Brauns Law MAY 2018

404-418-8244

May 2018

WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

Drops of Wisdom Thank You, Mom

he’d come outside to find the tires and hubcaps missing from his car. But Mom is able to read people better than anyone I know. Pop-pop never did have to get new tires after Mom married my dad. Throughout my childhood, I can clearly remember how much of an impact my mom had on my life. She was loving, kind, and happy to teach me about the world. I got my love of reading from my mom. When I was in elementary school, the public library was right across the street. My mom would walk me over there after school, and we’d come out with big stacks of books in our arms.

the rest for yourself.” I’m pretty sure this is why she would never let me win at board games — a scar I carry with me to this day. (Just kidding, Mom.) In addition to her support, my mom also offers endless patience. I didn’t go to law school until I was 31. It took me a little longer to find myself. But all the while, my mom supported me, like she has for my entire life. She never judged me for the time it took to find my own way, and I am truly grateful for that. There are so many things I could say about my mom, but the one thing I don’t say nearly enough is “thanks.”

This month, I want to celebrate Mother’s Day and shine a spotlight on all the wonderful moms in the world. My mom is the best mom of all time. My mom grew up in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, in the 1950s. This was “old-school Baltimore,” as she liked to say. Mom comes from a family of lawyers, and being around her side of the family was actually my first introduction to law. Despite all these positive influences, or perhaps because of them, my mom had a thing for bad boys. Needless to say, my Pop-pop was not a big fan of my dad. He told me once that he worried

“There are so many things I could say about my mom, but the one thing I don’t say nearly enough is ‘thanks.’”

She’s also an incredibly self-sufficient person. When I was old enough to come home alone after school, my mom went back to work to help support our family. She is dedicated to the family unit and seeing us succeed, but she wasn’t a helicopter parent who needed to control everything. My mom is the sort of intelligent person who is ready to drop some wisdom, but her parenting motto is, “I’ve given you the tools you need for success; you can do

Thank you, Mom, for everything you have done for me. I could not be who or where I am today without you.

I love you.

-David Brauns

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3 Camping Tips

FOR YOUR BEST ADVENTURE YET

Once you’ve decided on the meals — which could be a fun opportunity for the kids to get involved in the preparation —make a list and head to the grocery store. As you pack, make sure you have proper storage options for perishable and nonperishable items. If bears are a concern, think ahead about how you’ll safely store your food. weather ruin your whole weekend. You may have to save fishing and hiking for another day, but there are still some activities you can enjoy in a sheltered area or a cozy tent. Bring along a few indoor activities, such as a deck of cards or games like Boggle, which require little equipment and can easily be stored in a backpack. To keep kids engaged outside, bring some picture books listing the plants and animals native to the area where you’re camping. You could even use the picture books to set up a nature scavenger hunt along a trail, which is a great way to motivate reluctant hikers. A few games can prevent the most dreaded words a parent will ever hear: “I’m bored.” Plan Activities — And a Few Backups If it rains during the trip, don’t let the

Camping season is upon us. We all like to enjoy the scenery and adventure of the great outdoors with our families, but sometimes “roughing it” can be, well, rough. Luckily, a little prep goes a long way and can make camping more enjoyable for everyone. These three simple tips will let you spend more time soaking in the natural beauty around you and less time stressing about who brought the trail mix. Do Your Research Triple-checking your packing list won’t do you much good if you arrive at your destination and find it’s lacking some of the necessities you were counting on, such as water or restrooms. Campsites offer different amenities, and some can be quite meager.

pack in all your water? Find a site that has a pump. Are you bringing your dog? Look for a site that’s pet-friendly. Prefer a cabin or yurt over pitching a tent? Plenty of locations have these options. Most U.S. Forest Service websites and state and national park resources include these details. By doing your homework, you can find and reserve the place that fits your priorities. Plan a Simple, Tasty Menu Nothing ends a camping trip as quickly as realizing you didn’t bring enough food. To avoid this, plan your menu with a few ready- made meals and some nonperishable items. Dutch oven meals and hot dogs roasted over the campfire are great options, and snacks such as trail mix and fruit are easy to store. Think about the meals you normally cook at home, then decide which are adaptable for the campsite.

With a little research, you can find a spot that fits your family’s needs. Don’t want to

DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

Testimonials

“Where do I begin? Yessenia Quintero was the greatest . She was there the whole time, and she made me feel as if my case was her only case — very personable, professional, and yet very compassionate. Once my case was settled, I was able to meet the rest of the staff, and I was equally as impressed. David Brauns and staff made this unfortunate ordeal more manageable.” –Charlotte R.

“Mr. Brauns is great with staying in touch and keeping you updated on what’s going on. He gets the job done.” –Lavenia J.

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KEEP YOUR WHEELS ON THE ROAD

How to Survive Hydroplaning

The rainy season here in Georgia lasts from January through March, but as the summer months heat things up, thunderstorms are common. A fierce storm can roll through at a moment’s notice, and though they pass quickly, the rain can be dangerous for motorists. For many of us, a thunderstorm poses the greatest danger while we’re behind the wheel of our car. Heavy rainfall impairs our vision, but the biggest danger drivers face during a storm is hydroplaning. At high speeds, car tires can ride on top of a layer of water, losing grip on the road and causing you to lose control of the vehicle. Keep in mind it doesn’t take a rainstorm to cause your car to hydroplane. Your car can hydroplane on roads that are just slightly damp. Suddenly losing control of your car due to hydroplaning can be stressful, even for veteran drivers. Here’s what you need to do if you find yourself hydroplaning on the road.

your car to swerve out of control. Instead, quickly take your foot off the accelerator and let gravity slow you down.

2. Turn in the direction your car is sliding. Much like if you slide on ice, turning into the skid is the best way to regain control.

3. Wait until your tires grip the road again. You will be able to feel the difference when your car has traction again. Once you regain control, safely correct your vehicle and follow the flow of traffic. If you need to, find a safe place to pull over until you feel calm enough to drive again. These tips can help you safely get out of a hydroplaning situation, but the best course of action is to avoid hydroplaning as much as possible. Keep your speed below 35 mph and don’t use cruise control when roads are slick. Also, make sure your tires are properly inflated and the tread is not worn down.

1. Don’t hit the brakes. One of the worst things you can do when hydroplaning is to slam your foot on the brake. This will cause

Stay safe and happy travels!

WORD SEARCH May

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK WITH ASPARAGUS

Ingredients • 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak • 2 tablespoons canola oil • 1 pound asparagus

• 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper • Salt and pepper to taste • Grated pecorino Romano cheese

Directions 1. Heat grill to high. Season room-temperature steak with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon oil. Any oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, will work. 2. Trim bottom inch of asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, and remainder of oil. 3. Cut steak into four portions and grill for 3–5 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness. Skirt steak is thin and will cook quickly. 4. Let steak rest for 10 minutes. While it’s resting, grill asparagus for 6 minutes, turning once. 5. Sprinkle cheese and crushed red pepper on asparagus. Serve alongside steak. Inspired by Food Network

BLOOMING MAYO EMERALD GARDENING

GEMINI LILY MAY DAY MOTHERS DAY

NIGHTINGALE SPRING TAURUS WARM

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

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Happy Mother’s Day

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Plan the Perfect Camping Trip

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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

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Do You Know What to Do When Hydroplaning?

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Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus

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3 of the Most Formidable Moms in History

3 of History’s Bravest Moms Moms make the world go round. After running the gauntlet of childbirth, they raise and guide us throughout our lives, shouldering the tremendous burden and responsibility of motherhood. Mothers are in turn formidable, kind, powerful, gentle, wise, fierce, patient, supportive, empathetic, driven, and full of love. In honor of Mother’s Day, here are three historic moms who never stopped fighting for what they believed in. Mothers Shape the World

his safe return. It was the first successful case brought by a black woman against a white man in American history. Truth went on to become a prominent abolitionist and a speaker for women’s rights, delivering her famous impromptu speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?” in May of 1851. Irena Sendler (1910–2008) When the Nazis invaded Warsaw in September of 1939, Irena Sendler, a 29-year-old social worker and mother of two, hatched a scheme to rescue Jewish children from the brutal ghettos. Along with many friends and colleagues, she smuggled out nearly 2,500 Jewish orphans, hiding infants on trams and garbage wagons and guiding kids through a labyrinth of secret passageways beneath the city. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928) Despite being a wife and the mother of five children — two of whom died tragically young — Emmeline Pankhurst became one of the fiercest advocates for women’s suffrage in the late 19th century. After founding the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903, she and her cohorts adopted an aggressive strategy to raise awareness for the issue; they began by buttonholing politicians and staging rallies, then progressed to vandalism, window smashing, and arson. She was instrumental in the movement. Pankhurst lived to see women gain the right to vote in 1928.

Sojourner Truth (1797–1883) Before she escaped from New York slaveholder John Dumont, Sojourner Truth had at least three of her children sold away from her. When Dumont went back on his promise to emancipate Truth and her infant daughter in 1826, she took the girl and fled to an abolitionist Quaker family, but she was forced to leave her other daughter and her 5-year-old son, Peter, behind. Soon after, she learned that Peter had been illegally sold by Dumont to a slaveholder in Alabama, so she went to court and secured

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