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Club MED
January 2026
THE APPLE, THE TREE, AND THE ISLE OF SKYE
When I was in priestly ministry, I discovered a curious phenomenon. Long-lost relatives — people I barely knew or had never met — had a way of suddenly appearing out of nowhere when they needed something. Babies needed baptizing. Couples needed marrying. Funerals needed performing. Apparently, the family grapevine is remarkably efficient when there’s a clerical collar involved. One branch of my family tree always intrigued me. My father had a cousin in Iowa to whom he was close growing up. After graduating from Creighton Prep, that cousin headed off to Iowa to make his fortune. I met that side of the family only a couple of times when I was small, mostly at funerals and the occasional family gathering. We weren’t particularly close. Years later, after he passed away, his children — my second cousins once removed — asked if I would travel to western Iowa to preside at his funeral. What surprised me wasn’t the drive. It was the reunion. As I sat with family members I hadn’t seen since childhood, the conversations felt eerily familiar. Same expressions. Same attitudes. Same ideas about politics, religion, family, and life in general. More than once, I found myself finishing their sentences before they even realized where they were going.
The people have spoken! We were voted the best Medicare insurance agency in Omaha by the Omaha Magazine.
ordination, and before seminary, he’d spent decades as a barrister, which, as I learned, is what they call lawyers in Scotland and England. He was originally from Edinburgh. One day, I mentioned that my father’s family was originally from Scotland. I told him my surname and that I understood my people came from the Isle of Skye.
docked in New York Harbor. He slipped away, made his way west, and eventually settled in Omaha, where he worked as a livestock trader. That independent streak? Also, apparently genetic. Now, Bev has decided she wants to see if there are any Grimonds left in Scotland, so this summer we’re heading across the Atlantic, and we’re starting on the Isle of Skye. I don’t know if we’ll find any Grimonds there when we land. From what I’ve heard, the smartest ones may have already moved on to greener pastures. But even if we don’t find relatives, we’ll see the land that shaped the people who shaped my family. Bev still likes to recall our first date and how my “piercing blue eyes” intimidated her. So, who knows? Maybe we’ll spot a few bonny lads and lasses with familiar thick eyebrows and that unmistakable Grimmond stare — walking the craggy shores of Skye, shoving barley into the stills, or perhaps manning the gift shop at the family castle.
He went quiet. Then he gave me a serious look.
“Aye,” he said, suddenly speaking with a much heavier Scottish burr than when we first met. “The Grimonds are from Skye. It is a very bleak place, Skye.”
Naturally, I asked the obvious question: “What are the people like?”
“They are like the land,” he said. “Very bleak. Very serious. Very stern.”
Well … that explained a few things.
Later, I learned that many residents of Skye left the island because of severe poverty, often joining the service, especially the Marines. The British Empire had a tremendous demand for men willing to serve all across the globe. As fate would have it, my great- grandfather, James Grimmond, enlisted in the Marines. We even have a photograph of him in uniform. According to family lore, enlistments were for life back then, so Great-Grandpa Grimmond decided to make an “early retirement” when his ship
That’s when it struck me: The genetic apple does not fall far from the tree.
Stranger things have happened in this family.
Since my wife, Bev, started researching my family history through Ancestry.com and 23andMe , I’ve become increasingly curious about the Scottish side of my lineage. About 30 years ago, when I was studying in a psychology program, I met a seminarian who stood out. He was an older gentleman, just a couple of years from
Until next time, may your roots keep you grounded — and may your branches keep reaching for new adventures. Licensed Insurance Agent –Christopher J. Grimmond
Call 402-614-3389 to speak with a licensed insurance agent! • 1
Medicare Insurance Made Easy
WHY YOUR TEETH MIGHT WANT A BACKUP PLAN
Most of us don’t think much about our teeth — until one of them starts complaining. A little sensitivity here. A dull ache there. And suddenly you’re lying awake at 2 a.m., bargaining with God, your dentist, and your checkbook. Here’s the reality: Once we hit our mid-60s, dental issues become more common, more complicated, and more expensive. Gum disease, cavities, cracked teeth, crowns, root canals, partials, dentures — you name it. And unfortunately, Original Medicare still looks at teeth as a luxury item, like cable TV or premium ice cream. That’s where a stand-alone dental plan comes in — not as a replacement, but as a backup parachute .
That’s not bad luck. That’s bad planning.
A stand-alone dental plan adds: • Stability
• Predictability • Peace of mind
It’s like carrying an umbrella when the forecast says “mostly sunny.” When it rains, you don’t look silly — you look smart. WHY TIMING MATTERS MORE THAN PEOPLE REALIZE Here’s the part I wish more people understood before they cracked a tooth. Most stand-alone dental plans have a waiting period — often 12 months — before major services like crowns and root canals are covered. I get phone calls every week from clients who say, “Christopher, I need dental coverage now . I just broke a tooth.” Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t work that way. You can’t buy coverage after something happens. Otherwise, licensed insurance agents would be standing next to tow trucks and showing up at car wrecks. The time to get dental coverage is before you need it, while your teeth are still behaving. WHY THIS MATTERS MORE AS WE AGE As we get older: • Gums recede • Medications cause dry mouth • Teeth that have worked hard for 60-plus years start filing complaints Dental problems don’t usually show up politely or cheaply. They show up fast, painful, and right before a holiday or vacation.
THE $500 QUESTION Let’s talk dollars.
For about $500 a year , roughly the cost of two routine cleanings without insurance , you can have a stand-alone dental plan that does far more than just polish your smile.
Many of these plans:
• Cover preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays) with little or no out-of-pocket cost • Pay 50% of major services like crowns, root canals, and partial dentures • Dramatically reduce your financial exposure when real dental work shows up uninvited
Preventive care helps, but coverage for major work is what really protects your wallet.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH For about $500 a year :
Think of it this way: Cleanings are the warm-up act. Crowns and root canals are the main event.
• You protect yourself from large dental bills. • You reduce financial surprises. • You avoid relying solely on coverage that may change next year.
And the main event is where most people get financially blindsided.
That’s not over-insurance. That’s common sense.
WHEN DENTAL BILLS BITE BACK Here are some very common costs Medicare beneficiaries face without solid coverage:
Your teeth have been with you your whole life. They’ve earned a little backup. If you’d like help reviewing your dental options — connect with me, a licensed insurance agent. After all, the only thing worse than a toothache … is a toothache with a bill attached to it.
• Crown: $800–$3,000 per tooth • Root canal: $700–$2,000 • Partial denture: $1,000–$2,500 • Full dentures: even more
One cracked molar can cost more than five years of dental premiums .
2 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
Life is a marathon. For the first few decades of our lives, everything is go-go-go. We constantly look ahead to the next stage of life and wonder what we need to do to reach it, whether it’s finishing high school, earning a college degree, or moving up in our industry. As we settle down and start families, things slow down slightly, but life remains chaotic. Many tire of the hustle culture as they approach that “over the hill” age. They’ll start looking for a quieter lifestyle, ideally as part of their retirement. This way of life calls on us to slow down and shift our habits to align with what matters most. One of the best moves we can make to incorporate this idea of slower living fully is participating in hobbies that allow us time for introspection and reflection. Here are three accessible and simple hobbies that allow us to focus on what matters most. WALKING There’s something magical about being outside in nature. Walking is a great way to add extra movement to your day, connect with nature, and refocus your thoughts. While you can walk anywhere, it’s best to get out in the wilderness, where distractions are in short supply. ARTS & CRAFTS If you can find an activity that speaks to your artistic side, you’ll gain a new way to express yourself and center your thoughts. The best part of arts and crafts is that there are activities for everyone. You can journal, write short stories, paint awe-inspiring landscapes, knit beautiful pieces of clothing, sculpt something from clay, make soap, or even work on your calligraphy. BAKING Those who want to lose themselves in thought while creating something delicious should head to the kitchen. Baking is a great way to create something from nothing while relieving stress, developing patience, and expressing yourself creatively. All you need to get started are a few ingredients, a recipe, and the willingness to bake! HOBBIES THAT HELP YOU PAUSE WITH PURPOSE Over the Hill and Loving It
Testimonial
“I have been with Omaha Insurance Solutions for over five years. I can say they are helpful, focused on your individual needs, and the staff are easy to work with and welcoming.” —Kathy C.
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Romesco Sauce
Ingredients • 1 cup dry small lentils • 6 cups water • 1 tsp salt • 1 extra-large cauliflower • 1/2 red onion • 1 large bell pepper • 4–6 garlic cloves • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 2 tsp cumin, divided • 1 tsp coriander
• 1 1/4 tsp salt (3/4 tsp marinade, 1/2 tsp sauce) • 1/2 cup almonds • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1/4–1/2 tsp cayenne • 1 tbsp tomato paste • 1 tbsp red wine/sherry vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil • 2–4 tbsp water
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Boil lentils with salt and water until tender, drain, and drizzle with olive oil. 3. Cut cauliflower into 1/2-inch steaks; slice onion; quarter bell pepper. Add to sheet pan with whole garlic cloves. 4. Mix olive oil, paprika, 1 tsp cumin, coriander, and salt; brush over veggies. Bake 35 minutes, removing garlic when golden. Sauce: In food processor, pulse roasted peppers, onion, garlic, and almonds. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, tomato paste, vinegar, olive oil, and water; pulse. Divide lentils among bowls, add sauce, and top with cauliflower.
Call 402-614-3389 to speak with a licensed insurance agent! • 3 Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
11414 W. Center Rd., Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68144
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
402-614-3389 OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com Chris@OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
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INSIDE This Issue
The Apple, the Tree, and the Isle of Skye 1
Why Your Teeth Might Want a Backup Plan 2
3
Rediscover Yourself With Hobbies That Heal, Create, and Inspire
Testimonial 3
3
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Romesco Sauce
Cement Saves a Scientific Legend 4
From Rock Bottom to Reinvention Edison’s Iron Will
Despite his rightful place in history books as one of the world’s greatest minds, legendary inventor Thomas Edison was a consistent failure … and that was a great thing. By the time Edison died in 1931 at 84, he had experienced a life steeped in as many devastating defeats as world-changing ambitions. That he’s remembered today for his scientific milestones and not his epic misfires represents the spirit of “failing forward,” the concept of embracing failure as an opportunity to pursue new ideas and directions for success.
and $2 million in his own iron mining operation in northern New Jersey. Unfortunately for the maverick inventor, several other iron plants launched around the same time, which caused the value of iron to drop considerably and led to severe financial losses. CEMENT SEALS SUCCESS Instead of accepting defeat when his iron operation went under, Edison turned his attention to another critical material: cement. While running his iron mine, he regularly sold waste sand to cement makers for additional revenue. Seeing an opportunity to expand further into this market, he launched the Edison Portland Cement Company, repurposing equipment and technology he had used for iron mining. The venture was a huge success, allowing Edison to pay off his massive debts and become one of the leading forces behind the use of cement in American infrastructure. While the catastrophic failure of his iron mining endeavor would have crushed most entrepreneurs, Edison thrived by pivoting to new ventures. He never gave up. His inventions proved his brilliance, but his fearlessness in the face of failure demonstrated his resilience.
“I have not failed,” Edison famously insisted. “I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Here’s one example of how he turned a significant misfire into an unmitigated triumph. FROM IRON TO INSOLVENCY Edison held more than 1,000 patents in his lifetime, and many of his inventions toward the end of the 1800s relied heavily on iron as a source material. When the cost of the metal began to rise, he attempted to address the problem by investing more than 10 years
4 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
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