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 borrow strategies from fictional narratives? While fiction typically extrapolates from real-world trends, the overlap between Thor’s storytelling and Russia’s current trajectory feels uncannily close. A Fictional Briefing That Feels Real In Shadow of Doubt, Thor paints a dire picture of Russia’s internal struggles during a briefing with the U.S. President and National Security Council. A character succinctly frames the challenges faced by Russia’s fictional leader, Peshkov: “But the primary force…

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 these suggestions is that this time of year should be fun and not stressful; that some really interesting things can be created with ease and that good eating and snacking does not take an exorbitant amount of time and energy.    Easy Personal and Unique Gifts This idea is borrowed from Food Network magazine.  Personalize your gift with a recipe-in-a-jar.  Take the ingredients from your favorite recipes and put them…

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 spent three days in Madrid and three more in Lisbon and took tours in both cities. But if I never see a city tour again, especially by bus, it will be too soon, Typically, these city tours entail a hour or so bus ride to some 17th or 18th century buildings that are features of that city. In these cases, the buildings were made from the local granite and included…

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 work until you’re about 60 or 65 and then you stop working altogether. But the reality today is that people in their 60s and even 70s are healthier, more active, and far more engaged than they were 20 or 30 years ago. They’re not content with the idea of sitting around doing nothing. Take my friends as examples. Some of them have taken up interesting hobbies like restoring classic cars,…

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 be the main entre. And just because it’s a holiday, I included a couple of easy drinks to make the evening go a bit smoother.   Baked Three-Cheese Onion Dip With Chive and Pepperoncini When great dips get together, it’s magic. This recipe boasts all the beauty of a creamy onion dip with the irresistible appeal of queso. Ingredients 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped Kosher salt…

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 the kind of book that invites reflection on what truly drives progress and change. While I found it both informative and thought-provoking, I was left with mixed feelings about how well the author balances the different types of world-changing ideas. The structure of the book is logical, guiding readers through distinct time periods, which helps to organize the vast amount of content. However, with 1001 ideas presented in relatively brief…

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 have a generation underprepared for the workforce is deeply concerning, both for their futures and for the broader societal implications. It seems that more and more Gen Z workers are leaving jobs—or, more accurately, being let go—within days or weeks of starting due to perceived issues with work ethic or a reluctance to learn. Employers report troubling gaps in critical areas like reading comprehension, problem-solving, and communication—skills traditionally sharpened through…

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 very cold autumn or winter days or just when you feel like eating soup. It is great when served with hot garlic bread or hot crusty French bread.” 10 ServingsPrep/Total Time: 30 min. Ingredients 1 pound ground beef 2 cups sliced celery 1 cup chopped onion 2 teaspoons minced garlic 4 cups hot water 2 medium red potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 cups frozen corn 1-1/2 cups uncooked small shell…

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 Don’t stick to just one kind of chili pepper—mix it up! A blend of different chiles brings out a richer, more complex flavor. Yes, it takes a bit of trial and error to find the perfect combo, but that’s part of the fun. Here are a few great options: Ancho Chili (dried Poblano): Mild, with a sweet and smoky flavor, perfect for adding depth without too much heat. Guajillo Chili:…

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 is an edited version of an October newsletter from 2011. Everything here is still good. I will have more soup recipes in a couple of weeks. Hmmm…Soup! Fall Soup Tips Whether you just need a bowl of warm soup on a cold fall day, or the healing powers of chicken soup to fight that cold, nothing beats homemade. Sure, it’s faster to open a can of soup but I challenge…

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 to be overwhelming—it’s more like preparing them for a restful winter so they can come back strong in the spring. If you’re enjoying the last blooms of the season, now’s the perfect time to start thinking about how to give them the care they need to survive the winter. Let Nature Take Its Course Stop feeding your roses in late summer to help them enter dormancy. Just like we need…

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 instability and political dysfunction, Roubini’s examination of the ten most dangerous trends threatening our future hit closer to home than I anticipated. This book is an urgent wake-up call, and while I was already concerned about certain aspects, MegaThreats broadened my perspective on the interconnected dangers we face. Financial Instability and the Growing U.S. Debt What stood out to me the most—and has always been a concern of mine—is the…

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 something that you will like. ITALIAN CHILI Ingredients   1 l bulk Italian sausage 2 T. olive oil 2 cups onion, diced 1/2 lb. stick pepperoni, cubed 1 T. garlic, minced 1 T. tomato paste 1/2 cup dry red wine 2 T. balsamic vinegar 2 cans whole tomatoes (28 oz. each) 1 cup chicken broth 1can each cannellini and red kidney beans, drained, rinsed (14 oz. each) 1 T. dried…

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 the separation of powers, federalism, the Bill of Rights, and the intentions of the Founding Fathers. They emphasize limited government, individual freedoms, and originalism in interpreting the Constitution. The series aims to educate viewers on constitutional principles, often contrasting them with modern political and social movements. I think this refresher is worth the time and it can be found here https://www.prageru.com/video/the-constitution-why-a-republic?playlist=the-constitution This is the first in the series the others…

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 recipes to try. Grilled Bone-In Rib Eye  Let it rain with the kosher salt—for the best flavor, you want to season these simple steaks really well before they get grilled. Recipe information Yield  8 servings Ingredients 3 (2-inch) bone-in rib-eye steaks (about 2 pounds each) Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper Flaky sea salt (for serving) Preparation Step 1 The night before you plan to cook the steaks, pat dry with…

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 disaster around the world is a definite sine of a growing problem. The nay sayers point out that this is just a natural adjustment the earth makes over centuries. There are lots of facts that support the climate change position but that is not the argument I want to discuss here. I want to look at two competing issues: population growth and the ability to feed the world, which are…

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. Both can be accomplished on the grill even is a skillet is called for in the recipe. And neither takes long to prepare. So, enjoy this long weekend! And regardless of what the retail stores are showing, it is still a long way to Halloween. Grilled Lamb, Tomato and Orange Bell Pepper Kababs Ingredients 1 lb fresh lamb, such as a boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1 inch cubes…

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 by others prior to publication. However, with the advent of the Internet, it was becoming obvious that anyone could write a report and publish it and claim relevance and appropriateness even though they might not have either. So the question became, “if everyone is a writer, how to reader determine which are valid based on facts and research and which are not based on feelings, beliefs and imagination.  As it…

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 the play of the game to the performance of individuals. What happened to most sports are a team game? What I have been somewhat concerned about is what the unintended consequences might be as gambling becomes more of the driver of sports. Not sure if it was unintended, but the major realignment of the college conferences is one change. So, universities such as Stanford and California are in the Atlantic…

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 I really don’t want to put in that much time. I will try to continue with a recipe most every week as several people have commented that they like them. Otherwise, perhaps any of you who happen to run across some of my posts could send me some suggestions on topics that would be of interest to you. I will research those topics and comment or provide opinions. The posts…

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 6 under after day one is unusual  The average age of the BMW participants is 34 with Adam Scott the oldest at 44 and two shots back and Ludvig Aberg is the youngest at 24 and us 6 back after the first day. What is not seen in these playoff is any appearance from Tiger Woods. Many of the golf announcers have stated over the last few months that this…