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Review Brooks & Crowley
March 2025
781-251-0555
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
IS IT LUCK OR PREPARATION? The Real Secret Behind Success March is most famous for St. Patrick’s Day, and a lot of talk about luck comes with it. There are all sorts of lucky symbols — four-leaf clovers, pots of gold, and, of course, the famous “luck of the Irish.” It’s always fun to play along this time of year, but in my experience, luck isn’t about superstition; it’s about being prepared so you’re ready when an opportunity presents itself.
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When a ball was fumbled, a Patriots player was ready to recover it. An errant pass? A Patriots defenseman was waiting to intercept it. And they were always ready because they had prepared. They had been drilled on every possible scenario, even situations that might only happen once in a hundred games. But when that moment came, they weren’t caught off guard. They were ready to capitalize.
Back when I spent almost all of my time in courts, I had plenty of moments that some would describe as “lucky” breaks in the
courtroom. Every attorney has. Sometimes, a piece of evidence was misplaced, a key witness didn’t show up, or the opposing attorney unexpectedly fumbled their strategy. I even had a freak snowstorm shut down the courts on a day I was dreading to start an impossible case — something that almost never happens. From the outside, it’s easy to shrug these things off as dumb luck. But I’ve learned that luck rarely lands in your favor unless you’re ready for it. In fact, the more preparation I put into something, the luckier I seem to get. And if you’re prepared, you don’t even need luck. It’s funny how that works!
It’s the same thing outside of sports. Success comes to those who are ready for it. You can’t predict when opportunities or challenges will appear, but you can prepare for the possibilities. START MAKING YOUR OWN LUCK. All this is not meant to say I don’t believe in luck. You have your lottery winners, chance encounters that lead to great business opportunities, and unexpected moments that
turn everything around for the better in an instant. And I certainly consider myself lucky in many ways. Well, maybe “fortunate” is the better word. I have a great family, good health, and a career that I truly enjoy. Even these things didn’t just fall into my lap, though. They came from choices, effort, and preparation. Life is going to throw curveballs your way. You can’t predict all the twists and fumbles or a snowstorm shutting down the courthouse. But if you’re ready for anything, you don’t need luck. So, if you’re looking for a little extra luck this time of year, focus on being prepared. Life has taught me time and again that the best way to get lucky is not to need luck at all. –Steve Brooks
PREPARATION CREATES OPPORTUNITIES. In sports, luck is an idea that gets thrown around all of the time, especially by fans of the losing side. They’ll say that a specific team or player gets all the breaks — every weird bounce, every tipped pass, and every last-minute call. Take the Patriots during their dynasty years. It felt like everything went their way. But you don’t win six Super Bowls and 268 games in two decades on lucky breaks. I know I’m biased, but anyone who really watched the Patriots during this impressive run could see that luck had nothing to do with their success. They weren’t lucky; they were ready.
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From Pirate to Pope
The Salacious Story of Baldassarre Cossa
History is littered with unsavory souls forever scorned for their foul deeds. Still, few scoundrels reached the depths of depravity with greater aplomb than notorious pirate Baldassarre Cossa (circa 1370–1419) — the man otherwise known as Pope John XXIII. A corrupt criminal whose actions would make Don Corleone blush, Cossa and his brothers built a lucrative business the old-fashioned way — by robbing and pillaging. Although his siblings were executed for their crimes, he survived long enough to pursue a new career in religion. Unfortunately, a desire for power rather than holy redemption prompted his turn to God. An opportunist and conman, Cossa lied, betrayed, and manipulated his way to prominence in the Catholic Church, eventually reigning as Pope John XXIII from 1410 to 1415. Not surprisingly, controversy marked his time as a living symbol of God’s grace. For one thing, it occurred during the Western Schism, a fractious era in Catholic history when two other men claimed the role of pope and refused to resign. The strife caused by this confusion over papal authority was matched only by Cossa’s fleshly indulgences. He is said to have bedded hundreds of women — including nuns — during his contested reign.
after his release! Much to the relief of devoted Catholics the world over — and, presumably, a fair portion of Italy’s female population — he died shortly after assuming the new role, leaving religious scholars and historians to forever marvel at how much this man of nonexistent morality had achieved in life.
Considering Cossa’s infamy, it is no surprise that he is
now known mainly as “Antipope” John XXIII. The name “Pope John XXIII” was retired for centuries before a man better suited to hold the moniker chose it and ran the
Catholic Church from 1958–1963.
Cossa’s one-man sinning spree eventually landed him in prison, yet, remarkably, he was named Cardinal-Bishop of Tusculum shortly
Can a HELOC Work for You? Tapping Into Home Equity
2024, home equity loans hit their highest level since 2008. Why? Persistently high home prices and elevated interest rates on other loan vehicles have made HELOCs a very attractive option for those who have built substantial equity over the years. Home equity lines of credit also offer homeowners flexibility. You can borrow as much or as little as you want, and HELOCs provide extended access to cash. During the draw period (typically around 10 years), you can pull out and pay back money as you see fit — similar to a revolving line of credit. And there are many ways to put your funds to use. WHAT CAN YOU USE A HELOC FOR? You can use a HELOC to cover the cost of nearly anything. Looking to remodel your home or consolidate high-interest credit cards or loans? How about building your emergency
fund or paying for unexpected expenses? A HELOC may be a great option. We’ve also had several clients recently use equity in their primary home to purchase investment property and vacation homes. IS A HELOC RIGHT FOR YOU? If you have available home equity, you could qualify for a HELOC, but there are several things to keep in mind. Lenders typically require that you have at least 20% equity in your home. Also, while HELOC interest rates are typically lower initially, they are variable. Finally, you are putting your home up for collateral, so using a HELOC on high-risk ventures is generally not advisable. Given the potential pros and cons, ensuring a HELOC is right for your needs is crucial. Professional guidance can help you weigh your options and avoid potential issues.
Residential real estate in Massachusetts and the rest of the country keeps soaring. This means that your home is likely your biggest asset, but do you know how to put that asset to work for you without selling it? A home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be the answer. HELOCs enable homeowners to tap into the value of their homes and secure funding for all sorts of purposes, often at a lower interest rate than other loan types.
WHY HELOCS ARE GAINING POPULARITY.
HELOCs are not new, but they’ve certainly been getting a lot of attention recently. In
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DRINKING DONE DIFFERENTLY RIDING THE ALKALINE WATER WAVE
Ready to experience one of the hottest — and wettest — celebrity health trends hitting Hollywood and beyond? If you admire Jennifer Aniston’s radiant skin or Tom Brady’s lengthy football career, you may want to try alkaline water. Endorsed by the aforementioned actor and athlete and a growing list of other notables — including model Miranda Kerr and singer Beyoncé — alkaline water is produced through electrolysis to have a higher pH than standard bottled water. Many believe it possesses properties that can improve a person’s complexion, fight heart disease, and aid in cancer prevention, among many other benefits. SCIENCE-DRIVEN SIPS In addition to providing the apparent health benefits of traditional water, many say alkaline water offers drinkers a gateway to A-list health. Enthusiasts claim the product’s higher pH improves metabolism and energy levels, detoxifies the body, promotes glowing
your brand of choice, one gallon of premium alkaline water may cost more than $30 ! Because it is a human-made product and not something that simply flows from our taps, alkaline water requires processes including mineralization, filtration, ionization, and quality assurance before it reaches supermarket shelves. These expenses and the costs of good old-fashioned marketing have contributed significantly to the sticker shock frugal shoppers feel. HYDRATION AND HYPE So, is alkaline water worth it? While encouraging people to drink more water is never bad, the jury is still out on the ultimate benefits of this pricey libation. Although the Mayo Clinic acknowledges that some studies have shown a link between alkaline water and bone health, more extensive research is needed to prove all other claims, including cancer-fighting properties. As with any trendy health fad, receiving sound advice from your physician may spare your body and bank account from unnecessary habits.
skin, and reduces the likelihood of bone loss by neutralizing acid in the bloodstream and hydrating the body more efficiently. THE PRICE OF POURED HEALTH While alkaline water advocates are quick to praise the product, a higher pH comes with a higher price tag for consumers. Depending on
Have a Laugh!
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients
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2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots 1 cup chopped yellow onion 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth 1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
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2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped 1/2 tsp ground pepper 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
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1 (5-oz) package baby spinach 1 cup heavy cream
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directions
1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired.
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 The Truth About ‘Lucky Breaks’ 2 Plunder at the Pulpit
Why More Homeowners Are Choosing HELOCs
3 Next-Gen Nourishment
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
4 Experience Boston’s Top Events in April
Warmer Days, Big Events Boston’s April Event Highlights
After the long chill of winter, the Boston area comes alive every spring with warmer weather and a number of activities to make the most of the season. From sporting events to historical reenactments and live music, there’s something for everyone this time of year. Take a look at a few of the upcoming events to embrace Boston’s springtime charm. OPENING DAY AT FENWAY The Red Sox kick off the 2025 regular season with an away game in Texas on March 27 but return to their beloved Fenway for the home opener on April 4 against the St. Louis Cardinals. A spring tradition for Bostonians since 1912, Opening Day at Fenway offers a baseball experience like no other. Coming together with other fans and taking in the energy amid a sea of Red Sox jerseys is the perfect way to spend a spring day. If you miss the opener, there are plenty of other chances throughout April and May to catch a game at Fenway, including several special giveaway games. THE BOSTON MARATHON Another long-standing spring tradition, the Boston Marathon, celebrates its 129th anniversary in 2025. Top runners from around the world compete every year, which will be held on Patriots Day, April 21 this year. In addition to the full marathon, the event includes a half-marathon and a
10K and 5K. Whether you’re running, volunteering, or watching from the sidelines, the Boston Marathon is a spectacle best experienced in person. THE TOWN AND THE CITY FESTIVAL Just a short drive from Boston, downtown Lowell hosts The Town and The City Festival each April. Inspired by Jack Kerouac’s legacy, the event celebrates music and art and features three days of performances and activities. This year’s festival will be held April 24–26 and include a diverse lineup of more than 50 artists. Along with the performances, The Town and The City Festival gives attendees the chance to experience the vibrant arts scene at cafes, galleries, and event venues across Lowell.
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