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April 2024
PLANT SEEDS OF SUCCESS Lessons Learned in the Garden and Boardroom
Calling all gardeners: Planting season has officially arrived, and it’s time to get your garden back into shape. In April, seasoned and new gardeners dust off their tools and prepare for the upcoming harvest and blooms. As a business owner and an avid gardener, I’ve found an unexpected connection between cultivating a garden and running a business. Both activities are rife with challenges, learning opportunities, and immense rewards. My gardening journey began in 1996 when I moved into my new home. A friend suggested a garden would be a fantastic addition to my yard, sparking a mission that has grown into a passion over the years. I started by constructing six garden lots, each 28 feet long and 2.5 feet deep, made of rocks collected from just about everywhere. This task alone was an adventure, reminiscent of the effort it takes to build a business from the ground up — piece by piece, with determination and vision. The garden, with its east- and southeast-facing plots, became a sanctuary for tomatoes, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, peas, watermelons, cantaloupes, green beans, corn, zucchini, raspberries, blackberries, and plenty more. It was not just a source of fresh produce but a playground for my daughters and a space filled with lessons about life and business. Here are three of the most important. Lesson 1: Deal with pests effectively. Just as a business must navigate challenges and obstacles, a garden must contend with its share of invaders. My attempt at cold composting invited ground squirrels to my garden, turning it into a battleground. This experience taught me about persistence and adaptability, qualities indispensable to a business owner. Moving to a new home, I implemented a passive resistance approach to pests, with mesh coverings for the garden boxes. This change in strategy underscores the importance of learning and evolving, whether in gardening or business. Lesson 2: Bring in beauty. Like a workplace, a garden doesn’t have to be all business. Introducing zinnias and other flowers among the vegetables beautified the space and attracted pollinators, contributing to a more bountiful harvest. Similarly, creating a pleasant and engaging work environment can enhance productivity and morale. Decorating the office, highlighting employee accomplishments, and cultivating a culture of appreciation are all ways to enrich the workplace.
Lesson 3: Understand cause and effect. Just as planting a specific seed yields a corresponding plant, the actions we take in business lead to particular outcomes. This “law of the harvest” emphasizes the importance of planning, action, and patience. Sometimes, just like planting tomatoes a bit too early, we take risks in business. Not all ventures succeed on the first try, but with perseverance, we learn, adjust, and grow. As I look forward to another planting season, with tomatoes, peas, squashes, and a colorful array of flowers, I again see the parallels between gardening and business. Both require vision, effort, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from successes and setbacks. As we observe April and the reawakening it brings, I encourage everyone, whether you’re a gardener, a business owner, or both, to embrace the lessons nature offers. Plant your seeds — be they literal or metaphorical — and nurture them into fruition. Here’s to growth in gardens and businesses alike.
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WHEN THE LAW MEETS ABSURDITY LEGALLY UNBELIEVABLE
Virginia, Washington, D.C., or on a military base, it’s entirely legal!
There are some outlandish laws in the U.S., but you can also get away with plenty of surprising things. Let’s dive into some of the crazy laws from around the country. Surprisingly Legal Flame On Owning a flamethrower is surprisingly legal and easy in 48 states. The only state where you can’t own one is Maryland. And if you want a flamethrower in California, you must get a license. The rest of the states say, fire away! Car Radar Another surprising law concerns radar detectors: In most states, utilizing a radar detector in your personal vehicle is completely legal. Do you want to check someone’s speed or look out for police officers? Unless you live in Mississippi,
Sleepy Surgery There are absolutely no laws that state surgeons must get a good night’s sleep before surgery. As dangerous as this sounds, at least surgeons usually do have a limit on how long they can work at once, curtailing the worst outcomes of an exhausted doctor.
Blindingly Obvious Driving blindfolded has never been a good idea, but that clearly didn’t stop adventurous residents in Alabama from testing their blind driving skills. Maybe that’s why the state passed a law making blindfolded driving illegal. Keep an open ear and be mindful of what is legal and what is not. Nobody wants weird laws creating dumb criminals!
Shockingly Illegal Car Cursing
While in Maryland, you should be mindful of keeping your swear words to yourself (or whisper them softly) while driving through the small city of Rockville. It is considered a misdemeanor to swear from a vehicle within earshot of other people. Your curse words could cost you up to $100 in fines or 90 days in jail.
Joke’s on You!
THE HISTORY OF APRIL FOOLS’ DAY
These pranks included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish or a gullible person. Historians have also linked April Fools’ Day to festivals such as Hilaria (Latin for joyful), which was celebrated in ancient Rome at the end of March by followers of the cult of Cybele. It involved people dressing up in disguises and mocking fellow citizens and magistrates and was said to be inspired by the Egyptian legend of Isis, Osiris, and Seth. There’s also speculation that April Fools’ Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather. Regardless of its origin, April Fools’ Day has become a worldwide tradition with links from the past. Today, April Fools’ Day means playing pranks and tricks on friends and family. People have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools’ Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations, and websites have participated in the April 1 tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims to fool their audiences.
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate April Fools’ Day every April 1 with silly pranks and whimsical tricks? April Fools’ originated in France during the 16th century when the country switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The change moved the new year from the end of March to Jan. 1. The shocking part is that not everyone was aware of the change. Those who continued celebrating New Year’s Day on April 1 were mocked, labeled as “April Fools,” and subjected to pranks.
So, when someone pulls a nasty prank on you on April Fools’ Day, remember why and where it came from!
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BRAIN GAMES
To be proactive in life is to be successful! As a parent, planning ahead must become second nature if we want our children and families to stay strong in the face of adversity. While many good parenting tips are out there, the smartest is creating an emergency kit to help out in any scenario. An emergency kit will have everything you and your family may need during an emergency, such as having to stay inside for longer than usual or the electricity goes out. Each family’s kit will vary depending on their kids’ individual needs. It’s vital to have all these things collected before the trouble begins, stored in a container, and kept in a safe and easily accessible location in case of an emergency. Making a family emergency kit can also be fun for the family to do together. Be the Parents Who Are Prepared CREATING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR ANY SITUATION
SOLUTION
These are the necessary steps to create a toolkit:
1. You will need a large plastic bin or box to put things into.
2. Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for a list of key items to include in a kit: CDC.gov/childrenindisasters/checklists/ kids-and-families.html. 3. Go shopping for the appropriate items you need, then check them off the list as you put them into your emergency kit. 4. Place an updated copy of your checklist inside your large plastic bin or box once you put your kit together to know what is inside the kit and to find your checklist easily. Keeping your family safe should be a top priority at all times. It is so important to teach preparation skills to our children at a young age so they can be ready and thrive through life’s most turbulent moments.
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Savor the flavor with our mouthwatering grilled steak, paired perfectly with vibrant chimichurri sauce. Ingredients
For the chimichurri sauce: • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs steak
(flank, sirloin, or skirt steak)
• 2 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions 1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Rub the steak with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. 3. Grill the steak for 4–5 minutes per side or until it reaches desired doneness. 4. Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. 5. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 6. Serve the steak with the chimichurri sauce and enjoy!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A Business Owner’s Guide to Growing Profits and Produce
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Surprisingly Legal and Shockingly Illegal
The Origin of the Silliest Day of the Year
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
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Equip Your Family With an Emergency Kit
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The Lawsuit That Touched Hearts
Luke Combs Strikes a Chord FROM CONFLICT TO COMPASSION
containing funds from recent sales, was locked due to the lawsuit, leaving her in a dire financial situation. What sets this story apart is not the initial legal dispute; it’s the remarkable response from Combs himself. Upon learning of Harness’s situation, he recorded a heartfelt TikTok video where he apologized directly to Harness and extended his hand to help her during this challenging time. He gave her $11,000, twice the amount that had become inaccessible in her Amazon account due to the lawsuit. He emphasized that no fan should ever go through such an ordeal and expressed his sincere regret for the situation. Combs didn’t stop there; he decided to positively impact Harness’s life by selling similar tumblers on his own website. All proceeds from these sales were directed
Imagine waking up one December morning to the bizarre news that one of your favorite celebrities is suing you for a whopping $250,000. That’s what happened to Florida resident Nicol Harness, a devoted fan of country music sensation Luke Combs. The story began when Harness found herself in hot water for selling unofficial merchandise adorned with lyrics from Combs’ songs. She had sold 18 tumblers at $20 each and had no clue this would lead to a legal battle that would wreak havoc on her life. Harness, who had been dealing with congestive heart failure, received an email from Combs’ legal team during her hospital stay. Unfortunately, due to her medical condition, she missed the 21-day response window, which resulted in further complications. Her Amazon account,
Photo by David Bergman
toward Harness’s family to support her medical care, further showcasing Combs’ commitment to making amends and righting the situation. This incredible turn of events reminds us that even in the face of legal battles and adversity, acts of kindness and empathy can prevail. Combs, a country music superstar, proved in words and actions that he values his fans, turning a potential lawsuit into a story of compassion and unity in the country music community.
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