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LYN’S LEDGER
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
September 2022
We Help You With Medicare.
A ROUNDUP OF OUR TRIP
These are the numbers from our July trip: 6,107 miles driven through 16 states in 25 days, an average price per gallon at $4.75, and 22 family members visited. Indiana and Michigan were the far points in our vacation. After we assisted a friend in moving to Indiana, Kathy and I enjoyed visits with family at stops across Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, Colorado, and Utah. Next year, Kathy and I are going to find a nice place, throw the car keys under the bed, and stay put for two weeks! We had such a great time. We saw such variety and beauty and encountered so many wonderful people all along the way. Several things stand out from our time away. California may be turning brown, but the Midwest is not! Whenever I get back to the Great Lakes area — as any of you familiar with the eastern states may agree — I am refreshed with green. Light green, dark green, dense green, everything is green. The roads are canyons through deep green forests. The hillsides are multi-hued green. Those living there may say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah …” but for me, it was nice to be immersed in an abundance of green for a few days. Another wonder that’s taken for granted is the amazing system of roads across our nation. Plans for our 6,100-mile trip were made assuming without a second thought that we could drive to our destinations — just because we wanted to! California and Texas have smoother interstates than Michigan. The New Mexico Department of Transportation just needs to get a clue! Your chattering teeth tell you the moment you leave Arizona. At points along our route, road repairs and replacements slowed our road speed. A new bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Louis was perhaps the largest project we encountered, along with 25 miles of both westbound lanes of I-90 in South Dakota being torn up and replaced. So mundane, yet so amazing. Chicago may be a nice city, but it takes a “fistful of dollars” to get through on the toll roads. Instead, we took the jet-powered twin-hull Lake Express Ferry across Lake Michigan from Muskegon, Michigan, to
Milwaukee. Two and a half hours and a pretty good hamburger later, we rolled down the ramp and west through Wisconsin. A companion small wonder is that U-Haul has built a rental system that permits us to assume “Oh, I’ll just rent a U-Haul from where I am to anywhere in the country.” Amazing! U-Haul’s inventory management system is not without its imperfections. Their website let me choose Ojai as the rental location for a 5-by-8-foot trailer, but I had to go to Santa Barbara to get it. A small matter, really. The U-Haul drop-off point in La Porte, Indiana, was a half mile from our friend’s new home. U-Haul is so embedded in our culture that it even has its own spellcheck entry in Microsoft Word that demands the hyphen be included when I’m typing! If you’ve traveled across the country and not noticed all the semi-trucks, you must’ve been asleep in the back seat. Virtually everything tangible that fills our lives made a good share of its journey to our homes in the trailer of a diesel-powered truck. Truck stops are entire towns unto themselves. The American dream is alive and well for many recent arrivals to our country. Each year we travel, I see more trucks with lettering on the cabs in different languages. And Medicare! Medicare teamed with a companion private insurance plan is the best coverage most people have ever had at the lowest cost they’ve ever paid. Yesterday, I was on the phone with a 63-year-old who was paying $1,200 a month with a $5,000 deductible. She couldn’t wait to get Medicare! It’s great to be back in Ojai getting ready for the Annual Enrollment Period. Please see the inside article for details on this year’s AEP. Thank you again for the opportunity to assist you with your Medicare needs. It means the world to us. Blessings,
–Lyn Thomas
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www.LT-ins.com
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Lyndon Thomas Insurance
GET OUT AND MINGLE
The Importance of Socialization in Retirement
As humans, we thrive on love and companionship. In our golden years, that desire and the benefits that come from it don’t go away. In fact, socialization is especially important for seniors. According to a study from the Harvard School of Public Health, a healthy social life in your 50s and 60s slows down the rates of memory loss and deterioration. It also provides many other positive benefits. Fosters Positivity After your working years come to a close and you no longer interact with coworkers, loneliness and isolation have a higher chance of settling in. Socialization is key to keeping your spirits high. So, to create and maintain positive relationships, make plans with friends and family to keep yourself busy and entertained. Reduces Stress In today’s world, stress can creep up easily. Whether it’s a busy schedule, worry about family members, fear of shifts in the economy, or unstable current events overseas that keep you on edge and anxious, get out and do something! A night out with a friend or even just time spent chatting with a family member on the phone can help to reduce stress. Increases Self-Worth Social activities such as exercise classes, group dinners, walks with a friend, or events at a clubhouse are great ways to build friendships.
While friendships are a two-way street, being on the giving side can help you feel needed and increase your self-worth. To be good company is a great way to help others, which makes you feel great about yourself, too! Engagement, socialization, and creating meaningful relationships are necessary components of being happy and healthy, especially as you age. So, sign up for water aerobics, take that group pottery class, go fishing with your friends, take your neighbor up on that walk, and go to that party! You just might have a great time, and you’ll never regret interacting with others! “Time flies when you’re having fun!” So the saying goes. I’m getting to the stage of life where time just simply flies. Do I hear an “Amen, brother!”? Another Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is just around the corner. Annual Enrollment Period, aka Open Enrollment Period, is the time of year when anyone already in Medicare may add, change, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan or Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan. IT’S TIME AGAIN FOR ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD!
Here’s the timeline:
By Oct. 1 If you are enrolled in a 2022 MAPD or SA-PDP, your health plan will mail you an Annual Notice of Change. The ANOC highlights any
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CA# 0D96309
1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
www.LT-ins.com
We Help You With Medicare.
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changes in your current plan for 2023. If you are satisfied with your plan and any changes are acceptable, you do not need to take any action for your plan to “roll over” and continue next year. You may also inform your plan that you wish to receive plan materials via email. Oct. 1 to Oct. 14, Pre-Annual Enrollment Period Medicare Advantage Plans and Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans publish their next year’s plan benefits, including any premium,
copays, and plan changes online. Agents may begin marketing activities and meeting with Medicare beneficiaries to discuss their 2023 plan benefit options. However, agents are prohibited from accepting AEP enrollments during pre-AEP. Oct. 15–Dec. 7 This is the Annual Enrollment Period , during which companies and agents may continue marketing activities and receive enrollments. AEP enrollments become effective on Jan. 1. For those turning 65 and entering Medicare during the months of October through December follow the Initial Enrollment Period guidelines. People moving or retiring and entering Medicare after 65 would follow Special Enrollment Period guidelines. Supplement policy changes follow different guidelines. In a future issue, we will review Special Enrollment Periods in more depth. Service after the sale is what makes the difference between the TV ad companies and nationwide brokerages that are trying to induce you to call or send in that reply card. Yes, they love to take your enrollment, but then you have no local agent to call if you have questions.
This flyer has not been approved by Medicare. Information included here may be verified at Medicare.gov.
SUDOKU
FROZEN MOCHA TORTE
Ingredients
• • • • • •
1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs
• • • •
2 tbsp instant coffee granules
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp hot water
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup heavy cream, whipped Chocolate-covered coffee beans (optional)
1 8-oz package cream cheese, softened 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup chocolate syrup
1. In a small bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, sugar, and butter. 2. In a greased 9-inch pan, add the wafer mixture and press to the bottom. 3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate syrup until smooth. 4. In a separate dish or cup, dissolve coffee granules in hot water. Once combined, add to the cream cheese mixture and fold in whipped cream. 5. Pour mixture evenly over the crust. Cover and freeze for 8 hours or overnight. 6. Remove from the freezer 10–15 minutes before serving. Garnish with chocolate-covered coffee beans if desired. Directions
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CA# 0D96309
805-646-6409
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
PO Box 207 Ojai, CA 93024
INSIDE
CA# 0D96309 | www.LT-ins.com | 805-646-6409
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I’m Back From My Trip!
Why Socialization Is Important for Seniors
The Annual Enrollment Period Is Here!
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Sudoku
Frozen Mocha Torte
A Dog’s Loyalty Has No Limit
THIS BELGIAN MALINOIS NEEDS A CAPE
EVA’S STAND-OFF WITH A MOUNTAIN LION
A commonly uttered phrase among dog lovers is that we don’t deserve them. This comes from the fact that dogs often give their all to protect their owners, even if that means putting their own lives at risk. Dogs seem to be instinctively wired to protect their humans — and it’s more proof they really are our best friends. In May 2022, Erin Wilson pulled off at a roadside picnic area and headed down a path toward the Trinity River in California with her
and shy nature. In fact, since 1890, California has recorded only six fatal mountain lion attacks. However, recent drought conditions have made food scarce in some areas. Their preferred prey is deer, but these conditions probably made the sudden appearance of a slender woman look like an attractive option. The mountain lion growled and took a swipe at Wilson’s left shoulder. As it lunged at her, Wilson screamed and shouted for Eva. At the distressed call of her owner, the dog came running back to Wilson’s aid. Without hesitation, Eva leapt between Wilson and tackled the wild cat. During the short tussle, the mountain lion managed to get its jaws around Eva’s head, but Wilson fought to free her dog by throwing rocks in an attempt to break its hold. When that didn’t work, she ran back to her truck and managed to wave down a passing motorist. With their combined efforts — and a crowbar and lots of pepper spray — they were able to scare the mountain lion away. Wilson, though wounded, managed to carry Eva back to her truck and raced her to an animal hospital. Unfortunately, while Eva survived the initial attack, she passed away due to her injuries on June 8, 2022. Wilson said she would do anything for her dog, and that day, Eva proved she had done the same for Wilson.
Belgian Malinois, Eva. As Wilson walked down the slope, the dog ran ahead. Suddenly, Wilson turned around and realized she was being cornered by a mountain lion. These attacks are incredibly rare due to the mountain lion’s reclusive
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1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
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