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. 

October CPI: A Few Adjustments for an Expensive World: Making Inflation Work Around You

Well, consumer prices haven't come down yet, so people are still feeling that pinch. I don't know about the rest of you, but I've started adjusting some of my habits and priorities to deal with the rising costs.

I've got a few things I'm working toward, including eventually saving enough to buy some land for a hobby farm. As you get closer to retirement, you start thinking a little differently about what you want out of life and where you want to put your money. Unfortunately, inflation has a way of reminding you that dreams aren't cheap!

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Inflation what?

So I've started reorganizing things. If everything is getting more expensive, maybe it's time to cut back on some of the things that aren't really that important and build a little more financial cushion. Last year seemed to be all about cars, repairs, and keeping things running. This year, I'm trying to focus on new experiences and putting some money aside for something different.

One thing I've discovered is how much I enjoy cooking at home. I don't need to eat out every night, and frankly, the amount of money I used to spend on things I didn't really need is pretty shocking. The funny thing is, my quality of life has actually improved. I'm eating better, enjoying the process, and keeping more money in my pocket. Who knew saving money could taste so good?

The point is that sometimes we have more control over our spending habits than we think. A few adjustments can make a real difference. Maybe it's time to rethink some of those purchases and decide whether they really add much value to your life.

Anyway, good luck out there. Inflation hasn't gotten the memo that we're all trying to save money, so we'll just have to get a little smarter about how we spend it! 

U.S. Consumer Price Index: October 2026

• Overall inflation increased 0.4% in October, down from 0.6% in September, indicating a slight slowdown in price increases.

• Housing and food costs continued to rise, with shelter increasing 0.3% and food prices increasing 0.5%.

• Energy prices increased 0.7%, while gasoline prices rose 1.0%.

• Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3%, showing that underlying price pressures remain.

• Businesses and consumers continue to face higher costs, making inflation an important consideration in budgeting, pricing, purchasing, and financial planning.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, November 10). Consumer Price Index—October 2026. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_11102026.htm

An interesting article,

US consumer prices rise briskly for third straight month

*If you like these free articles feel free to buy an art piece, product, or advertising space.

Happy 251 Years Marine Corps-Always Faithful!

 Today marks the birthday of the United States Marine Corps, an organization built on old-world principles and traditions but continually adapted to meet the demands of the modern world. It represents a commitment to service, sacrifice, discipline, and leadership.

Marines are often regarded as elite warriors, but their purpose extends beyond the battlefield. They are servants of society, committed to something larger than themselves. It can last a lifetime and that is honorable. The Marine Corps teaches strong values—values that stand firm even amid the changing attitudes and challenges of the times.

All branches of the military provide tremendous service to our country. However, there is something particularly meaningful about choosing to sacrifice for a cause greater than oneself. That commitment demands an extraordinary level of integrity, character, and leadership. These are lessons the Marine Corps instills in its members, lessons that can be difficult to find and develop elsewhere.

So, hats off to the United States Marine Corps and to the men and women who have served, sacrificed, and continue to uphold its traditions.

It is also worth taking the time to study the Corps' history. History does not exist in isolation. Events from the past shape the present, and understanding those connections helps us make sense of the world around us. We can better understand the present by studying the past, and we can better prepare for the future by learning to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

Happy Birthday, Marines. Semper Fidelis.

Marine Corps Celebrates Its Service and History on 251st Birthday

October 2026: Small Business Optimism Steady

 As you review the index below, you'll notice that many small-business concerns continue to center on finding qualified employees, labor skills, taxes, and interest rates. These are challenges that affect businesses across many industries.

As an executive or future executive, understanding the environment in which small businesses operate—and the challenges they face—can make you a more effective leader. Whether you manage a small business or a larger organization, understanding these concerns helps you make better decisions. 

More importantly, if you investigate these issues deeply enough, you may begin to identify opportunities and develop practical solutions to some of these problems.

Main Street Small Business Optimism Remains Steady as Economic Uncertainty Declines

• The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index for October 2026 stood at 97.8, down slightly from September and just below its 53-year average of 98.0. The Uncertainty Index declined six points to 84, its lowest level since December 2025.

• Labor availability remained the biggest concern for small businesses, with 25% of owners identifying labor quality and availability as their primary operating problem. Taxes moved into second place, increasing to 21%, the highest level since May 2021.

• Business owners reported improved financial health. Fifteen percent rated their businesses as excellent and 54% as good, indicating a more positive assessment of overall business conditions.

• Expectations improved modestly, with 8% of owners anticipating better business conditions over the next six months. Additionally, 11% reported that it was a good time to expand their businesses.

• Inflation and labor shortages continued to create challenges. A net 37% of owners planned to raise selling prices, while 36% reported unfilled job openings. Higher interest rates also added pressure to operating costs.

National Federation of Independent Business. (2026, November 10). New NFIB survey: Main Street optimism remains steady, uncertainty declines in October. https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-survey-main-street-optimism-remains-steady-uncertainty-declines-in-october/

Cooking Off-Grid: A Little Tofu Oriented Culinary MacGyvering on a Sailboat

 Cooking off-grid has a way of turning you into a culinary MacGyver. Whether you're preparing a meal aboard a boat, working with a single-burner camp stove in a cabin, or improvising with limited supplies on the road, there's a certain satisfaction in making something good out of whatever happens to be available. Cooking on a boat adds another dimension to the experience. Space is limited, equipment is basic, storage is precious, and you have to make the most of what you bring along. But that's also part of the fun.

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Some news on tofu

Who would have thought that tofu—the nutritional block of packing foam that many people dismiss as lacking much culinary appeal—could actually hold its own when prepared properly?

Here's a look at a surprisingly successful off-grid tofu scramble.

The Off-Grid Tofu Playbook

• The Sizzle Strategy: Start by getting rid of the excess water. Cook the tofu in a skillet until much of the moisture evaporates. This helps develop a firmer, slightly fried texture without requiring a lot of oil, an important consideration when cooking with limited supplies aboard a boat or at a campsite.

• The Flavor Factor: Tofu is essentially a blank canvas. Treat it much like rice and build the flavor with basic ingredients such as onions, freshly chopped garlic, carrots, salt, and a little beef bouillon. The combination gives it a surprisingly rich, savory flavor.

• The Practical Advantage: At approximately $3.50 a pound, tofu is an inexpensive source of protein. It is also versatile enough to use in soups, skillet meals, hashes, and other dishes that work well in a small galley or camp kitchen.

There's something rewarding about cooking with limited resources. On a boat, you learn to make every inch of counter space count, keep your ingredients organized, conserve water, and work with whatever cooking equipment is available. A dependable skillet and a reliable burner can go a long way.

The same philosophy applies to everything from sautéing tofu to preparing a quick skillet hash or pressing out flatbreads using a single pan. You don't need a fully equipped kitchen to put together a satisfying meal. Sometimes a little creativity, a few inexpensive ingredients, and some basic cooking gear are all it takes.

That's the beauty of cooking off-grid: whether you're anchored in a quiet harbor, cruising along the coast, or spending a few days in a remote cabin, you learn to improvise, experiment, and appreciate the simple pleasure of preparing a good meal.

Keeping Up With the College Crowd: A Lifeguard's Training Day

There is something enjoyable about trying new things, particularly when they challenge expectations. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones that leave you a little exhausted but give you a good story to tell afterward.

I do a little lifeguarding here and there to help out, stay in shape, and spend time on the water. Aquatics is something I have enjoyed since growing up around the Great Lakes, so I recently attended an in-service training session with approximately 40 lifeguards.

Most of the participants were college students in their early-to-mid 20s. A few in their 30's. I had a feeling I might be the oldest person in the room, but that was part of the fun (Actually I know about 4 other guards my age.). These young people have so much wonder and life in them. Their journeys are just starting.

Shortly after the session began, everyone jumped into the pool and started swimming freestyle across the lanes. It was loud, the water flying everyone, and I'm pretty sure most of the people didn't hear or understand the commands. I just heard muffled sounds over a loud speaker. 

Assuming we were doing a speed drill, I took off at full throttle and sprinted to the other side. It did not take long to discover that this was actually an endurance exercise. I had mistaken the starting gun for a sprint when the real objective was longevity! Yikes!

Swimming without goggles, burning through my energy early, and going up against college-age athletes made things interesting. Nevertheless, I adjusted my pace, worked through the remaining legs, and finished respectably. I wasn't last—and I am fairly certain I wasn't even in the last five (maybe...not sure.). At my age, I'll gladly take that victory!

The training continued with an overhead object-passing drill in deep water. All 40 participants had to tread water while passing objects overhead. Any mistakes meant starting over. After the objects made their way through the group, I was responsible for getting the equipment back onto the deck. Technically I had the hardest job. I have to twist 180 degrees while treading and must reach up over the edge with a heavy object. It isn't that easy.

These exercises are designed to test more than swimming ability. They deliberately build fatigue through repeated swimming, back-floating with hands on the chest, treading water, and carrying objects while maintaining control. The objective is to develop endurance and the ability to perform essential lifeguarding duties under physically demanding conditions. A few participants appeared to be approaching exhaustion. I had briefly wondered whether I might be joining them after that initial sprint! But once I got my pace I was right back on track.

Earlier in the session, we reviewed safety procedures, emergency response, and vital-sign assessments. There are plenty of acronyms and procedures to remember. I may not always recall every acronym by name, but I generally remember the steps, which is what matters.

We also had our vital signs checked. My resting heart rate registered 47 beats per minute, with oxygen saturation at 99% (Heart Rate Normal Stats). A resting heart rate in that range can be consistent with good cardiovascular conditioning, particularly in someone who exercises at an athlete level. For an "old geezer" swimming alongside a group of 20-year-olds, those numbers were certainly encouraging.

(I have a fitness trainers license so if you need a little help let me know.)

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When you realize
your getting older.

I can't believe
I didn't pass out! 🙃

I am also interested in improving my breathing techniques and respiratory efficiency for swimming, free diving/spear fishing, snorkeling and other water activities. There is always something new to learn and another area of physical performance to explore.

Ultimately, that is what makes these experiences worthwhile. Staying active, challenging yourself, learning new skills, and spending time around people who are happy and healthy all contribute to a good quality of life.

People approach life differently. Some are perfectly content with familiar routines, while others naturally gravitate toward new experiences, challenges, and opportunities to test their abilities. There is value in both approaches, but for those who enjoy pushing themselves, there is something rewarding about continuing to explore what they can accomplish.

Being in your 50s and swimming alongside college-age lifeguards is a fun reminder that participation does not have to come with an age limit. You may not win every race, and occasionally you might misunderstand the assignment and sprint when you should be pacing yourself. But you show up, give it your best, and enjoy the experience.

It is a victory worth celebrating!

The closest video I found that sort of gets you that experience is this one. While I'm deep water rescue certified I am not ocean certified and that requires a fairly long swim in the ocean at a certain pace. I can get to that pace but keeping it up for a long time is difficult without more conditioning. However, I'm just having fun so maybe I will or wont. The rest of the stuff I think I can do. 

These lifeguards are serious. This is the top level.