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February 2023
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BLOWING SMOKE And Granddad’s Other Mischief
National Pipe Smoking Day is a holiday you don’t hear about very often. It’s celebrated every Feb. 20 by a small community of pipe enthusiasts worldwide. Of course, we now understand the dangers of smoking more than ever before, so the pastime is something few of us are willing to celebrate. But my grandfather was part of a different generation, when smoking was just a part of life, and he didn’t go many places without his pipe in tow. Granddad was quite the character and a bit of a daredevil. Once, when he was working to build the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, he and his fellow workers came across a small river. A bunch of risk-taking young guys in the crew decided to go rafting, despite not knowing the potential dangers they might face along the way. Granddad was a little older than them — but he insisted on going first to show the young fellows how it was done. He didn’t ever back down from a challenge and lived to tell the tale of all of them.
So, naturally, smoking was an acceptable risk, and he enjoyed both pipes and cigars. He even used his pipe to haze my dad back when he and my mom were still dating. My dad was a farm boy from Colorado and hadn’t spent much time on the water. So, Granddad would take him out on his boat and watch Dad get seasick. Then, he’d light up his pipe and blow the smoke right in my dad’s direction. Now, Dad was no stranger to tobacco either — at one point, he chewed. And since real men apparently don’t spit, he swallowed the stuff. Ew! (This is one of many stories my mom didn’t want her kids to hear.) But the combination of the water’s movement and the thick smoke in his face would practically turn Dad’s face green, and Granddad loved every minute of it. Granddad enjoyed being a trickster and teasing people; he didn’t appreciate it nearly as much when the roles were reversed. It took my sister, about 2 years old then, to get one over on him. At some point, Granddad fell off the roof. I’m not sure what he was doing up there, but I still remember sitting in the living room and seeing him fly past the window. Granddad was in a full-leg cast for what felt like forever. He couldn’t move around much, and my sister used that to her advantage. She’d stand on the floor, beg Granddad for a kiss, and watch him struggle to bend down. Once he finally reached her height, she’d snatch his pipe and tobacco out of his shirt pocket. She would run around with it, laughing like crazy, while my grandfather hobbled around, baffled and helpless. I’m not sure how many times she pulled this prank, but it was more than once or twice. Granddad couldn’t resist the promise of a kiss from his granddaughter! I’ve been talking about my grandfather a lot recently, so I must be missing him. He was a massive part of my life as a kid. But I’m grateful for all the years we did spend together and the many memories he left behind. He may be gone, but those good times are still with me.
-Aaron Miller
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Learn Valuable Lessons by Watching ‘Miracle’
Animals have always played a role in military efforts during wartime. Cats were kept aboard naval ships for pest control, horses and camels provided transportation for supplies and soldiers pre-World War II, and dogs are still used to this day for search and rescue efforts as well as mine detection. But one animal profession became obsolete with the advancement of communication technology: messenger. Often used during World War I, many dogs and pigeons became responsible for delivering messages of high importance. Of all the animals used during World War I, one pigeon named Cher Ami defied the odds to save nearly 200 American soldiers. On Oct. 2, 1918, Major Charles Whittlesey got trapped along the side of a hill in Northeastern France with 550 of his men. They ended up behind enemy lines with no food or ammunition, and — to make matters worse — his battalion started to suffer from friendly fire since allied troops remained unaware of their location. With nowhere to run, Whittlesey tried to send runners to contact the allies about their predicament. Unfortunately, their enemies consistently intercepted or killed these runners until only 194 men remained. Whittlesey decided to dispatch messages by pigeon. The first pigeon got shot down almost immediately, so he sent a second pigeon with the message, “Men are suffering. Can support be sent?” That one also got shot. Finally, Whittlesey turned to his last pigeon, Cher Ami, and scribbled down a quick note on onion paper that read, “We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.” Cher Ami took flight, but even after being shot down by the Germans, the bird defied the odds and actually took flight again! The effective delivery of this message helped save 194 men, but Cher Ami did not escape unharmed. He had been shot through the breast, blinded in one eye, and had a leg hanging only by a tendon. THE STORY OF CHER AMI How One Pigeon Saved 194 American Soldiers
In February of 1980, the U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team shocked the world when they upset the Soviet Olympic team 4-3 in the semifinals of the Winter Olympics. The Soviet team had won the previous four Olympic gold medals and had defeated the Americans 10-3 in an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden three days before the beginning of the Olympics. American head coach Herb Brooks and team captain Mike Eruzione inspired their team to go undefeated in the opening round of play, forcing a rematch with the Soviets. The American victory occurred when political and military tensions were high between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. This victory proved meaningful in the Cold War’s grand scheme, though the players participating in it might not have realized it at the time. This fantastic story was immortalized in February of 2004 when Disney released the movie, “Miracle.” The film, starring Kurt Russell, explored the events involving the hockey team before and during the 1980 Winter Olympics. “Miracle” shows how Brooks built the team and persevered through challenging obstacles to help his team win the gold medal. You can learn plenty about leadership and teamwork by watching “Miracle.” Herb Brooks’ pregame speech shows how powerful words can inspire others. He states, “Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that’s what you have here tonight, boys. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight. One game; if we played them 10 times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world.” His powerful speech ignited the flame that led the Americans to victory and has been shown at sporting events worldwide during pressure situations to inspire great moments. You also learn about teamwork, as there were no true stars on the team. They were a group of college-aged amateur players who were able to compete with the greatest hockey force in the world. Without every player’s hard work and dedication, the Americans would never have made it as far as they did. One of the Greatest American Sports Stories
Army medics treated Cher Ami enough so he could travel to America, where he eventually succumbed to his wounds. The bird was then taxidermied and displayed in the Smithsonian, where you can still see him today. So, the next time you’re in Washington, D.C., stop by the “Price of Freedom” exhibit at the National Museum of American History where you can personally see this brave pigeon.
If you’re looking for an inspiring movie to watch with the family this winter, give “Miracle” a try.
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How Is Tom Brady Still Competing in the NFL?
A STRICT DIET AND FITNESS ROUTINE
Football fans have speculated on Tom Brady’s retirement for years, so when he announced he was retiring at the end of last season, few were surprised. Then Brady shocked the world when he announced he was coming out of retirement just 40 days after hanging up his cleats. In doing so, Tom Brady became the oldest player in the NFL for the 2022 season at 45 years old. Many wondered how Brady would be able to compete when the average NFL player was 20 years younger than him, but he proved his physical well-being was of no concern. And it’s all thanks to Brady’s fitness program, The TB12 Method. In 2017, Brady released a book called “The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance,” which gave fans an insight into his diet and workout routine. The basic tenets of his program have remained the same for years, but remember that even Brady participates in cheat days from time to time. Tom Brady’s diet consists almost exclusively of organic, locally grown, seasonal, whole foods. He avoids all processed foods, added sugars,
artificial sweeteners, trans fats, caffeine, MSG, alcohol, iodized salt, dairy, nightshade vegetables, most oils, and nearly all foods containing soy or gluten. He doesn’t combine fruit with other food and won’t combine high-protein foods like meat and fish with carb-heavy foods, such as brown rice or bread. Brady also tries to drink half his body weight’s worth of water (more than 2 gallons) each day and won’t eat within three hours of going to sleep. Sounds easy enough, right?
The diet is only one part of Brady’s wellness routine. He also pairs it with two fitness routines, one for the football season and one for the offseason. Brady wakes up each morning at 5:30 a.m. He then gets a four-minute, pre-workout massage before doing a 40-minute resistance band workout. From there, he moves to movement drills like squats, lunges, and planks. He finishes each workout with another massage and then participates in 15 minutes of online brain exercises to help with his visual precision. Brady will do this at least 4–5 times a week during the offseason. If you ever wanted to diet and exercise like Tom Brady, now you know how. You might not win any Super Bowls if you try it, but you’ll be well on your way to improving your physical health.
Feta Chicken Burgers
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cucumber • 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise BURGERS: • 1/2 cup chopped roasted sweet red pepper • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp Greek seasoning • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1 1/2 lbs lean ground chicken • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese • 6 whole wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted
Directions
1. Preheat broiler and mix chopped cucumber and mayonnaise. 2. For the burgers, mix the red pepper, garlic powder, Greek seasoning, and black pepper. Add chicken and cheese; mix lightly but thoroughly (the mixture will be sticky). Shape into 6 patties about 1/2-inch thick. 3. Broil burgers, remembering to cook both sides thoroughly. Serve on buns with cucumber sauce. If desired, top with lettuce and tomato. Enjoy!
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
214.292.4225 www.AaronMillerLaw.com 1400 Preston Road, Suite 118 Plano, Texas 75093 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Aaron Remembers His Grandfather’s Quirks
2
The Unlikely Heroics of Cher Ami
Learn Life Lessons Watching Disney’s ‘Miracle’
3
Tom Brady’s Wellness Routine
Feta Chicken Burgers
4
3 Family-Friendly Valentine’s Day Activities
Valentine’s Day demands most of the attention in February. This holiday is designated for couples to share their love and do things they greatly enjoy together. While this usually consists of dinner dates, a movie, and possibly even dancing, some parents have a difficult time getting away. Maybe they can’t find a babysitter, or one of the kids is ill, causing them to cancel plans. You might think there’s no point in celebrating the holiday if you can’t do so with just your significant other, but you can turn Valentine’s Day into a family- friendly event. Here are a few activities to try if you’re spending Valentine’s with the kids this February. Write love notes to each other. Valentine’s Day is all about love, so what better way to celebrate it than by sharing your love with those closest to you? Take a moment and have every member of your family write love notes to each other. Encourage your kids to share their happy memories and explain why they love each person. This can be a fun and educational activity for your kids as you can help them with their spelling and grammar. TRY OUT THESE ACTIVITIES Spending Valentine’s Day With the Family?
Have a fancy dinner. You don’t need to go out to have an extravagant Valentine’s dinner. You can make one at home by incorporating the same ingredients as the dishes you would get at a restaurant. Or you can order from your favorite restaurant and pick it up. Use a fancy tablecloth, light some candles, and have fun with it. Don’t forget to include a special dessert; you can even make mocktails to amp up the fun. Finish the night with a movie. Valentine’s Day is often one of the busiest nights of the year for movie theaters, but you don’t have to go out to enjoy a movie during the holiday. Head to your favorite streaming service and find some family-friendly romantic comedies to watch together. “The Princess Diaries,” “Lady and the Tramp,” and “Gnomeo and Juliet” are all great options.
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