The Big65 Archives

Put on your training wheels 🚲🧠🌱

Hello and may this blog find you in great spirits, with your Medicare actually working🩺.

For Supplements, Medicare Advantage, or Part D Drug Plan questions, please Email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar. If all is well with your Medicare insurance, ignore the noise📢.

Word from Virginia, Robert’s rescue dog “Tank/Hank” is settling in and doing well in their home. Lot’s of training on the horizon for the little rascal, but we all need training, right 😊?

Plato needed no training recognizing Q when she returned home. He was very happy to see her and so was her Uber driver❤️ (that’s me).

Now that we’re home, there’s a ton to catch up on: the yard, the mail, house stuff… and the bees, can’t forget the bees 🐝.

Half the hives across the US died this winter, and not just for the amateurs like me.

Thank goodness for Shava. It’s good to have a professional beekeeper around, making sure I avoid the irreversible mistakes. One hive is thriving, one is on the mend.

You know what I learned from her this time?

I may be in training forever, beekeeping is complicated🤔.

But that’s not a bad thing.

Being in training means we’re still learning… or at least trying to.

And if we listen, observe, and stay curious—whether it’s about bees, relationships, or how to brew better beverages, perhaps then our coffee and our lives won’t taste so bitter☕.

Perhaps we’ll remember how little time is left and how to appreciate what we do have⏳.

Being in training means two steps forward and, often, one step back. It doesn’t mean we’ve figured it out.

I’m still learning how to talk less and listen more. Quantz wishes me “good luck” on that 😆.

Training means practicing:

Stretching our legs in the morning with a little less groaning😩.

Caring for people (and animals) with more patience and less ego🙏.

Less curmudgeonly behavior when things don’t go our way. I’ve known Larry since college and we still enjoy lunch together, even if we’re both curmudgeons😄.

Training does not end with framed degrees or retirement.

If we’re lucky, the real training starts when we stop rushing and start noticing the beauty we have all around us. Elwood and Plato sure notice the beauty🐶!

This summer, put on your training wheels🚲🧠🌱. Try something new. Ask a different question. Take a walk with someone younger, or just hang out with a dwarf baby goat.

That’s what makes my brother Rob the GOAT (the greatest of all time)👍.

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.

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
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

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.

The canolo whispered… “Eat Me😋.” I Whispered Back… “Just One Bite✨

Happy Mother’s Day …. may this blog find you in amazing health with your Medicare insurance coverage🏥working well, even if you’re not a mother!

Any issues with your Medicare coverage (and the carrier isn’t helping), or you’d like to shop? Email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar.

Remember to hang up 📞 on the big illegal call centers ⚠️ that try to force the wrong plans on consumers. Always use an independent broker.

Well, we finally got to Sicily to spend some time with our Airman Nicholas. After four years in the UK, he is enjoying the warmer weather of the Mediterranean. We are enjoying his company!

What’s my favorite part of Italy? Honestly, it’s the Americanos… hot, black and strong and way less expensive than a Starbuck’s coffee.

When the American GI’s liberated Sicily in 1943, they begged the local baristas to add hot water to the tiny cups of espresso, hence the name!

I also learned that cannoli is plural, the single is cannolo and they are best when the sweet filling is added JUST before they are served. Maybe that’s why I never liked them before.

Whenever we visit a new city, Q always looks for a walking tour… to get the layout of the city, the local history, and the street food recommendations.

It’s easy to fall in love with arancini, deep-fried rice balls, typically stuffed, breaded, and fried to perfection😋.

Arancini means little oranges🍊, because of the arancini’s shape and color. Colonel Sander’s has nothing on this dangerous, delicious little street food.

It should probably be served sprinkled with a cholesterol statin! Man are they addictive!

Fortunately, Sicily is blessed with healthy fruits, vegetables, and seafood.

Of course there are also plenty of healthy choices at home in the US, but…

When surrounded by deliciousness… how does anyone stay healthy without missing out?

Here are some simple strategies:

Don’t deprive—sample smartly: Enjoy a few bites instead of a full portion. Share with your travel buddy or wrap up the rest. You don’t have to finish it all.

Balance the day, not every bite: If lunch is indulgent (hello, deep-fried rice balls 😋), go light on dinner with veggies, lean proteins, and water.

Eat local, eat slowly: Take time to enjoy each bite. Mindful eating helps your brain register fullness and satisfaction sooner.

Why is mindful eating the topic this week? Q let me know my shirts appeared to be shrinking since we arrived in Italy🍨🥐😱! Coincidence? I think not! Time for me to get with the program.

Hydration is your secret weapon: Sip water regularly to curb cravings and help your body process salt and sugar… and always listen to your barista☕🍫.

Walk it off: Exploring on foot after a meal helps digestion and glucose control — and in Sicily, every step is a scenic reward.

In places where everyone walks (and Nicholas has no elevator), it’s easy to get in your steps🚶‍♂️.

Build a “core meal” habit: Start your day with something nourishing and fiber-rich (like oatmeal and Greek yogurt) so you’re less tempted to snack impulsively later.

Truthfully, this is the one I struggle with most with on the road, every corner is filled with croissants, cookies, and cakes.

At home, my routine is black coffee and a few nuts. But hey, sometimes you just have to give thanks and keep going. Plus, I’ll be home with Plato shortly.

🍽️ Bottom Line:

You can enjoy life’s delicious moments — like Sicilian street food — or a Mother’s Day Brunch — without derailing your health goals. The key? Intentional indulgence, not accidental overload.

And why should we do any of this? At this point in life, it’s about staying healthy and not being a burden, taking care of family, living a life of service, and annoying our children for as long as humanly possible😆!

As my Dad always said… everything in moderation, even moderation!

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

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:

Got Teeth🦷? Let’s Talk Medicare & Dental😬!

Greetings! May this blog post find you in excellent health with your Medicare coverage 🏥working properly😄.

If your Medicare coverage ISN’T working, email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar.

March is the last month you can make changes to Medicare Advantage plans for 2025.

Quantz is making lots of new friends in Eldoret, a city in the Rift Valley in the highlands of Kenya.

Q joined our dear friend Cary LaCouture and his dental team on this dental service trip as a volunteer and it has been an incredible experience.

Over the past week, Cary and his team have treated hundreds and hundreds of patients. Don’t worry, Quantz hasn’t been pulling teeth. She’s filling in (pun intended) wherever she is needed.

While we have many issues with our healthcare system in the US, spending time overseas puts things in perspective. It’s a reminder of how fortunate we are.

That being said, original Medicare provides very little dental coverage and it is important to understand how to navigate your dental options.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your summary of benefits. Many plans offer basic dental (Cleanings, X-rays, and perhaps some dollars for other services).

Always be sure to make certain the dentist is accepting the plan you have! Otherwise, you might get stuck with a heavy financial burden, right Q?

Medicare Supplement plans do not include dental benefits. Many consumers choose to purchase stand-alone dental insurance. These plans can be added at any time of the year.

Another option is to ask your dentist if they have a “friends and family plan.” Often, dentists will offer their own coverage for a few hundred dollars annually.

These plans will often include cleanings, annual check-ups, and X-rays, plus discounted costs on major work.

For the adventurous of heart, many Americans are now trying dental tourism, visiting countries like Mexico, Costa Rica and Thailand. With the proper research, consumers can find US trained dentists in other countries capable of doing excellent work for much lower costs. As with everything, make sure to do your research.

And always remember the excellent advice of my friend Cary:

A young dentist is a student loan in search of a problem in your mouth. For major work, always consider getting a second opinion.

Plato agrees with Cary and he is happy I am still at home. If you have questions about Dental or Medicare coverage, please reach out.

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.

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:

January sure is dry!

Happy New Year 🎉🥳🎆 …!

May this blog find you in amazing health with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working well.

For Medicare questions or concerns, book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com if you need us.

I love this picture of Lauren celebrating New Year’s Eve as she has done for the past 30 years, working in Times Square. Well done!

This picture of my brother Haas and Nicole sums up how Q and I normally celebrate the New Year😂😴. We rarely stay up late🌙🦉 either.

This was my view on New Years Eve day, wrapping things up with clients for 2024. If it doesn’t look like Denver, you’re right!

Plato and Elwood we’re not happy we left town, but thanks to our amazing neighbor, these two boys are getting plenty of love till Sus and KC get home.

The two brothers in the picture below were our exchange students in the US when our daughter Sus was in high school.

Santi and Memo drove two hours to Mexico City to have dinner with us and it sure was delightful to see them again.

That beer you see in front of me was the last one I had before “Dry January” began. I miss it already😢🍺.

Dry January, a month-long break from alcohol, is an opportunity to reset and focus on wellness. Whether you’re cutting back or going completely dry, the benefits are impressive. It’s also a great way to show solidarity with anyone you love who struggles with alcohol.

Here’s why taking a break from booze could make January your best month yet.

Physical Benefits:

Improved Sleep: Alcohol disrupts REM sleep, and skipping it helps you wake up more refreshed.
Boosted Energy Levels: Experience higher energy as your body recovers from the effects of alcohol.
Weight Loss: Cutting out empty calories from alcohol can help you shed pounds.

Mental Health Benefits:

Better Mood: Without alcohol’s depressive effects, many people report feeling more positive and emotionally stable.
Improved Focus: Gain mental clarity as your brain operates without the influence of alcohol.
Stress Reduction: Discover healthier ways to cope with stress, like exercise or mindfulness.

Social Benefits:

Stronger Connections: Focus on meaningful interactions without alcohol as a social crutch.
Explore New Activities: Try sober-friendly events, fitness classes, or coffee dates.
Be a Role Model: Inspire others to explore healthier habits by leading the way.

Long-Term Health Benefits:

Liver Recovery: Give your liver a break and reduce the risk of liver disease.
Lower Blood Pressure: Alcohol can raise blood pressure, so abstaining may improve heart health.
Reduced Cancer Risk: Alcohol is linked to certain cancers, and reducing consumption can lower your risk.

Tips for Success:

Set Clear Goals: Decide if you’re going completely dry or just cutting back.
Find Alternatives: Stock up on tasty non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails.
Seek Support: Join a Dry January challenge or share your goals with friends.
Track Your Progress: Use a journal or app to celebrate milestones.

Ready to Take the Challenge? Whether you’re in it for the health, the savings, or the mental clarity, Dry January offers something for everyone. Here’s to a healthier, happier start to the year! Anyone who tries will get honey (when we get home).

We saw this sculpture and quote while walking in Condesa and it says everything:

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to a person or an object.”
—Albert Einstein

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.

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
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin