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Life Lessons From Grandma RULES FOR SUCCESS I CHERISH lymanfirm.com The Lyman Firm Newsletter TELEGRAPH Amicus Curiae www.LymanFirm.com 404-267-1986 February 2019 2860 Piedmont Road, Suite 275, Atlanta, GA 30305 The Truth About Lyman Beginning a Journey Starts with Dedication to Transparency T: 404 267 1986 F: 470 745 0699 The Lyman Firm Newsletter SEPTEMBER 2024
Some golfers think of Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus when they hit a hole-in-one. I think of my grandma. My grandmother was one of my favorite people on the planet. She taught me to play golf, which is one of my favorite things. So far in my golfing career, I have hit a hole- in-one three times, and she was the first person to come to mind each time. in my younger days. I lead The Lyman Firm as a proud curator of justice for the everyday person, somebody who might not have gotten a fair shake before they met me. I believe one person can be the face of a greater movement, In recognition of National Grandparents Day, I have been reflecting on the major role she and my grandfather played in my life. They were both such cool people. They were children of the 1930s and 1940s, an era when good manners were a major focus. They took me golfing at their country club when I was 9 and taught me the etiquette of the game. I learned to be polite and cordial to others. I learned not to show my temper when angry. I always extended my hand when meeting new people, saying, “Hi, I’m Thomas. It’s nice to meet you.” My passions weren’t always for courtroom thrills, though. Growing up in Smyrna, I sought to chase a different kind of rush: the roar of the racetrack. I wasn’t half bad either, eventually taking my hobby for auto racing from amateur status in 2004 all the way to semi-pro in 2007. Unfortunately, like so many other things that went down along with the economy the following year, my racing career crashed in 2008. Shattered by the abrupt end to my racing journey due to a lack of financing, I’ll never forget learning how to dress for golf. Like most kids, I loved wearing shorts. When we were invited to play golf as guests of other players, my grandfather would take me aside and say, “Look, you have to wear pants when you play at somebody’s club.” That rule came back to bite me later as an adult. When I showed up at a golf course near Pebble Beach wearing shorts, “I believe one person can be the face of a greater movement, and these are the everyday people — the I was quietly told, “This is a pants-only club,” and I had to go home and change. I’m sure my grandpa was looking down on me, saying, “You idiot!” While my grandma wasn’t a pro-level golfer, she knew the game inside and out. She was more of a teacher. She enjoyed the outdoors and the camaraderie with other golfers. After she and my grandfather G eorgia is a blue-collar state — a grassroots mix of farmland, mountains, and urban development representing ever-expanding opportunities. Being a native of North Atlanta, I have spent most of my life in this fair state, cultivating both my character and my profession as I grew up. Now, I have a distinct opportunity to help those around me in ways I hadn’t anticipated and these are the everyday people — the heroes — I work for as I drive our cases forward to the fullest extent within our legal system, fighting for what’s right. heroes — I work for as I drive our cases forward to the fullest extent within our legal system, fighting for what’s right.”
retired to Hilton Head, she was the Mama Bear of the ladies’ golf group, a position that carried a fair amount of “pomp and circumstance.” My grandparents also taught me another uncommon skill these days — bridge. Like golf, bridge requires players to stay focused and concentrate. The game has fallen out of favor with younger generations, but for me, it was fun to learn. Years later, in my late 20s, I lived near a senior center and enjoyed visiting the older folks there to play. They thought it was awesome that this young guy was showing up for bridge. My grandparents never let generational differences come between us. I accompanied them to the airport years ago to pick up an older relative. Back then, I was a weird- looking hippie-type dude with dreadlocks. As our relative rolled up in a wheelchair, she saw me standing nearby and remarked to my grandparents, “Before we leave, let’s give that homeless kid some money.” to school at Georgia State. After spending years as a writer and editor, I discovered and followed my newfound calling and began practicing law after graduating from law school. My grandparents just laughed. “Oh, that’s our grandson!” they told her. “Come on, let’s go.” My grandparents were married for at least 60 years. It was no surprise to any of us that they died within a year of each other. They were still so much in love. If anything, my grandpa was the pursuer, and my After years of unparalleled grit, drive, and success in the field of law, I was fortunate enough to be able to open my own practice in January of 2018. This new venture has even allowed me to work alongside my brother, a paralegal and case manager, in what has been one of the most exciting periods of my life. For now, our plans for the future include an imminent expansion of the firm and growing the company in ways that still allow us to keep our fundamental values and operations in check. grandma was like, “Yeah, this guy …,” and she would laugh about it. But she could do no wrong in his eyes. When Grandma passed, I went to Hilton Head for the funeral. I was scheduled to play in a golf tournament at my club that weekend, and everybody in the family was telling me, “Look, Grandma wouldn’t I began to look for a new avenue to pour my passions into. As we grow older and further away from our teens and 20s, we begin to realize that life isn’t always about going fast, both literally and metaphorically. It was during my post racing downtime that I realized I wanted to go back At home with my wife Lindsay beside me, and our two children — our five-year-old son
have wanted you to hang around to mourn her. You’ve done your part, you’ve paid your respects. Now go play in your golf tournament. That’s what she would have wanted!” So, I went back. And as I played in the tournament, I was thinking, Grandma is here. She is watching, reminding me, “Just make sure you hit a good shot!” Sure enough — I hit a hole-in-one! That’s when I tell them that there are a million different lawyers out there doing a million different things, but when I take on your case for a serious injury or a wrongful death suit, you’ll remember me as a man who gave you the best possible chance while shooting you straight every step of the way. James and three-year-old daughter Cleo — I am fully immersed in the fun-loving, homely, and exciting life of my family. They are my foundation, and without them nothing would be possible. But I also have a second family of sorts in my clients, whom I treat with the respect and attention a person is owed whenever they find they’re backed in a corner and need help. The pleasure I get from representing good, honest people in the courtroom is unrivaled when compared to the other fields of profession I’ve engaged in life. Oftentimes, I ask a client to share the names of the attorneys they’ve worked with on other cases. Almost none of them are able to muster an answer — the names of their lawyers completely lost in the tides of life’s trials.
Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa — for everything.
-Thomas Lyman www.LymanFirm.com | 1 -Thomas J. Lyman
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These Financial Tips Still Work!
LIFE LESSONS FROM THE GREAT DEPRESSION
and more help people earn enough to make ends meet. If all else fails, be open to moving to a cheaper area, like some families chose to do during the 1930s. Get in the Kitchen The cost of dining out continues to rise, meaning cooking at home is an easy and fun way to save money and connect with your family. Even if you lack culinary skills, you can find many inexpensive and satisfying Depression-era recipes online or in your grandmother’s recipe box. Not everyone enjoys cooking, but knowing your way around a kitchen will dramatically decrease your monthly food bill. Don’t Replace — Repair! What do you usually do when an appliance breaks down? Do you call someone to repair it or just get a new one? Both options are costly, and neither were feasible during the Great Depression. What did they do back
then? They fixed it themselves — a practice that’s even easier in modern times thanks to the internet. YouTube is an excellent resource for DIY tutorials for various products, and you can often find step-by- step instructions for specific models! Watch Those Pennies A famous quote during the Great Depression is still relevant even after more than eight decades. It goes, “If you watch your pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.” In other words, spare change adds up. Whether you’re putting away 20 bucks or 20 cents, it’ll add up to big savings in time. During the Great Depression, people came together to support their communities, knowing there was strength in numbers, especially regarding survival. Despite being so far in the past, you can leverage the wisdom of the era to climb toward a brighter financial future tomorrow.
Breadlines, tent cities, people struggling to find work — the Great Depression was a national struggle. Reflecting on this historic time offers invaluable lessons on survival, community building, and resilience. What can we learn from such a tumultuous period? Let’s explore four enduring life lessons from this era. Be Flexible Adaptability is critical to surviving tough times. If and when those situations arise, learning to live within our means is crucial, which requires a lot of flexibility. During the Great Depression, people knew odd jobs were better than no job at all, and these days, several apps like Uber, Instacart,
AMERICA’S MOST BIZARRE LEGAL RELICS LAWS GONE WILD!
Get married in Texas by publicly announcing yourselves as husband and wife three times. Make it legal with three public announcements, even if only one spouse is present for the proclamation. The requirement states that both parties must be willing participants, over 18, and unrelated. All cats in New Jersey must wear three bells to alert birds of their whereabouts. Outdoor cats are notoriously dangerous to the local wildlife populations, and Cresskill, New Jersey, decided they needed a law to protect feathery friends from their greatest foes. We’re not sure the cats are on board with this rule. If you’re caught flirting in New York, you could pay a $25 fine. In the early 1900s, flirting was such an issue that cities held an annual Anti-Flirt Week. This law aimed to help women feel safer on
Thanks to our country’s perpetually in flux judicial system, countless laws are still on the books that echo times long gone. They’re outdated and absurd, often leaving citizens wondering, “What necessitated that rule?” Let’s look at some bizarre laws from across the U.S. (even if no one enforces them)! If you’re in Wyoming, avoid tattooing any horses. This law was made to stop people from making horses unrecognizable to their owners. Apparently, that was a big enough issue back in the day that it needed to be codified. Don’t tie your giraffe to a telephone pole or streetlamp in Georgia. Isn’t it embarrassing when there’s nowhere to tie up the family giraffe on a quick errand? Wait, what? Don’t tie that long-necked beauty to the wrong anchor point in Atlanta. It’s believed this rule was enacted to prevent animal abuse, but it is unclear why lawmakers got so specific.
the streets by diminishing catcalling from passing motorists. Reportedly, a second offense would require the offender to wear horse blinders in public! While these laws may seem silly, no one enforces them anymore — even though they’re still on the books. Instead of holding any weight, they offer a glimpse into the concerns of our forefathers. The next time you encounter a strange law in your town, take a moment to ponder the history; you never know what you might learn about the place you call home.
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Baby showers are entertaining, but nesting parties are fun and functional! This viral trend has been all over social media for good reason! Essentially, you invite over friends and work together to tackle tasks for the baby’s arrival. If this sounds like a good idea, here are four tips to keep your nesting party productive and enjoyable. Make a list of tasks and gather supplies beforehand. Does the nursery need to be painted or decorated? Does furniture need to be assembled? Do you have equipment that needs to be installed or tested? What about sanitizing bottles, washing and folding baby clothes or linens, and organizing the baby’s room? Figure out the priority tasks, then collect all the necessary supplies to complete the jobs at the party. Carefully select your guest list. Who is the most helpful amongst your inner circle? If you have friends notorious for hiding when a chore comes up, they probably wouldn’t be a good guest for your nesting party. But don’t invite too many people! As the saying goes, “Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the soup.” Delegate jobs based on individual strengths. As guests arrive, dole out tasks based on their strengths. Is your cousin great at organizing? Put them in charge of the baby’s room. Is your bestie an excellent cook? Have them work on meal prepping some freezer options for those post-partum days when you need to fuel your recovery but don’t have the energy to feed yourself. Is your brother a gym rat? Assign him to rearrange furniture and other tasks requiring muscle. Aligning the tasks with everyone’s preferences or skills keeps frustrations to a minimum so you can enjoy this time with your loved ones. Keep it simple. Order takeout from a favorite local spot, provide beverages, and use disposable options for tableware. Remember, while fun is sure to be a byproduct of spending time with loved ones, the goal is to be productive, so the more manageable the party is to clean up and take down, the better. Skip the Baby Shower — Throw a Nesting Party! This Viral Trend Spotlights a Mom’s Needs
TAKE A BREAK
PERFECT PEACH COBBLER
Ingredients
• 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces • 1/2 cup milk • 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 6 cups sliced fresh peaches • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. 2. In a large bowl, combine peaches, sugar, 2 tbsp flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg; mix until blended, then spoon into prepared dish. 3. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. 4. Cut in butter with forks or pastry knife until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 5. Add milk and stir until just blended. 6. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto peach mixture and drizzle melted butter on top. 7. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until top is golden brown.
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404-267-1986 www.LymanFirm.com 2860 Piedmont Rd Atlanta, GA 30335
404-267-1986 www.LymanFirm.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
2860 Piedmont Rd., Suite 275 Atlanta, GA 30305
INSIDE THIS ISSUE INSIDE THIS ISSUE
How 2 Amazing Grandparents Shaped My Life
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My Life in the Courtroom, the Home, and the Racetrack Time-Tested Financial Tips
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3 Wild Divorce Settlements Ways to Invest in Yourself After Retirement Bistecca Alla Fiorentina The Most Iconic Super Bowl in NFL History Perfect Peach Cobbler Bizarre Laws That Are STILL on the Books! What’s a Nesting Party? Plus, How to Throw One!
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Let’s Retire These Health Myths
‘Survivor’s’ Erik Huffman Arrested for Domestic Violence
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The 5-Second Rule Will Make You Sick 3 Health Myths You Probably Believe GETTING VOTED OFF THE ISLAND? This ‘Survivor’ Couple’s Marriage Might Be on the Rocks!
We live in the golden age of information. The answers to many of life’s questions are just an internet search away. Despite this readily available wisdom, we still have a bad habit of believing health-related myths. Here are three popular health “facts” that are total works of fiction. Reality star Erik Huffman was arrested for domestic violence charges following an alleged public altercation with his wife, Jaime Dugan, another alum of “Survivor.” The couple met while filming the show in 2007 and have been together since — however, new information hints at trouble in paradise for the pair. THE 5-SECOND RULE KEEPS FOOD SAFE According to police reports, authorities responded to reports of a disturbance at a local convenience store in Spartanburg, South Carolina, this past January. They found Huffman, who told officers he was looking for his wife, claiming she had left him in the parking lot after the pair argued. Huffman seemed to imply that his wife might be thinking of harming herself, telling authorities that he wanted to make sure she was safe and medically okay. Obviously germs and bacteria don’t really wait five seconds to pounce, but snatching your chip off the floor fast keeps most of the germs away, right? Not according to a 2006 study published by Dr. Paul Dawson. He found conclusive evidence that when food comes into contact with a contaminated surface, bacteria are transferred immediately. Even one second spent When police caught up with Dugan and got her side of the story, the plot thickened. According to the police report, she’d discovered while on the way to the store that her husband had a secret second phone, which led to a fight where Huffman broke one of Dugan’s fingernails and left a series of minor scratches on her hands. This incident made her feel unsafe, so she left him and drove away. Officers decided Huffman was the aggressor in the situation and arrested him on domestic violence charges; however, the case was closed the following day. on tile, wood, or carpet is enough to infest your food with salmonella or another serious contaminant.
BOTTLED WATER IS SAFER THAN TAP WATER
The official stance from the John Hopkins Arthritis Center states, “There is no evidence that cracking knuckles causes any damage such as arthritis in the joints.” Still, chronic knuckle- cracking can lead to reduced grip strength, so you might want to break the habit anyway. You’ve probably heard these myths for years, but just because something is common knowledge doesn’t mean it is true. With
Seeking out safer water alternatives increases the sales of bottled “spring water” each year. However, bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University School of Medicine pointed out, over 50 percent of bottled water is just filtered tap water. The same effect can be achieved with a home filtration system. Of course, if the tap water in your area has been contaminated, bottled water is a safer alternative. However, in most circumstances, bottled water is no healthier than tap water.
information so easily available, always take the time to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health. Married since April 2009, the pair has a child and found common ground in shared values, having both grown up in the South. “We were automatically connected because we grew up in the same town,” said Dugan in 2020. “We felt at peace with each other.” While neither one of them won their season of “Survivor,” Huffman ultimately finished in sixth place. This latest news leaves fans of the show and the couple in limbo as they wait to see how their relationship progresses. Will they be able to repair their marriage? And why does Huffman have a secret phone his wife doesn’t know about? Time will tell whether their union survives.
CRACKING YOUR KNUCKLES CAUSES ARTHRITIS
The connection between knuckle-cracking and arthritis came from studies where participants self-reported their habits. Modern medical research has shown these results to be false.
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