The Sail Boat Sagas: A Stormy Night on the Bay

You’re sleeping peacefully on your boat after a good evening with friends. Then, somewhere around three o’clock in the morning, the entire boat starts shaking. Not a little shaking, either. We’re talking about a full-on maritime dance party! Richard Simons would be jealous. 

You quickly realize there’s a pretty good storm going on. The canvas covering the back of the boat, where I normally sit in the cockpit, is acting like a giant sail. The wind is pushing the boat against the dock, then pulling it away, and the whole thing is rocking and shaking.

So, naturally, I get up to investigate.

For the most part, everything looks okay. I start trying to adjust the canvas, debating whether I should just unhook it so it doesn't act like a sail. The problem? It's pouring so hard that taking it down would require accepting a free shower at three in the morning. Not exactly what I had planned.

While adjusting it, one section of canvas tears. Now, to be fair, it was already getting old, and I had been thinking about replacing it anyway. So, I ordered a new one online this morning. It'll be here in a day or two. No major disaster, just a little unexpected boat maintenance.

I've actually found a pretty good way to use these canvas tarps. They're water-resistant, match the color of the boat, and fit nicely over the existing canvas covering my sails. I use one over the door and another over the cockpit. They look surprisingly good, almost like they made for the boat.

I've been thinking about taking one of the new canvases and doing a little customization. I could cut and sew it so it fits around the mainstay better, then add a couple of snaps on the other side. That would give it a much cleaner, more professional look. Who knows? Maybe I'll accidentally become a canvas designer along the way.

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If you ever step
out on the deck of a boat during
a downpour,
gail winds,
the boom of thunder
and large lightening 
strikes in the 
distance you can 
gain respect for 
nature. 

Meanwhile, the rain is coming down like crazy. I get soaked just opening the hatch. Water is sneaking underneath the door, so I'm putting towels down to keep everything dry. That's when I realize I need a piece of rubber weatherstripping underneath that door. You learn the hardway. Sometimes the best boat improvements come from discovering exactly where the water is getting in!

And then there's the lightning.

You start thinking about what happens when lightning strikes a sailboat. Generally, sailboats have some protection depending on their construction and grounding arrangements, but there are certainly risks. I found myself wondering whether my rigging and electrical protection were properly set up to provide a safe path for lightning energy.

Eventually, after checking everything, listening to the thunder, and watching the lightning show, I decided I had done my duty. Everything could survive until morning. I wasn't going to spend the rest of the night playing Captain Ahab in a thunderstorm.

So I went back to bed.

The next morning, I replaced the damaged canvas with an extra old set, assessed the situation, and went about my merry day.

But I did find an interesting video about lightning and sailboats, which got me thinking. I may need to inspect my rigging and lightning protection system to make sure everything is properly configured. It's one of those things you don't necessarily think about until you're sitting in the middle of a thunderstorm at three in the morning!

I've been working on this boat for quite a while, although my enthusiasm sometimes comes and goes. It's really more like a floating condo at this point. I keep everything running, occasionally jump aboard other people's boats, and then come back to my own little project.

But I've decided I really want to fix this thing up and make it beautiful. I've already done a lot of work, but now it's time to fine-tune things and take care of all those little details.

Right now, I'm working on the water pump, and I'll probably put together another post about that.

I'm thinking something along the lines of my Hunker Junker Chronicles, except this time it's about the boat. Maybe I'll call it The Sail Boat Sagas.

Because apparently, there's always something to fix when you own a boat. The good news is that at least this one floats!

Stay tuned!

Somewhere around 30 mph but the rain, thunder and lightening were crazy. People Who were sleeping in their house were talking about how scarred they were. 

Two interesting videos, 

Producer Prices Rise .3% in October-Wholesale Elevated

Prices are rising modestly, continuing a trend we've been seeing. You can find some of the specifics below. Ultimately, businesses pass many of these higher costs on to consumers, who end up paying more.

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As a thought, 
If there were more small
local producers 
would prices be more
resilient? 

Not a lot of
information on a quick
look but one 
might wonder if
these local producers
are making products
from scratch they 
may not be able to 
compete on economies of
scale but might
have more resilience
because they 
get more direct
from their sources
and numerous small businesses
may lead to greater
market adaptability. 
Economy of scale
is one consideration
that may be negative
but multiple source
access could have
other benefits for
prices and innovation.
Maybe or maybe not?

Just something to ponder.

This also adds fuel to inflation. It's a cycle: higher prices put pressure on wages, higher wages increase business costs, and those costs can lead to even higher prices. In the process, the purchasing power of money gradually declines.

Most economists believe that a relatively low and stable level of inflation supports economic growth. However, too much inflation can slow growth, discourage investment, and create uncertainty for businesses.

Like most things in economics, it's all about finding the right balance.

*If you like these free articles consider buying a product or advertising space. 

Producer Prices Rise 0.3% in October as Wholesale Inflation Remains Elevated

• Wholesale prices increased 0.3% in October 2026, following a much larger 1.4% increase in September and a 0.4% increase in August. This suggests some moderation in monthly producer inflation.

• Over the past 12 months, producer prices increased 6.5%, the largest annual increase since November 2022, when prices rose 7.4%.

• Goods prices increased 0.5% in October, while service prices rose 0.2%. Food prices climbed 1.3%, while energy prices edged down 0.1%.

• Transportation costs remained a concern. Truck freight transportation prices increased 3.9%, contributing significantly to the increase in service prices. Transportation and warehousing services rose 2.0%.

• Core producer prices, excluding food, energy, and trade services, increased 0.5% in October and 4.9% over the past year. This suggests underlying cost pressures remain elevated for businesses.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, November 13). Producer price indexes—October 2026. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ppi.nr0.htm

The Importance of Community: Good Friends, Ballet, and a Little Fraternity Spirit (Gen Z Confident in their Social Skills)

Today was an interesting day, with two very different social events—and a good reminder of why community matters.

I grew up around social clubs, including the Elks, Eagles, and various military clubs. One thing I've learned over the years is that you meet some genuinely good people through these organizations. Small towns are a little different. In a place like Escanaba, you can get to know people pretty quickly. In a place like San Diego, with so many people, it takes a little more time. But eventually, you start building those relationships.

I've been involved with a fraternity in both Michigan and California, and over time, I've developed some great friendships. Some of these people I've known for years, and it's always nice to get together.

I also attended an event at Point Loma Assembly. That's a pretty cool place. I enjoy the people there because they're genuinely interested in helping others and building a better community. They're intelligent, well-dressed, and carry themselves with a certain class. It's refreshing to be around people who care about their community and take an active role in it.

I think everyone should have multiple dimensions to their lives. I certainly do. I can work on a car like a grease monkey, hike through the woods, dress up for an evening out, enjoy a glass of wine, or have a cheap domestic beer. I'm pretty comfortable moving between different environments. And honestly, I think that's a good thing. It gives you a broader perspective and helps develop social awareness. Life is too short to limit yourself to one crowd or one way of doing things.

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The event included several ballet performances, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I've danced myself, so I have a real appreciation for the discipline, practice, and athleticism involved. You can see when dancers reach that higher level of performance. They make something incredibly difficult look effortless, which is part of what makes ballet so impressive. The San Diego Ballet put on a great show. There were also some good snacks, which certainly didn't hurt! (Pretzle buns were delicious! Chewy!)

A little later, I met up with some of my fraternity friends in Point Loma. Unfortunately, we've recently lost a few members, so we took some time to write letters to their families. Someone even brought out an old-fashioned fraternity seal. You know, the kind that goes with those old letters where you weren't supposed to break the seal? It was a nice touch and brought back some memories.

It's a meaningful tradition. We wanted the families to know that the fraternity is thinking about them and that we're here to support them. Death is part of life, but that doesn't mean people should have to go through difficult times alone. That's one of the things a good organization and a good community should provide: friendship, support, and a sense of belonging. The letter to grand children is especially valuable and that is what makes a traditional fraternity like this one important. 

And that's really the bigger point.

If you've never been involved in a social club, fraternity/serority, service organization, or community group, I encourage you to give one a try. You might be surprised by the friendships you develop and the experiences you have. 

We live in a complicated world, and I think we could all use a little more community. We need places where people can come together, get to know one another, share experiences, and do something positive for society. Not everything has to be about work, politics, or whatever crisis happens to be dominating the news that day.

Sometimes it's just about enjoying good company, appreciating a little ballet, sharing a beer, and helping a friend when life gets difficult.

That's not a bad way to spend a day.

I've included this 2026 article below that you might find interesting,

Gen Z Is Just as Confident in Its Social Skills as Older Generations, Despite Criticism

• 47% of Gen Z respondents say they are very confident in their in-person social skills.

• 62% of Americans believe young people struggle with active listening.

• 54% identify difficulty maintaining focus during conversations as a weakness.

• More than half believe AI is negatively affecting face-to-face communication.

• 91% support colleges helping students develop social skills through clubs, discussions, and internships.

Franco, I. (2026, September 21). Gen Z is just as confident in their social skills as older generations: CNBC survey. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/make-it/2026/09/21/gen-z-social-skills-confidence-cnbc-survey.html

Unemployent Insurance Weekly Claims Ending November 7th, 2026: Stable

 The U.S. labor market showed signs of stability for the week ending November 7, with unemployment claims remaining relatively unchanged. That is encouraging news, as stable employment with modest job growth would be a positive sign for the economy.

Michigan and California showed mixed results. California experienced an increase in unemployment claims, while Michigan saw a decline.

Unemployment claims are an important economic indicator because they help reveal pressures in the labor market. They also provide insight into whether businesses are expanding, maintaining their workforce, or beginning to scale back employment.

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report: November 12, 2026

• Initial unemployment claims increased by 9,000 to 200,000 for the week ending November 7, 2026.

• The four-week moving average remained unchanged at 195,250, indicating that initial unemployment claims have been relatively stable.

• Continuing unemployment claims decreased by 20,000 to approximately 1.697 million for the week ending October 31.

• Unemployment claims remain lower than a year ago. Initial claims were 228,000 during the comparable week in 2025, while continuing claims were approximately 1.946 million.

• State highlights:

  • California: Initial claims totaled 45,021, an increase of 5,047 from the previous week. Insured unemployment totaled 323,339, an increase of 18,204.

  • Michigan: Initial claims totaled 2,331, a decrease of 2,996 from the previous week. Insured unemployment totaled 30,071, compared with 44,849 the previous week.

  • California's insured unemployment rate was 1.7%, while Michigan's was 1.0% in the state rate table.

U.S. Department of Labor. (2026, November 12). Unemployment insurance weekly claims. https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf

S&P 500 Global Business Outlook a Little Lower October 2026

The S&P 500 Global Business Outlook weakened slightly in October, declining from 37 to 32, suggesting some erosion in business confidence. Rising costs and inflation continue to concern businesses. Expectations for corporate profitability also declined from 21 to 16, indicating that companies are becoming less optimistic about how much money they will make in the near future. Capital expenditure expectations, however, remained relatively unchanged.

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You might
be interested in
one of our
Academic Capital Coffee Cups

This isn't necessarily a terrible report, but it does suggest some concern about a potential slowdown in business activity. Business confidence is important because it influences decisions about future spending, investments, hiring, and purchasing. When businesses become less confident, they may slow their spending, which can reduce transactions throughout the economy and contribute to slower economic growth. Of course, this is just one indicator, and it's important to examine it alongside other economic data to get a more complete picture of where the economy is heading. 

S&P Global US Business Outlook: Business Outlook Weakens During October Amid Uncertainty and Elevated Inflation Expectations

• US private sector confidence dropped as the headline net balance for business activity expectations fell from +37% in June to +32% in October.

• Inflation was the key headwind, pushing non-staff input cost expectations to +33% and staff costs to +42%, which drove selling price expectations up to +42%.

• Corporate profitability expectations fell from +21% in June to +16% in October, reaching a near three-year low.

• Employment growth expectations sank to +9%, marking the weakest outlook for job creation since June 2020.

• Capital expenditure plans remained steady at +16%, while R&D spending expectations edged up to +4%, driven partly by service-sector AI adoption.

S&P Global. (2026, November 11). Business outlook weakens during October amid uncertainty and elevated inflation expectations [Press release]. https://www.pmi.spglobal.com/Public/Home/PressRelease/586139708c2b4544a0adec25e9ba53e7

Happy Veterans Day

 A lot of veteran stuff going on from Marine Corps birthday to Veterans Day and local free eats. This is what makes communities wonderful. 

You may be interested in the History of Veterans Day

Free Veterans Appreciation Dinner November 11th American Legion (Gladstone, MI.)

 If your in the Escanaba area you may want to attend this free dinner if your a veteran.