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THE LEGAL NAVIGATOR APRIL 2023
FROM THE DESK OF Mike Bryan
APRIL FUN FACTS AND HOLIDAYS
April 1 - April Fools Day April 2- National Handmade Day April 3 - National Find a Rainbow Day April 4 - National School Librarian Day April 5 - Passover April 6 - National Student-Athlete Day
Strategies to Live Simply It’s the Little Things in Life
April 7 - Good Friday April 8 - Holy Saturday April 9 - Easter Sunday April 10 - National Siblings Day
April 11 - National Pet Day April 12 - American Civil War April 13 - Thomas Jefferson's Birthday
Today, our lives are filled with distractions. You may hear the ping of your phone when an incoming call or text hits your inbox or feel it buzz and vibrate in your purse or pocket daily. You might surf the web and scroll social media to pass the time. It’s like we’re living in a virtual reality — and I’m not talking about the headset or gaming equipment! No matter where you are — the grocery store, a restaurant, a concert, a family and friends gathering, or other social events — you see people’s faces lit up by the screen of their phones. Living in a world full of distractions and constant entertainment can sometimes cause us to lose sight of the people around us and the good things in our lives. Other times, you may feel pressure to portray a particular lifestyle on social media, which creates unwanted stress.
April 14 - National Garden Day April 15 - Jackie Robinson Day April 16 - World Voice Day April 17 - Patriots' Day April 18 - Tax Day April 19 - Administrative Professionals Day April 20 - National High Five Day April 21 - San Jacinto Day April 22 - Earth Day April 23 - National Picnic Day April 24 - National Autism month April 25 - World Penguin Day April 26 - Pretzel Day April 27 - Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Is there anything we can do instead? Or are we destined to live in an online world disconnected from the real one we’re standing in?
Living simply is one of the best ways to stay present in the moment and live a happier and more fulfilling life. I’m not talking about throwing out your electronic devices and not using technology altogether. Going back to the Stone Age won’t help us! Instead, simple living is adjusting your lifestyle, being mindful of what you pay attention to and purchase, and changing your thinking.
April 28 - National Superhero Day April 29 - International Dance Day April 30- International Jazz Day
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How do you live a simple life? The first thing you want to do is evaluate the lifestyle you have now. What is your everyday routine? What do you look at on your phone? Understand your routine and habits so that you can modify them. After reviewing your daily routine, create a list of everything important to you. Write down your values, goals, and who and what you care about. Be sure to keep this list somewhere where you can
Finally, carve out time to practice gratitude. It’s an easy trap to compare your life to those you see online. Instead, take a step back and think about all the unique life experiences and people you have. Each day, write down a few things you’re grateful for. These can be as simple as getting out of bed in the morning or as complex as you’d like. When you reflect on your life and the good things in it, you develop a deeper appreciation for what you have.
Once we pull ourselves out of our phones and look at the world around us, we start living in the present more completely! Living a simple life allows us to disconnect from our smartphones and other devices and enjoy more time to do what we love. We become more grateful and experience less stress and anxiety.
view it often. When important things are front and center, it’s easier to align your habits and behavior with your values.
Once you’ve outlined your values, create a routine and invest your time in meaningful things to help you grow and achieve your goals. So, the next time you feel the urge to scroll aimlessly on your phone in the presence of your friends and family, ask yourself: “Does this support or diminish my values?” Hopefully, your answer will help you participate more in activities that benefit you.
So, take some time this month to reflect on your daily routine and find ways to incorporate a simpler way of life into your schedule. When you first start, it will be challenging to change your habits. But with patience, dedication, and time, you will reap the benefits of living simply.
One Sniff Can Save a Life NEVER DOUBT A CANINE’S SENSES
After a couple of hours, Frances Wall, Roger’s owner, began calling for Roger. When he didn’t immediately come home when she called, she started looking for him, and that’s when she found Roger and Cohen. She immediately called emergency services, and three firefighters came by the home to free Cohen. They quickly took him to the hospital because they worried about hypothermia.
Dogs are known for their keen sense of smell — on TV, you will often see dogs that can find missing people or even search for drugs and bombs. When dogs use their extraordinary senses for a particular job, they’re often trained for that one purpose, but even without training, dogs do seem to know something is wrong.
Roger, the Jack Russell terrier-poodle mix, is a great example.
Our story takes place in Ringwood, England, in December 2022. Winter was in full swing, with temperatures below freezing. No one wanted to find themselves outside in the cold for too long because it could be dangerous. Unfortunately, that’s what happened to 94-year-old Morris Cohen, and he almost died. Cohen just got home and parked his car in the garage when he found himself in a spot of trouble. As he tried to exit his vehicle, his walking stick suddenly snapped in half. Unable to keep his balance, Cohen fell and became wedged under his car’s brake and clutch pedals. The man called for help several times, but unfortunately, no one could hear his pleas, and he remained stuck overnight. The next day, Roger’s owners let him roam around outside. Roger began sniffing around Cohen’s home (some believe Roger had heard the man’s calls for help), and once Roger found the elderly man, he didn’t leave his side for the rest of the day.
Over a week later, medical staff released Cohen from the hospital, and now he gives Roger treats whenever he sees him. “I owe my life to that dog. They [health care professionals] said that if I would’ve been there for a few more hours, I would have been a goner,” Cohen told Bournemouth Daily Echo. Fortunately for Cohen, Roger’s amazing canine senses saved the day. It’s always great to have a furry friend around — you never know when their incredible skills will come in handy!
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THE POPULAR MEDIEVAL-THEMED SPORT Sharpen Your Skills With Axe Throwing When axe throwing, each match consists of three rounds, and each participant gets five throws per round. To win the match, a player must win two out of the three rounds. In the case of a tie, players will compete in a sudden death round, with the higher-scoring player deemed the winner. An axe-throwing target board is positioned 12 feet away from the competitors, with three rings that increase in point value the closer they are to the center. The bullseye in the middle is worth 5 points, the middle ring is worth 3, and the outer ring is worth 1 point. If an axe strikes the board, then falls, or even sticks into the target and then falls out, it is worth 0 points. Axe throwing is different from archery as some boards also contain two smaller targets in the corners of the board, referred to as the “clutch.” A player must call aloud that they intend to aim for these targets and can only do so on their fifth and final throw; these smaller circles are worth 7 points each. Points are awarded based on where most of the axe head lands on the board, with the outermost ring the axe hits used as the marker. While many participants in axe-throwing leagues are professionals, you don’t have to go pro to join! Skill levels in some competitions range from first-time throwers to pros, so next time you’re looking for a new sport to sharpen your skills, consider tossing your hat into the axe-throwing ring!
Take a Break! Axe throwing is a sport that started small, as a pastime for loggers between jobs since the 1800s. Then, in the 1940s, it was brought into Loggersports competitions that circulated through lumberjack camps as a fun way to determine the top logger. Now it has gained popularity among the general public, and the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) and National Axe Throwing Federation (NATF) exist for those who have taken the sport to the next level and “throw” competitively. You may have seen venues in your town lately for an unexpected sport: axe throwing. And while this historic sport is often used as a popular stress reliever or date night, it has a scoring system and techniques similar to darts.
Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com Tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
8 oz spinach leaves
1/2 tsp salt
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
1 tsp minced garlic
Sliced bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for serving
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Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In a medium pan, steam or sauté spinach until wilted. When spinach cools, ring out excess water, then chop coarsely. 3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. 4. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. 5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dip is bubbly. Turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes so the cheese will begin to brown. 6. Immediately serve with bread, crackers, or tortilla chips.
Buds Conservation Diamond Easter
Lily Planting Refund Regrowth
Shower Sweets Taxes Volunteer
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Mike Bryan PAGE 1 How Can You Live a Simple Life? PAGE 1 Roger to the Rescue! PAGE 2 Axe Throwing: More Than Just a Fun Night Out PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip PAGE 3 Top 3 Extended Stay Destinations PAGE 4
ALL ABOARD THE EXTENDED VACATION TREND
Top 3 Vacation Destinations for a Longer Stay The pandemic slowed us down. Over the past few years, we collectively took fewer vacations, boarded fewer cruise ships, and avoided airports. However, many studies and reports show that now, more than ever, Americans are taking longer vacations! Why might this be, and what are some of the greatest destinations for an extended stay? travel time in 2020-2022, or you saved on gas money while working from home, here are some great destinations that support a longer stay.
Visit the national parks. There is no better way to connect with nature than to tour the national parks. Several epic national park road trips could allow you to pack in a dozen or more of these natural gems in just a couple of weeks! Many national parks also accommodate RVs for comfort and convenience. Drive the California coast. A trip up and down the California coast never disappoints. With so many great places to stop and breathtaking views to absorb, you’ll need at least two weeks to experience them properly. You’ll want to explore the Redwood National Forest, the Lost Coast, Pebble Beach, Monterey Bay, Half Moon Bay, Big Sur, Venice Beach, and many more!
According to Amex Travel’s 2022 Global Travel Trend Report, 55% of vacationers are interested in taking longer trips because they can work remotely. The trend of swapping homes is also on the rise. HomeExchange’s website reports that home exchanges of two weeks or more increased by 13% in January-May last year. According to Travel Pulse, 26% of people opt to take a trip that exceeds 10 days. If you are interested in taking a more extended vacation, whether it’s because your job went remote, you lost out on
Hop aboard a cruise. A cruise is one of the best ways to see many destinations in one trip. You could visit several countries in just two weeks, stopping in different ports to explore! On a cruise, you could see the Caribbean one day and wake up somewhere completely different the next day with a new adventure ahead!
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