LIST Birmingham - November 2020

LIST Birmingham - November 2020

M E L V I N ’ S M O N T H L Y M O M E N T S

NOVEMBER 2020

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MY LOVE AFFAIR

I clearly remember the first burning embers of the love affair. I was in the first grade and I was smitten. On the first day of school, the teacher had us all STAND , face an American flag, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Man, I fell head over heels in love with that flag. I was moved by the fact that the teacher was somber and reverent. As a child, I recognized that the flag and my country were special. We said this pledge every day. It taught me that the flag and my country came first — the first thing every day. Later on, I noticed that we always played the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and saluted the flag while STANDING before football games. Again, indicating that my country came first, before the game. When I entered the military, I gained a whole new respect for the flag. In the mornings, at about 6:30, the American flag is hoisted briskly to the tune of reveille, which usually has a live bugle player and is piped into speakers all over the base. No matter where you are on the base, if you are outside, you have to immediately stop, face headquarters, STAND , and salute that flag. At the end of the day, typically around 4:30, the tune “Retreat” is played and the flag is lowered ceremoniously. No matter where you are, soldiers stop, STAND , and salute the flag. Civilians usually place their palm over their heart. But, the base stops. Whether you are running, playing golf,

mowing the grass, etc., everything stops. Wow, what a lesson. We respect the flag to start and end the day. My first time in a military movie theatre, it was the same thing. Before a movie, the national anthem is played and an American flag covers the screen. Everyone, I mean everyone, STANDS and salutes that flag. It is more important than the movie. I remember the first time I experienced this. It was just after basic training and I was just 17. The 18-year-old beside me said, “I have never been prouder of my country than I am right now STANDING here in a uniform surrounded by my brother soldiers. It gives me goosebumps.” I knew exactly what he meant. Like any love affair, it had to be tested. The first test was on Nov. 4, 1979. On that day, Iranian students overran the American Embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. We were shown footage of the Iranians proudly standing on top of the embassy burning the American flag. Like any lover, I was outraged. Our country was humiliated. But, in February of 1980, just a few months later, I witnessed the American Olympic hockey team’s “Miracle on Ice” and win a gold medal. One of the heroes from that team, goalie Jim Craig, skated around the rink draped in an American flag. My heart soared with pride.

base Honor Guard Unit at Little Rock Air Force Base. Our chief duty was to perform military funerals all over the state of Arkansas. At a military funeral, seven soldiers shoot a rifle three times for a 21-gun salute. Six other soldiers are pallbearers. The pallbearers carry the deceased to the burial site with an American flag draped over the coffin. As the senior enlisted man present, it was always my job to fold the flag (13 folds) with another airman. I presented the triangle flag to the commanding officer. The commanding officer presented the flag to one of the survivors, almost always a female: mother, wife, daughter, or sister. The commanding officer presents the flag with these words: On behalf of the President of the United States and a GRATEFUL

During this period (I served from 1977–1981), I was selected to be on the

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PET FOOD ISN’T ALWAYS ECO-FRIENDLY THE FACTS ON ANIMAL POLLUTION IN OUR OWN HOMES

Today’s homes are far more energy-efficient than homes from a decade ago and include all kinds of upgraded features, like solar panel roofs and smart home connectivity. But how much money do these high-tech installations actually save you? Depending on how many features your eco-friendly home has, it could be thousands of dollars every year. It’s important to figure out which technologies can improve the performance of your home and how big your savings could be. Here are some of the biggest money- saving features! Smart Thermostats Smart thermostats are becoming more and more common and for good reason. These devices let homeowners control and monitor their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems whether they’re at home or not. The energy savings vary per brand and model, but you can usually reduce your HVAC costs by 10%– 23%, which is a big deal since these costs account for about half of the average home’s utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Low-E Storm Windows The temperature that your home retains is largely influenced by the windows in your home. Low-E (low-efficiency) storm windows are tight-fitting windows that have a thin layer of radiant-reflective material, which decreases the heat coming into your home and your overall energy needs. Low-E windows can lower your annual HVAC bills by 12%–33%, according to the DOE. WaterSense Toilets The Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program is much like its EnergyStar program — both certify products that meet certain high-performance and eco-friendly standards. All toilets with a WaterSense label are 20% more water-efficient than traditional toilets and use only 1.28 gallons per flush. Solar Panels Your savings here will vary depending on the location of your house and how much sunlight it gets, but you can use Google’s Project Sunroof ( Google.com/get/sunroof ) to calculate just how much you can save. Many energy companies will even buy any excess energy generated by your solar panels, which goes a step beyond savings by providing additional income for homeowners. How Much Money Can a Tech-Savvy Home Save You?

Dogs and cats are exposed to many of the same carcinogenic and toxic chemicals as humans, especially in their food. But average levels of these chemicals were found to be substantially higher in pets than in people. According to “Polluted Pets,” a 2008 report from the Environmental Working Group, dogs were found to have 40% higher levels of dangerous chemicals as humans, and cats had 96% higher levels of the same chemicals. By upgrading your pet’s food to a healthier, eco-friendly brand, you can improve your furry friends’ quality of life while also helping save the planet. But how do you identify which brand is best for your pet and the environment? Wait, is pet food really that bad? Many brands can be problematic to your pet’s health. Consider pet food with “meat meal” on the label — meat meal is processed dried meat that’s usually used in kibble and is composed of low-quality meat, bones, hooves, feathers, and other parts of the animal. How can they possibly use hooves and feathers, you ask? The “meal” is cooked at extremely high temperatures, making it much less nutritious than higher-quality meats and fish. (No wonder some pets are so desperate for our table scraps!) A lack of regulation in the pet food industry has been an issue for many years. Checking recalls on brand-name dog food brands will reveal that they’ve found salmonella, E. coli, and even the euthanasia drug pentobarbital in some dog food brands. Yes, the same chemical used to put dogs down! What’s the importance of an eco-friendly brand? Like with other foods that we buy, picking an eco-friendly pet food brand will help support farmers and businesses with smaller carbon footprints, which keeps chemicals out of the ground and local waterways.

As far as picking an eco- friendly brand, look for an organic, human grade, and/ or non-GMO label when you’re shopping. Check out the packaging and whether or not it’s made from sustainable and renewable materials — these are all signs of an eco-responsible company. Two popular, healthy brands are Honest Kitchen and Lily’s Kitchen!

No matter what kind of shenanigans our pets get into, we can all agree that they deserve healthy, happy lives. That can often start with their food. Let us know what brands are your favorite!

When you’re ready to make changes to your current home and start saving, let us know how we can help!

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TOP 2020 TRENDS FOR MAKING ‘HOME SWEET HOME’ EVEN COZIER

Comfort food isn’t the only comforting thing trending this year. With everyone spending more time at home, many have found creative ways of making their home cozier, too. Pair your Thanksgiving comfort meal with these easy, rewarding home upgrades and make you and your family happier and more comfy this fall! Create a colorful, Instagram-worthy kitchen. Don’t you love the sleek, beautiful kitchens on cooking shows? What’s so special about them? It’s not just the matching towels or their shiny new pots and pans. There’s simply no clutter. All tools and ingredients are found in well-organized, easy-to-navigate glass or ceramic containers. There’s plenty of natural, warm, and bright lighting. To make your kitchen more inviting, add mirrors to the walls to expand your natural light; it won’t cost too much. If you want a bigger project

and want to follow a popular 2020 trend, shy away from all-white kitchens and paint the cabinets a bold color. You can go big or do just a few things to modify your kitchen to look more chic than ever! Also, in one study, Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab found that participants snacked on double the calories when standing in a messy kitchen compared to a clean one. Not only is making the kitchen ready

Consider classic blue. An inviting color can have the same comforting effect on your mood as a warm blanket can have on your body. This might be why the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year is classic blue — “a shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk.” After this crazy year, a calming, deep, sophisticated blue is perfect for our homes. Pick up a dark blue blanket as a practical accent piece or add a fresh coat of paint to any space or furniture item. A lovely shade of blue can instantly make your space look more peaceful, especially with a beautiful contrasting white accent or trim.

for a cooking show easier than you think, but it’s healthier, too.

Add more leafy plants. You can feel like you’re someplace far, far away — yet, still at home — if you’re surrounded by lush, leafy green plants. Not only does the color brighten the space, but plants provide an additional sense of warmth and comfort to any room. Kitchen plants, like herbs, can serve a dual-purpose: color and flavor!

We hope these ideas help inspire you to make home a little more comfortable this year. Happy decorating!

SINFULLY SWEET BUTTERNUT SQUASH

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Inspired by WellPlated.com

nation, please accept this flag for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”

I attended dozens of funerals. In every case, the recipient of the American flag clutched it to their chest with obvious pride. If you have never seen an American military funeral, they are impressive. Another challenge was Sept. 11, 2001. After that sucker punch from our enemies, our nation came together. It seemed like everyone had an American flag on their cars, in their homes, and outside their businesses. We may have problems, but we come together to fight our enemies. Like Lee Greenwood sings: “I’ll gladly STAND UP next to you and defend her still today ‘cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA. ” (Still gives me goosebumps!)

This butternut squash, oven-roasted and caramelized to perfection, could almost pass for dessert. You’d never guess it’s a dish loaded with vitamins and antioxidants!

Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F, placing the two oven racks at the top and bottom of the oven. Then grease two baking sheets. 2. In a large bowl, combine squash cubes, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and spices. Toss to coat, then spread mixture in a single layer over the baking sheets. 3. Place both pans in the oven and bake 15 minutes. Turn the cubes with a spatula and return them to the oven, swapping them to different racks. Continue baking 10–15 minutes until tender.

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil • 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup • 1 3/4 tsp kosher salt • 3/4 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

Have a happy Veterans Day!!

-Melvin Upchurch

4. Sprinkle with rosemary and serve!

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INSIDE

1

My Love Affair

2

How Much Money Can a Tech-Savvy Home Save You?

Pet Food Isn’t Always Eco-Friendly

3

Top 2020 Home Trends to Make Your Space Extra Comfortable

Sinfully Sweet Butternut Squash

4

Make Your Seasonal Decor Look Feast-Worthy

MAKE YOUR SEASONAL DECOR LOOK FEAST-WORTHY

The presence of food can make us feel right at home. That’s why so many of us decorate with a cornucopia of fall vegetable pieces around this time of year. It makes us feel ready to share a holiday feast with others. If you want to shake things up this year, try modern ways of utilizing this theme without causing clutter! It might be easy to drown your home in faux leaves, but don’t let fall completely dominate your space. Remember to focus your attention on what food-themed decor does best: creating a sense of calm and comfort. Using over-the-top pieces sparingly can often be the most effective! Allow your reds and oranges to create a sense of warmth, not chaos.

Also, try to approach your food-themed decor much like you would any other touch of nature to brighten a space up. During summer, we might have put a leafy plant by the window to make the space seem lusher, so for fall, consider a glass end table with a pumpkin surrounded by leaves for a similar effect.

A bright fall home can inspire us to feel ready to tackle the holidays, and we hope these tips help you feel the same way!

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