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POPALOCKKY.COM
KEYSTROKE MONTHLY THE
MAY 2020 A HUGE THANK YOU
If there’s one way this pandemic has changed my perspective, it’s in how I view some of the essential parts of our country’s workforce. Even though it seems like we might be on our way out of the worst part of this whole ordeal, the ways that millions of people across the United States have worked tirelessly to keep everyone healthy and keep several of our stores and businesses open have been inspiring to see. I think we all owe them a huge thank you. First things first, I want to thank all of our first responders in the health care industry. That includes not just the doctors and nurses, but everyone else who kept our hospitals up and running. As bad as things seemed to be for our country for a while, I know things would have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for the hard work, dedication, and bravery of all our health care workers on the front lines, who risked their health, and sometimes their lives, to save the lives of others. While our health care workers kept our citizens alive and healthy, everyone working at our grocery stores should be applauded for making sure all of us had access to the food and supplies we needed during the quarantine. All of them played a crucial role in keeping our society up and running as much as they could. The same can also be said for everyone working in transportation, from our truck drivers and delivery drivers to our bus drivers. All of them made sure that both supplies and people could still get wherever they needed to go so the rest of us wouldn’t have to risk our health by leaving our homes. They may not have done everything perfectly, but I also want to thank the leaders in our city, state, and national governments for their hard work in fighting the virus. I can’t imagine that any decisions they’ve had to make during this time have been easy, but they’ve all tried to make the best decisions they could based on the information they had. I’m grateful for the ways all of our government officials have stepped up and done remarkable work in this time of crisis. Finally, I want to specifically say thank you to our dedicated team of workers here at Pop-A-Lock, as well as to our customers. A lot of people are afraid to work, and not without reason. That’s why I’m proud of my team for the precautions they’ve taken, like wearing masks and gloves and using hand sanitizer, so they can keep helping our customers safely. None of them have once complained about
having to work during this time. I also just want to say a quick thank you to our customers for continuing to call on us during this time. Without you, it would be a lot more difficult to keep our doors open. Before I sign off, I just want to say that we realize and are saddened by the ways this pandemic has negatively affected families in our communities. Some of you have lost your jobs, while others have lost loved ones, and our sympathies go out to all of you. This pandemic hasn’t discriminated in any way. No one will come out of this season unaffected. That said, the ways people have come together during this time brings me hope. People are incredibly strong when they come together during hard times, and I believe that togetherness will outlast our current pain and challenges. To all of you reading this, stay safe and stay healthy!
-Doug Barnes
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TURN YOUR VACATION INTO A STAYCATION
a variety of possibilities. You can turn a sandbox into a relaxing beach, complete with a kiddie pool “ocean.” If you have trees, then set up a zip line or obstacle course. You can even stimulate summer brains with a scavenger hunt around the backyard with hidden clues in the dirt or bushes. The ultimate prize can be something you would have purchased on your original vacation, like a souvenir you can find online. CREATE A ‘FAMILY MUSEUM’ Many vacations include an educational aspect in order to enrich our understanding of the place we’re visiting, and museums are a great way to accomplish that. If you’re confined to the house, then teach your kids about your own knowledge and interests and encourage them to get creative and make their own contributions, too. Have everyone create art, take photos, or write about their prized possessions. Display these masterpieces around your home and let their
creators take you on a tour. Learning more about one another builds meaningful bonds.
BRING YOUR TRIP HOME You probably chose your original vacation destination in order to experience new and different cultures and activities. But just because you’re no longer traveling to that location doesn’t mean you can’t experience some of what it has to offer! Research popular local cuisine, activities, and history of the area, then create ways to experience them with your family. Cook a traditional meal, recreate a scenic location through photographs, or share a story about local lore and history. Your changed plans will no longer feel like a missed opportunity. Staying at home doesn’t mean your family can’t have the fun of a vacation. All it takes is a little creativity and innovation to build an experience that will bring your family closer together.
Vacations provide opportunities for families to spend time together in a relaxed environment, get away from the routines of everyday life, and create meaningful memories. If you’ve recently had to cancel a trip but still want to create the experience of a vacation for your family, then a staycation is just what you need. TRANSFORM YOUR BACKYARD When you’re trying to recreate a vacation, the outdoor areas of your home present
Never Stop Learning With This Online Business Even though many states have announced that certain workplaces and industries will be reopened soon, there’s a good chance that many of us will still be stuck at home for at least a little while longer. Whether that’s because your work allows you to work from home or your state government labeled your work “nonessential,” many of us still have lots of spare time on our hands and maybe not a lot to do with it.
During this time, MasterClass really comes to the rescue. MasterClass is an online learning platform that lets you learn new skills from people who have mastered them. Want to learn how to cook better while you’re stuck at home? Check out Gordon Ramsay’s lessons for kitchen novices. Want to hone your writing skills? Pick up some tips from Malcolm Gladwell, famous author of “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.” There are more than 50 different classes to choose from, and all of them are taught by the foremost experts in their respective fields. Best of all, you can access classes from any device, including your smartphone, tablet, or computer. While the site has certainly found its time to shine during this pandemic, MasterClass creators David Rogier and Aaron Rasmussen originally wanted it to be a place where people could learn interesting skills from the people who do those things best. It’s a place where inquisitive minds can thrive, no matter the circumstances.
Each “class” is made up of a series of around 20 video sessions, and each session runs for about 10 minutes — though some do run as short as five minutes and as long as 25 minutes. The pace at which you learn a new skill is completely up to you. If we can learn anything from even the purpose of MasterClass, it’s that nothing, not even a global shutdown, should stop us from learning new things. And even though MasterClass is a subscription-based service, you can still sample classes for free online to see if it’s the right service for you.
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PROTECT YOUR HOME AND SPRUCE UP YOUR PROPERTY With the Best Home Security Plants Around
While there’s no substitute for a good, sturdy lock when it comes to home security, you can take a few extra measures to keep your home safe from intrusion — and sometimes, those measures mean sprucing up your yard as well! We’re in the middle of the spring season, the perfect time for planting. Why not plant some bushes and trees that will help keep your home more secure and look good doing it? Here are a few plants to consider. BERRY PLANTS Anyone who has ever been berry picking knows not to reach too far into the foliage. While gooseberry, blackberry, and raspberry plants produce delicious fruit that can be a part of any summer salad, their stalks are also covered with innumerable little thorns. Placing these under your windows will disincentivize any would-be intruder from getting in and taking anything — except maybe some berries, but those will grow back. ROSE BUSHES When it comes to protecting your home with greenery, no list would be complete without this classic flower. More than just the favorite flower of every Valentine’s Day gift-giver and songwriter everywhere, you can also plant these thorny beauties below your window to deter intruders much like berry plants would. Anyone who has ever had roses in their garden knows just how much those thorns can hurt if they poke you.
HONEY LOCUST TREES These trees grow tall and just look plain menacing. In all honesty, the mere thought of getting poked by one might be
enough to deter any intruder. Honey locusts can grow up to 100 feet tall, with wide-reaching branches and 6-inch long spikes on the trunk and branches. Planting a couple of these in your yard, especially near any second- story windows, might be one of the most natural-looking defenses against home invasions. If you’re curious about other ways you can better defend your home from intruders, be sure to visit the Pop-A- Lock website for a free home security inspection checklist, and be sure to give us a call for any lock repair, installation, and rekeying you might need.
HERE TO HELP
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT WATERMELON AND TOMATO SALAD WITH TURMERIC OIL
Inspired by PaleoLeap.com
Inspired by BonAppetit.com
INGREDIENTS • 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil • 1 tsp peppercorns, coarsely crushed • 1 tsp coriander seeds, coarsely crushed • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 4 cups seedless watermelon, diced into 1/2-inch pieces • 2 medium heirloom tomatoes, diced into 1/2-inch pieces • 8 oz mild feta, diced into 1/2-inch pieces • Flaked sea salt
DIRECTIONS 1. In a small saucepan, heat coconut oil, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and turmeric for about 3 minutes or until fragrant. Let cool slightly but do not let coconut oil solidify.
2. In a large bowl, place diced watermelon, tomatoes, and feta. Drizzle with oil mixture and finish with a dash or two of salt.
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POP-A-LOCK 739 MILLPOND ROAD LEXINGTON, KY 40514 POPALOCKKY.COM
LEXINGTON SOUTHERN IN 859-253-6736 502-895-6736 812-288-7576 LOUISVILLE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE A THANK YOU TO ALL THE HELPERS PAGE 1 3 ENRICHING STAYCATION IDEAS THE BUSINESS THAT HELPS YOU NEVER STOP LEARNING PAGE 2 3 PLANTS THAT WILL DEFEND YOUR HOME FROM INTRUDERS
WATERMELON AND TOMATO SALAD WITH TURMERIC OIL PAGE 3 BOTANICAL GARDENS IN THE US PAGE 4
LIVING MUSEUMS
Our Nation’s Botanical Gardens
In 1842, the Wilkes Expedition returned from its trek across the Pacific Ocean on behalf of the United States government, having visited parts of Portugal, Brazil, Antarctica, and Fiji. Among the specimens the explorers brought back from their travels were collections of plants gathered from around the world — just what the young nation needed to start its very first botanical garden. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams had a shared dream of creating a national botanical garden, but the idea didn’t really get off the ground until the Wilkes Expedition brought back the garden’s first plants. The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) was established in Washington, D.C., and four of the plants on display there today are part of the original collection brought back from the expedition. Since it’s not always possible to go on vacation and visit far-off gardens, many botanical gardens around the world have started bringing the flora right to you with virtual tours. In addition to the USBG, which offers virtual tours at USBG.gov/take-virtual-tour, check out these other gardens that allow you to explore without having to leave your home.
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN In the spring, the Chicago Botanic Garden staff invited virtual visitors to join them for a nature moment. Garden staff shared images from around the 17 gardens kept there. The Chicago Botanic Garden continues to wow with virtual tours that, thanks to Google’s technology, make you feel as if you’re really there. Start your tour at ChicagoBotanic.org.
WADDESDON MANOR AND GARDENS This historic site across the pond in England gives
visitors detailed virtual views of the Waddesdon Manor and its stunning gardens. Each day at Waddesdon Gardens, the staff designates a specific area as a “Silent Space,” where visitors can go to disconnect and find peace. The Gardens also created a special message for their virtual visitors that we can all take to heart: “We encourage you to find a space in your garden or in your home that feels peaceful and designate a time each day to enjoy a quiet moment of reflection.” To see this historic site for yourself, visit Waddesdon.org.uk.
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