I found this article an interesting follow up to the material on Russia and its potential for further expansion in Eastern Europe. Some of this was alluded to both fiction by Brad Thor and posts in several blogs along with articles in the Wall Street Journal. It is also an interesting follow up to my…
I am a bit late getting this posted for Thanksgiving but it is still good for Christman. Thanksgiving is more traditional anyway with turkey and ham for dinner. People often ask me what my favorite holiday meal is and I reply without hesitation – Standing Rib Roast. I am not a big turkey fan but…
or Is It the Other Way Around? Reading Brad Thor’s Shadow of Doubt, I was struck by how closely the fictional scenario mirrors real-life events unfolding between Russia and Ukraine. Thor also explores similar themes in another novel, Shadows of Decline. This raises an intriguing question: does fiction mirror reality, or do real-life actors unconsciously…
I ran across this article “100 Billion Humans” and found it to be quite interesting. A synopsis is below. It addresses quite a few issues regarding significant population growth and brings up a significant number of questions but also a number of areas for innovation and imagination. His premise is that we do not need…
As we start into the height of the holiday season, many of us look for gifts that are unique, personal and relatively easy and not very expensive. I will attempt to provide a few examples. Then your imagination can expand on these to provide your own unique touch and personality. The point of most of…
Economics has been a topic of conversation over the last few months b ut from my warped perspective a great many of the people talking about economic have never studied the topic, have forgotten most of what they read or are just ignoring some of the basic principles. And this, I believe could lead to…
We just returned from a two-week trip to Spain and Portugal (an addition to the countries of the world that I have been to) which was a very good trip, Transportation went smoothly (still a bit long however), Accommodations were terrific. Support at all locations was above expectations. What more could you ask for? We…
Lately, I’ve noticed quite a few articles and conversations about retirement, and while they don’t apply to me anymore—since I retired for the third (and hopefully last) time several years ago—they’ve made me reflect on how much the concept of retirement has changed. Most people I talk to approach retirement in the traditional sense: you…
Since I will not be here for Halloween, then I should post a few receipes that are appropriate for the holiday season. Here is a really good dip for when you are sitting around waiting for all those trick or treaters. Also, a couple of butternut squash items that can complement a meal or perhaps…
The Dutch Oven is one of the most versatile cooking utensils you have. It can be used for braising, sauteing, braising and lots of other tasks. It is superb for stews, chili, soups, slow roasting and even making bread. I have grabbed a few recipes from one of my favorite sites just to give you…
I have posted a few articles about mobile devices that can assist you in monitoring different aspects of health. There are some really good devices currently available, and I expect they will get better over the next few years. But I saw this article on a new laser-based headset that can assess the risk of…
A Personal Take I recently spent some time with 1001 Ideas That Changed the World, a book that ambitiously attempts to chart the most significant ideas that have shaped human history. Published in 2013, it covers a sweeping range of thoughts, innovations, and events—from centuries before the common era right up to modern times. It’s…
I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on whether we’re on the verge of losing a significant portion of an entire generation. Evidence is mounting that many from Generations Z and Alpha are falling behind in basic life skills—skills that were once considered fundamental to success after high school and college. The thought that we could…
To small thinkers, free speech is a wilderness of potential threats. Thankfully, America wasn’t founded by small thinkers. Recently, former Secretary of State John Kerry remarked at the World Economic Forum that the First Amendment is a barrier to addressing “misinformation” about climate change, suggesting it stands in the way of consensus. Ironically, Kerry’s statement…
We are getting into some of the busiest time of the year. But I thought this change of pace might be useful. I have done this in the past developing theme dinners of various flavors – Italian, French and even Turkish. Here I am proposing a Taste of Spain.(This is actually from a newsletter from…
Not sure if you are like me but I have a big two-quart jar that I throw all of my loose change in at the end of each week. This accumulates over the year so that I have some unexpected extra money for the holidays. Some years that has been three for four hundred dollars….
I am going to be on vacation for the last half of October but did want to get one more set of soup recipes for the Fall posted. I will move onto more holiday oriented items when I return. So be on the lookout for them. Zesty Hamburger Soup “This recipe is great for those…
Rather than offering you two or three standard chili recipes, I wanted to share some of the best tips from the Your Smart Kitchen newsletter. These are the little tricks that can make your chili unforgettable. Go ahead and add these to your “Tips Folder”! Tips for Cooking Better Chili Use a Combination of Chiles…
I’ve always had a wide-ranging reading list, mostly fiction, but occasionally I enjoy diving into nonfiction that piques my curiosity. Not to long ago, with all the headlines about space exploration and new discoveries, I was drawn to Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. The more I read about space missions…
I published chili recipes a few days ago but since I stated this is the soup and chili time of year, there needs to be some focus on soup. Rather than try to come up with something new, it came to me that I should republish one of my newsletters from years ago. So here…
The article “How AI Disrupts Tech Investing” by Tomas Pueyo delves deeply into the disruptive nature of artificial intelligence (AI) and its profound impact on the world of tech investing. AI is revolutionizing the development of products and services, dramatically reducing costs, accelerating innovation, and leveling the playing field for small teams and entrepreneurs. These…
I have more roses in pots than in the ground, and both types need attention to get ready for the Reno winter weather. Here’s a guide for caring for both in-ground and potted roses as we head into the colder months. In-Ground Rose Care Winterizing your roses that are planted in the ground doesn’t have…
And Here’s Why It’s More Dangerous Than We Think As we approach the 2024 election, the federal debt continues to climb, with little attention paid by the leading presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Despite promises from both sides that involve expensive programs and tax cuts, neither has offered a clear strategy for addressing…
Ten Dangerous Trends that Imperil Our Future, and How to Survive Them When I picked up MegaThreats by Nouriel Roubini, I was already familiar with his reputation as “Dr. Doom,” a title he earned for his accurate prediction of the 2008 financial crisis. But even as someone who keeps a casual eye on global financial…
As someone over 80, I’ve been fortunate to maintain good health—no ongoing issues with my heart, lungs, or blood. But many of my friends aren’t as lucky. They manage defibrillation concerns, serious sleep disorders, blood clots, and the risks of heart attacks or strokes. For them, managing health isn’t a casual task; it’s a full-time…
It is getting to that time of the year when chili and soup raise to the top of the selections for dinner. This is one of my favorite times because I really like chili and soups ever more. I pulled a couple of recipes out of my old newsletters and hope they fit into…
The dream of climate advocates for a rapid transition to fully electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. faces significant challenges, as highlighted by Ted Nordhaus in his essay, “Could Climate Hawks Dream of Hybrid Vehicles? A Course Correction Will Likely Be Needed As EV Sales Flag.” While environmentalists and policymakers have placed high hopes on…
Not exactly sure how I found this, but I came across a site the provides a summary discussion of the US Constitution in a series of ten five minute videos. PragerU’s five-minute videos on the Constitution focus on key aspects of the U.S. founding document, often from a conservative viewpoint. These videos explore topics like…
I’ve heard it time and again: ‘Facebook just isn’t for me,’ or ‘What’s so dangerous about Snapchat?’ While these concerns are valid, social media is more than its risks. It can be a powerful tool for connection and learning—if we use it wisely. As a preamble to this discussion, I want to explain that I…
There are probably five or six weeks remaining for really good grilling. All depends on when winter decides to show up this year. But this weekend seems exceptionally promising not being too hot, not much wind expected and the smoke should still be North of most of us. With that perspective, here are three grilling…
