Thanksgiving 2010

Our Thanksgiving celebration has its roots in the European harvest festivals as far back as the 1600s and 1700s. We traditionally believe that the first "Thanksgiving" was in 1621 in Massechusetts, but there were other festivals and gatherings before that, here, in Canada, Europe, and elsewhere.

The winter of 1620-21,  the first for the new explorers whom we know as the Pilgrims, was very harsh. Alot of them did not survive the trip over here on the ship, and more perished because of that winter. The native Indians in the area helped them get settled, and they planted their crops. It was a good fall harvest. They decided to have a gathering to celebrate the fruits of their labor, and also hunted some game and fowl for the event. However, remember that they are less than a year into this "colony" that they set up at Plymouth. Things were pretty rough. They had only their own resources, ingenuity, and provision, plus what the Indians were able to help out with. Some say that the Indians were very instrumental in helping the Pilgrims survive that first year.

Today, in 2010, we have a national holiday. It is the start of the Holiday Season. Many faiths celebrate their main holiday at this time of year. The obvious one is Christmas, but there are others as well. The stores are ready for an onslaught of bargain hunters and browsers, some are even open on Thanksgiving Day this year. Quite a difference from 1621, when they were just getting along by the skin of their teeth. The first settlers had something to be thankful for, though they had lost much over the past year. They had no way to know what would come to be in the next 300+ years.

These days we have alot of stuff, and even if we are dealing with problems of job, finances, relationships, health, or even politics, we have things to be thankful for. Run those through your mind as you chew on a turkey leg, breath in the fresh aroma of just baked pie, or enjoy your favorite beverage.

Have a Very Happy Thanksgiving. Share it with someone else. Be thankful and giving. And as my Brit friends say, Cheers!

Happy Veterans Day

Are you a veteran? Do you live with one? Do you know one? Thank you to all our veterans, past and present, living and passed. We are a rich nation with a powerful past, active present, and promising future, that is protected by the men and women who love our country and joined up to fight for it. All paid a price, some gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Fly your flag, shake a vet's hand and thank them for their service. Do that any day, not just on Veteran's Day. And then, walk in the glow of liberty that a loving God provided to us through the efforts and sacrifices of a special group of people who are unselfish, brave, strong.

God Bless America!!!

National Teen Driver Safety Week

Do you remember when you were learning how to drive? Even after they  get their drivers license, they're still learning. Didn't have cell phones or texting back then. Those were the days. Many more distractions these days, not to mention lots more cars on the road. Check this out.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Teen-Drivers

Parents, its your responsibility to monitor them. Its for their own good. Take away the keys if you have to. Even if it's their car. Create a contract with your teen - written or verbal - to follow the rules, or lose the keys. Driving is a privilege. Remind them of your rules as well as the rules of the road. (If you don't have your own, see the links on the page above for suggestions. Grades, behavior, and driving behavior should apply).

Call or contact us for suggestions or a quote. We have great rates for families with youthful drivers, and 3 carriers. We'll be glad to help!

Online - http://www.brinsure.com/
Email info@brinsure.com
Phone 281-565-7550

Have a great week!

We're Going Live...

Welcome to my inaugural post on our new blog! I have been a licensed insurance agent since 1999, and have been an independent agent since May of 2010. Circumstances challenged us to make a change at that time, and we are off and running in our new format.

We have major carriers available to us - Safeco, Mercury, Progressive, The Hartford, Dallas National, Scottsdale, Burlington. Also a number of smaller, regional, niche carriers that fit specific target markets. These carriers offer home, auto, flood, umbrella, RV, motorcycle, and commercial general liability, auto, and business package policies.

We also offer life and health insurance, with Aetna, Human, Blue Cross Blue Shield, RBC/Liberty Life, Aviva and others.

My wife Beth and I are licensed agents, working hard for our customers. We are advocates for your needs, helping you navigate the crazy world of insurance. We will lay out your options for you, provide you choices, and be there all along the way. No direct seller can do that for you. Just ask any of our customers who have had a claim. We are local business owners, active in the community, the schools, our church, and most of all our family.

Give us a call. Stop by here from time to time. We will have some fun, give some tips and info on insurance, and even cheer on a team or two. Speaking of that, Go Rangers!!! Josh Hamilton is my new hero!