There is a very revealing series on Amazon entitled, “American Farm.”

It profiles 5 farming families and the tremendous financial risks taken in pursuit of a profitable life on the land.

It doesn’t seem to matter which path they choose.

There are abundant challenges whether they raise animals or crops.

CROP RISKS

Each Spring, the seeds must be planted while hoping they don’t get washed away by a heavy rain.

Thereafter, the growing crop must not be subjected to weather that is too dry or too wet.

There is also the threat of bug infestation such as the boll weevil.

By the time for harvest, the market price may be less than needed.

ANIMAL RISKS

A certain percentage of the livestock must become impregnated each year so that the size of the herd can grow for future earning potential.

Another potential danger is disease.

As with crops, the market price for meat or poultry may not go at auction for the profit margin necessary.

We are indebted to our farmers who work hard and take big financial risks to put food on our tables year in and year out never knowing whether or not they will be able to support their own families.

One of my good friends passed away last Saturday at the age of 75.

His name was Dennis Lorence.

He was a retired school teacher in Detroit.

I met him in 2005 when I joined the crew of a racing yacht named “Venom”.

He was the bowman which is the most dangerous job on a sailboat.

He was courageous in all kinds of weather and good at his responsibilities.

He died after a multi-year battle with cancer.

Although sick, he felt that his role in life was to bring fun and laughter to everyone he met.

The last time I spoke to him, there he was telling jokes.

In the midst of a three day yacht race from Port Huron, Michigan to Mackinac Island, Dennis told me his favorite joke.

“Why don’t cannibals eat clowns? Because they taste funny!”

He will be missed.

He was determined to make this world a better place!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

An undercover report showing members of the Paris elite enjoying secret dinner parties in luxury restaurants and flouting Covid-19 restrictions has sparked fury in France.

A TV report shows hidden camera footage of two upmarket restaurants filled with mask-free guests.

The maitre d’ says, “Once you’re through the door, there’s no more Covid.”

The menu starts at $190 per person. For $580 per person, diners can sip champagne while feasting on foie gras (liver of a duck or goose which is illegal in most cities) with truffle and langoustine (a large prawn) in a ginger sauce.

All Paris restaurants have been ordered closed since late last year. (CNN)

The President of France has said the Country is losing control of the pandemic.

Shouldn’t people, who are blessed with great wealth, set a proper example by living according to the rules expected of the rest of us?

With privilege comes responsibility!

If not today, when?

I was sent on an errand to the grocery store to get a box of Graham Cracker Crumbs.

So, I asked one of the employees where they were and she said, “Aisle #5.”

Well, I went up and down Aisle #5 twice and couldn’t find it.

A fellow shopper was in the same aisle and I asked her if she had seen them.

She had not, so I wandered into aisle #6 still looking for them.

As I was getting to the end of the aisle, the lady who was in aisle #5, came up behind me with the crumbs I was looking for.

She went out of her way to find me and help a complete stranger.

That’s the America I know!

She didn’t ask what religion or political party I belonged to.

She was just a person helping another person.

Can we please get rid of the LABELS and become fellow citizens once again?

If not today, when?

Yes, this is a good day to spread joy!

You must first, however, feel joyous yourself.

How do you do that?

By simply counting your blessings.

Have you ever actually sat down and counted all the blessings in your life?

Well, this is as good a time as any.

Reach out to loved ones and thank them for the blessing they are in your life..

Also reach out to someone who hasn’t heard from you recently or not for a long time.

Let them know you are thinking of them and that you consider them a blessing.

Also, remind them to count their blessings.

Today, your glass is half full, not half empty.

If we want a more pleasant society, we must become more pleasant ourselves.

How about a crazy idea?

How about spreading joy everyday?

Why not, we have so many blessings.

If not today, when?

Oh, HAPPY EASTER!

They say that it is that type of love which has NO BOUNDS and is UNCHANGING. (Wikipedia)

I would like to add REGARDLESS OF EVENTS.

Do you still love people who have hurt you?

If so, you are practicing the most GENUINE form of unconditional love!

As difficult as it is to practice, we must aspire to be a person who loves unconditionally.

We are flawed creatures and everyone we love is likewise.

Because of their flaws, many people may not be able to earn your love.

I don’t think unconditional love has to be earned, just granted.

I have been betrayed by various people. I struggle to still love them and wish them well.

Love is a much lighter load than hate.

Forgiveness is a lighter load than carrying a grudge.

Let us strive to love unconditionally!

If not today, when?

Why do we call today GOOD FRIDAY?

What’s good about it?

It is a day that comes around every year to commemorate the death of an innocent man.

Not only was He innocent, He made the world A BETTER PLACE!

He made the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the leper to be cleansed and He brought hope to the hopeless.

He preached love by saying, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

How does a man like that end up nailed to a tree?

It was crazy!

Speaking of crazy, how about today’s nationwide movement to remove the voting rights of poor people?

Removing voting rights is the death knell of our democracy.

Do we just sit here and watch it happen?

Aren’t we forgetting all the young men who ran onto and remain on Omaha Beach defending our democracy?

Nailed to a tree. Really?

In yesterday’s blog, I proposed a list of ideas intended to give you some approaches to parenting that may, hopefully, benefit you and your family.

There was a huge response for which I’m most grateful.

How do you fight misinformation? The Internet and rampant, deliberate misinformation can discolor your child’s perceptions. If your family has at least one meal together each day, use that captive audience to ask your kids about their beliefs on a range of issues. Tell them what you believe and why.

A recent Gallup Poll says church membership is down to 50% from its 70% high. Do you still have faith in God and do you share your faith with your children? Navigating this world is made even more difficult without faith.

Despite all your challenges, do you take time for FAMILY FUN? Your family should be your children’s most important TRIBE. They also may have a group at school and perhaps an online group. Creating some fun time together is just another way to keep your family as your kids’ primary influencer.

Do your kids admire you and the way you live your life? You can become a powerful mentor to your children if they respect you and your choices.

If not today, when?

Despite the fact that we are parents of a large family, I don’t pretend to be an expert.

Please permit me, however, to share some thoughts.

YOUR ACTIONS MUST MATCH YOUR WORDS! In other words, are you believable? You can’t say you are going to do something and then do nothing or do the opposite.

DON”T PLAY FAVORITES! Let’s face it. Some kids are easier to raise than others. If, however, the troublemaker senses that you like another child more, his/her behavior will get worse.

INVITE THEIR FRIENDS TO YOUR HOUSE! Peer pressure is your enemy. Unless you have met their closest friends, you don’t know what you’re up against.

YOU CAN”T WOBBLE ON DISCIPLINE! If they break your rules, there must be an immediate and proportionate price to pay.

YOUR HOME MUST BE A HAVEN! Your kids live in a chaotic world once they step outside the front door. When re-entering your home, however, it must be a place where they can feel loved and safe.

More rules tomorrow!

There are many millions of fellow citizens in our midst who awaken each morning to a life of suffering.

It never goes away.

You and I know them.

Do we reach out or do we look the other way?

It’s a choice we all make every day.

During this pandemic, we see FINANCIAL SUFFERING on an unprecedented massive scale.

It has hit employees, employers, tenants and their landlords.

The stress caused by the pandemic is also causing great MENTAL SUFFERING.

EMOTIONAL SUFFERING is rampant caused by family and friends who have died from the virus.

And there are those among us who must endure lifelong PHYSICAL SUFFERING.

So, there you have it. These are today’s realities.

We are all capable of loving the SUFFERER.

Will you, can you, won’t you look not away, but toward the SUFFERERS you know?

If not today, when?