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775.448.6070 OCTOBER 2018 CHALLENGES ARE ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE My Thoughts at the Top of Phipps Pass WWW.JERRYCARTERLAW.COM
F ear is a common theme during the month of October. At Halloween, many of us have nail-biting horror films, spine-chilling murder mysteries, or dark haunted houses on our minds. As strange as it might seem, some people truly enjoy being terrified! Now, I won’t concede to being an adrenaline junkie or thrill-seeker per se, but I will admit that I find the anticipation of a new challenge quite exhilarating. One of the most recent personal challenges I faced took place during a recent backpacking trip with my brother Travis. over the course of 3–4 days. This year, we backpacked in the Desolation Wilderness, which is situated high above Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay. Our route started at Meeks Bay and called for us to climb over Phipps Pass the second day. To us, the pass was just a group of tight lines on the topographical map. But it turned out to have quite a reputation among the hikers we encountered on the trail. Just a few hours into the first day of hiking, we spoke with a backpacker who said he had crossed Phipps pass from the other side, which he considered to be less steep. He told us the approach was going to be steep and rocky, and we were going to hate it. We set up camp the first night at Crag Lake, with the awesome Crag Peak hovering over us. Even though we saw other hikers on the way there, we managed to have the whole northern part of the lake to ourselves. The warm weather throughout the day kept the water calm and serene. When we finished setting up our tents, we explored, and then we ate the best backpacking dinner ever — chili mac. Afterward, we got to watch the sun fade behind the tree line while we watched a family of ducks grab a few more bites of their own and then swim off. Every few summers, Travis and I pick a backpacking trail we can reasonably complete
“WE TOOK IN AND PHOTOGRAPHED THE BEAUTY SPRAWLED OUT BEFORE US AND KNEW THAT WITHOUT ALL THE PAIN, SWEAT, AND SORE JOINTS AND MUSCLES, WE WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO WITNESS SUCH A SCENE.”
that without all the pain, sweat, and sore joints and muscles, we would have never been able to witness such a scene. Had we listened to the hikers who eyed our heavy packs and questioned our plan or believed the self-doubt that crept into our thoughts as the number of skeptical observers grew, we would have never known what our bodies and our minds were capable of. To me, that is much more frightening than any mountain could ever be. Facing any kind of challenge can be a daunting experience. But what distinguishes a positive outcome from a negative one is the method by which you approach it. Some people define challenges purely by the level of difficulty, focusing only on what can go wrong. Others view them as an opportunity to have a way- out-of-the-ordinary experience while also experiencing personal growth and great companionship. Backpacking has taught me that it’s far more rewarding to focus on the latter.
The next morning, we packed up and made our way toward Phipps Peak and the pass. On the way, we passed a group of hikers who made a point of telling us how difficult Phipps Pass would be to ascend from our direction. We kept moving forward but started to wonder if we had bitten off more than we could chew. As we began the climb, an older couple approached us from the opposite direction. They too asked if we were going up Phipps Pass. When we said yes, the husband smiled and said “All right!” During the rest of the climb, we pondered his ambiguous “all right!”Did it mean he thought we were in for a surprisingly brutal climb? Did he think we would love the pass? Was he trying to encourage us? Warn us? All of the above? In the end, the trail was jagged with tight switchbacks and a lot of sweating and heavy breathing. The steep terrain gave us great views of the lakes below. We were elated when we reached the summit. Our afternoon snack tasted great. We took in and photographed the beauty sprawled out before us and knew
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Learn a New Language as a Family LET YOUR CHILDREN SPEAK TO THE WORLD
WHICH LANGUAGE SHOULD YOU LEARN?
As the weather cools down, finding ways to spend quality time as a family can become challenging. It’s too cold to camp or barbecue, and money may be tight with the holidays coming up. So why not turn learning a new skill into a bonding experience this fall? You can do it inside, it’s free, and it will open doors around the world for the rest of your children’s lives.
Did you know that 40 million Americans currently speak Spanish at home? The U.S. is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, and we border the largest, so learning this language is a great way for children to communicate with more people in their community, and they’ll be more hirable as adults. Bonus : It’s commonly considered one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. Mandarin is the most-spoken language on the planet, and China’s growth as an economic powerhouse has made this language even more useful around the world. German, Arabic, and Japanese speakers are also highly sought-after in the job market. Of course, you can always let your wanderlust or passions decide for you! Is your child obsessed with K-Pop? Have them learn Korean. Want to take them to Paris someday? Enroll in French classes.
WHY LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE?
Speaking multiple languages creates opportunities for your child. Being bilingual makes you more qualified for a variety of exciting careers and can improve your competitiveness in the job market. Knowing a second language can also allow you to travel with greater ease and become more culturally well-rounded. There are some studies that claim learning languages is even good for your health. Research shows that our language acquisition skills peak in childhood or adolescence, so starting young is the best way to become fluent. If your child is in school, they probably already know classmates who speak another language.
Going Beyond ‘Get Well Soon’ 3 MEANINGFUL WAYS TO SUPPORT RECOVERY
SUPPORT THEIR EMOTIONAL RECOVERY.
If you’ve ever had a friend or loved one suffer a debilitating injury, you know how powerless you can feel to help. You want to make a difference, but in the face of severe medical challenges, it can be hard to know how. It’s important to remember that, while you may not be able to have a direct impact on your loved one’s physical recovery, there are concrete actions you can take to support them in ways doctors can’t. Traumatic injuries can make many aspects of day-to-day life difficult or impossible. Simply making dinner or taking their kids to school may now be herculean tasks for your loved one. Offering to be a volunteer driver or preparing a home-cooked meal can give that person a much-needed breather. Taking the time to help your friend with everyday tasks is more than just a practical gesture — it lets them know they don’t have to bear the burden of their injury alone. SUPPORT THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE.
People faced with injuries, disabilities, and illnesses can feel emotionally isolated from their friends and loved ones. They may feel that others won’t understand their pain or that they should put on a brave face and not complain. You can’t force your friend to talk about their issues, but simply being there to listen to what your friend is going through makes a world of difference. Having someone who is willing to listen without judgment can provide a salve for emotional hardship. Sometimes an injury can leave your loved one tangled up in disputes with opportunistic insurance companies or individuals they feel are responsible for their injuries. While you may not be able to represent your friend’s legal interests in these situations, you can introduce them to someone who can. Referring your friend to a personal injury firm you trust can help them chart a path toward just compensation for their injuries. SUPPORT THEIR RIGHTS.
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Do You or Someone You Love Need to Schedule a Mammogram? EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Organized, in the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s words, to “honor those at every step of the breast cancer journey,” the annual observance has also served to educate the public and raise
funds for research. Learn more about this deadly but survivable disease, and find out how you can help.
THE LANGUAGES OF THE WORLD ARE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
Learning a new skill has never been easier! While there’s no substitute for a full-time class or moving to another country, there are countless ways to teach yourself a new language right at home, usually for free. YouTube tutorials, podcasts, and audiobooks let you rewind and listen to the lessons as many times as needed to master pronunciations. Can’t tear your child away from their cellphone? Download Duolingo, rated by PCMag.com as the best free language-learning app of 2018.
BREAST CANCER IS EXTREMELY COMMON. According to the NBCF, 1 in 8 American women will be
diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. It is the second leading cause of death in women (behind heart disease). A breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence, however. Thanks to research and ongoing education, there are over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today. WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER? Breast cancer is caused by damage to cells’ DNA. It’s most common in women over the age of 40, though approximately 2,500 men in the U.S. are diagnosed each year as well. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Most risk factors, such as age, gender, and family history, cannot be changed. However, research shows that exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, and minimizing alcohol consumption may reduce your chance of being diagnosed with the disease. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also place you at higher risk. ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS ARE FREE. Early detection is the biggest factor in breast cancer survival. There’s some debate among researchers and insurance companies over the “right” age to begin screening, but most sources agree that women should begin to get regular mammograms in their 40s (and earlier if they have a family history of the disease). The Affordable Care Act (ADA) requires all health insurance plans to cover the cost of annual mammograms for women age 40 and older , and there are many organizations devoted to providing free mammograms to uninsured individuals. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Visit Donate.nationalbreastcancer.org/ to learn how to help. The NBCF funds cancer research, works to provide free mammograms to low-income women, and serves as a resource for patients and their families. Many cities also have local organizations in need of donations and volunteers. Contrary to popular myths, breast cancer is not caused by milk, microwave ovens, cellphones, caffeine, plastic cutlery, or deodorants.
SPICED PUMPKIN SEED CRUNCH
Ingredients
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1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds
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1 large egg white
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1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped
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1 teaspoon light agave syrup
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1/2 teaspoon garammasala or curry powder
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1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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Nonstick vegetable oil spray
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
Directions
1. Heat oven to 300 F. 2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated. 4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture. 5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve.
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Challenges Are All About Perspective
Learn a New Language as a Family Ways to Support a Recovering Loved One Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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The Surprising Origins of Trick-or-Treating
Why There Are Kids on Your Porch Asking for Candy The History of Trick-or-Treating
As Halloween looms and you load up your grocery cart with candy, youmay ask yourself, “Why do I provide these spooky gremlins with a sugar high everyOct. 31, anyway?”Well, when your doorbell starts ringing around 6 p.m. this All Hallows’ Eve, you can thank the Celts for this tradition of candy and costumes.
angels, and the occasional demon instead of spirits. Eventually, costumed children started tearing through town begging for food and money and singing a song or prayer in return— a practice called“souling.” But when did they start dressing up as Minions? Starting in the 19th century, souling turned to “guising,”which gave way to trick-or-treating in mid-20th-century America, and the costumes diversified. So put on some clown makeup and a big smile, scoop up a handful of sweets, and scare the living daylights out of ‘em— ‘tis the season!
in hand, the Celts believed that Samuin marked an overlapping of the realms of the living and the dead. To trick the spirits leaking into our world, young men donned flowing white costumes and black masks — a great disguise when ghosts were about. The Catholic Church was never a big fan of these pagan traditions, so they renamed it“All Saints’ Day”and gussied it up in religious garb. By the 11th century, people were dressing up as saints,
Halloween itself is a kind of mishmash of four different cultural festivals of old: two Roman fêtes, which commemorated the dead and the goddess of fruit and trees (not at the same time); the Celtic Samuin or Samhain, a new year’s party thrown at the end of our summer; and the Catholic All Saint’s Day, designed to replace Samuin and divorce it from its pagan origins.
Long before there were young’uns on your porch dressed as Thanos with candy-filled pillowcases
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