Michigan Female License Plates Released November 10th.

 For all the female veterans out there, consider getting one of these new Michigan license plates — they’re set to be released on November 10th. I often share updates like this on a site I run for veterans, and this one really caught my attention. If I were a female veteran, I’d definitely want to get one. Thanks again for all that you do.

Michigan Fish Report: I changed my rigging and still didn't catch anything!

This morning, I went out fishing and, shocker—I didn’t catch a thing. At this point, it’s becoming more of a personal tradition than a hobby. I’m starting to think the fish are running a secret group chat warning each other when I show up. I’ve tried everything: mornings, evenings, different bait… maybe I am not doing something right. So I decided it was time to do some research and figure out what color bait might actually convince a fish to ruin its day for me.

There I was, standing in the cold like a confused woodsman, wearing my brand-new insulated duck bibs—because nothing says “serious fisherman” like looking like you’re ready to build a cabin. I dug through my bucket and found something bright and colorful, which didn’t seem like the right setup, but at this point, I figured, why not? It’s not like the fish were biting my “serious” rigs anyway.

Fishing around here is more of a community pastime, which is a polite way of saying we all go out to “not catch fish” together. For me, though, it’s about being outdoors—mixing in a little hiking, maybe some bow hunting in the near future, and pretending I know what I’m doing. The snow hasn’t hit yet, so I can’t break out my snowshoes or skis, but it’s still the perfect time to fish from the shore and admire the fall colors… while the fish admire my failure from below.

You’ve got your Kindle, your bobber, and the sound of birds laughing—uh, I mean singing. A light breeze, cold fingers, and a reminder that our ancestors used to do this for survival. At least when they didn’t catch dinner, they had a good excuse: “the mammoths migrated.”. I just go out for about a half at a time just to see if I can catch something before I go to Elmers or another grocery story to buy my fish. 

Still, I feel like I’m getting closer. The more I switch spots and mess around with my rigging, the better my odds. One of these days, I’ll actually catch something—and when I do, it’s going to be the most surprised fish in the lake.

(Oh, and if you’re curious about lure colors, I found an article that might help. It probably won’t help me, but hey—maybe it’ll help you.)

Bait Colors

You may also be interested in Michigan Fish Report

October ADP Jobs and Wage Report Reminds us to Fill Jars and Start Businesses

A person with a savings account
and a business plan to increase earnings.
Investing in his own business.

The latest job report, released on November 5, 2025, showed that the private sector added 42,000 jobs in October, with pay rising 4.5% year over year. This continues a generally positive trend of job growth over the past decade and a half. Employment gains were seen across companies of different sizes—those with 20–49 employees, 250–499, and 500 or more all experienced increases. The strongest growth came from trade, transportation, and utilities, followed by financial services and educational services. I was also pleased to see gains in natural resources, mining, and construction (Invest in the UP/Delta County).

From a broader perspective, rising wages are a positive sign, but inflation continues to erode much of that progress. That’s why many people still feel like their paychecks don’t stretch as far as they once did. Large companies continue to grow, which is good for international business, but I prefer to see more balanced growth across businesses of all sizes. Over consolidation should be thought about. When small businesses expand, they strengthen local economies, often laying the groundwork for midsize and, eventually, larger companies. Small business has a more direct relationship to family wealth. Larger companies are more stock oriented and therefore increase wealth of investors. A balanced growth portfolio across the economy would be ideal for feeding both as they both can provide benefits for economic development. Too much of one or the other creates consolidation problems and inequity of wealth.

It’s also encouraging that trade, transportation, and utilities are up, along with natural resources and construction. These sectors represent the movement of goods and the creation of inputs, suggesting possible future growth. I’d like to see more of this reflected in export numbers. The growth in education and health services is interesting too, though I couldn’t find a clear definition of what’s included in those categories—it might be buried in the report notes somewhere. If you’re into the technical side, there’s an intriguing formula in the report that calculates industry-level changes.

Source ADP Report

As for me, I can’t say I feel any richer yet—but that’s all right. Where I live, life is relatively affordable, and since I do most of my own work, I don’t spend nearly as much as I would in a big city. Lately, I’ve been thinking more about saving money, and I came across this “jar method.” Mine’s an actual glass jar, and I occasionally cash it in to move the money into an investment account. I think if we bought less but bought better, avoided overusing credit cards, fixed up what we already own, and stopped trying to keep up with the neighbors, our jars would fill up faster.

At the same time, wealth concentration continues to rise, so if you really want to grow your own income, starting a business might be one of the few ways left to do it—with all the joys and challenges that come along with that.

Oct. 2025 ADP Report

The Jar Method of Saving-Yahoo Finance

Human Capital in a High-Tech Military World (Open Positions in the Marines)

The military relies heavily on human capital, and as technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, high-tech skills are becoming increasingly essential. This is likely why we’re seeing strong incentives in fields such as electronics maintenance, cyber and crypto operations, and other high-demand technical specialties.

This trend highlights the importance of continuously updating the skills of those serving in the military—something that virtual education and training could greatly support. Many of these skills are also highly transferable, allowing service members to transition successfully into civilian occupations after completing their service.

For individuals, it’s worth considering how the skills the military needs align with major innovations in artificial intelligence and the broader digital age we’ve entered. We are living in a time when technology evolves quickly, and the knowledge we have today may become outdated within a year. Continuous learning is no longer optional—it’s essential.

If you’re interested in using your skills to serve your country, consider exploring some of the opportunities listed below. Many talented individuals—whether in college or looking for an alternative career path—may find the military to be a challenging, rewarding, and deeply meaningful option.

F26 Enlistment Incentive Program

Find a Recruiter

Tomato Bisque and Food Quality Difference in Fitness/Health

Cooking your own food can make a big difference in your overall health and fitness. I have a fitness trainer’s license, and one thing I’ve noticed—both in others and in myself—is that eating well tends to be the biggest challenge. By preparing my own meals, I’ve not only cut back on processed foods but also reduced my intake of the preservatives and hormones often found in them.

Did I notice a difference?

It’s hard to say definitively since there are many factors involved. I loosely count calories without obsessing over macros and maintain a decent level of fitness. Still, I believe cooking at home has had a substantial positive impact. It’s generally easier to lose weight when you prepare your own meals, likely because you eat a bit less and use healthier ingredients compared to ready-made convenience foods.

This is my tomato bisque—it’s made by boiling fresh tomatoes, cooling them to remove the skins, cooking them again, pureeing, and then adding heavy cream and a mix of spices. The great thing about this dish is that you can make a large batch and can it for later use. It’s a versatile base—add shrimp, chicken, or other proteins—and the extra canning jars store perfectly in the cupboard or cellar (Yep I been canning.).

You may use this one, Tomato Bisque Recipe

If you need a fitness trainer let me know to the right.

Hiking Pictures in the UP: Growth in Back Packing and Camping until 2030

Hiking is a great pastime for people who enjoy the outdoors. In larger cities, it can be difficult to get out and hike since you might need to travel 30 to 40 miles just to find an overcrowded trail. Around here, though, hiking feels much more natural — there are trails just minutes away. For those who live near a state or federal forest, it might be as easy as stepping out the back door to start exploring.

Backpacking and hiking are both expected to grow significantly through 2030, according to industry reports. I usually try to go hiking two or three times a week and mix it up with some fishing. By nature, humans came from the wilderness, which might explain why we feel so comfortable returning to it. Of course, that’s not to overlook the physical fitness benefits and peace of mind that comes with trekking through the woods.

For those who enjoy outdoor vacations, places like Escanaba offer a great mix of trails, nightlife, dining, and recreation. I took a few of these pictures the other day while hiking — I wandered off the beaten path to explore a bend in the river that looked like a small pond. I also kept an eye out for potential trapping and bow-hunting spots, which I plan to explore more now that things have settled down. Delta County Hunting

Forests and woodlands add tremendous value to our quality of life and, when managed wisely, can contribute meaningfully to local economic development. Considering the broader benefits of an outdoor lifestyle, rising investments in industries like paper industry, manufacturing, tourism, start-ups, deep-water ports, transportation infrastructure (road, air, and shipping), metalwork, and regional mining in creating a total mix of life and work.

A clean and healthy environment doesn’t just enhance tourism — it can strengthen every sector of the economy. More importantly, it improves quality of life, supports recruitment and retention, and promotes overall health and happiness. Something worth thinking about when creativity and new ideas are needed.

US Hiking and Camping Gear Market Until 2030. 

Swapping Out To Winter Tires on my Hunker Junker: Deep tread!

Looks like new
 deep treads.

I swapped out the tires on my trusty “Hunker Junker,” the project car I’ve been nursing along, from summer slicks to winter chompers. I’ve never really been one of those seasonal tire people, but these bad boys came with the car—brand new with deep 4x4-style treads that look ready to climb Mount Everest (wanted to do that once and might think about it again).

Back in the day, our grandparents would faithfully switch tires every season, like clockwork. Nowadays, we rely on “all-weather” tires, which are basically decent at everything and great at nothing. Still, when it’s blizzarding out, a good set of winter tires on a 3,500-pound hunk of metal is the difference between “steady traction” and “figure skating across the intersection.”

Up here, the blizzards and ice don’t mess around, and the salt on the roads can turn a nice car into a rust sculpture by spring. I originally bought this Hunker Junker as a no-worries winter beater—just a $1,000 ride I could bounce around in without losing sleep.

Representing working on old trucks/cars. 
I am keeping my eyes out for
something like this 
for my next project.

But now I kind of love the thing. After putting in some sweat and a few questionable repair decisions, it actually drives great. The engine hums like a boat motor that’s just happy to be here. Right now, I’m priming the body, scraping off rust, and swapping out some bumper fillers. If all goes well, I’ll finish it off with a new radio and sound system—because if I’m sliding into a snowbank, I at least want good tunes playing.

MI-Travel Information for Motorists