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NOVEMBER 2018
Garry F. Liday Corporation FINANCIAL COACH
RETIREMENT ASSET MANAGERS, INC. A Registered Investment Advisory Firm (RIA)
GRATITUDE FOR SIMPLE PLEASURES What I Learned From a Rare Day Off
A few weeks ago, I did something I don’t often do: I took the day off for no reason in particular. There was no occasion to celebrate, no event to attend — just a chance to relax and have a weekday without responsibilities. While it’s not my natural tendency — I’m a hopeless workaholic — I’m very glad that I had the opportunity to have an aimless day to recharge my batteries. My wife and I probably spend 99 percent of our free time together, but I decided to spend my off-day on my own. “You know what, honey,” I said that morning, “I think I’m just going to head to downtown Portland on my own today.” Louise, ever gracious, thought it was a wonderful idea and left me to my own devices. When I left the house, I promised myself I would let nothing stress me out. That was tested right away, as I hit some serious traffic on the way into the city. I normally don’t follow a commuter’s route, so it was an unexpected experience for me. But every time I thought about bemoaning the traffic, I snapped myself out of it. And you know what? The traffic ended up being no big deal. Once I arrived downtown, I had zero plans whatsoever. I’m not a big coffee drinker, but I do love green tea, so I stopped at a cafe to enjoy a warm drink and do some people-watching. I spent the rest of the day just goofing off, ambling around, and enjoying being directionless. Would I want to do that every day? Absolutely not. But was I glad I did it once? You bet. The pleasures of taking a lazy Wednesday to yourself may not seem worthy of sharing at your Thanksgiving table, but sometimes I think gratitude for life’s simple pleasures is just as important as being thankful for more remarkable events. That’s something I’ve had to learn over the years. When you’re in your 20s, it feels like every little thing is a life-and- death matter. Unless something truly amazing happens, it’s easy to take
your blessings for granted. As you get older and gain an appreciation for day-to-day joy, your sense of gratitude only grows.
Of course, I’m still incredibly grateful for the essential people in my life. I’m insanely lucky to be happily married to the woman of my dreams for 36 years and counting. We’re both family-oriented, so that is another source of happiness in our lives. Though we both have children from our previous marriages, we consider ourselves one big family. It’s rare that we can get everyone together these days, but when we do, we all know how special it is. Some people would have you believe that gratitude diminishes as you get older. In our experience, it’s just the opposite. Every day I wake up thankful to live the life I have. As you gather with your loved ones this Thanksgiving, try to take a moment to acknowledge the little things you’re grateful for. Odds are they’re more important than you considered. – Garry Li day
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INTEGRITY, RELIABILITY, & COMMITMENT
Without Breaking Your Budget GET YOUR GRANDCHILDREN THE PERFECT GIFTS
‘Tis the season to flock to the stores to find the hottest deals on the coolest products just in time for the holidays. For older adults, however, braving a crowded parking lot and long lines can be a painful, difficult ordeal. Luckily, you don’t have to participate in this “rate” race in order to give your grandchildren presents they’ll cherish for years to come. Follow these steps to generate ideas for affordable, unforgettable gifts. STEP 1: MAKE A BUDGET Regardless of how much you’ve saved for retirement, you need to consider the finances. The best way to establish a budget is to set aside a holiday fund including the total amount of money you’re comfortable spending. Divide that total by the number of grandchildren you have, and you’ll now know approximately how much you can spend on each gift. Remember, too, that many presents don’t have to come with a price tag. STEP 2: TALK TO THE PARENTS Parents are the best resource for ideas of what is and isn’t an appropriate gift. They can tell you what each child is interested in, as well as list any gifts to avoid. Parents’ insights will prove invaluable
when it comes time to make a decision, especially because different parents have varying ideas of what’s acceptable.
STEP 3: GIVE AN EXPERIENCE Consider giving an experience-based gift rather than a toy or material object. Maybe you want to give all of the children in one family tickets for a getaway. Perhaps you want to accompany them to a museum or sporting event. No matter the experience that fits your family best, these gifts can create lasting memories for everyone. STEP 4: ADD A THOUGHTFUL TOUCH After you’ve purchased all of your gifts, take the time to add something personal to each of them. A handwritten letter, old photos, or other mementos could end up having just as much of an impact as the gift itself. It will also let the child know that you’re thinking of them, which is especially meaningful when you can’t spend the holidays together. STEP 5: HAVE FUN Buying gifts for your grandkids should be a joyful experience and a way to express your love. That’s what matters most of all.
MEET CHIPS The WWII Hero Dog
War heroes are revered for their acts of bravery in times of combat — and Chips, the shepherd-collie-husky crossbreed, is no different. During World War II, the Wren family donated Chips to Dogs for Defense shortly after the U.S. joined the war. Of the 40,000 dogs donated to the corps, more than 10,000 were selected to participate in the program after training. Chips was shipped off with his handler, Private Rowell, to French Morocco. Chips and Rowell patrolled the Casablanca Conference, where Chips was introduced to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Following the meeting, Rowell and Chips went to Sicily to support the invasion as part of Operation Husky, which was where Chips earned his hero status. On July 10, 1943, Allied soldiers were attacked on the beach by an enemy machine gun team. Chips ran for the hut where the barrage of bullets was coming from and tore into the enemies. His handler described hearing rapid noise and seeing Chips gripping one of the men by his throat
until Rowell ordered the dog down. Three more men came out of the hut, their hands raised. Chips left the fight with burns and a scalp wound, but his actions saved the lives of all the men in his platoon, and later that day, he discovered more enemy soldiers. On Jan. 15, 2018 — 75 years after the Casablanca Conference — Chips was posthumously awarded the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals Dickin Medal, the highest award an animal can achieve for their time in military conflict in Britain. After his service, Chips returned to live with the Wren family. On U.S. soil, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. These honors were eventually stripped by the Army after a policy barred animals from earning the same medals as people, but his platoon awarded him the Theater Ribbon and battle stars for his eight campaigns. To the men Chips saved, medals didn’t make him a hero — his selfless actions did.
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Avoid Injury This Thanksgiving Whenever an activity involves heavy lifting or repetitive motion, it’s important to take steps to prevent injury. While back pain, carpal tunnel, and sore shoulders are normally associated with work-related injuries, it’s important to note that these issues can also result from working in the kitchen if you’re not careful. With the big feast coming up at the end of the month, here’s a guide to pain-free cooking! MIX IT UP Even if you’re “just” chopping carrots or peeling potatoes, you may be exposing yourself to a repetitive strain injury. Standing for long periods with your shoulders hunched forward is also bad for your back. While it’s always important to keep an eye on your posture, the best way to avoid pain and stiffness is to do a mix of activities in short bursts. If you’re cooking with family, consider swapping jobs every six or seven minutes to give your body a break from the same motions and positions. USE YOUR TOOLS If you are older or suffer from arthritis, this is an especially important point. Ergonomic kitchen utensils are available to make many cooking tasks, from slicing to stirring, easier to handle. Using oven mitts rather than pot holders also lets you grip hot items with greater confidence and reduces the likelihood of an accident. LIFTING THE TURKEY All right, here’s the big one: One of the easiest ways to hurt your back is to lift a heavy object while simultaneously twisting your torso — the exact thing one might do when trying to take a turkey out of the oven in a single fluid motion. Do not put yourself and the feast at risk. Lift with your legs, straighten all the way up, and then turn to where you want to carve it. No one wants to throw their back out before Black Friday. We hope you have a safe and happy start to the holiday season. If any aches or pains develop as the weather gets colder, feel free to swing by and let our physical therapy experts get you moving again! PAIN-FREE COOKING
No matter how you cook your bird for Thanksgiving, it will taste better if you brine it beforehand. Break out your biggest cooler and some ice to ensure that your guests rave about your turkey. A SIMPLE BRINE FOR SUCCULENT TURKEY
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
INGREDIENTS
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2 large sprigs thyme
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3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons kosher salt
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2 bay leaves
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3/4 cup sugar
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1 tablespoon black peppercorns
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1 carrot, peeled and diced
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
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1 large onion, peeled and diced
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1/4 cup celery, diced
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large stock pot, bring salt, sugar, and 4 cups water to a boil. Stir until all ingredients are dissolved. 2. Turn off heat and add remaining ingredients. Place brine in the fridge, uncovered, until cold. 3. Add 6 quarts cold water to brine. Add turkey and submerge completely. Brine chilled for up to 72 hours.
INTEGRITY, RELIABILITY, & COMMITMENT
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Garry F. Liday Corp. Retirement Asset Managers, Inc. A Registered Investment Advisory Firm (RIA) 15405 SW 116th Ave., Suite 103A King City, OR 97224
Call Us: (503) 620-3531 www.garryliday.com
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Inside This Issue Appreciation for the Everyday page 1 A Gift-Buying Guide for Grandparents page 2 Chips, The WWII Hero Dog page 2 3 Tips for Pain-Free Cooking page 3 A Simple Brine for Succulent Turkey page 3 A Historic Veterans Day page 4
A HISTORIC VETERANS DAY Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the End of World War I
This year, Veterans Day takes on particular historic significance: Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Countries around the world will commemorate the signing of this peace agreement with moments of silence, centennial ceremonies, and historical exhibits. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day is a celebration of life. It’s a day to honor the power of peace and the living veterans across the globe who have served their countries. This November, take a moment to remember the war that helped shape the international community’s dedication to peace and thank the individuals who served to defend it. THE GREAT WAR By 1914, a world war had been years in the making, but the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by a Serbian nationalist provided the spark that would eventually burn down much of Europe. A chain reaction of land disputes, pre-emptive attacks, and strategic alliances brought over 30 countries into World War I.
The Great War that ravaged Europe resulted in a devastating loss of life, but from those ashes rose a renewed appreciation for the importance of peace and a global effort to ensure its place in the future. THE RESTORATION OF PEACE In 1918, Germany surrendered unconditionally, and the armistice ended the fighting at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, though the war did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following July. An estimated 16 million soldiers and civilians died in just four years, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in modern history. VETERANS DAY Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the one-year anniversary of the armistice, and it became a U.S. holiday in 1938. Today, Veterans Day celebrates veterans who served their country honorably. The U.K., France, Australia, and Canada also commemorate their veterans in November. If you know a veteran, thank them for their service this month.
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