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May 2024
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FROM WELLS TO WILLS Oilman’s Journey Into Estate Law
This is a continuation of the story of associate attorney Cody Rogers from the April edition of our newsletter. When we last left off, Cody was at an oil drill site in West Texas when his beeper went off, indicating the presence of poisonous hydrogen sulfide, or HS2 gas. “The high-pressure line that transported the H2S had busted, and we had to split. I looked at the windsock, and it was dead,” Cody explains. Without wind blowing it away, the gas began to accumulate around him. “The sirens were going off at the site. I ran out into the middle of the pasture, through cactuses and mesquite trees, but I couldn’t breathe.” If Cody breathed in the air, he could have died. “You know how hard it is to run and not breathe? You ought to try it sometime; it’s very difficult,” he jokes. “So, I hit the dirt and literally tried to breathe with my mouth in the dirt to filter the air.” The chaos slowly subsided, and Cody could catch his breath. “Eventually, the sirens shut off, and it was kind of safe to go back,” Cody says. Once he returned, he learned not everyone had been as fortunate. “The guy I had ridden to work with that day, he had been on top of the platform. As he was trying to come down, the gas knocked him out up there, and he fell off.” Tragically, the man did not make it.
Once the oil company finds out whose land they are drilling into, they issue payments to gain lawful access to that land. Cody’s work as a landman eventually led him to facilitate multimillion-dollar transactions. “As I progressed up the ranks,” Cody says, “eventually, the company said they would love for me to have my law degree. Before then, a bachelor’s degree had been good enough.” With the company paying his tuition, Cody attended law school at the University of Arkansas. After graduating, he decided to follow his heart back to Texas. “I had fallen in love with a girl back in Dallas,” Cody explains. That girl’s name was Heather, and the two would later tie the knot. “When I got an offer to come work at Miller Law Office, I thought, ‘Hallelujah,’ you know?” His unique experience and work ethic made him an ideal match for our firm. “Everything that I have been learning since my early 20s all kind of rolls into what I’m doing now,” Cody explains. “I was drawn to Miller Law because they do exactly what I do, and it was a perfect personality fit.” Being in Texas, plenty of estate law cases involve grappling with questions Cody faced in his previous career: who owns the land, what’s beneath it, and how are disputes regarding profits from oil and mineral rights resolved between heirs? Cody’s experience makes him an indelible asset to our firm, and he is always happy to share wonderful anecdotes and valuable insight with our clients. We are ecstatic to have him as part of our team, and his expertise is a boon for everyone we represent!
If Cody breathed in the air, he could have died.
“That’s what changed my mind,” Cody says. “I wanted to do something else with oil and gas.” Luckily, that opportunity presented itself. “The company wanted to make other coworkers happy. So, I got offered the position of landman. “That’s a totally different gig,” Cody explains. “I got to get away from the oil and gas drilling environment to working indoors.” Landmen are responsible for determining the rights of those whose land is drilled by oil and gas companies. “If you have a drilling rig, say, a mile from a house, and it goes sideways to reach something, it may end up trespassing into someone’s land. The question is, what if you own that land, and what if you own what’s below it?”
-Aaron Miller
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PALETTE OF POSSIBILITIES
Mastering the Marathon 3 Ways to Build Healthy Habits The journey to healthier habits is a marathon, not a sprint, and as such, it is a daunting task. Here are three tips to help you begin your journey, whether your goal is to lose weight, improve your diet, work out regularly, or just establish a more balanced lifestyle. No. 1 — Start Small Start your journey to better health in small ways, as attempting drastic change can be overwhelming. You should first focus on incremental adjustments to your routine. If your goal is to exercise more, start with short walks in the evenings after dinner or take the stairs in the office instead of elevators. These changes lay the foundation for long-term success. Starting small will make it easier to transition to larger changes, like adding a morning workout or speeding up your evening walk into a jog. No. 2 — Set Specific Goals Setting clear, attainable goals can easily motivate you. Rather than vague aspirations, like “exercise more” or “eat healthy,” define your goals into objectives like “walk 20 minutes every day” or “eat vegetables with every meal.” These goals can be a road map for your journey as you can track your progress as time goes on. Consistently achieving these milestones will solidify your commitment to your new healthy habits. No. 3 — Stay Consistent Consistency is at the core of building a habit — establishing a routine that aligns with your health goals. A structured routine supports habit formation, and consistency reinforces it. If you miss a day of your new habit, a routine helps you bounce back into the structure without being hard on yourself. As you continue building healthy habits, consistency will help ingrain them into your lifestyle. You can lay the groundwork for lasting, healthy habits by embracing these three tips. Small, gradual changes become the foundation for continued success, while clear objectives serve as milestones to celebrate success along the way. So, take joy in the process, celebrate the victories, and know that building these healthy habits is a marathon worth running.
3 Painting Ideas to Bring in Spring
In spring, nature shows us everything new: budding plants to blooms galore. Kids see this metamorphosis, too, so why not use this season to help your kids grow their own creativity? Here are three ways to encourage their creativity through painting.
Nature-Infused Masterpieces
For this activity, encourage kids to spend about half an hour outside picking their
favorite leaves, flowers, or small twigs and rocks. While they’re
collecting, set up paper and paint on a flat surface, but don’t add paintbrushes! Once they’ve picked their favorite bits of nature, bring them inside. Explain that they’ll be using these pieces of nature to stamp and brush, or they can even glue them onto the paper. This activity not only sparks creativity but
also connects children with natural objects. They must think creatively to use these unconventional materials to
construct a painting.
Bubble Wrap Printing With this next project, you can recycle the bubble wrap from any packages you receive during the week. Kids can dip bubble wrap into different paint colors and press it into paper or even the cardboard of those same boxes. This will create a textured and unique print you can hang up in your home. This activity can introduce kids of all ages to various textures and printmaking. These textures will often look organic and mimic shapes in the outside world, bringing another natural element into your activity. Glow-in-the-Dark Painting You can approach this magical project in a couple of different ways. All you need is glow-in-the-dark paint and some paper. One option is to have them paint a nature-inspired picture and then, when it dries, charge it under some light to reveal beautiful colors. You can also tell them to draw a secret message or picture and then paint over it. When the paint dries, it becomes transparent and even more colorful — watch their wonder as their hidden pictures appear. This fun twist can provide a unique angle to a conventional art session. Painting isn’t just about colors on paper; for kids, it’s about unlocking their imagination and allowing them to explore the endless possibilities of artistic expression. Simple materials upcycled with innovative techniques can transform painting into a joyful and educational pastime. These three projects are just the beginning of a beautiful journey into art for the whole family.
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PAW-SOME ADVENTURES
Gear Up Your Pup for a Hiking Adventure Setting out on a hiking adventure with your furry friend is a rewarding experience, but ensuring their safety and comfort on the trail requires careful consideration of essential gear. Before heading out, consider your dog’s unique needs and preferences so it’s an enjoyable and bonding adventure for you both. Here’s an introduction to some must-have hiking gear for your canine companion. Food and Water One of the most important aspects of hiking is staying well-nourished and hydrated. Packing more water than you think may be necessary is crucial, especially on a trail where natural water sources may be scarce. An ample supply of dog-friendly food is also essential, with the quantity adjusted based on the hike’s duration. A collapsible bowl will be handy for feeding your canine companion during breaks. First-Aid Kit Safety should always come first. A dog first-aid kit is indispensable for addressing unexpected issues on the trail. These compact kits typically include dressings, bandages, and tools for removing ticks or thorns. Being prepared for minor injuries ensures you can safely complete the hike without making any injury worse. Boots While some dogs may resist wearing boots, they can be a lifesaver in challenging terrains. Opt for boots that protect without compromising comfort. Though you likely may avoid trails with terrain that could harm your dog’s paws, having boots in your pack is, at least, a proactive measure for unforeseen circumstances, ensuring your canine companion’s paws are protected if needed.
Waste Bags Be responsible out on the trail. That means bringing poop bags. Attach them to the outside of your backpack or tote bag for convenient access once your dog has completed its business. The “leave no trace” practice will help maintain the pristine beauty of the trail for everyone to enjoy. Emergency Harness Preparedness is critical, and an emergency harness adds an extra layer of safety. A proper harness will allow you to carry your dog on your back in an emergency. This versatile harness ensures that you can provide assistance in challenging situations.
TAKE A BREAK
Citrus BBQ Chicken Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients • 8 skin-on chicken leg and thigh pieces
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/3 cups ketchup • 2 tbsp brown sugar
• Juice and zest of 1 orange • Juice and zest of 1 lemon • 3 cloves garlic, minced
Directions
1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Combine all other ingredients in a small bowl. 2. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce and add the rest to the plastic bag. Toss to evenly coat the chicken and marinate overnight. 3. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add remaining sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer to thicken sauce, about 10 minutes. Set aside. 4. On grill set for medium-high heat, arrange chicken skin side down. Cook until grill marks form, about 4 minutes. Flip chicken, cover grill, and cook until a thermometer inserted into thighs reads 165 F, about 20–25 minutes. 5. Serve with remaining sauce.
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214.292.4225 www.AaronMillerLaw.com 1400 Preston Road, Suite 118 Plano, Texas 75093
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Meet Associate Attorney Cody Rogers
2
3 Tips for Building Healthy Habits
Artful Adventures for Spring
3
Paws and Paths!
Citrus BBQ Chicken
4
Jumpstart Your Skin Care
Show Your Skin Some Love
3 Tips for Your Skin Care Journey Healthier and radiant skin involves more than just a collection of expensive skin care products. It’s more
skin from harmful UV rays.” It helps prevent skin cancer, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation. Using sunscreen should become a habit in your daily routine, reapplying every 2–3 hours. You can also throw sunscreen sticks in your bag for easy application or use moisturizers with SPF. Just make sure it’s at least 30 SPF.
about a consistent routine with products that protect and complement your skin. A skin care routine can be a game- changer in achieving beautiful skin if done right. Here are three starter tips to jump-start your skin care journey. Double cleanse. Double cleansing is a new skin care practice with a name that describes it precisely. First, use an oil-based cleanser to break down any makeup, sunscreen, or excess oils on your skin. Scrub gently for at least one minute; sing your favorite song or set a timer — just be sure it’s one minute. Wash off the cleanser with warm water and begin the second part with a water-based cleanser, ensuring thorough removal of sweat and environmental pollutants. After rinsing, gently pat your face dry. Use sunscreen daily. Incorporating sunscreen into your skin care routine is crucial for maintaining beautiful skin. Dermatologist Dr. Howard Wang tells Johns Hopkins Medicine that “sunscreen is an essential aspect of a morning routine to protect the
Don’t forget your neck and chest. Including the neck and chest in a skin care routine is also incredibly important. Just extend your double cleansing, moisturizer, SPF, and any other steps to your neck and chest. Skin care expert Paula Begoun explains, “The neck and chest have fewer oil glands, meaning they’re more prone to dryness and accelerated aging.” So, extending your routine to these often-neglected areas will address signs of aging more thoroughly. You’ll see and feel the difference in your skin in no time.
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