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DIVING DOWN WITH GLG
A Look at Our Evolving Holiday Traditions Michelle and I recently took part in one of our favorite family traditions: We drove out to my brother-in-law’s ranch in the tiny town of Pontotoc, Texas, for a charity BBQ and fish fry. money to support the fire department and snap up their favorite cakes. Luckily, Roger (my brother-in-law) shares the spoils, and we always take home at least one calorie- loaded cake or box of cookies. FISH FRIES, SAUSAGE GOODBYES, AND EXCITING NEWS FOR MY FAMILY! NOVEMBER 2023 GIBSONLAWGROUP.COM
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A miniature version of David’s Wurstfest family brick
For years, my mom always claimed at least one confection, but she wasn’t up to it this year. She’s been in very poor health, and it makes me sad to think how our family traditions will change when she’s gone. Michelle and I have already decided to skip another one, Wurstfest, because Mom can’t make it — a choice that would have been considered sacrilege five years ago. As I’ve mentioned, my mom used to be the mayor of New Braunfels, so we’ve faithfully attended the German cultural celebration for decades. I can’t count the number of hours I’ve spent polka dancing, drinking beer, and eating sausage with family and friends there! Of course, attending has become more complicated in recent years. First, a fire destroyed the Marktplatz (one of Wurstfest’s main buildings) in 2019. Then, the pandemic canceled the festival in 2020. And the festival has long ceased being a local affair, it now has over 250,000 guests annually! Wurstfest finally reopened in 2021, and last year, my parents, Michelle, and I went back to admire the new pavilion. We also searched up and down the walkway for our family brick, which we bought after the fire to contribute to rebuilding. I have a miniature version of the brick at home, but until then, I hadn’t seen the real thing in person. After walking right over it a half-dozen times, we finally found it! It’s
If you’ve never been to Pontotoc, I’m not surprised. It’s incredibly small. There’s not even a stop light in town — I kid you not — and only one intersection! They don’t have a single convenience store, gas station, or Dairy Queen. In fact, I don’t recall seeing a single business of any kind. But we still visit because my sister and brother-in-law are wonderful hosts, the views on their ranch are stunning, and their group of friends are an absolute blast. Friends and family come to Texas from all over the country for this annual event. My brother-in-law’s friend, Johnathan from San Diego, is a retired diner owner. The only thing better than his fried fish and hush puppies are his eggs and sausage. After the fish fry on Friday night, we continue the annual tradition by attending the volunteer fire department’s fundraising barbecue on Saturday with hundreds of others who appear out of literally nowhere. The annual cake sale is always a favorite part. There’s nothing quite like watching rich old ranchers outbid each other on cakes made by the local ladies. And my wife still brags about her authentic Aussie ANZAC cookies going for over $3,000 several years ago. Ordinary people don’t stand a chance. The moment Betty Sue bids $200, the rich dudes pile on and start slinging $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000 bids. I like watching them spend
nice to know that even though my mom’s Wurstfest days are likely behind her, her name will always be part of the festivities. And the memories of her opening the festival every year when she was mayor will last forever. Somewhere, I even have a picture from the local newspaper of my then 5-year-old daughter waltzing with me while standing on my feet. Without Wurstfest or Christmas at my parents’ house to count on, the holidays are up in the air this year. But there is still something big to celebrate this Christmas: My first grandchild is due on Dec. 16! As of right now, my daughter Taylor and her husband Luis are planning on naming their little girl Avery, although I nicknamed her “Peanut,” and that seems to have stuck. I can’t wait to start spoiling Peanut/Avery as I did her momma. After all, Taylor grew up into a well-educated woman with way more letters after her name than her dad has, a business of her own, a fantastic husband (except for the whole Patriots fan thing), and a healthy baby on the way! It’s sad to say goodbye to old traditions, but exciting to look forward to starting new ones.
Happy Holidays,
–David Gibson
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Transform Power Struggles Into Learning Moments With These Techniques
ask what could happen to them and how they could prevent that. When your child understands that leaving toys out during a storm could damage them, they will realize that putting them away is a good idea. Remember, when children are forced to do something they don’t want to do, they will focus more on being angry at you rather than learning a lesson or new habit. Encouraging them to develop their own conclusions will help them better understand the impact of their decisions. Offer choices and the opportunity to choose. Giving your children choices helps them feel like they have some freedom over what they get to do. Sometimes children refuse to comply with requests because you’ve offered them no other option. If you want your child to clean their room, don’t demand that they do it. Ask what they want
One of the common challenges parents face with their young children is power struggles. When you ask your child to do something, and they refuse, you could spend countless hours and endless energy trying to get them to comply. Sometimes, the more persistent you are, the more resistant they can become. However, several strategies exist to avoid these arguments with your strong-willed kids. Here are two methods you can adapt to fit some common parenting scenarios. Ask critical-thinking questions. Sometimes, kids don’t understand the consequences of their actions — they lack the appropriate problem-solving skills to help them understand why you’re making certain requests. Instead of telling them to do something, ask questions that make them think critically about the situation. If they leave their toys outside before a storm,
to start on first — make the bed, put away their toys, or hang up clothes. Providing alternatives and allowing them to make a choice will not only get the job done faster but will also increase their confidence in knowing you value their opinion. Navigating power struggles with children can be a challenging aspect of parenting. But implementing effective strategies can make a significant difference in maintaining harmony at home. So give these methods a try and watch as your relationship with your child grows.
YOU COULD GET ARRESTED FOR WHAT?!
3 Bizarre Laws That Still Exist
In many cities nationwide, lemonade stands are treated like any other small business — if your child is making money by selling food or beverages, they must abide by food safety regulations and have a business permit or license. Only 14 states don’t require permits for kids to set up lemonade stands! Fortunetelling is only allowed in health care and religious facilities. Many cities worldwide have small businesses that provide services in fortunetelling, astrology, palm readings, tarot cards, evil spirit removal, and other New Age practices. In New Orleans, however, it’s illegal for a business to provide these kinds of services unless you’re in a health care profession or a place of religious worship. Remember, laws are still laws, no matter how silly they are, so do some research online to see if your city has any bizarre mandates you could be breaking right now!
Since the beginning of time, cities, states, countries, and other groups have developed laws to provide structure for their citizens. Many laws of the past are now completely outdated, but they’re still technically legitimate laws! Here are three of the oddest laws still on the books today. Forks and knives are prohibited! In 1961, Gainesville, Georgia, passed a law that made eating fried chicken with anything other than your hands illegal. The ordinance was a publicity stunt to advertise Gainesville as the poultry capital of the world. Although the rule isn’t taken literally and is hardly enforced, 91-year-old Ginny Dietrick received a citation for eating fried chicken with a fork and knife in 2009. The practical joke made everyone in the restaurant, including Ginny, laugh and play along. Ginny’s punishment for breaking the law was that she could not leave her table until she mastered the proper way of eating Southern fried chicken.
You must have a permit to set up a lemonade stand. At least once in your life, you’ve either seen or operated a lemonade stand. This longstanding rite of passage teaches kids the value of working hard to earn their own money, so how could this simple tradition be considered illegal?
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3 Crazy History Facts Your Textbooks Failed to Mention
TAKE A BREAK
Did your high school history class bore you to death? If so, don’t blame the past — blame your textbooks. Here are three crazy historical moments we wish made it into their pages!
USPS once mailed babies! During the early years
of the U.S. Postal Service, the rules and regulations of what you could and couldn’t mail were vague. People started testing its limits by sending eggs, bricks, snakes, and babies. In 1913, an Ohio couple took
BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO
advantage of USPS’s new parcel services to mail a special package — their infant son. The family paid 15 cents for the
stamps plus an unknown amount to insure the baby for $50 and shipped him to his grandmother’s house (about a mile away). And this isn’t the only instance of someone mailing their child. From 1913–1915, seven families used the USPS to ship their infants to a relative. People rented pineapples to appear wealthy. In the Georgian era, pineapples were rare in Europe — you could only acquire this fruit by importing them from the Caribbean. Due to their exotic appearance and rarity in Europe, pineapples quickly became a luxury and high-class symbol. Many would carry a pineapple with them to give off the impression of holding wealth. However, lots of people couldn’t afford pineapples, so they began renting them! If you wanted to rent this luxurious fruit, it would cost you $8,000 in today’s money. Austrian vs. Austrian? Seven months into the Austro-Turkish War, the infamous Battle of Karánsebes caused hundreds of injuries and casualties to the Austrian army. Because their military force consisted of people from several cultures and ethnicities, confusion ensued on the battlefield. One Austrian group accidentally fired at another Austrian group, and because both groups spoke different languages and wore different uniforms, they didn’t realize they were fighting a full-out battle with their own army!
Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
Ingredients
• 1/2 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 tsp nutmeg • 5 cups veggie or chicken stock • 2 to 3 handfuls spinach • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 cups butternut squash, cubed • 4 tbsp olive oil, divided • 2 cups sliced leeks • 4 garlic cloves, chopped • 8 sage leaves • 1 cup Arborio rice
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. On a parchment-lined sheet pan, toss squash with 2 tbsp olive oil. Roast until tender (30 minutes) and set aside 2. In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and add leeks. Sauté until tender, then add garlic and sage. Sauté for 2 more minutes. 3. Add rice and sauté for 1 minute, stirring. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add 1–2 cups of stock to cover the rice and bring to a simmer. Cook until the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add broth 1 cup at a time, stirring occasionally until rice is plump (20 minutes). Stir in spinach, roasted squash, and Parmesan cheese.
Who knew history had so many strange twists?
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
David Is Going to Be a Grandpa!
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Say Goodbye to Power Struggles With Kids
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3 Bizarre Laws That Still Exist
Butternut Squash Risotto
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USPS Allowed You to Mail Babies?!
Did Ed Sheeran Really Copy Marvin Gaye?
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SHEERAN VS. TOWNSEND: THE VERDICT IS IN Ed Sheeran Faces Accusations of Copying 'Let's Get It On'
During the court hearings, Sheeran attended in person and even performed live mashups of countless hit songs bearing similar chord progressions and rhythms. The musician’s testimony stated, “If I had done what you’re accusing me of doing, I’d be quite an idiot to stand on a stage in front of 20,000 people and do that.” On May 4, 2023, a jury found Sheeran not guilty of copying “Let’s Get It On,” and the songwriter was at last free from the lawsuit. Despite the longstanding legal dispute, Sheeran and the Townsend heirs resolved the issue amicably, as the trial had proved to the family that Sheeran did not intend to copy the hit classic. Ed Townsend’s daughter, Kathryn Townsend Griffin, later said, “I’m just glad it’s over,” and that the lawsuit was never personal but, instead, a result of her efforts to protect her father’s legacy.
The lawsuit was filed in July 2017 and was only resolved in 2023. Sheeran wasn’t being sued for outright copying the R&B classic but for replicating the “heart” of the song and the “harmonic progressions” and “melodic and rhythmic elements.” Of course, Sheeran denied these allegations and insisted that the song is based on common building blocks for all pop music, which are in no way legally protected. While Sheeran asserted this was merely a similarity many pop songs share, Townsend’s attorney and civil rights figure Ben Crump declared, “For far too long, Black artists have created, inspired, and spread music all around the world, and Ed Townsend’s family believes Mr. Sheeran’s infringement of a Black artist is merely another example of [white] artists exploiting the genius and the work of Black singers and songwriters.”
Sometimes, a song can feel similar to another, but when is it so similar that a songwriter needs to be sued? Well, Ed Sheeran faced the legal heat from the family of Ed Townsend after they claimed Sheeran’s hit song “Thinking Out Loud” was far too similar to Marvin Gaye’s classic song “Let’s Get It On,” which was written and composed by Townsend.
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