Is it Easy to Cook on a Boat? Depends

 You think it's easy cooking on a boat? I guess if you're rich and your boat has a full-sized kitchen with everything you could possibly want, then yeah, it's probably pretty easy. But if you have a reasonable boat like the kind most average people have, with a little kitchenette, things get more difficult (The boat that took sweat and labor to get where it is at today.).

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Cooking on a boat
has its own challenges.

Over the years, I've kind of narrowed things down to the necessities. I have a grill, an oven, an air fryer, and the basics, including a gas stove. So I can cook, but it takes a little effort. You have to move around, work in a smaller space, and basically learn how to do camp cooking. The air fryer isn't exactly camp cooking, but the rest of it is pretty close.

This morning, after going boogie boarding, I went back to the boat and started cooking. I made some homemade tortillas, along with these little corn pancakes. I had some grilled chicken left over from last night, and I'm going to make some homemade French fries. I'll also eat some salad and use up the rest of the cucumbers and chicken.

That's one of the tricks I've learned: double-cooking. I'll cook chicken for dinner, and then use the leftovers for something else the next day. Last night, I had grilled chicken with supper and grilled cucumbers. Today, that same chicken becomes chicken sandwiches with my homemade tortillas. I've got some potatoes, so I'll cut those up and make some really nice French fries, then finish off the rest of the cucumber and chicken.

So, it is possible to cook pretty well on a boat. You just have to be a little creative and make the most of the space you have.

The one thing I haven't figured out—and it doesn't really matter whether I'm in a full-sized kitchen or on a boat—is how the heck they make tortilla chips.

I can make a flour tortilla. I can make a corn tortilla. That part is pretty simple. But when you buy a package of tortilla chips, how do they get them to look and turn out like that? I'm not quite sure. I might have to research it. See below. 

My suspicion is that they're using some kind of corn mixture or batter, shaping it into chips, and then cooking it. But I don't know. I tried to do something similar, and instead of tortilla chips, I ended up with corn pancakes.

(It looks like they make the it just like I do except they bake a little and then fry. So I was thinking of that for the next batch but then found this and thought it was interesting. So we will see how the next one's turn out. How They Make Tortilla Chips)

That's fine, though. The corn pancakes were actually pretty darn good.

So I guess I invented something new to eat today: the corn pancake. It's mostly corn, with a little bit of flour, salt and some water. That's it. No milk, nothing fancy. And it actually turned out really well. Ok probably someone has done it before but for me it's new. 

I'd definitely make those corn pancakes again for breakfast.

Hitting the Boogie Board Early in the AM

 This morning, I got up and went boogie boarding. I can actually surf, although I’m not a great surfer, and with the car I use, I often don’t have a lot of space for a surfboard. So, boogie boarding just makes a lot of sense.

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I headed over to Ocean Beach this morning and thought, what better way to start the day? Have a cup of coffee, head to the beach while it’s still cool, find parking, and jump in the water. You can surf, swim, paddleboard, or, in my case, boogie board for about a half hour.

Head back to the boat and take a shower and get ready for the day. Already cooking my chicken salad before meeting a friend (headed over to a local brewery for an hour). 

I also noticed there are quite a few other boogie boarders out there, and it seems to be becoming more popular. A lot of them are using fins or flippers to help get out a little farther and catch waves. People used to look down on it but its a growing trend. 

I like boogie boarding because it’s quick and easy. It fits easily in the car, gets me in the water, and keeps me active. I don’t necessarily have to be great at everything. I just enjoy being out there, being active, and being in the water. And honestly, being in the water is better than not being in the water at all. 

What I have learned is that instead of debating on whether to do something and then end up not doing it just get up and go if it is something your thinking about. You don't have to go long but you did do it. Too many people I know don't leave their house much. I feel like that sometimes too but getting out into the water sets the rest of the day. Coffee, water, brewski, cooking and a friend....what more do you want?

US Retail Sales Decline in July-Up Over a Year-A Chance to Reflect on How we are

U.S. retail sales declined recently, and that seems to align with some other economic indicators. However, putting it into perspective, retail sales are still higher than they were a year ago, so that is not necessarily a bad thing. The direction and size of the decline, particularly when considered alongside other economic indicators, could become important, but we need to wait and see how the trend develops (Consumer sentiment appears down as well.)

As an individual indicator, the decline doesn't appear to be particularly negative. A decline is a decline, but it needs to be viewed in conjunction with other economic factors. Businesses will obviously be affected by changes in consumer spending, especially small businesses. If we want to bring our downtowns back, one way we can help is by supporting local businesses (Think about what is being said in terms of if you are being more reflective of your spending habits consider the lens of what helps your community the most. Its a personal choice.). 

If you feel inclined, go buy from your small-town businesses and give them more opportunities to grow. Be wise about where you're spending your money because your money determines what you value and what is rewarded in the market. It can help to support businesses where the money circulates locally increasing its long-tail value. While you might be spending less you can also spend it where it maximizes its outcome (The other day I bought my produce from the OB farmers market because it goes directly back to local farmers.)

U.S. Retail Sales Show Continued Year-Over-Year Growth but Decline in July

• U.S. retail and food services sales were an estimated $763.6 billion in July 2026.
• Sales decreased 0.6% from June 2026 after seasonal, holiday, and trading-day adjustments.
• Despite the monthly decline, sales increased 5.0% compared with July 2025.
• Total sales for May through July 2026 were 6.3% higher than the same period a year earlier.
• Retail sales are an important indicator of consumer spending and economic activity. The Census Bureau's advance estimates are also used by organizations such as the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Federal Reserve to assess economic trends.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2026, August 14). Advance monthly sales for retail and food services: July 2026. https://www.census.gov/retail/sales.html

UoM Survey of Consumers Indicates a Decline in Consumer Confidence But....

 Consumer sentiment declined and this in line with other mixed markers could indicate a market change but we will have to wait to see what that looks like (or doesn't.). The thing about metrics is that they are representations based on how they are designed and how the data is drawn. As representations they are open to interpretation and you will find economists with varying opinions.

University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers: A Key Measure of Consumer Confidence

• The University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, established in 1946, measure consumer attitudes, expectations, and perceptions about the U.S. economy.
• The survey examines consumers’ views of personal finances, business conditions, and buying conditions, including expectations for inflation, unemployment, interest rates, and economic policy.
• Consumer expectations are economically important because optimism can encourage spending and borrowing, while uncertainty and pessimism can lead households to postpone purchases and increase savings.
• The survey is widely used by government agencies, financial institutions, businesses, and researchers and contributes to measures of leading economic indicators.
• The preliminary August 2026 results show consumer sentiment falling 7.6% from July to 51.0, while the Index of Consumer Expectations declined 8.7% to 50.6. Year-ahead inflation expectations also increased slightly from 4.2% to 4.3%.

University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research. (2026). Surveys of Consumers. https://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/

Row Row Row Your Boat-Right Down Mission Bay! The Health Benefits of Rowing

I recently got back to San Diego this week, and one of the things I wanted to do was keep up with my rowing. One of these days, I'm going to buy a sculling shell—or maybe even build one—and keep it in Escanaba. For now, though, I mostly row here in San Diego where a club offers the shell to use.

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I used to row in Louisville, Kentucky, and I may end up doing that again at some point. I'm certainly not the world's greatest rower, but I really enjoy it. It gets me out on the water early in the morning, and then I can move on with the rest of my day.

There's also a physical challenge to rowing that I appreciate. If you work online or spend a lot of time sitting at a computer in your office, it's easy to become a little lethargic. Rowing gets you moving and provides an excellent full-body workout. That's one reason people who row regularly tend to be in very good shape—it combines cardiovascular exercise with strength and muscle development throughout the body.

For me, I simply like doing things that are fun. If they also help me stay healthy and in shape, that's an added bonus.

I'm also a licensed fitness trainer and yoga instructor. If you're ever looking for a little help with fitness or flexibility, feel free to send me a message. I can provide some virtual guidance as a hobby. I donate a little away. 

Anyway, send me a message if you're interested. I also thought the article and video below were pretty interesting. I watch material like this because I'm always trying to improve my rowing and learn something new. No matter what activity I'm involved in, I enjoy continuing to learn and get a little better over time.

Rowing Technique

Producer Prices Unchanged in July 2026-What does the PPI indicate for the Economy?

The Producer Price Index (PPI) helps us understand the prices producers can receive for the products they sell. The metric covers domestic production across major economic sectors. Higher producer prices can eventually be passed on to consumers, creating inflationary pressure. A lower PPI generally indicates less inflationary pressure and can minimize the likelihood of additional interest rate increases.

A lower PPI can contribute to increased business profits, lower inflation, and potentially greater innovation through investment. Lower input costs and higher profit generally attract new investment. New investment and costs are interwoven into the economic and business environment. (Keep in mind the concept we are exploring in this blog regarding transaction costs and how the right environment can reduce the costs associated with innovation and inputs, making businesses more attractive for investment. In Theory...meaning take or leave it....either is ok. Businesses can cluster in different ways, either vertically, with a focus on specific types of businesses i.e., an industry-focused cluster within a larger city, and/or more organically, through clusters of diverse but co-complementary businesses that may be particularly beneficial for economic resilience of smaller communities.)

You can read about PPI and its impact on PPI and how it works. Producer Price Index (PPI) Explained: Comprehensive Guide & Analysis

Over the past few years.

Producer Prices Unchanged in July 2026, While Annual Wholesale Inflation Remains Elevated

• The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand was unchanged in July 2026 after declining 0.1% in June and increasing 0.5% in May.
• Despite no monthly increase, final-demand producer prices were 4.7% higher than a year earlier, indicating that inflationary pressures remain elevated at the producer level.

• 

  Source

  Final-demand services increased 0.2% in July, while construction prices rose 2.2%. These increases offset a 0.7% decline in final-demand goods.
• Energy prices provided significant downward pressure, with final-demand energy prices falling 3.1% and gasoline prices declining 5.7%. Food prices also decreased 0.9%.
• The broader measure excluding foods, energy, and trade services increased 0.4% in July and was up 4.7% over the previous 12 months, suggesting that underlying producer-price pressures remain persistent.

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

CPI Increases .1% Showing Signs of Inflation Moderation

The Consumer Price Index, or CPI, moderated a little in July, meaning the pace of price increases slowed. The CPI increased 0.1% in July after declining 0.4% in June, while prices were up 3.4% over the previous 12 months.

Although inflation is beginning to ease, prices remain elevated, and many people are still struggling to pay their bills and living paycheck to paycheck. It is not easy—I have been there, done that. Food prices increased 3.0% over the past year, while shelter increased 3.2%, so hopefully we will continue to see these areas moderate as well.

Overall, the latest report provides some positive signs, but consumers are still feeling the effects of higher prices. I have included the article below, along with the original source and a summary of the information. 

I like this review article, 

Consumer prices rose 0.1% in July, as expected, putting the annual rate at 3.4%

Consumer Price Index Shows Moderate Inflation in July 2026

• The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers increased 0.1% in July 2026 after declining 0.4% in June. Over the previous 12 months, consumer prices increased 3.4%.
• Shelter prices increased 0.1% in July and accounted for approximately two-thirds of the overall monthly CPI increase. Food prices also rose 0.1%.
• Energy prices provided some relief, declining 1.5% in July. However, energy prices were still 14.7% higher than they were one year earlier.
• Core inflation, measured by prices excluding food and energy, increased 0.2% in July and was up 2.5% over the previous 12 months, down from 2.6% in June.
• Overall, the July report suggests that inflation continued to moderate compared with June, although prices remained elevated in several areas. Food increased 3.0% and shelter increased 3.2% over the year, demonstrating that consumers continued to face meaningful increases in everyday living costs.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, August 12). Consumer price index—July 2026. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm