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Review Brooks & Crowley
January 2026
781-251-0555
brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
KEEP IT SIMPLE THIS YEAR SMALL STEPS FOR BETTER DAYS
For many people, January is all about making resolutions, but not for me. I gave up on them a long time ago. I used to make them, and I probably had the same ones for 20 years in a row, but they never stuck. These days, I take the approach you hear from Patriots players when talking to reporters. They always
A lot of this happens outside of cars, too. People don’t say hello anymore. Sometimes they look at you like you’re up to something if you try. Most of the time, it’s not because they’re rude. They might be tired, stressed, worried, or dealing with something you know
nothing about. Everybody gets a turn carrying a heavy load. If you start by assuming that, it’s easier to give someone a little room to have a bad day.
say the same line: “I’m just trying to get a little better every day.” It might drive the media nuts, but it’s honest. And when
it comes to your personal goals, it works better than promising yourself you’ll turn into a new person by mid-January. I like the idea of small improvements because the big stuff usually falls apart. People put pressure on themselves, and the whole thing becomes a chore. You start strong, then life gets in the way, and the resolution fades out. It’s the same reason people start the year by
It’s also easier on you when you remember to slow down and keep your own life simple instead of adding 10 new goals you don’t have room for. Maybe instead
of resolutions, we would be better off focusing on basic things we already know how to do. One of the best pieces of advice I heard came from the grandfather of another lawyer who works in our building. He used to say your body works hard enough, and decisions are hard enough to make, without you making things harder on yourself.
going to the gym every day and then quit by the third week. Consistency is hard when you’re dealing with dozens of different things every day.
This year, don’t stress about making some grand plan to transform your life. Just try to get a little better every day. Treat people the way you want to be treated, think before you act, and take a breath instead of blasting the horn. And keep an open mind for people who have different opinions from you; we don’t have to agree with each other to be civil. These are all small changes, but they’ll make life a bit easier for you and for the rest of us. –Neil Crowley
I see the same thing when I watch drivers out on the road. A lot of frustration comes from people trying to do too much at once and getting wound up. You know the type. Someone who recklessly cuts off five cars because they’re late and not thinking about anyone around them. Or you see someone leaning on the horn like it is a personal mission. On the other side, you have people who mean well but make things worse by trying to be generous at the wrong moment. Someone stops in the middle of a busy road to let another driver out, and the chain reaction ends in a crash because no one else saw it coming.
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When Toilets Were Taboo The Rise and Fall of the Hays Code
in with forbidden words like “lousy” and “cripes.” Even the famous Clark Gable line, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” from “Gone With the Wind” nearly didn’t make it past censors. Religion was another topic of strict censorship. Priests, ministers, and nuns could be stern or gentle but never the butt of a joke or the villain of a story. That’s why Bing Crosby’s Father O’Malley in “Going My Way” was always portrayed with a mix of effortless charm and reverence that kept him safe from censors. Childbirth was also considered improper. Labor scenes were banned outright, and even a shadow on the wall was too much. “Gone With the Wind” managed to slip in a
softened moment with Olivia de Havilland’s character, but only after lengthy arguments with the Code’s enforcers. But bathrooms held the most absurd taboo of all. Toilets and the humor around them simply didn’t exist on screen. Then, Alfred Hitchcock released “Psycho” in 1960 and showed a toilet and a flush. Audiences had never seen anything like it, and the Code’s hold began to crumble. By the end of the 1960s, the system had collapsed, and the rating system we still use today replaced it. Looking back, it’s hard not to believe censors wasted their energy. What once seemed scandalous now feels tame, and the real surprise is just how many everyday things were once off-limits on screen.
In old Hollywood, even the simplest things could cause trouble. A silly sound effect, a bathroom door, or a joke at the wrong person’s expense might get a film pulled before audiences ever saw it. From the 1930s through the 1960s, studios followed the Hays Code, a list of rules meant to keep movies “clean” after scandals in the 1920s made Hollywood look like a bad influence. What began as an attempt to save the industry from outside censorship quickly turned into decades of odd restrictions. One of the strangest bans was the raspberry, or “Bronx cheer.” The harmless noise, created by placing one’s tongue between the lips and blowing, was labeled vulgar and lumped
Homeowners Insurance to the Rescue
Help After an Unexpected Injury
Most people only think about homeowners insurance when a storm blows through and tears up a roof or a pipe bursts and floods a basement. However, the same policy can also apply to other situations. It can come into play when someone outside the household is injured on the property. That might be due to a fall, a bite, or an accident. Often, people don’t discover this until they’re dealing with the stress of an injury. In my practice, I’ve seen numerous claims that are covered under a homeowner’s policy. Dog bites are one group, but there are many others. I even handled a case involving a snowmobile ride that went sideways. One thing I like about these cases is that they usually protect both sides. If someone gets hurt on your property, there’s a good chance your policy will step in. And if you get injured at the neighbor’s house,
the same idea applies. You are not “suing” your neighbor or starting a fight. You’re letting the insurance company do the job they’re getting paid to do, and the process is usually very civil. In the snowmobile case, I sent a polite letter requesting that the homeowner forward it to their insurance company. They made a phone call, and the insurer handled everything. No arguing. No threats. No long meetings. It was straightforward for both sides, and the process worked as intended. If you are ever in a situation like this, you don’t need to guess what might apply. We can examine what happened and determine whether a homeowners policy is involved, without turning it into a circus. These claims are usually easier than people expect, and they can save you from paying
for an accident out of your own pocket. If something happens and you’re unsure what to do, please give us a call. We can assess the situation, guide you in the right direction, and help you keep things simple.
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DITCH THE QUICK FIX Energize Naturally With Simple Daily Habits
It’s 3 p.m., and you’ve hit the dreaded midday slump. For many Americans, coffee or an energy drink may fuel their second wind. When tired, we tend to turn to external sources for a boost, but it’s a temporary fix; we’ll encounter the same issue the next day. Instead, we need to look internally and make changes to improve overall well-being for the long term. A healthier, more consistent way to increase energy is possible! Do you stay up late every night? Do you use your phone right before you fall asleep? Do you have trouble waking up in the morning? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to give your sleep a facelift. Try to go to bed at the same time every night, ideally around 9 or 10 p.m. Put your phone away at least an hour before bed. If this is difficult, practice meditation whenever you feel tempted to grab your phone.
Your diet may also need adjustments. If you skip meals, eat junk food, or snack right before bed, you’ll feel it later. During the day, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and nutrient- rich foods instead. Make time for every meal, stepping away from your work while you eat. If you do not get enough nutrients, supplement your diet with vitamins. Consider your daily movement as well. It might sound counterproductive, but exercise can substantially boost our energy. Exercise improves oxygen and nutrient circulation while allowing us to get better sleep. You don’t have to go through life lacking energy. Make adjustments today for a more energized tomorrow.
Have a Laugh!
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
Ingredients
• • • • • • • •
3 dried guajillo chiles 2 dried ancho chiles
• • • • • • •
1 tbsp dried oregano 2 tsp ground cumin
1 medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
4 garlic cloves
1 tsp salt
1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes
Pepper, to taste Corn tortillas
3 lbs beef chuck roast
2 cups beef broth
Fresh cilantro and diced onion for garnish
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
directions
1. Soak dried chiles in hot water for 15 minutes. 2. Process chiles, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a blender until smooth. 3. Place beef in a slow cooker and pour the chili mixture over it. 4. Add beef broth, vinegar, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 5. Cook on low for 8–10 hours or until the beef is tender. 6. Shred the beef using forks, then mix back into the sauce. 7. Fry tortillas in oil until crispy, then assemble tacos as desired.
Inspired by SimpleWhisk.com
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 A Realistic Start to 2026 2 The Strange Rules of Old Hollywood
Injury Coverage You Might Not Expect 3 The Healthy Cure for Your 3 p.m. Crash
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos 4 January Activities Around Boston and Beyond
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Beat the Chill With Local Fun Boston’s Hottest January Events
NEW ENGLAND BOAT SHOW If you are already thinking about warmer days, you can dream ahead at the Discover Boating New England Boat Show. It runs Jan. 7–11 at the Thomas Michael Menino Convention Center on Summer Street. Billed as New England’s largest indoor boat show and the “perfect winter escape,” this event features a huge collection of boats, gear, and marine
January brings a different kind of energy to Boston. The holidays are over, and the city settles fully into its winter rhythm. It’s a great time to bundle up, get out of the house, and enjoy unique Boston experiences. Here are three local ideas to kick off the new year. FENWAY FEST Before the Red Sox head to spring training, fans can return to the ballpark for Fenway Fest on Saturday, Jan. 10. The event takes place at Fenway Park, MGM Music Hall at Fenway, and House of Blues. Tickets include a full day of family- friendly activities, from autograph and photo sessions to behind-the-scenes tours of spots like the clubhouse and Green Monster. Kids can enjoy face painting and interactive games, while adults can sit in on panel discussions and explore exhibits featuring Hall of Fame memorabilia. Every Fan Fest ticket also comes with a voucher for a 2026 Red Sox game in April or May.
accessories under one roof, along with special features and things to do for visitors of all ages. Show hours run into the evening on weekdays and throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, so you can easily fit a visit around your work or weekend plans. BOSTON CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL Looking for something to break up the dark evenings? The Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest) brings four days of music, song, and dance to venues across Cambridge and Somerville from Jan. 15–18. The festival spreads out across Club Passim, Crystal Ballroom, The Burren, The Rockwell, Arts at the Armory, and Somerville Theatre, with everything from intimate concerts to a full-day “Dayfest” schedule. You will hear traditional and contemporary Celtic sounds rooted in Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebecois, and other communities.
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