Check out our August newsletter!
LYN’S LEDGER
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
August 2023
We Help You With Medicare.
A WORKING VACATION
After a week in Spokane with our son and his wife, Kathy and I are now, at the time of this writing, wrapping up a week in Indiana before we visit my father in South Dakota for the next week. Last summer, we ended up in Indiana having enjoyed our nation’s freeway system. This summer, airline credit card points are paying for our travel to three destinations. Sweet! Late July daytime highs in Spokane, Washington, were in the high 90s. The locals were gasping, but to us, it felt like Ojai. Ian and Haley showed us several highlights of the city. The Spokane River is the focal point of the city. We enjoyed getting out in nature by hiking the Bowl and Pitcher area trails on the edge of town. If you are ever in Spokane, the manicured and colorful delights of Manito Gardens are certainly worth a visit. The Spokane River has powered the area’s economy from the beginning, from the water-powered mills, factories of the 19th century, and the Expo ’74 World’s Fair to today’s downtown River Park Square with waterfalls and parks, entertainment venues and arenas, shops, restaurants, and movie theaters. We look forward to visiting our kids in Spokane again. Another city that has made a significant investment in revitalizing its downtown, river-threaded core is Elkhart, our base of operations for our week in Indiana. Like so many cities, Elkhart’s downtown core decayed later in the 20th century. The convergence of the Elkhart and St. Joseph Rivers now hosts the downtown Riverfront Park. The west bank downtown area renewal is capped by the grand dame nine-story hotel restored as the Elkhart Hilton Tapestry. The new River District on the east side of the Elkhart River has parks, banks, and other office buildings, new condominiums, and apartments, and some great restaurants and historical installations. For Kathy and me, our evening walks along the
river have been delightful. Canada geese by the hundreds grazing in the lawns and parks was unexpected. Our stay has been serenaded day and night by train horns. Elkhart hosts one of the world’s largest train classification yards, where cars are grouped and assembled according to destination. Northern Indiana is developing as a growth area for LTI. Our LTI sales associate, Rod Owen, and I have met up to further learn the market and to meet with company representatives, clients, and prospects across the northern part of the state. I’ve been meeting longtime friends, making new ones, and reconnecting with cousins not seen in 25 years. It’s been a great week. Preparations for our three-week summer trip delayed my newsletter content delivery to my editor. I am undoubtedly one of the more frustrating clients for my Newsletter Pro editor, John “Pun” McReynolds. He was asking for content before we left on our trip, and I’m just now getting this to him. However, true to our contract, Newsletter Pro’s billing department hits my credit card right on time. Whether it’s California, Indiana, or any other state, Medicare and private sector insurance funding of health care provides — on the whole — an amazing benefit to American seniors. That I myself will be “aging in” to Medicare next year is unbelievable to me. Rod Owen has a few more days of client meetings. Kathy and I are heading to South Dakota. Our deepest appreciation to Susan and Beth for keeping things running smoothly at the office while we’re on the road and in the air. We are grateful.
–Lyn Thomas
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www.LT-ins.com
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Lyndon Thomas Insurance
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SITTER FOR YOUR PET
Your Family May Not Be Up to the Task!
When your children were young, you wouldn’t trust their care to any old babysitter, would you? Of course not! Now, your pets are no different. When you head out for a summer vacation, they deserve to be cared for by someone who will pamper and protect them the same way you would. The only problem is, who? Friends and Family vs. Professionals You may be tempted to ask your sibling, friend, or child to watch your
• Does your pet have a disability or need to take medication that would be better handled by a professional? • Does your friend or family member know how to stay cool and react calmly in case of a veterinary emergency? If your loved one is pressed for time or easily stressed, or your pet has medical needs, you may be better off working with a professional. How to Find the Right Pro When choosing a professional pet sitter, don’t start with the flier on the stop sign pole down the street (it was probably put up by a 10-year-old). Instead, call your pet’s vet, groomer, and/or trainer and ask if they can recommend a nearby pet sitter. You can also ask friends and family who are conscientious pet owners. Then, thoroughly check the sitter’s credentials and experience. Look for signs that they’re serious about their work, like certifications, insurance, and background check information, and set up an interview and meet-and- greet with your pet. If you can’t find a sitter through your network, consider online groups like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Care.com, Pet Sitters International, Rover, or TrustedHousesitters, and use the same vetting strategy. For more help choosing a great sitter, visit HumaneSociety.org/resources. 3 UPDATES FOR READERS Email Version of Lyn’s Ledger For those readers who would prefer to receive Lyn’s Ledger electronically, please visit our website, LT-ins.com/request-a-quote , and enter “ELECTRONIC” or call 805-646-6409 . We will then send you the e-version in an HTML Flipbook format. Annual Notice of Change in September The yearlong trickle of Medicare plan mail becomes a flood as the Annual Enrollment Period approaches. Amidst all that 4th Class marketing mail is one document you should read. Medicare requires all Prescription Drug Programs and Medicare Advantage Plans to send the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) to every member. The ANOC will publish, in chart form, each benefit category with any CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ...
pet. This can be a great solution because you trust them, and they’ve bonded with your furry friend already. But have you considered a professional? Some situations may call for a little more. Use these questions to help you decide: • Will your friend or family member be able to visit your home regularly or stay there
temporarily while you’re gone to avoid disrupting your pet’s routine?
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CA# 0D96309
1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
www.LT-ins.com
We Help You With Medicare.
... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
benefit change for next year, with this year’s benefit (premium and copays, for example) in one column and next year’s benefit in a side-by-side format. The ANOC alerts you to any changes in your plan coverage for next year. Any Medicare Advantage plan member whose plan raises its premium or any copay by 15% is granted in that Annual Enrollment Period a Guaranteed Issue privilege for Medicare supplement policy. Please contact our office at 805-646-6409 for more information. Another Scam Alert! Amazon is the world’s largest e-commerce website, so that’s where the scammers go, too. Amazon has just put out an urgent notice, warning millions of Americans to watch out for some new tactics that online scammers are using to steal your money.
As an Amazon customer, perhaps you’ve received this notice. “Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information for products or services over the phone … [We will] never ask you to disclose your password or verify sensitive personal information over the phone or on any website other than Amazon.com … [Scammers] constantly devise new schemes, exploit new technologies, and change tactics to avoid detection.” Federal Trade Commission statistics reveal that between July 2020 and June 2021 (the latest publicly available data), approximately 96,000 people were targeted by some form of an Amazon-related scam — with their losing a total of at least $27 million. A good personal guideline is to NEVER give credit card or banking information to anyone who calls or emails you first.
SUDOKU
RASPBERRY AND FIG OAT BARS
Ingredients
• • • • • •
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• • • • • •
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup cornstarch 1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup raspberry jam 1 1/3 cups raspberries
1 cup and 1 tbsp rolled oats, divided 2 sticks chilled unsalted butter, diced 2/3 cup caster sugar (superfine granulated)
3 figs, quartered
1 tbsp turbinado or brown sugar
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and line an 8x12-inch pan with parchment paper. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and 1 cup oats. Using your fingertips, rub in butter until crumbly. Stir in caster sugar, then add egg and vanilla. Stir until clumpy. 3. In the pan, smooth three-quarters of the mixture evenly. Spread jam over the top, then add fruit. Mix leftover oat mixture with turbinado sugar and remaining oats, then sprinkle over the fruit. 4. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
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CA# 0D96309
805-646-6409
Inspired by Delicious.com.au
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
P.O. Box 207 Ojai, CA 93024
INSIDE
CA# 0D96309 | www.LT-ins.com | 805-646-6409
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A Working Vacation
Find a Trustworthy Pet Sitter
3 Updates for Readers
Sudoku
Raspberry and Fig Oat Bars
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Can You Solve This 18th- Century Cipher?
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
THIS ENIGMATIC INSCRIPTION REMAINS UNSOLVED
DISCOVER THE THEORIES BEHIND SHEPHERD’S MONUMENT
A mysterious 18th-century code has made even the most renowned geniuses lose sleep and continues to puzzle the world. On the grounds of Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire, England, lies the baffling code that refuses to be cracked. The Shepherd’s Monument was commissioned by British Parliament member Thomas Anson and sculpted by Peter Schee around the mid to late 1700s. But what makes this monument so mysterious? On the monument is an engraving of Nicolas Poussin’s painting “The Shepherds of Arcadia” and the inscription “OUOSVAVV” framed by the letters “DM,” which are placed slightly lower than the main eight letters. While the inscription has a long history of confusing the public (including Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin), the monument’s mystery was reignited after its appearance in the bestselling novel “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown. Now, countless theories have been made, but no confirmed meaning exists. So, what are the conspiracy theories out there behind this vague inscription? • Masonic symbols lead to the hidden location of the Holy Grail with the outside letters “DM,” meaning “Devout Mason.”
• A tribute to Anson’s late wife with the letters standing for “Optimae Uxoris Optimae Sororis Viduus Amantissimus Vovit Virtutibus,” meaning, “Best of wives, best of sisters, a most devoted widower dedicates [this] to your virtues.” • The monument is a dead end with jumbled letters to taunt those who look too deeply into inscriptions. While these theories have been the predominantly believed meanings for centuries, one recent discovery may make the most sense. Linguistic expert Keith Massey utilized his expansive knowledge of Latin to develop the phrase “Oro Ut Omnes Sequantur Viam Ad Veram Vitam,” which translates to “I pray that all may follow the Way to True Life.” This phrase was common on ancient Christian tombs. The primary hint was the mysterious “DM,” which Massey determined was “Dis Manibus” or “for the Manes,” another phrase seen on ancient Christian tombs. Massey explained, “My solution provides a straightforward and grammatical sentence, all parts of which are attested in tomb inscriptions and texts predating or contemporary with the creation of the Shugborough inscription.” Do you agree? Is this finally the true meaning behind this riddle, or is there still more to be uncovered?
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1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
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