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JUNE 2023
For the last few weeks, I’ve had full control of the remote every night to watch whatever I want on TV. Usually, I have to negotiate with Dave, but he’s been too busy playing with his new favorite toy: a 10-year-old Kubota tractor! I swear, I haven’t seen that man in a month except for the rare rainy day. After we picked up the tractor from a lovely family in Indiana, he hopped on it and hasn’t moved since. He’s determined to turn our 17-acre property into a park- like setting with a fire pit, garden plot, and more. Our land is full of little hills, valleys, and dips, but he won’t let mounds of dirt stop him. All jokes aside, I’m happy to see Dave cultivating a new hobby. I’ve felt the same urge ever since the last of the kids moved out and turned us into empty nesters. I found myself wandering from room to room, wondering, “When I’m not busy being a lawyer and a mom, what are my hobbies? What do I want to be when I grow up?” It’s funny that I don’t have an answer to that question. I stepped straight from being a kid to being a mother when I had my daughter, Katie, at 20. I was still in college and had no idea what kind of person I’d grow into. Then, I had three more kids and earned two more degrees! Now that I’m suddenly free from school events on weeknights and sports games on weekends, I’ve started wondering, “What do I like to do in my spare time?” Dave and I could just sit around and look at each other with occasional breaks to watch Netflix, but that isn’t very engaging. So, we decided to pick up new hobbies. Dave has always been a nature lover. Buying a tractor and finding new ways of enjoying his time outside made perfect sense for him. I’m not an outdoorsy person — I killed a cactus once when I tried to keep houseplants — but I do love to cook, so I’m trying my best to grow my own food. WAIT … DID I MARRY A FARMER? THE STORY BEHIND DAVE'S NEW HOBBY — AND MINE!
I was inspired by one of my friends who runs a garden club called Edible Gardens in Louisville. I’ve started attending the meetings regularly, even though they’re an hour away at 7 p.m., and I turn into a pumpkin at 8 p.m.! I even built an 8-by-4-foot raised bed and filled it with fresh soil. I’m trying my hand at gardening in that itty bitty space! Hopefully, if I make things as easy as possible, I can overcome my black thumb and manage a few sprouts. I’m still debating whether I’d like to grow herbs to spice up Dave’s vegan food or take my son John’s advice and plant things I can’t find at the local Kroger, like sunchokes and heirloom tomatoes. If your life is transitioning like mine, I recommend exploring new hobbies that fit the new you. Maybe you’re an empty nester like me; you’re leaving your apartment for a house or condo, or a car wreck changed how you move through the world. These transitions can be difficult, but they’re also exciting! This is your chance to be a teenager again and reinvent yourself. What do you want your life to look like in five years? What can you do to get there? If you feel stuck, try the method Dave and I used and look for hobbies that are ancillary to your current skills and interests. Did you clean houses before your injury? Explore ways to organize people’s lives electronically that don’t keep you on your feet all day. Do you love to read? Maybe you want to try creative writing, book-binding, or scrapbooking.
Whatever you choose, I hope it makes you as happy as my “farmer” husband is with his tractor!
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THE ORIGINAL RAP BATTLES HOW DISSES BECAME POETRY
Long before diss tracks, rap battles, and “yo mama” jokes, there was medieval "flyting." Defined as quick exchanges of witty insults, these poetic slights were popular in England and Scotland from the 5th to 16th century. Insulting someone in verse took immense effort and quick wits, and they were undoubtedly a performance you didn’t want to miss.
Maggoty mutton, gorged glutton, scurrilous certain heir to Hillhouse, Rank beggar, oyster-dredger, dismal debtor on the lawn, Lily-livered, soul-shivered, cheap as slivers in the millhouse, Bard baiter, thief of nature, false traitor, devil's spawn. While these amusing fights were a form of entertainment, men also used them to influence the courts and improve their social profile while lowering others. So, as you can imagine, flyting could get intense (similar to rap battles and heated diss tracks).
Despite crude language and below-the-belt potshots, flyting became entertainment for royals and was dubbed “court flyting.” While these jests are not well-documented, one flyting event made history. The iconic exchange known as “The Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedie” occurred in the early 16th century between William Dunbar and Walter Kennedie. The two were performing their court flyting for the Scottish King James IV.
This famous dialogue featured two firsts: using fecal matter as an insult and dropping the F-bomb. Low-brow and crass, these speedy insults were simply too entertaining for even kings and queens to ignore. If you’re wondering what exactly these two “gentlemen” were saying, we’d have to admit that it would be difficult to quote without including expletives and curses. However, one tame section can be shared here. Dunbar reportedly insulted Kennedie by saying:
Both men were known for their intellect and clever nature, and their flyting did not disappoint.
Centuries have passed, yet some things never really change!
Check Out These Local Locations! WANT TO FIND A NEW HOBBY?
They also have some gym equipment and include classes such as yoga in the membership price, discounts, and other perks.”
Build Community Try starting a book club with your friends to discuss new genres and authors over dinner, or create a “walking club” where you meet up to explore local trails and sidewalks. You could consider making
stops at Morton Avenue Dog Park part of your weekly routine if you're a dog owner. ELO Operations Manager Libby Thorngate loved to visit with her pup. “It's entirely community-run, so everyone brings toys and waste bags and works together to maintain the grounds. Since there's no membership required, it's a fun melting pot of people and their pets,” she says. “I've had some great conversations with other dog owners there, and of course, the dogs are tearing around and having a blast.” As you test out new hobbies, remember that you may not love or excel at everything you try. Don’t let that stop you! Instead, keep trying new things until one sticks.
As Melissa and Dave have proved, it’s never too late to start a new hobby! Here are a few ways to explore your interests here in Louisville if you’d like to follow in their footsteps.
group on Facebook and join them for a local meetup to play tabletop board and card games.
Strengthen Your Body If you want to try a more
Sharpen Your Mind Consider taking a creative writing workshop through the University of Louisville,
physical hobby, consider joining the Louisville Area Social Cyclists
for a bike ride (find them on Meetup.com). You could also test your bouldering or rock climbing skills at Climb NuLu. The latter is a favorite spot for ELO Legal Assistant Jessica Maza. “Their membership is definitely worth it if you plan to go more than a couple times a month,” she says. “They have a great atmosphere and community.
downloading a brain teaser app like Wordscapes or sudoku to your phone, or joining a trivia team at a local bar (find a list of trivia spots at
Do502.com/p/trivia-nights-in-Louisville ). You can also connect with the Louisville Card Board Gamers
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HAVE A LAUGH!
DONUT DAYS ARE HERE TO STAY! Inside Our Firm’s Sweetest Tradition When Melissa started Emery Law Office years ago, the firm had a shoestring budget. We couldn’t afford pricey perks like 401(k)s. “Benefits'' included the option to wear jeans to work and leave at 4 p.m. on Fridays. However, one thing that did fit the budget was a dozen donuts from a local donut shop. A new firm tradition was born when Melissa stopped to pick up the treats on a whim one day. Donut Days have been an Emery Law Office staple ever since. The ritual started with that first dozen donuts from Melissa. Then, a few weeks later, an associate brought another big white box. After that, Melissa fueled months of Donut Days when she bought Krispy Kreme coupons from a client fundraising for her husband’s organ transplant. The donuts kept finding their way to us, and now, they help hold us together! Nothing cheers up the team more than a batch of glazed donuts, long johns, and donut holes from Jeff’s Donuts down the street from our office. We always turn their deep-fried arrival into a celebration. The team gathers in the conference room, sinks into our plush velvet chairs, and raises a maple bar together. We use donuts to celebrate new hires (on their first day, we ask, “What is your favorite type of donut?”) and send employees off to new opportunities in style. Most of all, we buy them “just because.” A Boston cream can turn an ordinary Tuesday into something special. Every family has its traditions — and they’re not always as “normal” as making hot chocolate on Christmas Eve or lighting fireworks on Fourth of July. One family Melissa knows created their very own holiday! The entire family skips work or school to spend quality time together. Pretty cool, right? Donut Days is our version of that special day. It's a little strange, but it's ours, and we wouldn't have it any other way. If you haven’t tried Jeff’s Donuts yet, take some time this month to give them a shot!
INGREDIENTS
Chia Seed Jam •
Greek Yogurt Bowl •
2 cups Chelan fresh sweet cherries, pitted
1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• • •
3 tbsp chia seeds
• • •
2 tbsp honey 1/4 cup water
1 tsp hemp seeds
1 tbsp granola
DIRECTIONS
WE WANT YOU TO THINK OF US AS YOUR LAW FIRM. If you have a legal matter that needs attention, let us know. If we can’t handle the matter, we will refer you to a firm that can. Please feel free to refer us to your friends and family for their legal needs. We welcome the opportunity to help. Chia Seed Jam We suggest making the chia seed jam in advance and storing it in the refrigerator so you can quickly assemble these yogurt bowls all week. Using a potato masher, mash down the cherries. Place a small pot on high heat and add the cherries, chia seeds, honey, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn down the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Allow jam to cool before using or refrigerate. Greek Yogurt Bowls In a small serving bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with vanilla extract. Top the Greek yogurt with 2 tbsp cherry chia seed jam, hemp seeds, granola, and a few additional Chelan fresh sweet cherries, if desired.
-Bella
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INSIDE
SOMETHING NEW FOR FRESH EMPTY NESTERS 1
THE COLORFUL HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL SMACK TALK
LOCAL SPOTS TO EXPLORE NEW HOBBIES 2 ELO’S SWEETEST OFFICE TRADITION CHERRY CHIA GREEK YOGURT BOWLS 3
A FURRY HERO IN MEXICO 4
RESCUE DOG’S LEGACY LIVES ON
HOW THE WORLD FELL FOR FRIDA
Dressed in protective goggles, blue booties, and a matching vest, this incredible rescue dog became a symbol of hope in Mexico. Frida, a cheerful yellow Labrador retriever, was a devoted member of the Mexican Navy
of the lifesaving canine graced the walls of Mexico City. Even Captain America, aka Chris Evans, gave Frida a shoutout on Twitter, adding, “What did we do to deserve dogs?” The hero dog then traveled the world, helping countries suffering from the aftermath of disastrous earthquakes. Frida saved lives in Haiti and Ecuador before retiring from her position in 2019 at 10 years old to live the rest of her days in comfort and love. Sadly, the Mexican Navy announced Frida’s passing in November 2022 due to old age. She was 13 years old.
known for her search and rescue skills. Trained to find people trapped under rubble after earthquakes, Frida always worked hard to save lives. Frida became a national hero when a devastating earthquake hit Mexico City in 2017. The 7.1 magnitude earthquake took more than 300 lives and injured many more. While sifting through dangerous debris and aftershocks, Frida saved 12 people after finding them alive while uncovering more than 40 bodies during her lifesaving career.
In her honor, a magnificent bronze statue of Frida, clad in goggles and boots, stands in front of the Mexican Navy office in Mexico City. On the day of her death, the Mexican Navy changed their Twitter banner to an illustration of Frida and spread the hashtag "#HastaSiempreFrida." Frida will always be remembered for her lifesaving work and the hope she embodied for the entire world.
While the nation was devastated by the disaster, this smiley rescue pup brought worldwide
attention to the tragedy. Frida’s dedication (and impeccable style) quickly made her an internet celebrity, and soon, murals
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