during a camping trip in Colorado. He describes the scene by singing, “I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky.” The “fire” he recounted was actually the Perseids meteor shower, the most recognized shower on Earth. This astrological wonder takes place every year from July 17 to Aug. 24. During this time, viewers should be able to see shooting stars associated with the Perseids, but the shower reaches its maximum rate of activity on Aug. 12–13 this year. Grab some friends and family, and head outdoors to put your newfound stargazing knowledge to work.
Modern humans are stuck in a routine of expected and constant industriousness. But with all this rushing, people often drag themselves home at night with no energy left to enjoy the most splendid show nature has to offer: the wondrous night sky. Most people go through life looking straight ahead, but if they would stop and peer skyward, they’d bear witness to a massive, unexplored frontier made up of the moon in all its phases, burning stars sailing through the sky, constellations with epic origin stories, and meteor showers bright enough to warrant sunglasses. If you’re looking for a hobby to help you slow down and appreciate the world around you, stargazing is a great option. Here are some tips to get you started. Testimonials HEAR WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT US! “Through the years, we have used Holland & Usry attorneys. We are so gratefully to Rob Usry for the results he has gotten for my elderly mother. Rob truly went beyond our expectations. I feel we were blessed to have him as my mom’s attorney. This law firm is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Thank you, Rob, and all your staff for all you have done to help my mother and me.”
“Rob Usry and his assistant, Camilia, were great! They made my case easy and worry-free. I would call with a concern or question, and they would resolve the issue right then and there. I would recommend and go to them again if I ever need to. Thanks!”
–Margurette L.
–Shannon C.
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How to Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney
WHAT TO KNOWWHEN PICKING A LAWYER
Nobody envisions themselves in a situation where they have to choose a criminal defense attorney to work with. But if that situation arises, it’s a decision you can’t take lightly. The person you choose to represent you in court can have a profound impact on your case. Your future and freedom are at risk. With so much at stake, you want to be sure you have full faith in your representation.
basement shop or pick the first person you hear about. Changing lawyers is expensive and can be counterproductive to your case.
As you narrow your search, you need to determine whether or not you trust the person. If you can’t trust the person, don’t hire them. Facing criminal charges is already one of the most stressful experiences you’ll ever undergo. You don’t need to compound that stress by constantly worrying if your attorney will work their hardest for you. How do you assess a lawyer’s trustworthiness? Look for their experience with cases like yours, see what their clients are saying, and check out their past results. While past results are no guarantee of what to expect in your case, they do show you the type of work the lawyer is capable of. In addition to seeking out lawyers with a good track record, you want to work with someone who will make you a priority. Your case is a big deal to you and should be to your lawyer, too. If somebody isn’t paying attention to you when you first meet them, how do you think they’ll treat you throughout the rest of the process? Another excellent gauge of a lawyer’s suitability is how they answer your questions. If they are honest, thoughtful, and detailed, that’s a very good sign. If they promise you pie-in-the-sky results, it’s worth being skeptical.
The first step to making a smart decision when it comes to a lawyer is doing your research. Legal defense is one area where you never want to bargain-
We want to prove that we’re the firm to work with you. Call us at 864.582.0416 to speak with an attorney about your case.
Good News
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Lamentations 3:22-23 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
ROASTED CORN SALSA
Ingredients
Directions
1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine. 5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.
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2 medium ears of corn, shucked 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced 1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped 1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced 1/2 red onion, diced
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Juice of 1 lime
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Kosher salt, to taste
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.
101 W. St. John St. Suite 206 Spartanburg, SC 29306
INSIDE this issue
1
Nothing Better Than a Good Book
2
The Art of Stargazing
Testimonials
3
The Choice of a Lifetime
Roasted Corn Salsa
4
Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings
If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, call Pam at 864.582.0416 or email rob@bhollandlawfirm.com .
AMERICA’S WEIRDEST AIRBNBS THIS AIN’T MOTEL 6!
When Airbnb was founded a little over a decade ago, the developers hoped to provide an alternative to traditional travel accommodations. Today, with annual revenue in the billions, the service is an industry unto itself. While most people use Airbnb to “live like a local” while traveling, you can find some truly wacky lodging options if you spend some time searching the platform. Here are just a few of the many contenders for the title of “Weirdest Airbnb in the U.S.” For ease of searching, the listings here have the same titles as they do on Airbnb. BRAND NEW STUDIO EARTHSHIP | TAOS, NEW MEXICO Earthships, houses run by clean energy and featuring reused materials, are a fixture of the Taos area. This one, which looks almost like a crashing wave with a living space in its undertow, combines the rustic charm of truly getting away from it all with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and in-home laundry. It’s a truly unique living space surrounded by pristine nature and not far from the historic Taos Pueblo. MANCAVE APARTMENT/AIRPLANE HANGAR | GENEVA, FLORIDA Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their apartment fashioned out of an airplane hangar surely takes the cake. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a theme restaurant featuring eclectic aviation. Memorabilia lines the walls with a bar front and center, and the bed is in a loft high above the ground.
DOG BARK PARK INN B&B | COTTONWOOD, IDAHO As you approach the Dog Bark Park Inn, you won’t have to guess if you’re in the right place. After all, how many buildings are shaped like beagles? When describing the space on Airbnb, the hosts make no bones about who this rental is aimed for. “Stay in a giant dog!” they say. In addition to being inside a massive wooden dog, you’ll find canine-themed games, books, and more. Talk about ruffing it.
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