Douglass & Runger - July 2020
July 2020
Summer Celebrations From Childhood Fun in Ohio to Big Fireworks in Memphis
The Fourth of July always reminds me of the summers I spent in northeast Ohio. It might not sound very exciting, but as a kid, traveling to Ohio was one of the highlights of my whole year. My mom’s parents lived in Ohio, and since my mom was a teacher and had summers off, we would typically spend about a month visiting them and other family members. My cousins lived near my grandparents, and after about five minutes of shy hellos, we would all instantly become best friends again. We spent our summers running around outside, swimming, playing in the park, shooting hoops, and generally doing whatever we could to pass what felt like endless free time. Every Fourth of July, we would drive over to my aunt and uncle’s house with my grandparents where we would grill out and watch our parents set off fireworks in the drive way. I can think of no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than with my summertime best friends, family cookouts, and giant fireworks. A few summers back, we had a family reunion in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and I saw my aunt and uncle and cousins again. We were back to our old selves, laughing and joking around about the time we spent together during those summers. (Fun fact: At the reunion, I saw my uncle and two of my cousins who are also lawyers. This makes for some great conversation in the family.) While I don’t travel to Ohio much anymore, my wife and I have established Fourth of July traditions of our own. Personally, I watch the hot dog eating contest every year. About the time I start getting the grill ready for our annual party, I turn on ESPN and marvel at these competitive eaters. I love watching the old battles between Japanese competitor Takeru Kobayashi and U.S. competitor Joey Chestnut. It’s must-see TV for me! Later in the day, my wife and I invite the Douglass & Runger team and their friends and family to join us for swimming, grilling out, and of course, a big fireworks show later in the evening. Attorney Megan Wilson and her husband, Andy, help us prepare this big celebration, too. It’s a great opportunity for the whole team to get together outside of the office and bond in a unique way.
our neighborhood, and we’ve become known for it. Even the neighbors have gotten in on the fun, joining our show after word spread about our dedication to a grand fireworks display every Fourth of July. As I write this letter in June, we are not sure what our Fourth of July celebration will look like yet, but I’m sure we’ll still find a way to make the holiday special. Our country has been through a lot in 2020, and while there is plenty of room for improvement, I believe we live in the best country in the world. I believe the protections and rights we enjoy every day are worth celebrating. Every Fourth of July serves as an important reminder of just how far we have come from a group of colonies striving for Independence to the greatest nation in the world. Regardless of how you spent your Fourth of July, I hope you found time to reflect on the freedoms you enjoy every day — and saw some really cool fireworks, too!
Happy Fourth of July!
Now when I say we have a big fireworks show at the end of the evening, I mean big! We light off some professional-grade fireworks in
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NURTURE YOUR CREATIVE PASSION
With These 3 Online Art Courses
Ink Drawing Techniques with Yuko Shimizu A student who prefers ink over pencil can learn drawing techniques through Yuko Shimizu’s class on Skillshare. As a veteran instructor at the School of Visual Arts, Shimizu is ready to help you on your journey to learn the essentials of inking. In the 90-minute course, Shimizu covers a lot of ground, which both novice and experienced ink artists will benefit from. Find this course by searching for ink drawing techniques on Skillshare.com.
All forms of art, like painting, drawing, and even sculpting, can be relaxing hobbies, sources of extra income, or professional careers. And with today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to begin learning a new art form. If you have an eager student at home who wants to try their hand in the arts or perfect their craft, then look into online art courses. There are many different courses available, and you should do some research to see which course is best for your student, but here are three to get you started. Drawing and Sketching for Beginners by Robin Slee This course is available through Udemy, and, at the reasonable price of $29.99, is perfect for anyone wanting to test the waters. Slee takes students through the key fundamentals of drawing, such as how to hold a pencil correctly and how to make different kinds of marks. His calm voice and simple explanations in each course help students feel encouraged as they work. The course comes with three hours of video content segmented into 25 modules and a Q&A section where students can post questions, ask for feedback, and share their work. Find this course at Udemy.com/course/sketching-for-beginners. A Healthy Split Marriage is almost always entered into with the idea of happily ever after, and divorce is rarely the goal, which can lead many divorcees to wonder what they did wrong. At Douglass & Runger, while we always encourage potential clients to attempt to work out the issues in their marriage and stay together, sometimes marriages are broken beyond repair. We don’t believe divorce is a failure. In fact, we believe divorce can actually be a healthy decision entered into by two people who are ready to move on and do what’s best for their families. If you’re contemplating divorce or battling feelings of guilt, consider these three positive effects of divorce. Setting an Example Co-parenting is a much healthier display of a relationship than staying in a bad marriage. You will not fail your children by opting for a divorce. Children feed off the examples you set for them. Some experts even believe that children whose parents divorce while they are young cope with this major life change better than adult children. Divorce can help teach your children lessons about finding a strong partner, building confidence, and seeking future healthy relationships.
NewMasters Academy Known as one of the best art academies online, New Masters Academy (NMA) offers hundreds of hours of prerecorded video lectures that students can watch and follow along with as they paint, draw, and sketch. The standard fee starts at $35 a month, but with a premium membership at $44 a month, students can access NMA’s 3D reference library and over 20,000 reference images. To learn more and become familiar with the academy’s instructors, visit their website at NMA.art.
WHY DIVORCE COULD BE THE BEST DECISION YOU MAKE
Finding Growth You may be nervous about living on your own or worry about sadness around the holidays, but you should consider your level of happiness in your marriage. You can still feel lonely, stifled, and lost when you’re with the wrong partner. Divorce offers a new chapter. It’s a chance to learn something new, find peace by yourself, and grow into a person you love. Getting a divorce gives you new opportunities that your current or past relationship may be stifling. Fostering Better Relationships This benefit is twofold. First, divorce offers you another chance at finding a partner who better suits you. Dating after divorce isn’t easy, but it can be an opportunity for new happiness in a relationship if that’s what you want. Secondly, divorce could be what finally ends bad communication between you and your ex. Without the pressure of marriage, honest, real, and succinct conversations can help you and your ex communicate more effectively when necessary.
For as many good reasons as there are to divorce, we know it’s never an easy decision. If you’d like to inquire about your divorce process, or if you need help with other legal matters, please visit our website at DouglassRunger.com to learn more. We’re here to guide you through whatever life tosses your way.
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No-Churn
S'mores Ice Cream
July is National Ice Cream Month, so why not cool off with some sweet, homemade s’mores ice cream? You don’t even need an ice cream churn! INGREDIENTS:
PET PROBLEMS
WHO GETS SPOT AFTER THE DIVORCE? If you live in one of the 67% of American households that owns pets, there’s a good chance you think of them as family. However, Tennessee law doesn’t have the same opinion as you. It can be difficult for couples facing divorce to learn that dogs, cats, and other pets are legally considered property. This fact leaves the family pet susceptible to distribution, similar to property, vehicles, and possessions. However, unlike bank accounts or other financial assets, you can’t split a pet in half. It's important to keep multiple factors in mind when deciding what to do with a pet. If you have kids, one of the easiest ways to determine where the family pet should live is to consider where your children will primarily live. For most kids, having a pet in the home softens the transition of a divorce and helps them emotionally process this change. It may be a lot for just one parent to manage both the children and the pets, but it could be the best option for kids. However, there are other important considerations to keep in mind, especially if you don’t have kids. Ask the following questions and others to help reach a decision: Who is available to give the pet attention? Who can afford the pet? Who has the right home environment best suited for the pet? If you and your soon-to-be ex cannot come to an agreement on your pet’s future home, a mediator could potentially help determine the best solution. In some cases, joint custody —an arrangement similiar to joint custody of children — is an option. Some couples may choose to have the pet travel with the child between households rather than having it occupying one home. If an agreement cannot be made outside of court, then a judge will make the final decision, but keep in mind that pets are seen as property by the courts. A judge’s decision may seem callous, but their decision-making process is based on property distribution considerations and other factors. And remember, while no other pet can replace the one you love, there are plenty of animals in need of good homes. You can always adopt after your divorce. At Douglass & Runger, we know that your family wouldn’t be complete without your pets. That’s why we do all we can to find them the best home during your divorce. Learn more about how we can help you through a divorce and other legal concerns at DouglassRunger.com.
•14 oz sweetened condensed milk •2 tsp vanilla extract •10 graham crackers, crushed •1 chocolate bar, chopped •2 cups whipping cream, chilled
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, graham crackers, and chocolate. 2. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat whipping cream until peaks form, about 3 minutes. 3. Fold whipping cream into the condensed milk mixture. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 8 hours. 4. Serve and enjoy on a hot summer day. It’s especially delicious in a waffle cone!
Inspired by GrainChanger.com
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe INSPIRATION
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Inside This Issue
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Summertime Fun with Friends and Family
Taking Art Classes From Home Thinking About Divorce? Why It Can Be a Healthy Choice Where Does the Pet Live After a Divorce? Homemade S’mores Ice Cream
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The Timeless Lessons of Mr. Rogers
LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM MR. ROGERS How the Television Star Shaped Childhoods
Fred Rogers may have passed away in 2003, but the world he created remains with us. In 2018, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” documented his life and outlook, and in 2019, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” depicted Rogers and the journalist whose life was changed by the star of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” These movies demonstrate that we’re still fascinated with the man behind Daniel Tiger and King Friday. Why? In part because the lessons Rogers so thoughtfully depicted are as relevant for today’s generation as they were for those who grew up watching his show. Imaginative play is a foundation of childhood. “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood,” Rogers said. Rogers knew that play, which can seem inconsequential to grown-ups, is an important part of childhood development. Imaginative play allows children to step outside of their own perspective and experience another. In the process, they engage in abstract thinking and expand their universe. Mr. Rogers encouraged viewers to
use their imaginations by creating a fantastical world called the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
We all deserve to be loved. Rogers knew that not everyone has someone at home who tells them that they are special and loved. So he took it upon himself to tell viewers, ending each episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” by saying, “You’ve made this day a special day by just your being you.”
Feelings are mentionable and manageable. Rogers helped viewers understand that it’s okay to feel mad, sad, and scared, and he helped countless children learn healthy ways to cope with tough emotions. This was a mission dear to his heart. Margaret McFarland, a child psychologist at the University of Pittsburgh who became the chief psychological consultant for “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” shared with Rogers the concept he turned to again and again on the show: “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and whatever is mentionable can be more manageable.”
You can explore more of Mr. Rogers’ enduring messages at MisterRogers.org. Share “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” with your children and show them a world where they can grow, learn, and play.
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