Drop Off Locations in Delta County for Unused Medications

If unused or expired medications sit around for too long, they deplete and can pose risks to people. While this certainly applies to veterans, it also affects the general public. It’s important to properly dispose of unused drugs by taking them to a designated drop-off location. This helps prevent accidental ingestion by children, confusion from misreading labels, or misuse for other purposes. The drug crisis remains a serious issue, and safe disposal is one small but meaningful way to help address it.

I received an email on this topic from one of our local veterans’ organizations and was asked to share it. I’m posting it here and in a few other places to help spread awareness.

You can visit the State of Michigan’s website to find locations where you can safely dispose of unused household medications. It appears Meijers, Walgreens, St. Francis Hospital, Escanaba Public Safety and Michigan State Police will take them. Better to be safe then sorry so get rid of them. 

You can find Delta County 
on the Map.

MI Household Drug Takeback Webpage

Map of Household Drugs Takeback. 

Where Art Meets Nature: Reflections from Michigan’s North

Apparently, I’ve been taking more pictures lately because I’ve been spending more time outdoors and getting involved in different activities. Naturally, that means more photos — and I’ve even sold a few more than usual. My paintings, however, haven’t sold in a while. The issue is probably one of two things: either marketing or skill. I’m leaning toward needing to polish my skills a bit more. 😬 Most artists don’t become famous until after they’re gone anyway — might as well make someone else rich! Move over, Picasso! Pabo Picasso Biography

Speaking of which, I came across an interesting study suggesting that people should do a better job of teaching about the Great Lakes coasts and their environmental impact. Generally, the more people know about their environment and how to protect it, the healthier it will be overall. Perceptions of Great Lakes Coastal Change highlights this point well. Perceptions of  Great Lakes Coastal Change

One thing I can say about living in the U.P. is that there’s no shortage of hiking trails, coastline, and outdoor activities. If I had a young family, I might even consider starting a business here just for the quality of small-town life. 

The picture can be found at......The UP Great Lakes Coast

Escanaba Harbor Boat Launch and Marquette Lighthouse in Pictures

I love the outdoors and enjoy photography because it allows me to capture the different places I visit and the activities I do. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to sell a photo, but for the most part, it’s just a hobby. Right now in Michigan, it’s cool—around 50°F—but the sun is shining, and that makes a big difference. Yesterday, I visited the lighthouse in Marquette, and today I went fishing at the Escanaba Harbor. I didn’t catch anything, but it was peaceful. The beach was flat, the wind was mild, and it was a great place to relax and enjoy part of the day.

Escanaba Harbor Boat Launch

Marquette Lighthouse

How Legal and Judiciary Systems Impact Business, Economy, and Social Outcomes

The importance of 
law to economic and 
social development.

People often think of the economy in terms of dollars, numbers, indicators, and other quantifiable measures of activity. While most social and economic activities can be quantified with some foresight, that doesn’t mean all factors influencing economic and social development are captured by these metrics. It’s important to remember that metrics often emerge from research—and research is typically driven by interested stakeholders who fund it. As a result, entire paradigms of understanding can be overlooked simply because the field is constrained by the existing measures and fails to recognize that most relevant metrics have yet to be discovered or applied.

The following article discusses how judiciary systems impact economic and social aspects of the economy and the benefits of strongly funded courts, greater understanding of how activities impact a wider metric, and the development of such systems to their highest states. There appears thus far in reasons and other places that the legal systems has a significant impact on the economy. The publication below seems to fall in line with other research that the quality of these systems marks the health of society.

For some time, I have been exploring the relationship between economics and institutional structures. How we process information, engage in commerce, foster human capital, and uphold contracts all have significant impacts on outcomes. Less tangible factors—such as how people treat one another, the perspectives of the judiciary, or the alignment between institutional purpose and outcomes—are also critical, though difficult to measure. These qualitative dimensions may have broad implications for human capital development and societal progress.

Ideally, all systems—particularly judicial systems—should operate efficiently, accurately, and with the goal of producing the highest possible outcomes. Depending on who you ask, that may happen frequently or only occasionally. In practice, limitations such as funding, staffing, and procedural complexity can slow judicial processes, sometimes leading to poor decisions and outcomes with far-reaching economic consequences. The cost of justice and the complexity of law could be other factors (This is why I always think in terms of purpose first and language usage in law second- philosopher perspective. I learned some of that in my labor relations days. Others might think of language of law and then its purpose secondary in a type of legal gamemanship-A technocratic perspective).

In general, the legal system of any nation, state, or community profoundly influences the enforcement of business and social contracts, the deterrence of crime, and fosters overall public trust. When such systems function effectively and people believe justice is administered fairly and accurately, it strengthens confidence, reduces violations, and promotes economic-social stability. The legal system serves as a backstop—one of the key foundations supporting legal, economic, and social orderliness.

The article below is particularly interesting because it examines how the speed of judicial case processing can influence economic development. As case resolution times increase, there appears to be a corresponding negative impact on economic health. Think of how this aligns with other research and how it begins to formulate a conception of the necessity of systems development and updating.

Timely Justice as a Determinant of Economic Growth-The Financial Markets Group

The Story of the Clan: Let us relate this to a hypothetical, philosophical, theoretical thought experiment about hate and corruption so take with a grain of salt. If a court ruled in favor of its tribal members, political parties, religious preferences, racial bias, etc. that would naturally have a negative impact on society and economic development. From a business standpoint those within the in-group are going to be favored and those in the out-group would not be and basic assumptions would form around those realities. In literature, favoritism seems to relate to corruption and corruption and hate utilize similar moral compromize and justifications. Ensuring the best and brightest (includes a level of integrity) in any field versus the most connected are the way in which we should view these important roles because they have the highest societal outcomes.

The Story of the Clan: Judicial Corruption and the Social Psychology of Injustice

Two of the most destructive forces in any society or system are hate and corruption. Hate provides the motivation to mistreat others, while corruption creates the pathway to do so. The Story of the Clan is a hypothetical, philosophical, and theoretical thought experiment designed to explore how hate functions and what modern corruption might look like in practice. Take with a grain of salt.

People generally rely on the courts to uphold justice. However, when those courts become entangled within a matrix of corruption, the need for reform becomes a pressing issue.

Consider the following as a learning example: A group of friends realized they could enrich themselves financially through unethical means. Not the first time. They socialized and worked closely with a few law enforcement officials and began targeting others. Some of the same members of the group were also involved in sexual misconduct. Expanding further through a wider social network found that some may have been tied extreme misconduct elseware. The level of coordination was well practiced and indicated patterned behaviors. When individuals reported the wrongdoing, they were quickly retaliated against. A socially connected judge with extreme ideological beliefs not only turned a blind eye but also ordered actions that violated human and civil rights—appearing to do so with the intent to harm others and benefit members of their own social network and perceptions of societal value.

Throughout history, when great harm has been inflicted collectively upon others certain similar breakdowns in judicial integrity might have occurred. Courts began rewarding friends, undermining shared civic values, disregarding constitutional protections, and misapplying justice for different invented categories of people. No willingness to correct violations of social contracts. Other victims who came forward could have been protected, but instead, tainted courts were used for the benefit of a social “clan,” reinforcing extreme religious and racial beliefs as the unwritten laws of the land (Remember this is only a learning example).

Because this is a theoretical learning exercise, consider the following questions:

1. What would be the impact on society if it became clear that certain individuals or behaviors are above the law, while others are punished for doing the right thing?

2. How might such intentional misconduct affect public trust in institutions?

3. In what ways could extreme racial, religious, political, or ideological values distort judicial decision-making?

4. What might it mean for society if wrongdoing is ignored and more victims continue to come forward without justice? 

5. What is the impact on general societal performance if there are no avenues of recourse, redress, or correction? 

Two interesting articles, 

What is Hate?

Code of Conduct for Judges

*This is a philosophical thought experiment to explore ideas and concepts so feel free to disagree, or propose alternative perspectives, or chance down different lines of logic. It is an exploration of possibilities.

Two Things to Do Around Escanaba-Hiking and Fishing Might Help Executives Think Anew!

Escanaba Harbor Mouth

The business world can be tough—boardrooms can feel like battlefields, and new ideas can be as hard to squeeze out as water from a turnip. When you need to recharge and gain a fresh perspective, take time to step away. Go for a hike or spend an hour fishing. Personally, I like to get outdoors as often as possible because it helps me reset and see things more clearly.

We live in a fast-paced, chaotic world where we’re constantly chasing the next deal or project. But when we step outside that rhythm and allow the mind to rest, great ideas often emerge. It usually takes about fifteen minutes for the brain and body to adjust to a calmer environment—once they do, your thinking begins to shift. Unforced ideas bubble forward.

Days River Trail

Here’s an example. I was brainstorming new products to help grow my small “good works” business. The more I earn, the more I can give back. Frustrated and stuck, I decided to go fishing. Within minutes, I noticed the stillness of the water, the cool air, and the warmth of the sun on my face. For a brief moment, I felt connected to what life must have been like for our ancestors—fishing, foraging, and living in rhythm with nature. Suddenly, the chaos faded, and everything felt simpler and more natural.

In their lives they didn't worry about such things and when they did they were on a small scale. Bamn a small but important idea emerged...... 

The influence of natural environments on creativity

 

Market Bread Picture Sells-High Reviews and Ratings

Someone purchased this Market Bread piece, but unfortunately, I no longer have the original file. For now, it’s only available directly from Market Bread . I might still have it saved on a drive somewhere. It would look fantastic displayed in a restaurant or bakery. According to reviews, this piece earned around 4.66 out of 5 stars from 68 reviews, while the postcards received about 4.91 out of 5 stars from 631 reviews.

You can check out some of the pother pictures in The Walking Path Gallery