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APRIL 2024
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
IS GOLF A HOBBY OR A SPORT?
As someone who did not grow up around golf, I have, for most of my life, considered golf to be a silly sport for the idle rich consisting of hitting a small ball into a hole. Watching golf on TV was synonymous with the phrase “about as exciting as watching paint dry.” That all changed when my now 14-year-old son, Bram, took up golf. Over the past four years, I have watched him steadily develop into a competitive golfer. The sport requires intelligence, athletic ability, humility, tenacity, and lots of hard work. If you have ever tried to actually hit a golf ball, you know it is far from easy. Imagine being in a golf tournament and all eyes are on you when you tee off. It takes a great deal of confidence and composure. Jill and I are far more anxious than Bram. Bram has started off the 2024 season with a flurry of tournaments. The first photo has Bram with Homewood Middle School teammates Bibb Wahl and Patrick Bull. Homewood won the first tournament at Limestone Springs — the Homewood golf coach said it was the first time Homewood had won one since he became the coach. The second photo is from the AJGO Tournament held at Highland Park. Bram, as a 14-year-old, came in third in the 14–15-year-old group. The other photos are of Bram at the Joshua Cup Tournament held at the RTJ Capitol Hill in Prattville. The Joshua Cup is an invitation-only faith and family-based event that had participants from eight states. The first day is coed, and Bram’s teammate was a cute 16-year-old from Missouri who happened to be an Ole Miss fan. Bram’s lucky day! Bram also enjoyed time with other Birmingham area golfers, Drew Fischer and Ross Gurly. I have grown to respect the game. I do watch tournaments on TV with Bram and Jill. I now realize just how hard it is to get a small ball into a hole. Golf may be a hobby, but it is definitely a sport!!
–Melvin Upchurch
• 1 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
Branch Boundaries The Rules on Trimming Branches From a Neighbor’s Tree
7 GOLDEN RULES
For a Streamlined Living Space
We accumulate a lot of stuff as we go through life, and it can pile up quickly. For practical and safety reasons, it’s good to reduce the clutter. If you aren’t sure what to keep, try following these seven rules for decluttering your home. 1. The House Fire Rule: If you’re organizing your belongings and unsure if you should throw something away, ask yourself, “If it burned away in a fire, would I care?” If you wouldn’t mind, you probably wouldn’t mind throwing it out. 2. The 20/20 Rule: Many people keep too much stuff “just in case” they might need it later. Consider giving away the things that cost under $20 and would take less than 20 minutes to replace. 3. The Box Rule: If you’re going through your stuff and feel overwhelmed, put it all in a box and store it in your garage or basement. After six months, scan the box and donate everything you don’t need. 4. The Investment Rule: Memories are more important than objects. A trip to the movies with a friend is always more fun than a new T-shirt. So, be proactive about decluttering by buying more experiences with loved ones instead of more things.
We’ve all been there. A branch looms over your yard, threatening your property. It can do all sorts of damage if it breaks off from drought or a storm. You’d like to trim it to ensure the safety of your home and garden, but the branch belongs to a neighbor’s tree. What do you do? Who is liable? If the tree hangs over your property, you can trim it to the boundary line. If you cut anywhere past the line, you’re liable for damages. You also must ensure you don’t harm the tree — you may incur damages if you do so. You can accidentally harm a tree in many ways, so it might pay to hire a professional. If you destroy the neighbor’s tree, you may be fined triple its worth. This can amount to thousands of dollars; if it is a heritage, ornamental, or otherwise fancy tree, you may owe tens of thousands. Be careful when trimming, and beware of the tree’s roots when gardening. You should communicate with your neighbors if you have any concerns and ensure they’re informed before you start trimming. What if the branch falls? When the worst happens and a tree falls on your property, who’s liable then? The answer is a little more complicated. The owner isn’t responsible if their tree is alive, even if its branches and roots damage the surrounding houses. You have to pay for any damage that a living tree causes. If the tree is dead, however, the owner is liable and will have to compensate you if their tree falls on your property. It’s not always clear that a tree is dead, though. If a tree shows apparent signs of decay like rot or disease, owners must adhere to a “reasonable care standard” to protect their neighbors. Tree law and liability are nuanced. There are exceptions to almost every rule, varying from state to state. Contact an attorney if you need help navigating the branches of tree law.
5. The Home Rule: Everything you own should have a home. It could be a drawer, a room, or a designated spot on the counter. If it doesn’t have a place in your house and is just being stored, get rid of it. 6. The Other People Rule: When buying something, consider why you’re making the purchase. Is it for you or someone else?
For example, a new phone might have better specs, but is it worth the money? And if you’re buying for someone else, consider if it’s something they really need. 7. The 90% Rule: Love everything you own; only own your favorite things. Whether buying new things or decluttering, only save things that bring you joy at least 90% of the time. Remember, you own your things — they don’t own you. Don’t be afraid to give or throw away what you don’t need. If you follow these rules and declutter your home, you can free yourself from the burden of junk.
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YOUR 4-WEEK SPRING-CLEANING CALENDAR
down the countertops and the cabinets. Clean out the microwave and wipe down any other countertop appliances. Congratulations, week two is over!
Spring-cleaning can be overwhelming. From the kitchen counter to the ceiling fan, there’s a lot of ground to cover. But there’s a trick to make it easier: Break down the work into quick, doable tasks spread over four weeks.
Week 3: The Bathroom You’ll want to begin by removing the grime from the showerhead and sanitizing the curtain. The curtain can be scrubbed and air- dried in the sun. Then clean and sanitize the shower and sink. Shine the fixtures, too. For the toilets, get under the rim with a toilet brush and give the much-ignored back some love, too. Now that the toilet’s shining, it is the perfect opportunity to get the floor. Take a little extra time to get the baseboards.
Week 1: The Living Room The start of every journey begins with a single step, and that step is acquiring and prepping supplies. Wash out buckets, empty vacuum bags, throw microfiber cloths in the wash, clean mops, and shake out brooms.
Next, it’s time to clean the light fixtures. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away dust and debris. Then dunk the cloth in soapy water, wring it out, and scrub the light fixture covering the bulb until it shines — just make sure you turn the lights off first. Once you’ve finished the lights, head to the bookshelves. Dust the tops and wipe down the sides. Make sure to wipe down any pictures or framed art on the wall. Lastly, move the furniture and vacuum underneath. Week 2: The Kitchen Clean the dishwasher filter first. Devote the next two days to getting the stove to sparkle, including ridding the vent of grease. Wipe
Week 4: The Bedroom Clean the bedrooms from top to bottom. Wash your pillows and air-dry them. Bedroom ceiling fans can build up a lot of gunk over the winter. Clean them by pulling a pillowcase around the blades and pulling them back. Next, polish any wood furniture. Thoroughly clean the windows with glass cleaner or a homemade mixture of vinegar and water, and remember to clean the window tracks. Lastly, test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
HEARTY LENTIL SOUP
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients
• 2 cups dry lentils • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth • 1 tsp dried thyme • 1 bay leaf • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, diced • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 2 carrots, diced • 2 celery stalks, diced
Directions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. 2. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in lentils, vegetable broth, thyme, and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. 4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Discard the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
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205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
1
Is Golf a Hobby or a Sport?
2
How to Approach Cutting Branches From a Neighbor’s Tree
Transform Your Home With 7 Home Rules
3
Tackle Spring-Cleaning With a Week-by-Week Plan
Hearty Lentil Soup
4
Interior Design Trends for 2024
Color and Warmth Are Back!
HOME IS A HAVEN
“Apricot Crush,” is a nice change and can be offset by greens, purples, blues, or even jewel tones , which help create spaces that evoke a sense of comfort and tranquility. Designers are also moving away from minimalism, opting instead for interiors that cocoon inhabitants in a cozy ambiance. And this means maximalist florals are about to bloom: “From pillows to bedding to area rugs, we’re seeing botanical inspiration creep into all textiles,” says the team from Citizenry. It’s about adding romantic warmth to a room, curating spaces that reflect personal style and provide a soothing retreat from the world. In 2024, interior design is an avenue to turn homes into havens.
Recently, we’ve seen a shift from the harsh industrial mood of the 2010s to soft, sweet, and inviting aesthetics that blend modern elegance with warmth. For example, WGSN’s color of the year,
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