I was watching a home improvement video where the homeowner had painted her kitchen in an unconventional palette of colors. She also modified her cabinets and added custom woodworking. She said that some people asked, “Aren’t you worried that this will hurt your resale value?” Her reply was that she wanted to live in the…
The Tax Man Cometh
I was surprised to calculate that I owed money on my taxes for 2024 for the first time in several years. The good news is that my investments performed well in the past few years. The bad news is that when I sold some shares to pay for my new windows, I realized capital gains…
Risky Business
The lingering cold this winter accompanied by late February snow storms and frigid temperatures in early March followed by high winds, storms and a tornado warning had me yearning to return to a warmer climate like Florida. I spent two days searching all over the US for places with the best weather, the least winter…
When It Absolutely Positively Has To Get There…Eventually
When I was a kid, FedEx ran commercials with the tag line, “When It Absolutely Positively Has To Get There Overnight”. Given their dominance in the overnight shipping industry, I think the message (and their outstanding track record and customer service) worked. Today, I don’t receive much via FedEx. Most of my shipments come via…
Shhhh
I wrote a long draft post about immigration yesterday. In it, I included my thoughts on immigration, crime, deportation, my experience with immigrants, my disappointment at being unable to emigrate to certain countries, “fairness”, rules and other adjacent considerations. Today, after I reviewed my draft, I deleted it. Because what do I know about immigration?…
Time Warp
About a week ago I made a major change to my diet. So far, so good. I’ve dropped a few pounds. I am sleeping better. I have had no stomach or digestion issues. And surprisingly, I feel very energetic and enthusiastic. In addition to eating less, I’ve switched to eating just one meal a day….
Bernied Out
I have liked Bernie Sanders ever since he first came on my radar when he ran for the 2016 Democratic nomination for President. Of course, being anti-establishment, he lost the nomination to Hillary Clinton. He ran again in 2020 and was defeated by the democratic machine that backed cognitively impaired Biden. Bernie’s recommendations for universal…
Microplastics and Mercury
It seems like every day there’s another news article touting the dangers of microplastics and the fact that they are now found everywhere – in our food, the soil, the soil, water and our bodies. The articles then go on to warn about the dangers (and potential dangers) these pose to human health. It reminds…
Garbage TV*
I watched clips of the recent Trump/Vance/Zelensky meeting to “negotiate the terms to end the Russian/Ukraine war” and, like many Americans, was once again embarrassed for my country with the abhorrent lack of professionalism, class and basic courtesy displayed by Trump and his team. Putting aside any geopolitical positions and implications of the war, this…
Freedom Of Speech Smokescreen
When politicians and pundits cry for “freedom of speech”, hold onto your wallet because they’re almost always trying to put something over on you. What most people mean when they protest about freedom of speech is: “I want to say whatever I want and not suffer any consequences…but I don’t want you to have the right…