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November 2023
A WARM BLANKET OF GRATITUDE
Mary is a client I’ll never forget. She came to me after her dear friend passed away. The friend had created a trust through a trust mill in California and named Mary trustee. The documents had many problems, and Mary had no idea where to start untangling it all. Trust mills are a serious issue in the estate planning industry. These companies offer to create living trust documents for less by doing so without attorney supervision. Some are outright scams that sell people investments under the guise of estate planning, while others make big promises and underdeliver boilerplate trusts that ultimately don’t protect their clients. Mary’s friend probably felt very comfortable with her documents, but her trust had many ambiguities we had to resolve in court. The dispute was expensive; while the friend may have “saved” money using a trust mill, the cost to untangle the results was at least three times what creating a proper estate plan would have cost. It was a complicated case with multiple beneficiary disputes and days spent in a courtroom. After the case finally wrapped up, a package unexpectedly arrived in the mail from Mary. I had no idea what it might be, but I opened it to find a full-sized, hand-stitched afghan blanket. Mary was gifted at her craft, and her skill showed in the beautiful details. She even took the time to crochet my initials onto the blanket. The Impact of an Unexpected Gift WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and the factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 690-2470.
Someone else’s gratitude is a true gift, and it takes particular generosity to extend it to those in my line of work. I make people doing their planning think about many weighty topics they’d rather avoid so they don’t often come away with warm and fuzzy feelings. Meanwhile, people who have recently suffered a loss have a great deal on their plate. I would never expect them to have energy for anyone else during that time.
That’s part of what made Mary’s gift so touching. Creating an afghan is no small feat. She must have felt very appreciative to take the time to complete something so beautiful and complex during her grief, and I was very appreciative of the work and care that went into it. Years later, the afghan still holds a special place in my home. I jokingly call it my “binky” — when times are tough, I curl up on the couch with it and feel immense comfort. As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been reflecting on the nature of gratitude. I don’t do this work for thanks, but it is particularly fulfilling when someone recognizes the value of my work. In turn, I would like to express my gratitude to our clients, past and present, for relying on us for some of life’s most delicate questions. I’m immensely thankful for those who trust
us enough to refer their clients, family, and friends. Finally, I’m grateful for the incredible team at Promise Law that makes all our work possible. While I lack Mary’s crochet skills, I hope you know how much I appreciate your presence in my life.
–Geneva Perry
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The Disappearance of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
You may have heard of “the seven wonders of the world,” but what you may not know is that the seven we know today are actually considered the “new” wonders of the world, replacements for their ancient predecessors, aptly named “the seven wonders of the ancient world.”
So, you’re probably wondering, “Well, what happened to those ancient wonders?” The unfortunate answer is that all but one — the Great Pyramid of Giza — have been destroyed. Here’s what happened to the other six. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus Bodrum, Turkey An earthquake sometime between the 11th and 15th centuries reduced the Mausoleum to rubble. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus Western Turkey A man named Herostratus burned the temple down, hoping to become famous in history as a result. Hanging Gardens of Babylon Hillah, Iraq Unfortunately, this ancient wonder never existed in any actual Babylonian
records. It was likely a myth created by Roman and Greek authors. Statue of Zeus at Olympia Olympia, Greece After the statue was dismantled and moved to Constantinople, a fire destroyed it in the 5th century. Colossus of Rhodes Rhodes, Greece An earthquake around the year 225 B.C.E. toppled the statue, and in 654, when Arabs invaded Rhodes, they destroyed it and sold the metal for scraps. Lighthouse of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt This ancient wonder was yet another destroyed by a series of earthquakes between 956 and 1323.
SURPRISING ANIMAL FACTS FROM YOUR FAVORITE HOLLYWOOD MOVIES
No. 2: Peanut butter is the key to talking animals. Trainers will actually give them peanut butter before filming, and the movement of their mouths mimics talking. No. 3: Animals have doubles, too! In many movies, one animal actor can have dozens of doubles take their place. For example, in the film “Babe,” 48 different piglets played the role!
Part of the reason we love movies so much is because things that seem improbable or downright impossible happen without a second thought on the big screen. Like, for example, when animals act on cue! A lot of movies enlist cats, dogs, pigs, horses, monkeys, lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!) as part of their cast, and when the director yells, “Action!” they somehow nail their roles. However, many things you see involve a little movie
magic. Here are four facts about animals in movies to show you what we mean. No. 1: Most dogs in movies have CGI tails. Canine actors just have too much fun and wag their tails nonstop while filming. So, many movies add a computer-generated tail that wags less enthusiastically.
No. 4: The sounds animals make may be from a different species. Sometimes, movie crews substitute animal sounds from different species that resemble the original. For instance, in “Flipper,” they used kookaburra bird calls instead of actual dolphin noises!
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TAKE A BREAK
There have probably been instances in your life where you sat down to complete a task, only to think about anything other than what you should be doing. While this can be extremely frustrating, it’s completely normal, especially if you’ve never explicitly taught your brain how to focus. Believe it or not, focusing our mental attention on one task does not come naturally; it’s a skill that requires practice and patience, especially in today’s world of constant stimulation. Luckily, training your focus only takes a few minutes a day, and you can start seeing results as quickly as you begin learning. How to Train Your Focus Step No. 1: Put your phone in another room — literally. No exceptions! Step No. 2: Pick a point. Once you’re in the room where you want to train (without your phone), sit on the floor facing a wall. Then, pick a point on that wall to stare at. Step No. 3: Stare at that point for 120 seconds. It’s important to keep your body relaxed and maintain visual focus on the spot for the full 120 seconds. You’ll probably find this training incredibly boring and mentally agitating — and that’s the point . Tasks that require attention are not typically stimulating, but you must focus on them nonetheless. By teaching your brain how to focus, you’ll have an easier time completing any task that comes your way! RECLAIM YOUR CONCENTRATION! How to Train Your Brain to Focus Like a Pro
Ballot Cornucopia Cranberry Districts Maize Pilgrim Politics Raking Shopping Stuffing Thanksgiving Veteran
TASTY APPLE PIE
Just like Grandma made!
Ingredients
• 2 9-inch unbaked pie crusts • 6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples
• 1 tsp cinnamon • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 2 tbsp butter
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Place 1 pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate.
3. In a large bowl, combine apples, cinnamon, sugar, and flour. 4. Spoon mixture into pastry-lined pie plate and dot with butter. 5. Cut remaining crust into 1/2-inch-wide strips, then arrange strips in a lattice design over top of pie. 6. Trim, seal, and flute edges. 7. Bake for 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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An Unexpected Token of Appreciation
What Happened to the Original 7 Wonders of the World? The Secrets of Animal Stars: Behind-the-Scenes Magic
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Tasty Apple Pie
Raise Your Game With Laser-Like Focus
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Maximize Your E-Reading Pleasure
Believe it or not, Americans still love to read. But how we read is changing, with 52% of people reporting they enjoy their literature on an e-reader. Unlike traditional paper books, digital readers offer users a variety of accessories to enhance their reading experience, which makes them more appealing than paper. So, we wanted to share a few accessories for your device that take your reading to the next level! Anti-Dust Plugs These are little rubber stoppers you can pop into the micro-USB or USB-C port to prevent dust or debris from entering and damaging your device. Some even have charms on the end so they look cute while protecting your reader! Suction or Stick-on Grips These tiny knobs (like the ones you can put on your phone) make holding your device with one hand a lot easier. They attach to the back of the device using suction, a light adhesive, or even magnetism. You can slip the knob between your fingers, so you don’t need to worry about losing your grip! An E-Reader Stand This accessory will keep your e-reader upright, so you can look straight ahead and read hands-free without craning your neck downward. To learn more about these accessories, search online using your e-reader’s name and the accessory type you’re looking for!
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