Check out our October newsletter!
AndrewMAyers.com
877-262-9377
October 2026
Feed Your Curiosity OPEN YOUR MIND, ONE MUSEUM AT A TIME Sacred Waters Last year, we visited Taos Pueblo, a living Native American community in New Mexico. In this unique village of multistory adobe buildings and wide dirt streets, the indigenous Puebloans’ ancient way of life is preserved. We were fascinated to learn about nearby Blue Lake, an ancient site of tribal ceremonies 11,000 feet up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Native Americans regard this lake as sacred, and access has been restricted to tribal members for more than 50 years. Of course, we were dying to see it, but visitors aren’t allowed. One could only imagine its beauty, untouched by civilization for so long. A Locus of Genius For a glimpse into a great inventor’s workday, we toured Thomas Edison’s winter laboratory in Fort Myers, Florida, a couple of years ago. It was interesting to see Edison’s old tools and inventions, from the phonograph to the light bulb. Edison also had thousands of failures. One of them was a joint effort in that same lab with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, shortly before he died in 1931, to breed a domestic plant as a source of rubber. The fruits of their pooled efforts never reached the application stage. Edison’s story is a good reminder that you can fail 99 times, but the one time your invention works may be the time that makes you famous. New York, New York At ages 16, 14, and 11, our three kids each have favorite museums in New York. My older son, 14, is all about baseball, and he and his brother, 11, have seen the famed Ball Wall at the Yankees Museum in Yankee Stadium. My sons also loved the American Museum of Natural History, including the 94-foot blue whale suspended from the ceiling. And my 16-year-old daughter, who enjoys dance, was thrilled to visit the Museum of Broadway, which featured exhibits such as the Jets jacket worn by Tony in “West Side Story.” The fun thing about our museum visits is that each of us tends to notice something different. When you’re seeing a visually rich setting for the first time, your gaze might be drawn to entirely different details than the person next to you. I hope that whatever captures my kids’ attention at these museums will give them a deeper sense of history. We can learn a lot from the lives of people who have inhabited this Earth before us. Some accomplished good things. Others left a legacy of harm. But by learning about their lives, we can hope to emulate the good examples … and avoid repeating the bad ones.
No matter where in the world I travel with my family, we make a point of visiting a local museum. That custom has taken us from a 1,000-year-old Native American village in New Mexico, to a Founding Father’s birthplace on a tiny Caribbean island, to the Ball Wall in the bowels of Yankee Stadium. These adventures have immersed us in times and places far from our day-to-day lives. And every time we walk out of a different museum, each of us sees the world around us a little differently. In recognition of October as Museums and Galleries Month, I want to share a few memories. Lowly Roots My wife and I, on our honeymoon, visited Alexander Hamilton’s birthplace on Nevis, a small volcanic island in the Caribbean. While most of us these days think of Hamilton as the larger-than-life persona projected by the 2015 Broadway musical, a far humbler image emerged from this exhibit in a place where Hamilton once lived. It might as well have been any small-town tribute to “the most famous guy to come from this town.” We were impressed by its authentic, down-to-earth tone.
–Andrew M. Ayers
AndrewMAyers.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
One of the Strangest Lawsuits Ever Filed BAGLEY’S BATTLE
We all make mistakes from time to time, but few of us would ever consider taking ourselves to court over a transgression. That’s exactly what Utah resident Barbara Bagley did following a 2011 automobile accident that resulted in the death of her passenger and common-law husband, Bradley Vom Baur. While behind the wheel in the Nevada desert, Bagley lost control of her Range Rover after hitting a patch of sagebrush. Vom Baur, who was thrown from the vehicle, died 10 days later after sustaining extensive injuries. In addition to the heartbreak of losing her partner, Bagley had to contend with the legal and financial aftermath of the tragedy. As the sole heir and personal representative of Vom Baur’s estate, she was obliged to pursue damages for the incident. There was just one problem:
The insurer, State Farm, refused to pay out due to Bagley’s negligence, which meant she had to attempt to recover damages by suing herself . Thus began the odd case of Bagley and the Estate of Vom Baur v. Bagley . Naturally, the twists and turns of this particular litigation are too lengthy to fit in a simple summary, but State Farm’s actions during the proceedings were a clear (and surreal) highlight. The insurer provided Bagley’s attorneys, who then argued against her for bringing the action against herself as their client. Her own legal counsel went as far as to argue that her actions were “contrary to … basic notions of fairness and decency.” Initially dismissed by the district court, the case found new life in the Court of Appeals, which held that Bagley was
entirely within her rights to pursue such an action. The Utah Supreme Court agreed, leading the way for the case to move forward. Ultimately, Bagley’s long legal journey resulted in a payout. While the bizarre circumstances surrounding this case almost guarantee we’ll likely never see another one of its kind, the tale of Barbara Bagley’s legal proceedings against Barbara Bagley demonstrates that virtually anything is possible in the legal world.
WHEN EVERYTHING FEELS DIFFERENT, YOUR CHILD NEEDS YOU MORE THAN EVER
Model healthy coping skills. Children pay close attention to how adults respond to challenges. Demonstrating healthy ways to manage stress, such as staying calm, talking through problems, and practicing self-care, helps children develop coping skills they can use throughout life. Seeing resilience in action reminds kids that change, while difficult, is something they can handle. Be patient with the process. Adapting to change takes time, and every child moves at their own pace. Celebrate small victories, offer encouragement, and remember that setbacks are a normal part of the process. With consistent love, understanding, and support, children can and will build the confidence and resilience they’ll carry into future life changes.
One day, your child is laughing, playing, and following their usual routine. The next, they’re facing a new school, a family move, or another major life change that turns their world upside down. These transitions are a normal part of growing up, but they can feel overwhelming for kids. The way parents respond can make all the difference, helping children feel safe, supported, and ready to adjust with confidence. Keep communication open. Children often have questions they don’t know how to ask. Create opportunities for honest conversations about what’s changing and what they can expect. Use age-appropriate language, encourage questions, and listen without rushing to fix every emotion. It’s amazing how much just feeling heard can help a child. Stick to familiar routines. Major life changes can make children feel like everything is out of their control. Keeping regular routines for meals, bedtime,
homework, or family activities provides a sense of stability. Even when schedules change, establishing new routines quickly helps kids adjust and feel grounded. Validate their feelings. Every child reacts differently to change. Some become emotional, while others withdraw or grow frustrated. Avoid telling them how they should feel. Instead, acknowledge their emotions and let them know it’s okay to feel sad, nervous, excited, or even confused. Validation builds trust and encourages children to share their feelings rather than bottle them up. Spend quality time together. During periods of transition, children often need extra reassurance that they’re loved and supported. Tiny moments of connection can make a larger difference than you may imagine. Reading together, playing a game, taking a walk, or simply talking about the day reminds kids they aren’t facing change alone.
2 | 877-262-9377
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
The AI Gold Rush
TAKE A BREAK
Opportunity or Overhype?
Over the last few months, you’ve likely heard someone talk about the “AI bubble” and how it is on the brink of collapsing. Some experts theorize that there was massive overinvestment in AI properties and companies, inflating stock valuations well above their proven profitability or current revenue, and that it will all come crashing down sooner rather than later. It’s a scary thought, as an AI bubble pop could have lasting consequences for our economy, but it’s important to remember that this isn’t the first time we’ve experienced something like this. In the ‘90s, investors started throwing money at every internet- related stock. Dot-com and other tech stocks saw huge value increases, and investors thought the good times would just keep rolling. But they didn’t. When the bubble burst, many investors faced significant losses as countless dot-com and technology companies collapsed. As we approach the possibility of another market correction, we can look back on lessons from the dot- com era to make more informed decisions. Diversify. If you play the investing game, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is keeping your portfolio exclusive to similar products, industries, and markets. You have to spread your money around. If you invest entirely in the AI industry and the bubble pops, you’ll be in a tough position. Stick to strategy. Those who invest often follow a philosophy that drives their investment decisions. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotional side, especially if you’re experiencing big gains or losses, and throw your strategy to the side. Do your homework on each stock, explore all your options, and stick to the basics. Don’t get caught off guard. Longtime investors know that people always say the market is going to crash. Eventually, someone will be right, but we hear a lot of noise until that moment. Prepare for market uncertainty and establish a backup plan, whether that’s keeping some cash on hand or pulling back when things look less predictable.
• 1 tbsp butter • 1 lb salmon fillets • Salt and black pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup orange juice Ingredients ORANGE- GLAZED SALMON
• 2 tbsp honey • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp water (optional)
Directions 1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. 2. Season salmon with salt and pepper, then place skin-side up in the skillet. 3. Cook 3–5 minutes until golden. 4. Flip and cook 3–4 minutes more, until the salmon reaches 145 F. 5. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. 6. Return skillet to stove and reduce heat to medium. 7. In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and cornstarch (if using). 8. Pour into the skillet and cook until hot and slightly thickened. 9. Return salmon to the pan and spoon glaze over the top before serving.
AndrewMAyers.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
877-262-9377 AndrewMAyers.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
6800 France Ave., Ste. 190 Edina, MN 55435 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Small Business & Personal Planning Attorney See what my clients say about me on MyGoogleReviews.com!
Museum Magic: Some Visits Can Change How You See the World
1
Can You Sue Yourself? One Woman Actually Did
2
Your Child’s World Is Changing. Here’s How to Help Them Through It
Orange-Glazed Salmon
3
Is AI the Next Stock Market Bubble?
Bigfoot’s Best-Kept Secret? He’s Protected by Law
4
IF YOU SEE BIGFOOT, DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT Believe It or Not, Sasquatch Has Legal Protection
Every state has a few quirky laws hiding in its history, but this one might just take the prize. In southern Washington’s Skamania County, it’s illegal to harm Bigfoot. Yes, that Bigfoot. The legendary, oversized, furry forest dweller has inspired campfire stories, documentaries, blurry photos, and countless “I swear I saw something” tales for decades. Whether you believe Sasquatch is real or simply camera- shy, Skamania County isn’t taking any chances. The law was originally adopted on April 1, 1969, which naturally led many people to assume it was nothing more than an elaborate April Fools’ joke, but it’s entirely real. Local officials repeatedly confirmed the ordinance was genuine, and newspapers continued reporting on it to clear up any confusion. Then, in 1984, things got even more interesting. The county updated the ordinance, officially declaring Sasquatch an endangered species and even creating a Sasquatch Refuge. Neighboring Whatcom County eventually followed suit by establishing its own Sasquatch protection and refuge area.
Now, before you imagine lawmakers passionately debating Bigfoot conservation, the real reason behind the law is actually much more practical. The forests of Washington have long attracted enthusiastic and sometimes heavily armed Bigfoot hunters. Officials worried that someone determined to bag the legendary
creature might accidentally mistake another hiker, camper, or even a prankster in a furry costume for Sasquatch. And yes, plenty of Bigfoot enthusiasts are willing to dress the part, making mistaken identity a surprisingly reasonable concern. If someone were to violate the ordinance in Skamania County, the consequences aren’t exactly mythical. Harming a Sasquatch (or what someone believes is one) can carry a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. So, if your next hiking trip through Washington’s forests includes an unexpected encounter with a towering, hairy figure, the safest bet is to admire from a distance. Whether it’s Bigfoot, another hiker,
or your friend wearing an incredibly convincing costume, everyone will appreciate the decision.
4 | 877-262-9377
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator