The Big 65 Archives

Did you know the circle⭕is unbroken 🌋🌊?

Buongiorno☀️ … We hope this blog finds you in superb health, with your Medicare insurance not keeping you up at night!

Email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar if you are in a tight spot or if your friends need help with Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, or prescription drug issues.

The bells exploded at 5 AM on Tuesday, rousing the faithful (and the rest of us) who wished to experience the celebration of Sant’Agata, one of the largest of the holy festivals in Europe.

Piazza D’uomo filled with thousands, all hoping to see the sarcophagus, experience the 900th sharing of the martyr (Agatha was returned to the city in 1126 AD), and to receive the Bishop’s blessing.

I scampered up a high stone wall near the cathedral entrance, clasped onto a collumn, and gave thanks for every pushup and every squat that preceded this moment. My primary goal was to avoid falling and also to see and hear the procession.

With AI transcription glasses, I was able to understand the Italian liturgy and hear how Saint Agatha’s story continues, how priests and judges in modern Sicily have lost their lives to the Mafia, and how the fight for justice continues.

When the service finished, the one ton silver Fercolo holding Sant’Agata was carried from the cathedral, through the thousands (waving handkerchiefs and singing), then placed into the Candelora to be pulled by the devoti through the city.

It was a moving experience.

Rituals create attention.

They pull us out of autopilot and remind us that some moments deserve to be marked: birthdays, funerals, weddings, holidays.

That afternoon, Nicholas and I drove the north eastern coast of the island, surveying the recent cyclone’s damage.

In Sicily, you can never escape the volcano or the sea. These are the forces that continue shape the island.

Yet life goes on, and each year, the city pauses to remember what endures:, belief, family and tradition. The little boys build their cardboard Candelora and practice the procession. Perhaps they dream of carrying Sant’Agata through their city.

After days and long nights of celebration, in the brilliant midday sun, Sant’Agata returned to the cathedral, completing here 900th year in Catania.

Exhausted but unbowed, these young’uns took a breather after day of ritual, finding their way in this ever changing world that somehow never changes. As the song says, “the circle is unbroken.”

May we, who’ve been on the journey a while, look to them for inspiration and with encouragement, remembering to keep fresh eyes on the world.

Our country can seem busy and divided, stepping back softens the edges.

Practice gratitude, stay close to the people who matter most, treat others with kindness, and keep your eyes on the big picture.

It’s never just what happens, it’s how we choose to respond. “There is no them; there is only us.”

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
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Idaho
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The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 50 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Let’s get your prescriptions right, 💊

Ciao … may this blog find you well, with your Medicare insurance coverage not burying you under paper.

Though the government shutdown ended last year, the ripples continue to delay Medicare Cards, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Part D drug plans.

Email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar if you are in a tight spot or if your friends need help. Hopefully things will speed up if we don’t get another shutdown🙏.

The Sicilians continue to clean up after the ravages of this once in a century cyclone. Roads, beaches, train tracks, and hillside villages were swept away. It will take years and billions of dollars to rebuild.

Gaman (我慢) is a Japanese idea that means to endure the seemingly unbearable with patience, dignity, and self-control, without complaint and without burdening others. The Sicilians definitely complain, but their ability to endure defines them. That’s life under the snowy volcano🌋!

Catania means “rough, jagged land.” The city has been shaped by centuries of invasions⚔️, lava flows🌋, earthquakes🌍, and rebuilding🔨.

When I’m frustrated while attempting to resolve Medicare issues while on long holds with the understaffed insurance companies, it’s a reminder that some challenges are temporary—and keeping an eye on the bigger picture matters.

January is the month when the Part D drug plans reset. Before you pay for your prescriptions, here are some ideas to save you 💵 and make you healthier💪🥦😊:

Pro Tip: Ask your pharmacist for the “cash price” for each medication. Many chains will not offer this discount unless you ask. Sometimes it’s less expensive than using your Part D prescription drug coverage.

Thanks to Bobby for suggesting we visit the local World War II Museum in Catania. When I look back at the adversity the greatest generation faced, it’s another reminder for me to suck it up and keep going.

Compare drug prices on GoodRx, CostPlus, or on Amazon. If you use a third party service, the drug expense may not count toward your deductible, but if you rarely hit the $2,100 maximum out of pocket, it may not matter.

Speaking of shopping, Nicholas took me to his neighborhood putìa (bodega) where he buys cheese and prosciutto. I may need to start taking a statin. It’s all about moderation, right?

If you take an expensive brand name medication, check with your pharmacist.
Because they fill hundreds of prescriptions daily, your pharmacist might be able to recommend less expensive drug alternatives for you to review with your doctor. That might save you some denaro💵 😊!

One of the ways I like to save money/denaro is eating at home as much as possible. The frozen burgers I found in the back of our son’s freezer were six months past their expiration date but still tasted pretty good⚠️😱. If my wife Q were here, she would’ve made me toss them. So far, no casualties🙏 🤣.

Confirm your pharmacy is a preferred pharmacy vs a standard pharmacy so that you are getting the lowest prices for your medications.Call to your Part D prescription drug plan or log in to their portal to compare the costs of picking up locally versus using mail order. Some zip codes have great mail service; others have consistent delivery issues. Be sure to factor in the reliability of your local postal service. The devil😈 is always in the details.

One detail I need to share…the pizza in Italy is pretty good😜. Let the record so state: we prefer Neopolitan pizza (thinner) to Sicilian (thicker). Pizzeria da Michele is the bomb!

Manufacturer copay cards don’t usually work with Medicare, but patient assistance programs sometimes do, especially for high-cost brand medications. Do your research online but also check with your doctor and your pharmacy!
Ask if your medication is available as a 90-day supply. Many Part D plans charge lower copays per month when prescriptions are filled quarterly instead of monthly.

Next week is the Holy festival of Sant’Agata, there will be hundreds of thousands here to experience the celebration. Almost every evening, as I make calls, the sky is filled with fireworks.

Most important of all… Review EVERY Medication you take annually with your doctor!

Taking multiple meds increases risk of overmedication, side effects, drug interactions, falls, and cognitive issues. Regular prescription review with a doctor can reduce unnecessary prescriptions.For your next appointment, bring ALL of your medications with you. Before the doctor comes in, line them up on the counter and confirm their necessity. Doctors are so busy, they may assume another specialist is monitoring a no longer necessary medication.

Take what you really need and get rid of the rest. You’ll be dancing in no time!

So as January resets your Part D drug coverage, remember a few simple things: ask for the cash price, compare pharmacies, check 90-day supplies, confirm you’re using a preferred pharmacy, and review every medication—prescription, over-the-counter, and supplement—with your doctor each year 💊💵. A little detective work will make you healthier, wealthier, and happier.

And no matter what happens, the sun will come out tomorrow.

Meanwhile, back home in Colorado, Miti and Plato want to remind you that, no matter where you are, under the snow ❄️or under the volcano🌋…

The basics still apply: stay warm, stay connected, and don’t sweat the small stuff🐾.

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

When you hear the trumpets🎺😳… start running 🏃‍♀️💨

Italian greetings. As the winter storms sweep across the US, may this note find you in good spirits, with your Medicare insurance coverage keeping you safe, dry, and warm.

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray@TheBig65.com if you or your friends need help reviewing coverage or setting up new plans.

Sicily survived Cyclone Harry, north African winds captured Mediterranean moisture then coupled it with a low pressure that slammed into Mount Etna (blanketing the volcano in snow and clouds), producing days of flooding, heavy rain, high winds and destruction. The island shut down.

The streets of Catania were empty and the pictures of damage were unbelievable. Even the US bases closed.

After four days of darkness, the glorious sun returned and life began again.

While visiting our Air Force son, my working day begins at 4 and finishes well after midnight. Mornings are my down time, time for black coffee and reflection.

So it was with surprise that on the first day after the storm, I heard music wafting up from the streets below, trumpets, drums, and voices waking me from my morning stupor.

I threw on my shoes, grabbed the phone, and raced down five flights of stairs (Nicholas’ apartment has no elevator), eager to discover where the music was coming from…

I came upon the candelora, a massive votive candle tower weighing several tons, carried with straps of rope and leather, covered with flowers, saints, lamps and banners, carried by one of the neighborhood guilds, a practice run to prepare for Sant’Agata, the holy festival in February.

The men carrying it are called devoti—volunteers from the neighborhood who train for this role year after year.

Each candelora belongs to a specific quarter, passed down through families and streets. In a city shaped by volcanoes and storms, protection has always been local, practiced, and shared.

The kids run alongside it, close enough to feel the weight and hear the commands. They learn by being there. In a world of screens, resilience still comes from presence, shared effort, and carrying something real.

This began as a Pagan ritual, then added Roman beliefs, then Christian, and the meaning continues, tying a people to a place, time out of mind.

Here are just a few of the headlines from this week’s paper:

Wheel falls off passenger jet onto ✈️🛞Sicily Beach🏖️
Sinkhole 🌧️🕳️swallows car amid Sicily downpour🚗😬
Police find cocaine🔍❄️ among spicy sausages🌶️🌭
Mafia baptism ad 👶✝️📺sparks anger in😡 Sicily

So when you live in a place like Sicily (or the U.S.), looking for meaning and protection in a world that can’t be controlled makes sense.

Praying with the rhythm of the saints and being part of a tribe is a great way of connecting—staying steady when the headlines, the weather, and the ground itself refuse to cooperate.

So this week, give thanks for being above ground, connect with people you love, look for ways to help others, and do a few simple things that help you stay steady—no matter what the headlines are doing.

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

If you only knew what the doctor🩺 was thinking🤔!

Mount Etna Greetings … may this blog find you well, with your Medicare insurance coverage not causing any eruptions🌋.

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray@TheBig65.com if you or your friends need help reviewing coverage or setting up new plans.

After almost three months at home in Colorado, it was time to visit our Air Force son in Sicilia.

Being a soldier is not all song and dance, but living on an island with such a rich history has its rewards.

Greeks, Romans, Normans, Byzantines, French, Spanish, Germans, and others have left their mark on this island that still today barely acknowledges the Italian mainland.

The result? Smoky Sicilian street-roasted artichokes, grilled over open flame and finished with olive oil, garlic, and parsley.

It’s an island filled with delicious surprises, if you are willing to try new things.

For me, it’s all about a good Caffè Americano and a Cipollina (an onion puff pastry) from Salvatore around the corner then back to our son’s apartment for a secure internet connection.

Since the time difference is six to nine hours, my work day begins in the afternoon and then ends after midnight. At home, I’m in bed by nine and usually up early so switching to a new time zone takes some effort. First world problem, right?

For a little bit of effort, we often reap great rewards (like dining with your son, just like the old days).

And according to neurologists, nearly 45% of dementia cases may be delayed or prevented by simple, everyday habits like the ones this article shares.

Why not take five minutes and find out which efforts you can add to your daily routine?

🪖 Protect your head: Wear a helmet when biking, skiing, or riding a motorcycle. Head injuries increase dementia risk.
🎧 Protect your hearing: Use earplugs around loud noise and don’t delay hearing aids — even mild hearing loss matters.

👓 Check your vision: Untreated vision loss is linked to cognitive decline. Use it or lose it.
🚶 Move daily: A short walk helps brain blood flow. Sitting less matters too.
🪑 Sit less, stand more: Break up long sitting with standing or walking every 20 minutes.

Over the weekend we visited this 13th century castello in Augusta. I guarantee we got our steps in here!

❤️ Manage cholesterol: Healthy arteries mean better blood flow to the brain.
🦷 Floss daily: Gum disease and oral infections are linked to dementia risk.
📚 Stay social: Book clubs, gardening groups, or regular dinners protect brain health.

Yes, we are eating fried seafood, but, your honor, we are participating in “Dry January” (no easy thing in Italy). Plus, we doused everything in olive oil.

😷 Protect against air pollution: Wear a mask on smoky or smoggy days.
💤 Sleep well: Sleep clears brain “waste” and strengthens memory.

These small habits help you think clearly, stay independent, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline — without needing to change your whole life.

Back home in Colorado, Quantz and Miti remind me I could have been practicing these habits with them — but they’re bundled up for winter while I’m soaking in Mediterranean air. I’ll take the win… this time 😄🧠❄️☀️.

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Out with the old🧹, in with the New📦!

January Greetings …

May this blog find you well, not having to wrestle🤼‍♂️with your Medicare insurance coverage💪😂.

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray@TheBig65.com if you still have questions.

Winter vacation is over for Miti. Our Malagasi exchange student enjoyed her holiday but I think she is glad to be back in school.

Last week, we took down the house decorations, this week we took down the tree🎄.

Isn’t it amazing how many ornaments you collect over a lifetime? This one was made by my mom and hung on their tree when we were kids.

Even with a tall tree, we didn’t hang all of the ornaments; there were dozens that never made it out of their boxes, the collection of a lifetime, taking up space.

Once the tree is gone, the space feels so open again, doesn’t it🌿✨😊 ?

So after walking the tree (with Plato and Miti) to the park to be mulched (the tree, not Plato), I remembered this article on decluttering from Kiplingers that I’ve been meaning to share.

The core message is one we all know, but it helps to hear it again:

Start downsizing before you need to. Doing it gradually reduces stress, emotional overload, and costly last-minute decisions later in retirement.

Talk about stress: after we dropped the tree off, we ran into Plato’s Doppelganger twin at the park.

If you don’t have time to read the article, here are the key takeaways:

Start small and early. Begin with low-emotion areas like a bathroom, linen closet, or pantry to build momentum and confidence.
Use a simple system. Empty a space completely, then put back only what you truly use or value.
Follow the one-year rule. If you haven’t worn or used something in the past year, it belongs in the “go” pile.

Be decisive. Avoid “maybe” piles. Indecision leads to storage costs and delays.
Let go of guilt. Donating inherited items doesn’t dishonor loved ones; objects aren’t the memories.
Match belongings to future space. Don’t try to squeeze everything into a smaller home—decide what fits before you move.
Don’t rely on your kids. Adult children usually don’t want most furniture or household items—assume they won’t take it.

Speaking of kids (& doppelgangers), Sus and KC went to a costume party as twins👯‍♂️!
Pretty convincing likeness, eh😂?

Consider help. A professional organizer or trusted friend can provide motivation and emotional support.
Enjoy the upside. Less clutter means less stress, better sleep, and a greater sense of freedom.

Bottom line:
Downsizing is a lifestyle shift, not a one-time purge. The earlier and more consistently you do it, the easier—and more liberating—retirement becomes.

It’s all about deliberate small steps, over a lifetime. Plato says that’s the secret to a Happy New Year!

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Happy New Year🎉! Now what🤔?

Black eyed peas 🫘 & collard green 🥬New Year greetings …

We hope this blog finds you with new resolutions, and with your Medicare insurance in place. We worked up till New Year’s Eve.

Many carriers are behind in processing December applications, so do keep an eye on the mail for your welcome packages.

For those who forgot to check in, feel free to book a time on my calendar or email Gray@TheBig65.com if you still have questions.

Our exchange student Miti enjoyed the Christmas holiday. This house was featured in USA Today and it was only a few blocks away. I’m glad we don’t pay their electric bill😄.

We’ve taken down most of the Christmas decorations. Xmas dinner prep was a great switch from reviewing Medicare plans. This year, I prepared Momofuku, a slow roasted Korean Boston Butt.

You stuff the roast with garlic cloves, cover it in rock salt, a bit of sugar, and slow roast it seven hours. It’s to die for, I promise.

Here’s the recipe, if you ever need a replacement for the turkey or the traditional ham.

Of course after the “winter” feeding frenzy is over (though it’s not wintery in Colorado), it’s time to make plans for 2026.

This year, I’m putting resolutions to the side and focusing on science based ways to feel better and be healthier. Thanks to Q for sharing this article.

Let go of perfectionism – “Good enough” really is good enough. Self-compassion lowers anxiety and depression.

Of course, like an idiot, I decided to do dips using the bathroom counter. It definitely was not a brilliant idea. The intention was good, the outcome was not.

Beating myself up over a mistake won’t make it go away (hopefully a skilled stone mason can repair it).

The bottom line… when you make an honest mistake, acknowledge it, say “oh well,” and move on.

Strengthen friendships – Celebrate others’ good news; strong social ties support heart health and longevity.

I make it a habit to reach out to my brothers regularly, to celebrate what’s going well and to laugh at each other as much as possible.

Not only is it important to maintain old friendships, but try to strike up new ones. I met Joseph and his sister on the bike trails and we were all shocked by how much we have in common. I’m looking forward to hanging with these people!

Embrace winter – Finding beauty and coziness in darker months can improve mood and wellbeing.

Whether it’s nice, or it’s snowy like this in Buffalo (hang in there Dave & Shelly), put on layers, good shoes and get outside… or curl up in front of the fire with a good book.

Take short naps – 10–20 minutes in the early afternoon can sharpen thinking and protect brain health. Plato is a firm believer in the power of naps.

This article includes other ways to feel better. Remember that small changes can create huge rewards. May 2026 be your best year ever! Plato is counting on it.

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Here’s what to do next 🙂👇

Rocky Mountain Greetings🏔️ …

May this blog find you warmer than Miti and Plato🐼, with your Medicare coverage keeping away the cold🥶.

The Annual Election Period ended December 7th🎉. Medicare Supplements can be changed any month of the year (if you are healthy enough to get through underwriting🤞❓🩺.) We are always happy to review them if the premium gets too high!

If for some reason you didn’t reach out on your Medicare Advantage Plan for 2026, and you are unhappy, visit TheBig65 website and book a time in January to understand the Open Enrollment Period. Please email Gray@TheBig65.com if you have questions.

In our continuing effort to provide our Malagasy exchange student with firsts, we took her to Elk Creek to cut down a Christmas Tree🎄. Plato was definitely in his element🐶😄.

For $20 dollars, you get a permit and the right to search for the perfect tree.

After a while, you’re feet get cold and you have to give up on perfection and just make a choice.

My wife Q said the same thing is true about choosing husbands😉, but after 37 years, it’s too late for her to return me😂.

While we hunted for the perfect Xmas tree, Quantz was busy learning how to make a Christmas wreath.

As the year winds down, here are a few simple ways to wrap things up and step into the new year feeling steady and prepared:

Financial:
Take a look at the year—bank accounts, bills, subscriptions. Cancel what you don’t use. Simplicity going into January is a gift.

Health:
Schedule anything you’ve been putting off—annual checkups, eye exams, dental visits. A small appointment now can save bigger headaches later.

We visited the 40th Annual Festival of Lights at the Denver Botanical Garden with Miti and it was dazzling!

Medications & paperwork:
Make sure you have refills in place and your important documents organized in one spot. If you changed Medical or Drug plans, keep an eye out for the new cards. Fewer loose ends means less stress.

Also, if you’ve hit your maximum out of pocket drug costs ($2,000) for 2025, see if you can refill any of the expensive drugs before December 31. Next year, the drug maximum will be $2,100.

Movement & rest:
No big goals needed. Keep walking, stretching, or moving in ways you enjoy—and give yourself permission to rest.

Our brother-in-law, Sean, prepares the most delicious deep fried turkeys 🦃 I have EVER had. His birds are worth traveling for😋!

Perspective:
Notice what went right this year. Gratitude doesn’t need to be loud—just real.

Thank that friend or loved one in your life who makes each day better.

Family & the holidays:
Do your best, take breaks when you need them, and remember you don’t have to solve everything in one visit. Presence matters more than perfection.

Luke and Carmen couldn’t wait for Pearl, Hugo, and the grandvarmints to visit. Their children live half way around the world (Jarkata) and every moment together is a blessing.

Wherever you are and however you’re spending these final weeks…

I hope you find moments of calm, connection, and a little joy. The new year will be here soon—take it one episode of Christmas special at a time🙂.

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

The End Is Near ⏳

Winter Greetings …

May this blog post find you well with your Medicare coverage working like an 😇.

The Annual Election Period ends tomorrow, December 7th🎉. If your Medicare Advantage Plan has ended (and you’ve received written notification), you have until December 31st to make a change.

Want to review your drugs one last time? Here’s a link to the Medicare.gov website.

If you’ve been procrastinating, email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com with any changes to your drugs and doctors. If you call, PLEASE leave a message 📱💬 with specifics!

We will do our best to help you before the deadline!

Real snow finally arrived in Colorado! Plato is thrilled; I’m not sure Mitia enjoyed the snow as much as Q did!

Of course Quantz taught Mitia how to make snow ice cream for breakfast and she definitely liked that😋!

I’m excited for the Annual Election Period to end, to have more time with family and to finally go chop down a Christmas tree with Mitia. We’ve been pulling out the old Christmas books and that sure is nostalgic.

Although this time of the year is insanely busy🤯, trying to squeeze everyone in📞, it’s always so much fun to catch up with folks from all over the country.

I love to hear stories about how clients are living their best lives. Mary spends as much time as possible with Auggie on the trails of northern California.

Jeri and her husband John get out with Miss Koda as much as possible in Central Ohio, even in the bad weather.

And Miss Hillary, in the mountains of Georgia, spoils her Yorkie Munchkin (and her two Chihuahuas) as much as possible.

I don’t think Munchy does a ton of hiking, but he definitely gets and gives joy to everyone around him.

Wherever you are, I hope you find a little joy today and a way to make life better for those around you!

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Watch out for the holiday turkeys🦃😆❤️

Pre Thanksgiving Greetings 🦃 …

We hope your favorite football team is winning (sorry Dave😞🏈), and your Medicare Insurance Coverage is not driving you bananas🍌.

Questions about your Medicare Insurance? Email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com, or book a time on my calendar.

Quantz and Miti will be heading east for the holiday to spend time with family (and for Miti to see a bit more of the US). Before they left we took her to the Botanical Garden.

While they toured the grounds and took a wreath making class, I set up in the coffee shop and did my best to catch up with people who are still needing reviews.

One of the biggest changes in Medicare for 2026 is that almost all drug plans have stopped allowing brokers to enroll clients in Part D drug plans.

Of course we are still reviewing drug plans for existing clients and making recommendations, but this change is frustrating for us and for clients.

I guess it is just a dog eat dog world, right Plato?

The good news is that it is relatively easy to log into Medicare.gov and review your Medications to see if your plan is appropriate. If it proves too complicated, and you are an existing client, please don’t worry, just email Gray a request with the names of your drugs and your current plan and we’ll still do the review for you.

Thanks to Carol and so many of you for your referrals and your Google reviews.

Even though our honey harvest was much smaller this year, we are still sending it out to loyal followers who either give us a review on Google, or refer new clients. Help us reach 400 Google Reviews.

These bears sure like Florida.

Miti has been helping us label and send so if you haven’t received yours, and we promised you some, please let us know.

Plato told Julius it was okay to share the honey with his friends, but he’s pretty sure they’d prefer bones, just saying!

So as we prepare for the holidays, try to spend time with the people you love❤️ (like Q’s elementary school pal Elaine). And…

Do your best to tolerate the turkeys🦃😂. We only have one life, put your energy where it counts.

Keep squeezing the juice🍊 out of life and look for ways to help others.

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

🌟 Notice the blessing, not the blemish 🌟

Northern Light greetings …

May this note find you well, with your Medicare Insurance keeping you in the pink.

Questions about your Medicare Insurance? Email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com, or book a time on my calendar.

I missed the Northern Lights twice while visiting Iceland. I guess I should’ve just stayed in Colorado. Did you see them where you live?

Despite all the Medicare madness, it’s been fun catching up with so many of you during this Annual Election Period. I enjoy reconnecting (even on quick calls) with the same people year after year.

Staying connected, looking back, and looking forward.

99% of the calls are invigorating (even when finding the right plan is a challenge), but ever so occasionally, I chat with someone who will only focus on the bruise, never on the blessing.

What always amazes me in these calls? It’s often the people with the greatest challenges (to health and life and family) who show the deepest gratitude for the blessings in their lives.

(Our exchange student Miti can now ride a bicycle).

My father in law said it best…

Being born in America is like winning the lottery.

In no way do I wish to minimize the struggles many face, and still…, as Viktor Frankl’s book reminds us in Man’s Search for Meaning,

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

Being at home for much of this year and re-seeing the world through the eyes of a young girl who comes from the 9th poorest nation on planet…

Well, it gives us pause daily to stop and reflect on how much in our lives are actually working…

And to think about the blessings instead of the bruises.

(Speaking of small things, we’ve been sending out our honey to those who wrote Google reviews. If we still owe you honey, please let us know. Or…write a review and get some while supplies last!)

This year I learned the importance of mouse guards to protect the hives from vermin— and it got me thinking about how we also need guardrails to keep negativity from sneaking into our minds.

Research shows that reducing anxiety frees up cognitive resources, improving executive functioning, working memory, and attention.

Happiness keeps Plato sharp, and he’s almost eleven!

So when you find yourself going into that angry/anxious place, flip the script.

Remind yourself that you still have the power to choose.

Focus on the strife, the chaos and the destruction, or…

Celebrate that, this week, Miti is learning how to swim. The choice is always ours!

Keep squeezing the juice🍊 out of life and look for ways to help others.

Refer A Friend

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including: