Pardon My Manners

“An idealist is one who, on noticing that roses smell better than a cabbage, concludes that it will also make better soup. - H. L. Mencken”

Maybe it is my imagination, ...but it seemed like we were taught table manners back in school. Of course, this would have been long before the all-you-can eat salad bars and buffets lining both sides of all the Interstates. I swear I was taught in school and certainly at home that some things...

National Train Your Brain Day

“It’s also a couple of other national days, but I ain’t going there, as I try to stay abreast of social norms.”

The CPI-U and W and E and C.O.L.A. The CPI-U rose 1.4% Y/Y and 0.2% on the month, at 260.280. The CPI-W 3rd Qtr. average (253.412) rose 1.28% from last year (250.200), so 1.3% is likely the C.O.L.A. That translates to roughly $20 per month for the average SSA recipient. For those on Medicare,...

Covid-19 virus 'survives on some surfaces for 28 days'

“The virus responsible for Covid-19 can remain infectious on surfaces such as banknotes, phone screens and stainless steel for 28 days, researchers...”

C'mon... make up your minds!

Coronavirus: Health experts join global anti-lockdown movement

“Thousands of scientists and health experts have joined a global movement warning of "grave concerns" about Covid-19 lockdown policies.”

Herein lies the problem, imo. There are scientists and there is science and frankly... many fields of science. In this case we have scientists declaring the dangers of current lockdown procedures, which will be greeted with joy by one side of the political spectrum, while being denigrated by the...

Hysteria Reigns Supreme!... Must Be Nearing the Election.

“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series...”

Puzzled I am puzzled by the hysteria surrounding the "what if" of one or more of the Presidential/Vice-Presidential candidates succumbing to some illness etc. I suppose that in these unsettled times, hysteria can run rampant and there are those among us that benefit from creating hysteria. The...

Numerous Airlines Now Offering Flights to Nowhere

That CPI and C.O.L.A expectations!!

“"If I knew what I was doing, would I continue doing... what I am doing? - multiple variations.”

Inflation The CPI for August came out last Friday, and for those interested, here is the link. I have previously stated that the current CPI is misleading as consumer spending habits have been altered due to some virus. You can't say that food spending away from home was 6.279% of spending last...

My crystal ball says…

“Things are cloudy, but it may need a good cleaning with a disinfectant wipe, but even that prospect is uncertain in the foreseeable future.”

CPI Yesterday, the BLS released the numbers for July. Here is the report, if interested. I have previously mentioned that the abrupt disruption of spending habits has been skewed, so the figures for actual overall inflation, might be skewed as well. Traditionally spending by category is...

Once Upon a Time

“You know you're getting old when all the names in your black book have M. D. after them. - Harrison Ford”

Trials and Tribulations of Grocery Shopping It started out back in the beginning of this thing as some items were hard or nearly impossible to find. There was an easing of the situation and now it seems to be going in reverse. Granted I built up a bit of reserve in the interim and suspect I am...

Hoarding at the Hermitage

“I love to be a hermit. - Peter Frampton”

'Heard' Immunity We hope there is a long immunity from Covid-19, but does anyone really know the length and durability? There appears to be more and more studies stating antibody levels wane after a few months. We hope there is a vaccine, although Dr Fauci really hopes it is 70% effective,...