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BRAUNSLAW.COM 404-418-8244 Rain or Shine TAKING THE BUS TO SCHOOL BUILDS CHARACTER
No Days Off Growing up in the North, the reality was that rain, sleet, and snow, were never a concern of the public school system. There could be a foot of snow on the ground, but the bus would still be going on its route, and I would still be walking, uphill, to catch a ride. I love Atlanta, but if there is an inch of snow on the ground, the city comes to a halt. The South is just not equipped for the snow, but the North has to live with it constantly. The bus driver would simply slap some chains onto his tires and call it a day. Sure, that meant that when the bus did come to get us, in the snow, on top of a hill, it slid about 10 feet before coming to a complete stop. Looking back as a personal injury attorney, that is a bit scary to think about, but luckily no one got hurt back then. In fact, these tough walks to the bus stop taught me about grit, work ethic, and gutting through things even when they were difficult. As an adult, I like to think I got to where I am today because I was able to outwork others, and it’s the small things in life that helped me do that. Early Education When I was going to school, they did not separate the younger and older kids. When you took the bus, even if you were a kindergartner, you would sit next to fifth and sixth graders, who had lived a lot more life than you and were aware of some things that they probably should not have been. The bus is where I learned that Santa Claus was not real and got my first lectures on the birds and the bees. The bus is like a shrunk-down version of what life is like in the real world: When you leave your front door, the world is not what you want it to be. It is what it is. That is why my daughter rode the bus to school every day — it’s important to get to know all sorts of people, and to be familiar with the reality of where you grew up, and who is growing up with you.
When you are a kid, your life is full of adventure and exploration. I grew up in rural Baltimore County, Maryland. It was out in the country, with farms and a vast reservoir — much different from what most people think of when they hear “Baltimore.” That wild environment meant the trip from home to school was too far for me to walk. Instead, I had to take the bus. Walking to the Bus While many are lucky enough to have the bus come just down the street from their door, I was not that lucky. Our bus stop was located at the top of a steep hill — and still a good distance from home — but as a kid, I looked forward to these daily walks to the bus stop. It gave me time to use my imagination and think about my day. That was when the weather did not turn that upward climb into the hike from hell.
My daily route to the bus stop, rain or shine (or snow!)
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A Family Guide to Birdwatching The great outdoors is full of incredible wildlife and nature, just waiting for us to get out and explore. Whether you’re going to your local arboretum, a national park, or even your own backyard, you can always find something unique to look at. Sometimes, turning toward the sky will provide an amazing opportunity to see something special. EYES TO THE SKY
other signs indicating birds are nearby. You don’t have to use only your eyes when searching the skies and trees for birds; listen intently, too! Tracking birds through their calls will help alert you to the species you’re searching for and where to look. To keep your kids’ attention as you bird watch,
Need Help? Call Brauns “I have worked with David Brauns and Brauns Law on numerous cases. David is a top-tier attorney with an eye for making the most out of a case. I would highly recommend David and his firm for any personal injury matter.” –Morgan “From the moment I reached out to Brauns Law in need of legal assistance for my second car accident within 6 months, I was treated with the highest standard of legal assistance and provided medical care for the injuries I sustained in my accident. My paralegal, Elsa, made sure my injuries were being treated properly, and my wonderful attorney, Britney, provided me the reassurance I needed so that I would not be taken advantage of by the at-fault driver’s insurance. They handled my case and medical with 5-star treatment. If I had the option, I would give 6 stars. Thank you, Brauns Law.“ –Jonathan We can find birds almost anywhere. If you’re looking for a new way to keep your kids entertained while educating them, looking for birds can be a great family bonding activity. Start by researching the birds in your area, both permanent residents and those migrating. You’ll likely see common birds in your backyard or around the neighborhood, but you may need to travel to a local park to see some of the more unique species. At first, your kids may need some help finding different birds. Binoculars might be too difficult to use, so it’s up to you to point them in the right direction. Look out for nests, cracked seeds, and
you may need to make a game out of it. Create a scavenger hunt to find five birds in your hometown or the area you’re visiting. You can get specific with unique species or keep it broad by having them look for hawks, ducks, etc. Let your child take the lead, encouraging them to point out birds they see or hear instead of relying on you to tell them. You can even encourage your kids to mimic the different birdcalls they hear. Birdwatching is a great way to get your kids outdoors exploring nature. It could even lead to a full-time passion or career in the future.
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The Tale of Tricks and Treats HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN Halloween used to be a lot scarier than it is now. I know what you are thinking: What could be scarier than kids in costumes coming down from a sugar high? As it turns out, the predecessor to our modern holiday, dating back even a century ago, was fraught with danger and scares aplenty. Here is the sordid history of Halloween, and how we got from rampant hooliganism and bonfires to door-to-door trick-or-treating. Celtic Celebrations Our Halloween tradition stems from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, in which the ghosts of the dead would return to our world and druids would divine prophesy. Rather than hitting up their neighbors for candy, the Celts would wear costumes to frighten off spirits and light celebratory bonfires for warmth and entertainment. It marked the end of summer and the bountiful harvest that would provide for them during winter, but it was also the beginning of a dark, frigid season of hunger and death. However, as Christianity spread throughout Europe,
Samhain was replaced by the Catholic holiday of All Saints Day on Nov. 1, and the night before All Saints Day became known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. The Original Halloween Party When Halloween first made its way from Europe to America, it took the shape of a sinister holiday when young kids could dress in costumes and cause chaos. Hooliganism abounded, and houses and personal property was vandalized, desecrated, and adorned with toilet paper. In 1914, Elizabeth Krebs, whose beloved home garden was often destroyed by Halloween pranksters, endeavored to put an end to this tomfoolery. She proposed a Halloween Frolic, a massive party that would bring the community together in collective celebration and fun, which would hopefully drain the energy of would-be hooligans and vandals in her small town of Hiawatha, Kansas. Fortunately for her, it worked, and Halloween slowly became more about candy and partying than destroying as much of your neighbors’ stuff as possible.
Take a Break
BAKED TOFU NUGGETS
INGREDIENTS
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1 block (14 oz) extra firm tofu, drained and pressed 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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2 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp dried oregano
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Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 425 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Cut tofu into small nugget-size pieces. 3. In a shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently toss to combine. 4. Add tofu nuggets to the bowl and toss to coat. 5. Arrange tofu nuggets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. 6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
AUTUMN BOO CANDY COFFEE
FOLIAGE GHOST GOURD MOON
SPOOKY SOUP TAILGATE TOUCHDOWN
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Inside This Issue 1 The Hidden Benefits of Taking the Bus
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Discover the World of Birds What Our Clients Are Saying The Spooky Story of Halloween Baked Tofu Nuggets Neuroscience-Inspired Strategies for a Sharper Mind
SUPERCHARGE YOUR MEMORY Neuroscience-Backed Tips for a Sharper Mind In today’s fast-paced world, having a sharp and reliable memory has become more critical than ever. Fortunately, recent advancements in neuroscience have revealed new techniques to help us improve our cognitive abilities and retain information more effectively. Here are four scientifically backed tips to transform your memory and unlock your full potential. Exercise your brain and body. exhibit increased brain volume in the hippocampus, resulting in enhanced memory performance. Nourish your brain with the right fuel. The saying “you are what you eat” is true for brain health. A diet rich in low-sugar, low-refined carbs and healthy protein and fat sources can support optimal cognitive function. These foods provide the building blocks your brain needs to keep your
Numerous studies have shown that regular physical exercise can profoundly impact cognitive function. When you engage in aerobic activities such as running, cycling, or swimming, you improve your cardiovascular health and stimulate the growth of the hippocampus — the area of the brain responsible for learning and memory formation. Meditate for a sharper mind. Did you know mindfulness and meditation can improve your memory? Researchers have discovered that individuals who practice meditation regularly, even just a few minutes a day,
memory sharp and thinking clear. Practice improves memory.
Practicing regularly is one of the most effective ways to improve your memory. Whether memorizing song lyrics, reciting poetry, or even just trying to recall your daily tasks, the more you challenge your brain to store and retrieve information, the better it will become. So, what are you waiting for? Start exercising, meditating, fueling your brain, and practicing today — your future self will thank you.
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