Brooks & Crowley - December 2020

Review Brooks & Crowley

December 2020

781-277-7321

www.brooksandcrowley.com

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026

*Services Throughout Massachusetts

THE GENIUS OF FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE America’s Ultimate Recycling Program

2020 is a great reminder that we should appreciate what we have — but, if we don’t, there’s no harm in giving it to someone else. Especially this time of year. Earlier this year, we wanted to have a yard sale, but the weather was rainy and, well, it’s just a little harder to sell during a yard sale with social distancing. But, once we settled on everything we wanted to get rid of, my wife, Diane, put it all on a local yard sale site, and she sold every last item in a few days. People came and picked them up, and we got some extra space and cash. No more standing outside hawking your unwanted goods. Facebook Marketplace is another place to list items you no longer use. So many people use it that you can find almost anything on it. I spoke with a couple of people this summer who had bought serious boats and other big ticket items on Facebook Marketplace. This holiday season, people will be looking for “new to you” items to satisfy their gift lists. In many ways, traditional yard sales strike me as junk exchange programs. Some folks on the yard sale circuit spend their weekend mornings foraging for items at other people’s yard sales. Eventually, they realize they have too much stuff and host a yard sale of their own. But every now and then ... jackpot. I’m not talking about the person in Philadelphia in 1989 who bought a vintage painting for $4 that turned out to have a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence behind it (that later sold for $2.42 million). This summer we scored big with an entire bedroom furniture set that’s very high quality but difficult to find in stores now. Diane found it on a yard sale site for a fraction of its value. The seller left the stuff outside and taped an envelope to the door for the money. Bargain hunting — pandemic style. Some items are well suited for resale, such as plastic little kid slides and jungle gyms that last for years and years; you just keep passing it on when your kids outgrow them. We gave ours away, which we had bought 10 years earlier at a yard sale for $10, to another kid in the neighborhood after years of use! Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That old piece of furniture could be just what some DIYer is looking to refinish. Games, toys, and bicycles could get more life from someone willing to use them.

Don’t underestimate people’s creativity. There is an art to finding something inexpensive that is in good shape and plugging it into your house or hanging it on a wall. I have a sister-in-law who has picked art from leftover yard sales and made it look great in her home. Some people can do that. If you have something you need to get off your hands, I recommend donating or giving away stuff this holiday season. You never know what a family is looking for but can’t quite afford, especially in these times. Merry Christmas, and have a beautiful, happy New Year! –Neil Crowley

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How to Eat During the Holidays

Have you ever stood on a scale at the end of the holiday season and wondered how the extra pounds crept on? It’s no secret that a sugar cookie here, a slice of pie there, and a

few glasses of eggnog in between can lead to a few pounds gained. When you’re surrounded by Christmas goodies, how can you resist? Luckily, there are a few ways you can protect your waistline this holiday season without completely cutting out your favorite treats. BE CHOOSY When you see a regular buffet of your favorite holiday treats, don’t immediately start scarfing down everything that looks remotely tasty and sweet. First, scope out the food — without a plate — so you won’t be tempted to start eating without really looking. Then, find the treats that are your absolute favorites and choose one or two of them to eat. You don’t have to give up sweets during the holidays; instead, eat with discretion. DON’T GO HUNGRY To ensure that you don’t overeat at a party or buy junk food that you don’t need when shopping, eat a healthy snack before going out. Before you head out to a party, eat a snack

chock-full of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and unsaturated fats. Apple slices with peanut butter work, as well as lean meats and cheeses. If you’re headed to the grocery store, eating a filling snack before you go will make you less likely to impulsively scoop up those sugary cookies and pastries in the bakery.

DRINK RESPONSIBLY (AND JUDICIOUSLY)

If you drink alcohol, keep in mind that each drink will probably be somewhere between 150–225 calories. A glass of eggnog can have as many as 500 calories. Alcohol decreases your self-control when you’re eating, while also increasing your appetite. Make sure that if you’re drinking, you’re not doing so on an empty stomach. And to decrease the number of high-calorie drinks that you consume, drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages. The holidays are a minefield for any healthy diet. But with the right tools, you can ensure that by Jan. 2, your waistline won’t be worse for wear.

When Do I Need to Hire a Real Estate Attorney?

If you’re buying or selling a home in Massachusetts, you’re legally obligated to work with an attorney to oversee the closing process. However, there are many reasons you want an attorney on your side when navigating the real estate world. First, you need to abide by complicated state and federal laws during the process (which can lead to serious consequences if you don’t), and second, you don’t want to be left with a mountain of extremely confusing paperwork on your own. Also, other complicated factors come into play when you’re looking to sell your home. You may have an outstanding lien on your home. An attorney can help resolve these issues and clear your path toward closing. Not only can they communicate with the title

company, but they'll also make sure all lien holders are correctly paid. You may be making a joint sale. If you’re selling a home with someone who isn’t your spouse, an attorney is trained to keep both of your interests in mind. You don’t want to poorly navigate your selling process when your selling partner’s timeline might be different than yours. You may have a short sale. If your lender agrees to let you sell your home for less than you owe in a short sale, you’ll have extra hoops to jump through. The complexities of these cases are difficult to navigate alone. With an attorney, you’ll clear them all. You may have inherited the home. If a family member recently died and you’re forced to sell the home, hiring an attorney can help you

sort through the ownership documents and ease the burden, which can be crucially helpful during the grieving process. The real estate world is very confusing, but you won’t have to deal with the confusion alone or any of the potential mistakes people often make on their own. If you have questions or plan on buying or selling property soon, give our expert legal team at Brooks & Crowley a call!

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Not Just a Corn Cob Pipe and Button Nose The Surprising History of the Snowman

Building a snowman is one of the most picturesque winter activities, which is why snowmen have become a wintertime cultural icon. A snowman appeared on the very first postcards, was the subject of some of the earliest photos, and even starred in silent movies. Frosty may be a happy snowman now, but his ancestors have a much more varied — and sometimes dark — history. THE MIDDLE AGES Snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages. They were constructed with deep thought and great skill because, during a time of limited means of expression, snow was a free art supply that literally fell from the sky. These artistic feats were popular winter attractions for well-to-do couples who wanted to get their fix of temporary art. Snowmen were often created by famous artists, including 19-year-old Michelangelo who, in 1494, was commissioned by the ruler

of Florence to sculpt a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard. THE MIRACLE OF 1511 In Brussels in 1511, during six weeks of subzero temperatures called the Winter of Death, the city was miraculously adorned with hundreds of snowmen. The spectacle told stories on every street corner — some political and some demonstrating anger with the

York was home to a remote Dutch settlement, which was under the constant threat of attack. Soldiers guarded the gates at all times because they were frozen open, but during a blizzard, they left a pair of snowmen to protect the gates while they sought shelter. That's when 200 French Canadian soldiers and Native Americans

approached. Naturally, they were unfazed by the snowmen and

church, many too risque to speak of. For the people of Brussels, this Miracle of 1511 was a defining moment of artistic freedom. But when spring came and the snow thawed, the Belgians were left with damaging floods. THE SCHENECTADY MASSACRE Not all snowmen have an innocent history. In 1690, former Fort Schenectady in upstate New

ruthlessly invaded the settlement.

Building a snowman seems like a simple and charming activity, but after learning about its surprising history, you might find those piles of snow seem a little more complicated and a lot more meaningful than before.

LAUGH OUT LOUD

Festive Apple Cider

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider! Ingredients

• • •

1 lemon

• •

2 tsp allspice berries

1 gallon pure apple cider 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise

1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced

• •

2 tbsp honey

•

2 tsp whole cloves

3 cinnamon sticks

1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy! directions

Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026 Inside This Issue

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The Genius of Facebook Marketplace

2

How to Eat (Responsibly) During the Holidays When Do I Need to Hire a Real Estate Attorney?

3

The Surprising History of the Snowman

Festive Apple Cider

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Good News, Music Lovers

Good News, Music Lovers

It might feel like things have slowed down since the pandemic hit, but in actuality, we’ve reached new heights in technology — plus, a parrot has even learned to sing Beyoncé songs. Check out these achievements made right here in Boston! MEET CHICO, THE WORLD’S BEST BEYONCÉ IMPERSONATOR AND PARROT. Amazon parrots are native to tropical South America and can live to be nearly 100 years old. These highly intelligent birds can also repeat human speech in a clear voice, and 9-year- old Chico is a stunning example of that. Based at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in Great Britain, Chico has been stunning crowds with a stellar singing voice. His rendition of Beyoncé’s “If I Were a Boy” has been stealing the hearts of millions over Facebook and YouTube.

“People can’t get enough of him,” Graham Gardner, a regular visitor, said. “There’s always a line of people waiting to see him — it’s like he’s an actual pop star at times … He’ll just break into song randomly, and it leaves people in hysterics.” Lincolnshire Wildlife Park CEO Steve Nichols joked to SWNS, “Who’d have ever thought that a parrot would cause social distancing problems due to being so popular?” MIT SCIENTISTS INVENTAMACHINE TO DISINFECT BOSTON FOOD BANK IN 30 MINUTES. When you have a warehouse of donated food, it can be a real challenge to properly disinfect all of it. Not to mention the threat of COVID-19 isn’t only on surfaces but also in the air. How do you economically fight those challenges within a short amount of time?

A massive UV-C light, as it turns out. MIT researchers and engineers assembled a robot that can map out the layout of the warehouse and automatically shine its powerful UV-C light across every aisle, killing viruses and bacteria in the air and on surfaces. “Food banks provide an essential service to our communities, so it is critical to help keep these operations running,” says Alyssa Pierson, a research scientist and technical lead of the UV-C lamp assembly. “Here, there was a unique opportunity to provide additional disinfecting power to their current workflow and help reduce the risks of COVID-19 exposure.” Some say this technology will expand to grocery stores and other businesses across the country. We hope this good news puts you in a good mood — it certainly did for us. From everyone at Brooks & Crowley, we hope you have a very happy December!

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