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January 2026
LOL FOR LOVE Finding Moments of Connection in Laughter
Have you ever heard someone laugh from another room and just know who it is? No two people’s laughs are alike. Every person’s laugh has a distinct acoustic signature, a voiceprint as individual as a fingerprint. As we recognize Global Belly Laugh Day on Jan. 24, I’ve been thinking about how a person’s laugh is a reflection of their personality. My dad had a really big, fill-the-whole-room laugh. I loved his laugh. Even if you didn’t know what Dad was laughing at, it didn’t even really matter. You just wanted to laugh, too. You wanted to join in. As a well-known comedian once observed, laughter is the shortest distance between two people. I began thinking at an early age about how to connect with others that way. How do you elicit laughter? Maybe that’s the origin of my interest in performing stand-up and improvisational comedy. Laughter offered a welcome break from all those important, serious things in life. I loved practical jokes. A terrible one that I liked to do was scaring people. One of my favorites was to lie in wait outside the bathroom and grab people’s ankles as they came out. I WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 351-4017.
thought that was hilarious! Of course, being on the other end was less so, and I risked getting popped in the head. Nevertheless, I was known for that.
We also enjoyed laughing at Dad’s favorite movies. One was “A Christmas Story,” the classic comedy film about a boy and his family in the 1940s. One incident sure to evoke a belly laugh from Dad was the father’s winning “a major award” in a newspaper contest … which turned out to be a table lamp in the shape of a woman’s leg! The movie has jokes the kids get, and jokes the parents get, but strikes timeless themes throughout. In our work, we see how important laughter is to people going through a tough time. Even when people are suffering the loss of a loved one, sharing a laugh can become a kind of corporate hug to draw everyone closer. That is one reason we try to bring as much humor as we can to the work we do, helping people with estate and end-of-life planning. I don’t want to make light of tough times, but I try to stay aware of opportunities to evoke a smile, or a laugh, or a moment of levity. Thanks to my lifelong interest in reading the room, I am pretty good at noticing those opportunities. Whatever the circumstances, laughter really is the shortest distance between two people. And all these years later,
even remembering the tough times our family went through, I am still grateful to my dad for bringing us all together with his laughter.
–Geneva N. Perry, Esq.
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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!
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.
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
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.
The Medieval Cat-astrophe That Invited the Plague OR DID IT?
While we often imagine war between rival nations fighting over an ideological difference or disputed borders, this is not always the case. Throughout history, wars have started for strange reasons, but one example that stands out occurred in the 13th century. Pope Gregory IX was the highest-ranking official in the Catholic Church from 1227 until 1241. During this period, the church had a group of agents called papal inquisitors who would “investigate” and prosecute instances of heresy. Conrad of Marburg was an inquisitor under Pope Gregory IX who strongly believed cats had ties to Satan. Many of the confessions he presented to the Pope contained evidence that cats were evil, which led the Pope to declare war on cats. As you can imagine, this was completely one-sided. The cats couldn’t possibly fight back, and between 1233 and 1234, those loyal to the church and the Pope committed a mass extermination of cats. While this likely sends shivers down any cat-lover’s spine, it also had unfortunate unintended effects.
In the medieval age, cats were primarily responsible for hunting and killing the local rat population. Without cats, rat populations grew unchecked, which could have helped spread the
plague throughout Europe and started the Black Death in 1346.
However, take this story with a grain of salt. Documents from that time show
the Pope never ordered anyone to kill cats or even that cats were satanic. There is no evidence of mass cat exterminations; if it did happen, we have no proof they played any role in the Black Death. It’s another story where the fictitious elements are simply more exciting than the truth.
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TAKE A BREAK
What’s your favorite type of chocolate? Some prefer dark or bitter dark chocolate, while others prefer the deliciously sweet milk chocolate variety. However, another type of chocolate is usually greeted with raised eyebrows from chocolate aficionados. White chocolate is a creamy, milder treat that many argue is not actually chocolate. Here are the facts: Not all chocolate is created equal, especially regarding different types and brands of white chocolate. The Food and Drug Administration states that for something to be considered white chocolate, it must have a cocoa solids content of at least 20% and a milk content of at least 14%. People get confused over the classification of white chocolate because it doesn’t contain any pure liquid derived from cocoa beans. Instead, it must contain at least 20% cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is a fat extracted from cocoa beans by a high-pressure press. This is a time-consuming and expensive process, which is why so many brands skip it and replace the cocoa butter with sugar and other filler ingredients. If you’re curious whether you’re buying real white chocolate, look for a couple of things. If you see white chocolate as white as snow, understand that the cocoa butter has been deodorized and bleached to give it that appearance. This removes the flavor and some of the health benefits. Furthermore, look at the ingredient list for the amount of cocoa butter. If it doesn’t have 20%, it’s not real. The next time someone tells you white chocolate isn’t really chocolate, hit them with the facts! The Truth About White Chocolate Is It Chocolate or a Sweet Impostor?
Boots Candles Carnation Furnace Garnet Hockey Insulate Janus Opposite Resolution
Skating Sweater
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
• 3 dried guajillo chiles • 2 dried ancho chiles • 1 medium onion, chopped • 4 garlic cloves • 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes • 3 lbs beef chuck roast • 2 cups beef broth • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 tbsp dried oregano Ingredients
• 2 tsp ground cumin • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp salt • Pepper, to taste
• Corn tortillas • Fresh cilantro
and diced onion for garnish
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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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Best Sound in the World: The Healing Power of a Good Laugh
1
The Healthy Cure for Your 3 p.m. Crash
2
When the Church Declared War on Cats … or Not
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
3
How to Spot Real White Chocolate
Health Care Has Gone Remote
4
The pandemic helped bring the concept of telehealth into the public eye. Many doctors’ offices urged their patients to book video or telephone appointments if they needed help refilling medications, receiving a prescription for an illness, or getting answers about their symptoms or conditions. Although we’re now a few years removed from the pandemic, telehealth is still going strong, offering patients a wide range of services. While telehealth can benefit people of all ages, it is an invaluable tool for those in their senior years. For starters, it is one of the most convenient ways to get help with your health care needs. Instead of getting in the car when you don’t feel well, you can boot up your computer or hop on the phone from the comfort of your home. One of the greatest benefits of telehealth is how easy it is to reach someone when you have a need or concern. How often have you called a doctor’s office to book an appointment when you feel ill, only to hear their soonest available appointment is not for another month or several months? Telehealth services often have openings at all times of the day to meet your scheduling needs. No Commute, No Germs, No Hassle The Telehealth Trend That’s Sticking Around
Telehealth services can be a game-changer when managing specific conditions and your overall health. Doctors and nurses can help manage medication, monitor chronic conditions to determine whether intervention is required, and provide preventive care to keep you in the best shape possible. While telehealth can’t and won’t replace the doctor’s office entirely, it’s an excellent option for a quick fix or questions!
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