The Medl in News
NOVEMBER 2019
in surprisingly good health, but he has never shared any stories from his time as a fighter pilot, and I’ve never asked. Sometimes these things are best left unsaid. Their time in the service certainly did leave its mark on both men. They were deeply patriotic, believing in everyone’s duty to play an active role in government and preserving the democracy they and many others of their generation fought for. Every Veterans Day, they would solemnly put a flag outside to mark the occasion and speak to the virtues of those who served. Seeing their example gave me some perspective on what it really means to honor those who have given so much for their country.
TIMES OF GRATITUDE
A Day of Thanks and Remembrance
Well, Thanksgiving is coming up, and if you’re like me, you’re trying to ensure you’ve got everything you need for the big feast. Turkey day has always been one of my favorite holidays — believe it or not, I came to enjoy it more than Christmas as a kid. There was something magical about seeing so many relatives all jammed together, enjoying one another’s company. As much as everyone laughed and talked during those family gatherings, there was always something about my father and uncle, and the bond they shared, that stuck out to me. After all, every Thanksgiving, they had already honored a different day of gratitude. My father and his brother were both in the Navy duringWorldWar II. The two had been sent to the Pacific theater, helping to fight back the Japanese empire, but they had very different roles. My father served as a lieutenant on a midsized ship, tasked with hunting down enemy submarines before they could strike. According to him, they never found any subs — and thankfully, none of them found him. My father wasn’t left entirely unscathed by the war, however. While he was on deck watching for the enemy, he stood right next to the ship’s heavy artillery with no ear protection. The rest of his life, we all had to speak up a little louder when talking to him. While my father scanned for enemies beneath the waves, my uncle took to the skies. He flew a Grumman F8F Bearcat, a carrier-based fighter plane designed to go head to head with Japanese Zeros high above the waters of the Pacific. Whether or not my uncle saw action is still unknown to me. He’s alive and
WHILE MY FATHER SCANNED FOR ENEMIES BENEATH THEWAVES, MY UNCLE TOOK TO THE SKIES.
Interestingly, my wife had a very similar perspective thanks to her grandfather. Being Ukranian and a history lover, she’s done a lot to show me the war from the Soviet perspective. Her grandfather was wounded fighting the Nazis on the frozen Eastern Front, a very different experience from the heat and surf of the Pacific. Still, the man shared the same reverence for service
and patriotism that my father and uncle had. Perhaps the bravery it takes to go out and serve your country really is something that transcends borders.
To veterans out there of every generation, thank you for your service.
– Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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TOO BUSY TO WORK OUT?
5 Simple Ways to Stay Active
Do some yoga. You don’t have to push yourself to your absolute limit in order to stay active. There are other, gentler ways to exercise than running 5 miles a day. Tai chi or yoga are excellent low-impact alternatives to keep your body fit and healthy. Reduce TV time. It can be tempting to plop down in front of the television after a long day at work or after dinner, but you can also use this time to be active. Get the family together for a walk around the neighborhood, take a few minutes to dance to some of your favorite tunes, or do some light cleaning around the house. Put a spin on date night. Forget dinner and a movie. Instead, try taking your date out for a round of miniature golf, indoor rock climbing, an evening stroll, a bike ride, or dancing. You’ll have more fun while doing your body good. Grab a leash. Having a dog gives you plenty of opportunities to stay active. If you don’t have a dog, try asking a neighbor or friend if they would like their dog walked, start a dog-walking service, or volunteer at a local animal shelter. There are plenty of ways to make staying active a part of your daily routine! With enough creativity and motivation, you can turn any activity into an active one.
Being active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym every single day. An active lifestyle can be as simple as going for a walk around the neighborhood for a few minutes a day. There are plenty of ways to exercise during daily activities like shopping, spending time with your kids, or hanging around the house. Park farther away. A lot of people will spend several minutes trying to find a parking space as close as they can to the entrance of a store. However, parking a little farther away will help you score a better parking space and make sure you get your steps in for the day.
RIDING SAFELY
Reduce the Tragedy of Motorcycle Crashes
Gary here again. Throughout my life, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing several motorcycle enthusiasts. Many are still dear friends of mine, while others have unfortunately lost their lives. Motorbike accidents are painfully common and extremely deadly for riders. As both a friend and a personal injury lawyer, I’ve seen the catastrophic harm even nonfatal crashes can cause. So, whether you’re a rider or just someone who shares the road with them, please take the following to heart. –Gary Medlin Drivers: Watch for Motorcycles When your mind is trained to look for other cars when turning or changing lanes, it can be easy to miss smaller, two-wheeled vehicles. Many motorcycle crashes are caused by the inattentiveness of car drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Always signal and check for all vehicles before changing lanes or making a left turn. When street parking, have you and your passengers check for passing motorcyclists before opening your doors. A little added precaution could save a life.
Motorcyclists: Wear the Right Gear We understand the appeal of wanting to feel the wind flow through your hair and enjoying the uninhibited freedom of the open road, but the right safety equipment can make all the difference in an accident. Compared to the long-term consequences of brain trauma and painful skin grafting procedures, putting on a helmet, jacket, gloves, riding pants, and boots is worth feeling a little constrained. Motorcyclists: Be Visible The other half of wearing the right gear comes down to being noticeable. Yes, drivers need to do a better job watching for motorcyclists, but when it’s your life in their hands, you should do everything possible to ensure they see you. This means always making sure your lights are working and wearing reflective materials when riding at night. There are even biker patches specially made to serve this purpose — you can sew them right into your favorite riding jacket.
From all of us at the firm, be safe and have fun.
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Combat Drunk Driving
The holidays are almost here, meaning there’s plenty of celebrations to enjoy. But before you decide which side dish you’re bringing to the feast or who you’ll meet under the mistletoe, there’s a far more important step you should plan: how you’ll make it home safely. Car crashes involving one or more drivers under the influence skyrocket this time of year as holiday merrymakers make the mistake of getting behind the wheel. During a season of love and togetherness, it is beyond tragic that so many families lose loved ones to completely preventable accidents. Thankfully, each of us can be part of the solution. Guests If you attend a party, have a plan to get home at the end of the evening. If you want to drive home, then avoid drinking or wait an hour for each standard drink (one shot, 12 ounces of beer, or one glass of wine) before getting behind the wheel. So, if you have five beers, that’s a five-hour wait time before you’re safe to drive — better ask to spend the night or get a ride home.
Hosts If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, take precautions to help all of your guests have a safe night. Collect keys at the door and don’t give them back to anyone who’s had too much. Toward the latter half of the evening, put away hard eggnog and other spirits to help give everyone a chance to sober up. Be prepared to arrange ride-share pickups for guests, or if you have the room, give people a place to spend the night. Drivers Sadly, even if you stay sober, other drivers on the road with you could be intoxicated. The best way you can defend yourself and your passengers is to buckle up and drive defensively. Use caution when approaching and going through intersections, and maintain a generous follow distance from other vehicles. If possible, try not to drive at late hours.
Burnished Potato Nuggets
Brain Buster
Ingredients
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1/4 cup vegetable oil
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5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
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8 cloves garlic, crushed
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Kosher salt
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2 sprigs rosemary
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1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
4. Meanwhile, combine both oils in a large pan and heat in oven for 10 minutes. 5. Remove pan from oven and add potatoes, turning to coat thoroughly. Return to oven and cook for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes. 6. Toss in garlic and rosemary
1. Heat oven to 425°F. 2. In a large pot, pour water over potatoes to cover by 2 inches. Salt water and bring to a boil over medium- high heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes. 3. Thoroughly drain potatoes and let stand uncovered a few minutes to allow steam to escape and potatoes to dry slightly. Toss gently and season with salt.
and cook 8-10 minutes, or until potatoes are golden brown.
7. Drain and serve.
Inspired by Food Network
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
A Day of Thanks and Remembrance
2. SimpleWays to Stay Active
Motorcyclists, Beware
3. Combat Drunk Driving
Burnished Potato Nuggets
4. Fun Facts About Mickey Mouse
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICKEY!
How Much Do You Know About This Famous Mouse?
It’s true what they say: Everything gets better with age. For 91 years, Mickey has brought laughter and joy to both children and adults all over the world. November is Mickey Mouse’s birthday month, so let’s celebrate with these fun facts about our favorite cartoon mouse. AMouse by Any Other Name ... Walt Disney originally named the mouse “Mortimer,” but his wife suggested “Mickey.” Disney later introduced a character named Mortimer, who had little in common with Mickey besides a shared last name and romantic interest in Minnie Mouse. The Most PopularWrite-In Candidate It’s true; Mickey is the most popular write-in candidate during election season. As one Georgia
of the many who believe Mickey Mouse would be an excellent U.S. president, you’re not alone.
First Cartoon Character to Speak Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to be given a voice. His first words, spoken by none other than Walt Disney himself, were “hot dog,” which soon became his catchphrase. Here’s an even more fun fact: The third person to ever voice Mickey Mouse, Wayne Allwine, eventually married the voice actor of Minnie Mouse, Russi Taylor, after they met on the set of a Disney special. A Disco-Dancing Fiend Mickey’s 1979 disco album, “Mickey Mouse Disco,” went double platinum in 1984, the first children’s album to do so. The album included disco versions of Disney songs as well as “Disney-fied” versions of popular disco hits. If you ever want to hear what all the hype was about, you can still find this album on iTunes. These are just some of many fun Mickey Mouse facts to develop over his legendary 91-year legacy. To celebrate Mickey’s birthday on Nov. 18, find your favorite Mickey Mouse movie and watch it with the whole family!
election supervisor noted in 2012, “Mickey always gets votes. If he doesn’t get votes in our election, it’s a bad election.” But he’s not the only Disney character who gets unwavering support. According to a California election worker, “Donald Duck is a close second.” So, if you’re one
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