It’s always fun to celebrate with friends and family during the holiday season. You see people you haven’t seen in months or more. You’re catching up, telling stories, and just having a great time. But at a lot of these celebrations, it’s not uncommon to enjoy conversation and dinner with a drink or two. In fact, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, more people drink alcohol than during any other time of year. As a result, it can also be the most dangerous time of year on the road due to more alcohol-related accidents. The reason for the increase in alcohol-related accidents comes down to more social drinking. A higher number of people are drinking as they eat dinner, watch the game on TV, or gather around to simply catch up. The list goes on. But the danger comes when a person decides to drive after having a drink — or a few. While we all know to never drink and drive, there will always be someone who ignores this advice. However, if you are in a situation when you need to drive after having a drink, a good rule of thumb is to wait about 1 hour after your last drink before getting behind the wheel. With that said, 1 hour probably isn’t enough time if you have had several drinks. STAYING SAFE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEA It Starts With One Dri
In 1983, one movie introduced Red Ryder BB guns, fishnet-clad leg lamps, and bright red bars of soap into America’s everlasting Christmas mythos. Now, over 35 years later, “A Christmas Story” continues to delight audiences every holiday season with timeless lessons for viewers of all ages. In a story where kids are clever and kind, and parents are bumbling and wise, “A Christmas Story” has more lessons to offer families than just, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Your kids are listening to you (oh, fudge!). They aren’t always obedient, but that doesn’t mean they’re not listening. After Ralphie lets slip the “queen mother of dirty words” in front of his father, the narrator reminisces about first hearing that word from his old man — possibly when he was trying to get their furnace to work. He doesn’t admit this to his mother, but it’s a lesson for parents everywhere that kids may hear more than they let on. LESSONS FAMILIES CAN LEARN FROM ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’
Kids won’t believe in magic forever. Magical stories about Santa or even “Little Orphan Annie’s” Secret Society fill children’s hearts with wonder but won’t enchant them forever. Belief in certain parts of the Christmas season can fade slowly or die as quickly as the spin of a decoder pin, but parents can always
SUDO KU
be there to remind children about what’s really important during the Christmas season.
Sometimes ‘disasters’ lead to new adventures.
Christmas Day can be hectic, and, in the hubbub of it all, sometimes disaster can feel inevitable. Ralphie’s parents certainly experience their fair share of disaster in hilarious fashion when the Bumpus Hounds destroy their holiday turkey and leave nothing but the heavenly aroma. But, when Ralphie’s father takes them out to eat at a local Chinese restaurant, it creates a whole new Christmas tradition for the Parker family. Our holiday mishaps, no matter how tragic, are rarely the end of the world.
Consider one final tip: Do not stick your tongue to any flagpoles this winter! Happy holidays!
SOLUTION ON PG. 4
2 • www.ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com
Made with FlippingBook Annual report