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WHAT’S ON YOUR LIST?
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“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” —Abraham Lincoln
I’m not usually a country music guy — it’s just never been my thing. But I’ve come to appreciate that country music — for all its trucks, boots, and beer — has a way of telling the truth. Sometimes that truth comes wrapped in a title like “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” or “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly,” and you can’t help but chuckle. But other times, a country song sneaks up on you and hits you right between the eyes. That’s what happened when I heard Jelly Roll perform a tribute to Toby Keith.
He sang “My List,” and it starts like this: “Under an old brass paperweight is my list of things to do today ...”
We talk about love, forgiveness, and regret. Whether they’ve taken the trip, written the letter, or told the story that still needs telling.
It’s a simple story — just a man with a to-do list full of chores: “ Go to the bank and the hardware store, put a new lock on the cellar door. ” But instead of getting to work, he sets the list aside. Because what he really needs to do is, “ Go for a walk, say a little prayer, take a deep breath of mountain air ... Pick up my son from school today ... ” He remembers what really matters — his wife, his kids, and his parents. Himself. The things that never make the to-do list. The message is clear: Sometimes the most important things in life aren’t on your to-do list — but they should be. When you’re young, your list is packed with career steps and milestones to reach — checking that next box. But as you get older, something shifts. The list starts to feel different. You start to realize that while the stuff on your list matters, it’s the people and moments behind it all that really stay with you. Maybe that’s why the line that stuck with me most was this: “Start livin’, that’s the next thing on my list.” There’s wisdom in that. The kind that creeps in quietly over time. In my work, we talk about planning — wills, trusts, medical decisions. But those conversations often go deeper: What kind of life do you want now? What kind of legacy do you want to leave?
That’s the lesson from “My List.” Don’t stop doing the necessary things — just don’t let them crowd out the meaningful ones.
I’m not telling you to toss your planner out the window. But maybe you should move “Call my sister” a few lines higher. Bump “lunch with a friend” ahead of “clean out the garage.”
It’s not about doing less. It’s about being present for what matters most.
In the end, we’re remembered not for how much we did but for how deeply we showed up, how we made people feel, and what we chose to put first.
So, take a moment today and ask: “What’s on my list?” Then pause, reflect, and reorder — and do it again tomorrow.
I’ll leave you with a thought from Confucius that says it all: “We all have two lives. The second begins when we realize we only have one.”
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THE BIZARRE BATTLE RITUALS OF ANCIENT ROME When you think of ancient Roman warfare, you probably picture armored legions, powerful generals, and grand strategy. What you might not picture is a group of chickens playing a vital role in battle decisions. But believe it or not, sacred chickens were once the military advisors of the Roman Republic — and what they had to say (or rather, eat) could determine the fate of an entire campaign. beaks, it was seen as a good omen and a green light for action. If the chickens refused to eat or acted uninterested, the message was clear: Don’t proceed. The gods were not in favor. When Chickens Called the Shots
One of the most infamous stories involving these chickens came in 249 BCE during the First Punic War. Roman naval commander Publius Claudius Pulcher wanted to attack the Carthaginians, but the chickens gave a bad omen by refusing to eat. Pulcher, annoyed by their lack of cooperation, reportedly threw the birds overboard, saying, “If they won’t eat, let them drink!” Unfortunately for him, his fleet suffered a devastating defeat shortly afterward — a loss many blamed on his disrespect for the sacred ritual. It might sound ridiculous today, but in ancient Rome, religion, superstition, and state affairs were deeply intertwined. Consulting omens was spiritually and politically expected. Ignoring them could spark public outrage or be viewed as inviting divine punishment. The sacred chickens are a strange reminder of how even the most powerful empires often relied on symbols and rituals that seem bizarre by today’s standards. Whether you believe in signs or not, one thing is clear — in Rome, you didn’t mess with the chickens.
These weren’t just any chickens. Known as the sacred chickens of Rome, they were kept and consulted by priests, called augurs, who specialized in
interpreting the will of the gods. These priests didn’t just observe the sky or animal behavior — they observed the chickens’ eating behaviors.
Before a military campaign or major political decision, augurs would scatter feed in front of the sacred chickens and closely
watch how they ate. If the birds pecked enthusiastically, spilling grain from their
INSIDE THE SCIENCE OF SNACKING
“Betcha can’t eat just one.” In much the same way Wendy’s famous “Where’s the beef?” slogan helped popularize the fast food chain in the 1980s, the above statement — or challenge — is synonymous with the marketing of Lay’s potato chips. This pop culture staple has a point, as it’s virtually impossible not to grab a handful or more of the salty treats at a time.
can of soda? Well, that’s because your taste buds aren’t the only things in your body that enjoy the experience. Research suggests that foods high in sodium trigger a heavy dose of dopamine, the hormone that helps us feel pleasure. The burst of energy we feel after chugging down a Coke is due to the spike in adrenaline caused by the drink’s caffeine content. Because of our bodies’ natural inclination to welcome things that make us feel good, we seek out this sense of euphoria as much as possible — making it very hard to stop at a single chip or sip. A bad habit backlash. Since food manufacturers rely on repeat business to survive, it’s safe to assume they’re not in a hurry to skimp on ingredients that cause us to hit the snack aisle — which is precisely why many of them are being sued.
And we have science to thank (or blame) for that.
If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t seem to put down a bag of chips or cookies, the chemical reactions within our bodies caused by consuming junk food are likely the reason. Here’s a look at why our willpower is often no match for our snack food cravings — and what the legal system has to say about it. Why we love unhealthy food. Have you ever felt like you’re on Cloud Nine shortly after eating french fries or drinking a
in an active lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania resident Bryce Martinez. The suit argues that Martinez’s diagnosis of diabetes and liver disease at just 16 years old was a direct result of his regular diet of highly addictive ultra-processed foods. While the verdict remains to be seen, it’s clear that our dietary choices may have more to do with our chemistry than a simple desire to crunch and munch.
PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, and General Mills are among the 11 defendants
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Sudoku
CLICK, CAPTURE, KEEP
Memory-Making in the Digital Age
Our calendars are never short on commitments and coordination.
Whether it’s back-to-school time, the changing seasons, or prepping for the upcoming holiday season that will be here before we know it, early fall can be one of the busiest times of the year for many. With the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it nature of our everyday lives, documenting precious events before they’re gone is always a priority. Of course, technology has come a long way from the days of dropping off film at a local store to get it developed, and many of our memories are now stored in an online “cloud.” Whether you’re active in cyberspace or are slow to adapt to life after Polaroids, here are two suggestions for utilizing the inter-“net” to catch your most cherished moments. Save your experiences widely. In 2025, it’s common for adults of any age to commemorate significant milestones by posting photos on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. While sharing content on these sites is a quick and easy way to update your friends and loved ones, you should avoid relying on any social media account as a permanent photo bank. Social media users are subject to these platforms’ technical limitations and decisions. Although rare, years’ worth of images could disappear if the site you’re using experiences performance issues or changes how it manages your content. Post photos on your accounts as you please, but don’t forget to put them in an online storage cloud like Google Photos or save them to an external hard drive for added security. The same precautions should be taken with any images stored on your phone. Write to withstand time. Although popular, social media can be a haven for intrusive advertisements, AI-generated misinformation, and (unfortunately) frequent arguments among users on hot-button issues. To showcase your life events without having to contend with so much cyber clutter, consider creating a travel blog or a similar site focusing solely on what you want to share and say. Creating a dedicated online space is a great way to put your memories, thoughts, and experiences front and center without risking your vacation pics or grandson’s graduation video being drowned out by everything else vying for attention on a Facebook feed.
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Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE Estate Planning Checkup. Call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com. • Don’t miss Glenn on “Senior Law Radio,” WHMI FM 93.5 every Sunday at 8 a.m. You can also listen live (or to previous shows) on WHMI.com. • Questions about your money? Do you need help with your financial goals, investment management, or retirement planning? Glenn has partnered with his personal financial advisor, Brad Jerome, to bring expert financial services to our clients. Brad meets with you right in our office — no cost, no obligation, and no pressure — just an opportunity to discuss your goals with a top-notch financial advisor to see where your path might lead. You can reach Brad directly at 517.301.3070. • Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. We’ve grown with the referrals we receive from our clients. We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside of estate planning, elder law, and probate. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com. We are glad to help!
Take these extra steps now to protect your memories — they’re worth it.
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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150 915 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 6 Howell, Michigan 48843
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What’s Inside? 1 2 Make Time for the Things That Matter Most
Sacred Clucks and Roman Conquests Minds and Menus
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Post and Preserve Helpful Resources
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Superstition’s Grip on Modern Habits
THE QUIRKY WORLD OF SUPERSTITIONS
Ever caught yourself short after walking under a ladder or cringed when a black cat crossed your path? You’re not alone. These superstitions have been with us for centuries, and they’re just two on a long list of many that people still have today. While some may feel silly, all of them have fascinating origin stories. Of course, there’s a practical, safety-related reason not to walk under a ladder, but the superstition comes from several places, including Christian tradition. In Christianity, the triangle represents the Holy Trinity. Walking through the triangle formed by a ladder was seen as breaking this perfect unity. Ladders were also associated with the gallows in medieval times. Walking under one was thought to bring death or bad luck — nobody wanted that energy. What about the black cat thing? They got a bad rap in medieval Europe and were tied to witchcraft. The number 13? That came from stories of betrayal and misfortune. Opening an umbrella indoors? That’s part practicality — no one wants to knock over a vase or poke someone in the eye — and part belief that opening them indoors would offend the Sun God. Do you carry a rabbit’s foot for good luck? You have Celtic folklore to thank for that one. The truth is that all superstitions are a mix of history, fear, and habit rolled into stuff we still believe and do without thinking. So, the next time you say “bless you” after a sneeze, remember you’re protecting souls one sniffle at a time.
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