(Quote from Thomas Jefferson)

We’ve lost he virtue of HONESTY in our political discourse.

I guess there has always been some meddling with the facts, but not the blatant disregard for the truth that we hear on a daily basis.

And if our country’s leaders lie to us, what is the “TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT” on future generations?

Yesterday, I heard that Bank of America was fined $150 million dollars for creating phony accounts and over-charging fees.

What happened to, “Always do the right thing because it is the right thing to do?”

If you are a parent, you must be the ULTIMATE TEACHER of and ROLE MODEL to your children.

Please lead them in the path of truth.

If not today, when?

There are many ways to keep THE LOVE ALIVE!

You’ve got to be resourceful.

Forget yourself and think of the occasions that make your partner happy.

Maybe it’s a favorite restaurant.

Maybe it is a certain article of clothing.

Maybe it is a certain kind of vacation.

Let’s get old fashioned for a minute and bring flowers home today!

Maybe it is to perform a task that makes your partner’s load a little lighter.

Maybe it is to give a “Thank You” to your partner for something he or she has done for you.

Maybe it is to go out with a couple you don’t particularly enjoy.

Maybe it is to say “I Love You” more often.

In summary, your goal is to help your partner be as happy as possible!!!

If not today, when?

A definition: The quality of moderation or self control.

My dad’s favorite saying was: “Everything in moderation.”

And that means EVERYTHING!

When you see the word “Temperance,” you probably think of the restrained use of ALCOHOL.

Yes, that is the most obvious usage of the word.

Do you, however, live ALL the various aspects of your life with temperance?

The next category after alcohol would be POSSESSIONS.

If you have an abundance of possessions or wealth, do you practice compassion by sharing them with the less fortunate?

If not today, when?

Many have raised alarms about the potential for artificial intelligence to displace jobs in the years ahead.

But, it’s already causing upheaval in one industry where workers once seemed invincible: TECH.

A small but growing number of TECH firms have cited AI as a reason for laying off workers.

And they are rethinking new hires in recent months, as Silicon Valley races to adapt to rapid advances in the technology being developed in its own backyard.

Chegg, an education technology company, disclosed in a regulatory filing last month that it was cutting 4% of its workforce, or about 80 employees.

It is doing this “To better position the Company to execute against its AI strategy and to create long-term, sustainable value for its students and investors.” (CNN)

I have been watching the Detroit Tiger baseball games this summer.

Last Wednesday, the Oakland Athletics beat the Tigers 12 to 3.

The following day the Tigers won by a score of 9 to 0.

How is it that the same team could score 12 runs one day and no runs the next day?

My analogy here is that we all have good days and bad days.

We are the SAME person applying the SAME effort, but with different results.

So, when we’re having a good day, we know there will be bad days ahead.

And likewise, when we’re having a bad day, we know there will be good days ahead.

MY ADVICE:

We shouldn’t go TOO HIGH with good days or TOO LOW with bad days!

The Federal Aviation Administration has certified for testing a vehicle that a California startup describes as a flying car.

It is the first fully electric vehicle that can both fly and travel on roads to receive US government approval.

Alef Automotive said that its vehicle/aircraft, dubbed the “Model A,” is the first flying vehicle that is drivable on public roads and able to park like a normal car.

It also has vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.

It apparently will be able to carry one or two occupants and will have a road-range of 200 miles and a flying range of 110 miles.

The company expects to sell the vehicle for $300,000 each with the first delivery by projected for the end of 2025.

The FAA confirmed that it has issued the company a special airworthiness certificate, allowing for limited purposes that include exhibition, research and development.

We are all here because our ancestors made the perilous journey to a new world filled with hope. My grandmother lost a sister on the crossing from Ireland.

Here is another Immigrant’s Thoughts:

“My family’s journey is very much a part of American history, part and parcel with the Vietnam War, a singular event that caused a dispersion of ripples. I am one of those ripples.

All immigrant and refugee narratives, including my parents’ stories, contribute to the unfolding of American history.

Like most survival stories, my family’s journey didn’t end with the sighting of land.

It encompassed the grit of the travelers but also the profound humanity of a host nation lifting up newcomers fleeing a bleak existence.

Americans pause in reflection during holidays such as Independence Day to celebrate this very same ethos.

It would be a good thing if Americans were also taught more about the histories, cultures and experiences of marginalized communities.

That would only help us better understand our friends and neighbors.”

The US General Services Administration is giving away or auctioning lighthouses in New England.

Like the small towns in Italy selling off houses for just 1 euro, these lighthouses come with stipulations.

A handful of them – five as of Friday afternoon – will be given away for free to local governments, nonprofits or community organizations.

The others will be auctioned off to the public.

But they’re going fast.

As of Friday afternoon, there were still two “on the block” with bids of $60,000.

The idea is that the cost and work of fixing up these lighthouses will be the responsibility of the new owner, not local taxpayers.

Also, any of the lighthouses that aren’t given to a nonprofit or community organization within lighthouse season will then be offered up for public auction, too.

As the GSA’s website puts it: You can’t get more waterfront than this.

Regardless of age, most men still like to play with toys.

It may be a motorcycle, sailboat, fast car or whatever.

It’s just a passion that never leaves them.

I saw an old friend I haven’t seen for a few years yesterday.

Yep, he and his buddy are off on another trip next week.

He showed me a map of all the places he has been in the U.S. and Europe.

Incredible!

My favorite toys are sailboats.

My first sailboat was a little 14′ wooden sailboat with a hole in the bottom.

When my brother and I sailed together, one would sail and one would bail.

I’ve been in over 100 yacht races since then.

Unfortunately, I’ve had to walk away from my sailing days.

There is always a time when we must set our toys aside.

This is one of those times!