JOSEPH F. EMMERTH A LOOK AT FAMILY LAW SULLIVAN, TAYLOR, GUMINA & PALMER, P.C.
MAR 2019
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A TIME FOR SPRING-CLEANING
Giving Yourself the Chance to Move On
A change in season often brings a need for a change in people as well. This time of year, people are often picking a day to free the clutter from their homes, and even their lives, to give themselves the fresh start they need. Taking stock of the things in your life and making a change — whether it’s revamping your wardrobe, rearranging your furniture, or getting rid of some of the possessions you no longer use — can be great ways to start the new spring season. Bringing a seasonal change into your life can be especially important for people who are coming out of a fresh divorce or even for those who have been divorced for quite some time. I think it’s appropriate for these people to look at their lives and their homes; decide what they want or don’t want or what they can change; and to take action. Sometimes after a divorce, people get sucked into a cycle of behavior or have a limited outlook on the life they could be having. Taking part in the spring-cleaning frenzy is a great opportunity to change yourself and what’s around you. Getting out the gloves and preparing to clean your home from top to bottom can be an excellent way to get that fresh feeling into your life. If you’ve been putting off deep cleaning the fridge, oven, or other appliances, now is the perfect time. Go through your closet
and see what you can donate to your local thrift store and what needs to be thrown away. Doing this can be especially important if recently divorced individuals have physical reminders of the ended relationship. The act of getting rid of things that cause strong emotions to rise up often helps create a sense of closure, and in doing so, it can help you move on. I think it’s very important to point out that just because you’re spring-cleaning doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your possessions. Finding what is causing you more grief than it’s worth and moving to change it is just as important as decluttering your home. Confronting your emotions is another area to focus on. People tend to bottle, ignore, or brush off their true feelings in the hopes that they’ll gradually go away. However, confronting these feelings, recognizing them, and giving yourself the time to grieve the loss of the relationship — to experience all the emotions you’re feeling — are essential in overcoming this obstacle in your life. Finding some time for yourself, investing in a new hobby or activity, or joining a support group can really help. Divorce also has a tendency of leaving people in financial distress, which can cause high anxiety. While you’re cleaning your home and taking a look at yourself, it’s an excellent time to organize all your financial documents. Make sure you understand your current income, assets, and debts and plan accordingly so you don’t overexert yourself. Going through your finances will help reduce the amount of stress you’re feeling and help you stay efficient. Once you’re done with all your spring-cleaning tasks, it’ll be like taking a breath of fresh air. You’ll feel freer and less weighed down by the baggage of old or past belongings. Doing this now will allow you to free up your time to enjoy the rest of the year. Get ready to enjoy your summer to the fullest! –Joseph Emmerth
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4 RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES
Enjoy Yourself!
As the weather warms up, the urge to get out of the house becomes stronger. However, any plans you might have can be abruptly canceled due to rain. If you find yourself stuck inside for the day, here are a few activities to keep you occupied. GET BAKIN’ A wet and chilly day is an excellent opportunity to warm yourself up with some baked goods. Bake your
favorite snickerdoodle cookies or fudge brownies, and pour yourself a mug full of hot chocolate or cider to get through the stormy day. READ A BOOK If you have a bookshelf full of novels you’ve not cracked open, a rainy day is the perfect time to jump in. Settle down on the sofa with a cuddly blanket and enjoy some uninterrupted reading. The rain smattering against your windows
creates the perfect background noise to delve into the pages of a new adventure.
CREATE YOUR OWN FILM FESTIVAL Having a movie or TV series marathon is another great way to pass the time. You can watch some of the classics, like “Forrest Gump” or “Singing in the Rain,” fill the day with “The Lord of the Rings” series, or start a new Netflix show. If you want to involve your kids in the binge- watching, you can let them pick out one of their favorite movies too. PIECE TOGETHER A PUZZLE A rainy day is a great opportunity to pull out a puzzle. You can also grab your friends or family members and make the puzzle a team activity. With the whole day ahead of you, you’ll have several hours to devote to one of your favorite hobbies. Don’t let the rain keep you down! Instead, take advantage of the weather and enjoy a cozy day at home.
AN INSIDE JOB
The Curious Case of the Disappearing Flags
Theft is a serious matter, made even more grave when the victims are fallen war heroes. Such was the situation that stumped police in Hudson, New York, in 2012. The crime was first committed in July of the previous year. Flags had been placed around the graves of soldiers in Cedar Park Cemetery — only to go missing right around Independence Day. Veterans groups and locals were outraged and mystified by the crime. Some worried that a hate group was to blame, as the missing flags had adorned the graves of Jewish soldiers. Veterans worked to replace the flags, one by one, and right the wrong. No culprit was found, and the community moved on — until the following July, when the mystery repeated itself.
community. “I just can’t comprehend the mindset that would allow someone to do this,” Wallace said.
Determined to find out who was to blame, police put up surveillance cameras and recorded the goings-on in the cemetery. As they watched the tapes, sure enough, they saw one of the culprits sitting atop a gravestone with an empty flagpole in front of him. It was a groundhog.
Apparently, the wooden flagpoles attract groundhogs, something other groundskeepers have experienced as well.
“I’m glad we don’t have someone who has taken it upon themselves to desecrate the stones and the flags in front of them,” said Hudson mayor Bill Hallenbeck. “We can all rest a little easier knowing that it was a critter and not a human defacing our flags, especially those of the veterans,” added Hudson’s police commissioner.
Like the year before, flags were placed on veterans’ graves in honor of Independence Day, and again, they went missing sometime in the night, this time taken from the graves of African American Civil War soldiers. Cemetery caretaker and veteran Vincent Wallace was appalled, as was the rest of his
Turns out Punxsutawney Phil has some very naughty cousins — ones who aren’t subject to the law.
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3 WAYS TO HONOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
On March 8, people around the world will honor International Women’s Day. Adopted by the United Nations in 1975, the holiday is meant to highlight the immeasurable accomplishments of women throughout history and draw attention to the ongoing struggle for global gender equality. International Women’s Day is celebrated differently around the world. Some nations, like Nepal, give all their citizens the day off. Most countries, however, including the United States, treat it as a normal day, at least officially. Even though we don’t have the day off, there are many ways for everyone to honor International Women’s Day this year. Here are a few of them. TALK ABOUT THE WOMEN WHO INSPIRE YOU From major innovators, like Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer, to megalithic literary icons, like Maya Angelou, women throughout history have shaped how we live our lives. Whether you’re inspired by famous historical figures or the women in your own life, take the time to talk about that influence. Which women helped get you where you are today? What female leaders do you look up to? What are some lessons you’ve learned from them? MAKE ROOM FOR CONVERSATION IN THE WORKPLACE Many of the challenges women face globally happen in the workplace. If you think your company has room for improvement in its treatment of
women, now is a great time to do something about it. Even if you believe your company treats women and men equally, there’s no harm in empowering your colleagues to talk to give their opinions. If you’re an employer, this could mean giving women
in your workplace an avenue to discuss issues, air grievances, and make suggestions. If you’re an employee, consider asking for such a forum. In either case, providing both public and anonymous avenues for women to express themselves is a great way for your company to take a step forward in fostering gender equality. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Regardless of your gender, March 8 is the perfect time to tune in to the larger conversation surrounding gender inequality, if you haven’t already. This could mean attending meetings or demonstrations in your town, reading works that capture the female struggle for equality, such as Roxane Gay’s “Difficult Women,” or seeking out blogs and social media accounts from gender equality activists online. International Women’s Day is about appreciating the contributions of women to society and envisioning a more equal world for the future. However you decide to celebrate women this March, keep in mind that no matter who you are or where you come from, we all have the power to change our world for the better.
HAVE A LAUGH!
HOMEMADE CORNED BEEF
• 2 quarts water • 1 cup kosher salt • 1/2 cup brown sugar INGREDIENTS
• 2 tablespoons saltpeter (potassium nitrate) • 1 cinnamon stick, broken into large pieces • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns • 8 cloves garlic
• 2 bay leaves, crumbled • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 2 pounds ice • 1 5-pound beef brisket, trimmed • 1 small onion, quartered • 1 large carrot, coarsely chopped • 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
• 8 whole allspice berries • 12 whole juniper berries DIRECTIONS
4. After 10 days, remove brisket from brine and rinse under cool water. In a large pot, cover brisket, onion, carrot, and celery with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 2 1/2–3 hours. 5. Remove, slice across the grain, and serve.
1. In a large stockpot, combine water, garlic, and all herbs and spices to make brine. Cook over high heat until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in ice. 2. Once water temp reaches 45 F, place brisket in a 2-gallon zip-close bag, pour in brine to cover, lay flat in a large container, and store in fridge. 3. Brine for 10 days, checking daily to make sure brisket is fully submerged and brine is stirred.
Inspired by Food Network
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JOSEPH F. EMMERTH SULLIVAN, TAYLOR, GUMINA & PALMER, P.C.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
630-665-7676 | www.stglawfirm.com Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1250 E. Diehl Rd., Suite 400 Naperville, IL 60563
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A Time for Spring-Cleaning PAGE 1
Don’t Let the Rain Dampen Your Spirits PAGE 2
The Curious Case of the Disappearing Flags PAGE 2
3 Ways to Honor International Women’s Day PAGE 3
Homemade Corned Beef PAGE 3
Celebrate Dr. Seuss PAGE 4
1 BOOK, 2 BOOK
WHO WAS THEODOR GEISEL?
On March 2, Read Across America Day is celebrated by students, teachers, and community members in towns throughout the country. They chose that date to pay homage to one of the most beloved children’s authors who was born that day: Theodor Geisel. That name may sound unfamiliar to you, but “Dr. Seuss” should ring a few bells. His name alone is so associated with literacy that in 2007, the author of an article in U.S. News & World Report that chronicled the history of 1957 — the year “The Cat in the Hat” was published — wrote, “Greece had Zeus — America has Seuss.” In 2001, Publisher’s Weekly released a list of the bestselling hardcover children’s books of all time in the U.S. Of the books in the top 100, Seuss authored 16, which is more than any other author on the list by a
long shot. But Seuss did not break into the children’s literature industry easily.
Seuss and his nearly 50 children’s books almost never got off the ground. His first children’s book, “And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” was denied by more than a dozen publishers. Legend has it that Seuss was on his way home to burn the manuscript when he ran into an old friend who suggested another publisher. The rest is history. Given the enthusiasm for reading Dr. Seuss has fostered in children for the past eight decades, it’s no wonder the National Education Association chose his birthday to mark a day dedicated to celebrating reading. After all, he’s often quoted as saying, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.”
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