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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
There is a question that everyone seems to have an opinion on. And that has to do with climate change. Some indicate this is a dire situation that will impact us all in the near future while others say there is nothing to be overly concerned about. Those with concerns state the increase in natural…
It is Labor Day weekend and perhsaps one of the last days for grilling. While we did see a flash of snow last week, I don’t think we will get anything to talk about for at least another month or three. So for this week’s recipes, here are a couple of Lamb dishes to consider….
The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters by Tom Nichols Some years ago when I was analyzing industry data and writing reports for company clients, my colleagues and I often discussed the changing environment for information. Prior to around 1995, reports were researched and prepared by knowledgeable professionals and the results were reviewed…
Targeted at Boomers and Gen X but mostly aimed at my wife. As technology evolves, the line between devices blurs, making the choice between a laptop, tablet, or smartphone more about personal usage patterns than ever before. This shift is particularly relevant for those who have tried to evade the technology surge of the last…
I have been saying for many years that gambling is the worst thing that has happened to sport ever! It has changed the focus from the teams and competitors to where money can be potentially made on the games, the plays, the players and much more, It started with fantasy which move concentration away for…
I think I may have to slow down a little. This is supposed to be side-light hobby where I can comment on things going on that I think are interesting. But I am finding some terrific sources for information that are interesting and worthy of comment. From this, I could write an article daily but…
Here we are in the second week of the FedEx Cup playoffs and there are a few surprises that seem to pop up each week. That Schauffele is among the leaders is not one of them. Hideki winning last week is not a total surprise. Keegan Bradley at the top of the leader board at…
This is from a few years ago but still worth a review. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates caused quite a bit of discussion when it came out in 2021. And while he did extensive research on the challenges of addressing climate change, the potential solutions still remain outside of a practical…
A few weeks ago, I posted an article on the benefits of reverse mortgages, and they are substantial. Eliminating your monthly mortgage payment should substantially improve you cash flow. Having the ability to easily access the previously untouchable equity in your property should provide quite a bit more flexibility in dealing with significant expenditures. But…
I have these recipes from Your Smart Kitchen so I might as well use them here. Thet have proven to be good over some time. Give them a try and let me know what you think. Best Chili Recipe Serves: 8 to 10 This could the best chili recipe you’ll ever make or at least…
