Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery (2023 Movie on Netflix)

Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery is a spoof and satiric Bollywood view of the police and political class. It stars Sanya Malhotra, who many say is a theatrical-dopplebanger of Marisa Tomei or Sandra Bullock. The two leads are endearing and, along with a few others, a pleasure to watch. In sharp contrast, most of the other actors--as might be said--are not a pleasure to watch. It's a mystery movie, focusing on a robbery, but the fruit of the robbery is unlike anything you've seen. If you do watch it, you will be rewarded by a double-ending. First, an ending that might be predictable to some. Then second, and you have to continue past the initial credits to see it, a further denouement that will be a surprise to most.

[EOP]

If the Trump Shoe Fits: Call It What It Is

Obsessed with destroying his political and cultural enemies, and his loathing of people of color, Trump by executive order or through HHS has ordered a halt, or effectively shut down in other ways: HIV vaccine studies; NIH studies of cancer and cancer treatments; the development of mRNA vaccines and treatments; vaccines against bird flu; preparations for the next pandemic and epidemics; vaccines for the emerging COVID and flu variants; and more. There is one stark, but irrefutable, ramification: millions of people are going to die as a result, and Trump, RFK, Jr., and the rest of them know it. The definition of genocide is: "The deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group."

[EOP]

Push and Pull of the Stock Market

Two polar opposite fears mark investor thinking: fear of missing out (FOMO) and fear of getting in (FOGI). If you think you're alone, you can take solace in this column by Jason Zweig  As he summarizes it, thinking about the stock market makes one want to scream:

[EOP]

Energy Tip re Overhead Fans

In some climates, overhead room fans help provide relief from warmer temperatures. But, here's the thing: They don't actually cool the room--they make the occupants in the room feel cooler because of the breeze that is created. So: (i) there's no reason to keep them on when no one is in the room; and (ii) turning them off when the room is unoccupied will lighten the load on the grid and save you money.

[EOP]

Update on Two Mini-Series: Sirens (on Netflix) and Your Friends and Neighbors (on Apple TV+)

Having now seen both these series through to the last episode, here is why one might be watched and the other avoided at all costs:

Sirens: This might not be the worst mini-series ever done, but it's the worst one I've watched through the end (which I did only as a reciprocal favor in exchange for the kind accommodation shown to allow for watching Phillies games). There are three huge fatal flaws: the story (implausible and banal), the writing (stilted and plebeian), and the acting (phoned in). Nor is it saved by the two final scenes wrapping up an attempted surprise ending.

Your Friends and Neighbors: A semi-loyal reader recommended this as "very good" as if he discovered it, and remained undaunted when shown the review of a week earlier that had run in this blog. We saw flaws in the production that prevented our rating it that high, with which the June 2 review in The New Yorker expressly agreed. If you liked John Hamm in Mad Men, and have been disappointed in his not finding a role since as fitting for him, this mini-series is a breath of relief. And while not as good as Succession, and most of the episodes would be better if they had not excised "men as silly drunks" scenes, it's better than The White Lotus, and definitely holds one's attention.

[EOP]

How to Use AI to Design a Room

For anyone who doesn't get the interactive beauty of using AI for various tasks, here is a screenshot of an interchange I had with Co-Pilot in an effort to do a furnishing design:

[EOP]

Waymo's Exponential Growth

As this WSJ article reports, Waymo was doing 10,000 paid rides a week in August 2023. By May 2024, that number of trips in cars without a driver was up to 50,000. In August, it hit 100,000. Now it’s already more than 250,000. A year ago, it had given about  1 million rides. It's now risen above 10 million. In short, after pulling ahead in the race for robotaxi supremacy, Waymo has started pulling away. This is not just because Waymo is expanding into new markets. It’s because of the way existing markets have come to embrace self-driving cars. That allure is no mystery: In sharp contrast to driver-services, with Waymo: no need to make small talk, no worries about a dirty or smelly car, no need to tip, a far-superior app-based technology (with immediate telephone support if needed), and it is just plain eerily cool.

[EOP]

Pico de Gallo vs. Salsa Fresca

We have been inundated by requests to explain the difference, if any, between pico de gallo and salsa fresca. Pico de gallo is a type of salsa that's characterized by its fresh, uncooked ingredients, and chunky texture. While "salsa" is a broad term referring to any sauce, pico de gallo specifically refers to a fresh salsa made with ingredients like tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice. Essentially, pico de gallo is a type of salsa, specifically a "fresh" or "raw" salsa

[EOP]

Good Night, and Good Luck (Broadway Play)

On Saturday June 7, CNN will broadcast the George Clooney's live Broadway production of Good Night, and Good Luck. If you can't assure yourself of being at your TV to watch it, now is the time to activate your DVD service.

[EOP]

Blog Milestone

On May 30, shortly after noon (Arizona time), the number of hits on this blog, which tallied 12,630 posts, topped 700,000. How many of those hits were by bots we have no clue. 

[EOP]

"This Title Cannot Be Played" Message on Netflix

If you receive a message such as in the subject line when you try to watch something on Netflix (even something horrible like Sirens which has been soundly trashed), there will be an error code at the bottom of the screen. Google that code and it will give you the various re-boots to try (e.g., unplugging and re-plugging the TV, restarting your Firestick or other such device, clearing Netflix's cache, signing in and out of Netflix, and more). You can also call Netflix (1-800-585-7265). If none of the re-boots help and Netflix has a long hold time, or doesn't answer at all, it's likely a Netflix problem and not a problem at your end, and the only thing to do is wait. Before assuming it's a Netflix issue, you will of course have seen if you can stream from other apps besides Netflix and other titles from Netflix to confirm it's a Netflix issue and not a bigger problem.

[EOP]

Why Cancelling the Moderna Bird Flu Shot Matters

As this NYT article reports, the Trump administration has delivered its latest blow to vaccines, canceling a nearly $600-million contract to the drugmaker Moderna that was intended to develop a shot for humans against bird flu. The decision also forfeited the U.S. government’s right to purchase doses ahead of a pandemic, and canceled an agreement set up by the Biden administration in January to prepare the nation for a potential bird flu pandemic. The Moderna contract built on a previous government investment of $175 million last year. The move was not entirely unexpected. The Department of Health and Human Services said earlier this year that it was reviewing the contract. And Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly questioned the safety of mRNA technology, which is used in Moderna’s Covid vaccine. Here's the problem: Not only is mRNA-based vaccines exceedingly safe and safer than other vaccine approaches, and enables development of new and refined vaccines faster, it holds great promise for treatment. In short, this may be where RFK, Jr. will do the most serious harm, present and future, to the health and life-spans of countless people in this country and around the world.

[EOP]

Toyota EVs Coming

Toyota says that, by mid-2027, it will be offering an EV version of every Toyota model it makes. The rollout will start in 2026. If that includes the Camry, Corolla, and Prius, those of us who have waited for a decent looking EV that doesn't profit Musk will not have waited in vain.

[EOP]

Banana Storage Tip: Don't Let Them Socialize

Storing bananas in a fruit bowl alongside other fruits is not the optimal way to keep them fresh, primarily due to ethylene gas. This gas is emitted by certain fruits, such as apples and tomatoes, which can speed up the ripening process of bananas. Thus, to best preserve your bananas, store them in a dry location at room temperature, away from excess light, and ensure they do not come into contact with other fruits.

[EOP]

My Robot & Me (2025 Film Generated by AI)

As Johanna Stern and Jarrad Cole explain, every visual you will see if you watch this and almost all the audio were generated with AI. I have not watched it so I cannot review it intelligently.

[EOP]

Why the Phillies Don't Have More Home Runs

From Game 1 against Atlanta on Thursday May 29: Michael Harris II

[EOP]

Standing Up to Trump

So far, the law firms that have stood up to Trump have won their challenges to his attack. The law firms who disgraced themselves by caving deserve castigation not only for their cowardice, but for their stupidity. They deserve no solace as no intelligent client would stay with them, no intelligent client would retain them, no outstanding new lawyer would join them, and no reputable lawyer would remain with them. As they say, a horse snickers when carrying away a law firm's Trumpian bones. 

[EOP]l

Why the Stock Market Has Weathered Trump's Tariffs

At first, the stock market cratered when Trump announced his sweeping tariffs. Tagging him with a near-perfect acronym--TACO--one that promises to infuriate him, the stock market has come to believe that Trump's tariffs may be all hat and no cattle. For anyone who missed it, TACO stands for, "Trump Always Chickens Out."

[EOP]

Right Way to Hang Toilet Paper

There are two ways to hang toilet paper: Over (as pictured on the left) or Under (as pictured on the right):

One of those is the correct way and the other is the wrong way. As the experts will tell you, over is not only more aesthetically pleasing, it also is the far more sanitary way. That is why, when you are in someone else's powder room and see that they have strayed, you not only may, but should, turn the roll to the over position.

[EOP]

Blood Tests for Cancer and Other Maladies

As this WSJ article reports, new genetic science, AI analysis, and other advances are providing even more sophisticated information from a simple vial of blood. A wave of cutting-edge diagnostic tests can now identify diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s at much earlier stages, sometimes long before symptoms appear, as well as manage chronic disease and tailor treatments to individual patients. And new data derived from blood can help tailor treatments to individual patients. The new blood tests are backed by rigorous research, large clinical trials and collaborations with academic medical institutions—a long way from the false promises of decade ago, when blood-testing startup Theranos made fraudulent claims of instant diagnostics. A number of the most sophisticated tests have already received approval or clearance from the Food and Drug Administration or are seeking it. Coverage under Medicare is problematic.

[EOP]

Detail to Look for in GOP Legislation

Many of the horrendous and harmful provisions in GOP legislation under Trump, such as that big beautiful bill, don't take effect until late in 2026. Maybe the Reps have an eye on that election thing.

[EOP]

Need for State Prosecutions

While Trump is not the first president to grant inexcusable and even corrupt pardons, Trump has gone so far as to pervert use of the presidential pardoning power. There are only two recourses to stop him and future presidents: (i) amend the constitution (which is not likely) to take away the pardoning power or at least limit it (e.g., make campaign donors and their family members ineligible for pardons); and (ii) be sure every prosecution contains a state criminal violation (e.g., then Larry Hoover, who was convicted of murder under federal but not state law, could not have had at least the state portion of his sentence commuted).

[EOP]

Speeding Up Golf Rounds With the 7-Iron Rule

Plodding play is a scourge of the game at all levels. In the upper echelons, the PGA Tour has taken steps to limit the amount of time top pros spend standing over their balls before playing a shot. But the problem is more acute for regular folks who carve time out of their busy schedules to sneak in a round, only to find the local course is so backed up that they’re waiting at every tee box. The answer to the problem isn’t about making people play faster. It is making them play shorter--hence the 7-iron solution. It goes like this: On the walls of the starter’s shack and inside the caddie barn, a chart is put on display that advises players which sets of tees to use based on how far they typically hit that one club. It has been shown to produce a 26% uptick in people using the shorter, white tees. And the overall speed of play has picked up accordingly.

[EOP]

Tip From Food Experts: Eat More Fiber

As this WSJ article explains, protein may be hot, but it’s fiber that Americans need to eat a lot more of. The latest science suggests fiber is more consequential to our health than previously understood. Found in fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and other plant foods, it fills us up and aids digestion. It lowers cholesterol and helps keep blood sugar levels stable. People who eat high-fiber diets have lower risks of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and several types of cancer, according to studies.

[EOP]

Caitlin Clark Effect

Caitlin Clark was injured in a game this weekend against the NY Liberty, and will miss the Fever's next 4 games. As this USA article details, the effect is profound. Ticket prices for the games she will miss have plummeted and have skyrocketed for her expected return. I don't know basketball and the men's basketball, dominated as it is by 3-point shots, bores me. But I did watch the Fever/Liberty game and, putting aside the controversial no-call at the end of the game, it was fun to watch. The athleticism and skill and enthusiasm and players and a packed arena were intoxicating.

[EOP]

Storing Winter Clothes

With Memorial Day in the rearview mirror, it's time to put away our winter clothes. This NYT article shows how to store them properly to keep moths, stains, and other wardrobe nuisances at bay.

[EOP]

What to Do If You Are in a Car Accident With a Waymo

I was stopped at a red light, and a Waymo, looking to make a bizarre turn from an oncoming lane, came perilously close to T-boning me. While it stopped in time and nothing happened, it made me wonder what to do if one does get into a collision with a Waymo. There's no driver to scream at or even to exchange licenses and insurance cards with. Here's what to do: First, check that everyone in the Waymo and in your car is uninjured and, if injured, call 911; second, call the police; and third, call the Waymo Accident Report Line at 1-844-263-9885 (which number you might put in your Contact list). 

[EOP]

French Open: Reason to Watch and a Tip

Reason to Watch: I watch very little tennis, but happened to catch a segment from the French Open. What made it great was that the conversation among the commentators went non-stop during the match, often had nothing to do with what was happening on the court, and much of what they said was interesting. Venus Williams was extremely insightful and funny, and one can only wonder why Rory McIlroy dumped Caroline Wozniacki. 

Tip: Joao Fonseca is a 19-yo from Brazil, who is ranked 59 in the world. He is a long shot to go far in the French Open, and a total long shot to win the tournament. That said, here's the thing: Just as you knew Tiger Woods was going to be something special by the time he was 16, Fonseca looks to be the next truly dominant men's tennis player. Not only is his game, form, and athleticism outstanding, he seems to have that special fearless and determined mindset that marks super-champions. His forehand is not only overpowering, it is directed with uncanny precision. In short, he looks to have that special quality that comes along once in a generation. So, if you ever were tempted to lay a big-payoff bet, bet on Fonseca to win the French Open. Then, as one semi-loyal reader would say, give me 80% because it was my idea.

[EOP]

Does the GOP Have Any Clue What They Are Doing?

Ever since Harding and Coolidge, and continuing with Reagan, the Republicans have said they believe in fiscal responsibility, and that the government should live within its means. Trump's big beautiful bill goes in exactly the opposite direction, as it cuts taxes on the rich and adds to both the country's deficit and the debt, siphoning off more capital from being profitably invested in economic growth. Further, as Heather Gillers reports, Trump's big beautiful bill not only increases the burden on the federal government's ability to service its debt, yields will climb on long-term municipal bonds that cities, states, and local entities use to finance their operations. While not producing as dramatic headlines as tariff announcements do in terms of the potential disastrous effects, this big beautiful bill seems to provide further confirmation that incompetence is not limited to Trump and his cabinet and the agencies knuckling under to him. In short, the supposed rationale for the proposed changes (federal cost reductions) to Medicaid and SNAP and other programs is to have the states and local governments pick up a greater share of the costs. Let me not leave anyone hanging as to the answer to the headline question. The answer is "No," except for those who want to make the poor poorer while making the rich richer, while stressing the middle class.

[EOP]

Trump's Attack on Top Universities: It's Not Just Harvard

Trump's (and now the House GOP's) big beautiful bill expands the attack on academia to include essentially all the prestigious (aka "elite") schools in the country. It does so by lifting the tax rate on endowments from 1.4% to 21% (the standard profit-corporation rate), but in reality it's even harsher on schools than on for-profit corporations because schools don't have the tax-reducing deductions for-profit corporations do.

[EOP]

AI in the Medical Field

A post yesterday detailed the tension law firms face between using AI and new associates for tasks AI can do just as well or better but at a lower cost. As this WSJ piece explains, while the legal field might be dithering with utilizing the benefits of AI, the medical field is plunging in headfirst. A fast-growing technology known as ambient listening is taking over an onerous but necessary task in healthcare: documenting what happens in the doctor-patient encounter. Already gaining traction for outpatient medical visits, the AI-powered systems are also moving into hospital rooms and emergency departments to capture discussions at the bedside, update medical records, draft care plans and create discharge instructions. Healthcare systems nationwide are adopting the technologies widely referred to as AI scribes.

PS: As explained to us, AI can be seen to do some amazing stuff on the diagnosis front. Give it the material (test results, patient history, symptoms, etc.) that would take a doctor 20 minutes or more to sift through before doing a diagnosis, AI will deliver a diagnosis in a few seconds. And it has an accuracy rate (i..e., as measured against what the doctor says) of over 97%. The only remaining problem is that, because (as we have reported here) the one thing AI has yet been able to be taught to do is say, "I don't know," it will always "fill in" answer, i.e., take a guess, instead of saying, "I don't know about X" or "I couldn't account for Y."

[EOP]

Food Delivery Services: How Drivers Are Paid and How Much to Tip

This cnet article explains how the various food delivery service drivers (e.g., groceries, restaurants) are paid and how much might be appropriate to tip for the various services and taking account of externalities (e.g., weather conditions).

[EOP]

Myths About Food Expiration/Best-Buy Dates

As this article explains, the expiration/best-buy dates usually are indicative of when the quality of the food item has been reached, and not the date at which it becomes unsafe to eat it. Further, it explains why smelling is not always the test one should use to determine if eating the item is safe. And those dates do not mean that food that is beyond them cannot be donated to a food bank. Our staff has boiled down the article to say this: You can use judgment for "best-by," but throw out "use by," unless it looks and smells and tastes fine. 

[EOP] 

Sirens (2025 Mini-Series on Netflix)

Billed as a comedy/drama, maybe it's me, but, after one episode, I saw nothing comedic in Sirens, and the drama was preposterous melodrama. Still, I decided to give EP2 a shot, and was distraught to find the series getting increasingly difficult to watch. I am not telling anyone not to watch it. But it shall not waste any more of my precious time.

[EOP]

AI, Entry Level Jobs, and a Paradox

Whether AI ultimately will produce more jobs than it destroys, there is no question we are witnessing the destruction of entry level service positions across the board. AI has made and continues to make substantial inroads in computer/program coding, tutoring, medical diagnosis and recommendations, banking, and just about every field you can think of. One of the more intriguing areas is law, where AI can do just as good or better legal research and related tasks as can first and second year lawyers. So, here's the paradox: It is in the clients' interest to have AI take over as much of that legal grunt work as possible because it would reduce their bills. But then the law firm has little useful work that the new lawyers are capable of doing, and hence the firm's billable hours would suffer. Just as architect firms "make up" billing agents to look like a person (e.g., CAD looks like a person's initials but really are computer aided design programs), we might expect similar entries on law firm billing statements. 

PS: We believe there might be a loyal reader out there, who opposes Waymos because they threaten Uber driver jobs,to stay consistent, and will rail against law firms' using AI to replace new associates and in favor of the resulting higher client bills.

[EOP]

Keeping Microfiber Towels Soft and Fluffy

Microfiber towels are one of the greatest products to use when cleaning your home. They leave behind streak-free windows, pick up dust, and are ultrasoft to touch. But, like regular linens, they need to be cleaned every now and then to remove residue to keep working effectively. Before you toss your microfiber towels in the wash with clothes or other towels, it's important to know the proper process for washing and drying these essentials to keep the fibers intact. This Southern Living article reviews the do's and don'ts of washing and drying them.

[EOP]

Why Money Matters

Money can't buy happiness but it's a lot more comfortable to cry in a Lexus than on a bicycle.

[EOP]

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID

Touchless ID is rolling out at Reagan, Atlanta, LGA, and SLC, and other airports. Touchless ID allows travelers to move through a separate security lane that uses facial recognition instead of a traditional boarding pass or ID. It's available on American, Delta, United, and Alaska airlines. This article has more on enrolling and then how to opt-in during check-in to use Touchless ID.

[EOP]

The Eagles vs the NFL

As this SB Nation article reports, in the guise of questioning the "integrity" of the current salary cap system, a system the Eagles have used better than any other team, it looks like a new assault front has been opened against the Eagles. Sheesh. If the NFL owners controlled cheese rolling, one can only imagine how they would spoil that sport.

[EOP]

Hijack '93 (2024 Movie on Netflix)

Hijack '93 is based on a true story, and it is a powerful and gripping movie. It's the story, you might have guessed, of the hijacking of an airplane. In an effort to dismantle their military-backed government, four men hijack an airplane, leveraging passengers on board in the name of social change. Saying anything more will spoil it, other than to say, I recommend it highly, which I hope doesn't spoil it.

[EOP]

Windows 10 Post the October Shut-Off Date

As we have noted before, Windows 10 will not stop working when it hits the October shut-off date Microsoft keeps blathering about to push you to upgrade to Windows 11 or to buy a new Windows 11 computer. What will stop are free security updates. For $30, you can get a year of security updates. What Microsoft will do past that one-year mark it has not said. Given everything I read about Windows 11, I'm staying with my Windows 10 laptop for as long as possible and, with luck, until Windows 12 (or whatever it's called ... some say it will be Windows 25) comes out.

[EOP]

Costco Card as Photo ID at Airport

If you show up at TSA without a Real ID or passport, while it's not official in any way, it's been reported that TSA has allowed some people to go through security upon showing their Costco card, which does have your photo on it. Makes no sense but nothing, including TSA, makes much  sense these days. As they say, when it comes to your Costco card, don't leave home without it.

[EDC]

Easy File Organizer

Easy File Organizer is a cross-platform Windows, Mac, and Linux app that helps you manage your downloads folder. It organizes the files in your Downloads folder with a single click and separates them into Documents, Photos, Music, and others. It’s free to download, but it has a “nagware-like” system that wants you to update to the premium version, which includes more features. However, the free version works well enough for low file loads (up to 30 per folder). Once you choose your Downloads folder, or click the folder icon to select your default Downloads folder, it organizes your downloaded files into the appropriate folders for file types. For instance, when I ran it, it added files to Applications, Audio, Documents, Images, and other folders. However, to organize folders, the free version only allows 30 files. Once you try it, you might be interested in purchasing the premium version for the modest $9.99 price.

[EOP]

Smart Coolers

If you're an avid camper or tailgate party person like me, you know the drawbacks of regular coolers. The ice takes up space limiting the amount of food you can schlep and it doesn't last as long as you wish it would. That's where smart coolers come in. As an electric cooler, the Anker Solix EverFrost 2 looks like a fancy cooler you'd find at a store. But it's a true powerhouse: a rechargeable battery can cool the interior anywhere you go, just like your fridge or freezer back home. You can fill your cooler to the brim with perishables without having to make room for ice.

[EOP]

PS Clarification re Flowers That Bloom All Summer

A recent post related a Southern Living piece identifying flowers that will bloom no matter how hot it gets in the summer. A loyal reader has pointed out that, unfortunately, the flowers that will bloom in hot temperatures in the Southern Living region will also get high humidity, which flowers in drier (desert) regions will not. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by our omission.

[EOP]

Fountain of Youth (2025 Movie on Apple TV+)

If you like the genre of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Romancing the Stone, and the like, you will like Fountain of Youth. It's got a good cast headed by John Krasinski and Natalie Portman. The story doesn't really matter. It's an action thing with some decent dialogue. Lots of chases and fights and stuff like that. I might be more effusive if I liked the genre, but I actually am not a fan.

[EOP]

Wedding Season (2022 Movie on Netflix)

Take a far-fetched plot, add unappealing characters not well versed in the art of acting and a sub-par script, and if that sounds good to you, Wedding Season is for you. Pressured by their immigrant parents to find spouses, two Indian-Americans pretend to date in order to survive a summer of weddings, but find themselves falling for each other as they struggle to balance who they are with who their parents want them to be. Oh yeah, I forgot to say, for those who like twists and turns and surprises, this is not that movie. It's, how do you say it? Predictable. Assuming it ends as I suspect it will end.

[EOP]

Nightmare Scenario Possibility

The interest the U.S. pays on the national debt exceeds it expenditures for defense and for Medicare. Given the increasing deficits, the growing national debt, and the rise of interest rates on treasury bills, servicing the national debt not only has reached historical proportions, it bodes ill for the markets and the economy. Okay, all that's a problem. But here's the looming nightmare: While Trump cannot by himself order a default on the national debt, we know two things about him: (i) He is capable of saying or threatening anything; and (ii) threatening refusals to pay what he owes is part of his DNA playbook. So, all he has to do is raise the spectre of defaulting--even just on payments to one country with whom he has a temper tantrum, and, well, you can kiss a lot of things good-bye. I am not saying this will happen. I am saying I would not be shocked to wake up one morning and find out he did it.

[EOP]

PS re AAA

A loyal reader pointed out that AAA has elevated levels of coverage with particular regard to towing distance. The base plan (called "Classic"), which costs $70/year, allows for 5 miles of towing. Given the relatively small amount of additional cost, the Plus or Premier plan should be considered, especially if you have a newer car that has no spare tire, or even a square to share:

[EOP]

Flowers That Will Bloom in Summer No Matter the Temperature

This Southern Living article identifies flowers that will bloom all summer long no matter how hot it gets. They include: Veronica, Morning-glory, Hydrangea, Beebalm, Wishbone, Sea Holly, St. John's Wort, and more.

[EOP]

Different View of Trump: Puppet Master

Our view of Trump has been grounded in his insatiable need to be the center of attention. Every day. While we do not shrink from that view, as we watch him put on company-specific tariffs, then take them off, and so on, he gets to see how the market and others react to him at each turn. So, while this conduct feeds his need for attention, we have come to realize it feeds another pathology: He craves seeing how anything he does gets to see others jump or cower or at least do something. This is the dream of a puppet master, and his dream has come true.

{EOP]

Your Chance to Play CEO of a Multi-Trillion Dollar Company

CEOs of major companies, such as Tim Cook of Apple, are paid tens of millions of dollars per year to make the hard decisions they are called upon to make. Here's a poser: An iPhone retails for $1,000 in the U.S. Trump threatens a 25% tariff for any iPhone sold in the U.S. that is not made in the U.S. To make an iPhone in the U.S., putting aside the cost of setting up the fab, would raise the retail price for the iPhone to $3,500. Assume you're Apple's CEO. Would you knuckle under to Trump's bullying bluster and build a U.S. fab?

[EOP]

Vanguard Has Cut Its Fees

While we are late to the party given that it apparently happened a few months ago, you might have missed it as well: Vanguard announced its largest fee reduction, lowering fees on 168 share classes across 87 funds. Vanguard's average fund expense ratio dropped from 0.08% to 0.07% as a result of these reductions. This might not sound like a lot, but earn it every hour of every day, I figured it out, it can add up to quite a bit.

[EOP]

AAA and a PS re Planning Ahead

AAA Recommendation: If you have a car, and don't have AAA (or its equivalent), you are making a huge mistake. By way of example, suppose you are 15 miles from home and a tire blows out on a freeway, and it's a bit toasty outside, and there's no place within miles to walk to, who else is going to come within 20 minutes, change your tire in 10 minutes, and offer you cold water--if not AAA? That is good reason to always have at least $25 in cash with you to tip for the excellent service. Also, if you have a newer car, you need to know before calling AAA (or any roadside service) whether or not there's a spare tire in the trunk. Many newer cars do not include a spare tire. That way, instead of AAA sending someone to replace the tire, they will send a tow truck.

PS re Planning Ahead: If you have an important thing on your agenda, like a doctor's appointment, leave plenty of time in the event something happens like a tire blowing out on a freeway. As we've always said, and this applies to everything from every day events to deciding what to invest in: "Predicting rain doesn't count. Building an ark does."

[EOP]

Phillies

In case you didn't notice, and with the hope this is not a jinx, the Phillies now have the best record in baseball. And deservedly so. Makes us think of Pippa's Song: "The hill-side’s dew-pearl'd; the lark's on the wing; the snail's on the thorn; God’s in His heaven; all’s right with the world!"

[EOP]

The Supreme Court Justices Protect Their Stock Market Portfolios

The Supreme Court allowed Trump to fire agency directors without cause. As we have warned, that and other similar cases were Trump's test run to be able to fire Fed Chair Powell. Beside the treasury bond market, the only check on Trump's economic policies is the stock market, and one thing that would crash the stock market (at least in the immediate term) would be Trump's firing Powell. So, why do you think the Supreme Court, without the issue being before it, went out of its way to say that it's decision did not provide precedence for Trump's firing Powell, and indeed, Trump had no authority to fire Powell? Do you think the justices are invested in the stock market?

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Pool Service Recommendation

I had the same pool service for over 15 years. Recently, to my great chagrin, it retired, and turned its accounts over to another service. While I've had no issue with the new service, it announced a price increase of about 50%, as a result of which I looked into alternatives. And found two that appear to be fantastic, and picked one after flipping a coin. The one I went with is Purdy Pools--Shawna Purdy (Owner); Realpurdy1@gmail.com; 480-227-2189; Purdy Pool Service & Repair. The other is Royal Palm Pool Company Brady (602) 828-1944.

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Personal Day of Remembrance

In honor and memory of a very special person, Jean A. Seder, there will be no other posts today.

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Judiciary "End of Contempt Enforcement" Nugget in the Trump's Big Beautiful Bill

A provision "hidden" in the sweeping (1,000 page) budget bill that passed the U.S. House on Thursday seeks to limit the ability of courts—including the U.S. Supreme Court—from enforcing their orders. The provision states: "No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued." According to one scholar, the provision "would make most existing injunctions—in antitrust cases, police reform cases, school desegregation cases, and others—unenforceable. It serves no purpose but to weaken the power of the federal courts." The provision would prohibit courts from enforcing contempt citations for violations of injunctions or temporary restraining orders—the main types of rulings that have been used to rein in Trump's administration—unless the plaintiffs have paid a bond, something that rarely happens when someone sues the government.

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Correction re Tush-Push Vote and an Interesting Historical PS

A post yesterday reported that, "In a vote of 24-22, the NFL failed to ban the Tush Push." As a loyal reader pointed out, there are only 32 NFL teams. The actual vote was 24-10. The reader further pointed out that  these nine teams voted with the Eagles to keep the Push:  Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets,  and Tennessee Titans.  Note that seven of the nine, unlike the Eagles, are AFC teams.

PS: It had been over a decade since any offensive player had been flagged for improperly assisting the runner by pushing him. So, nearly twenty (20) years ago, executives from the league office made what they thought was an innocuous change: while the rulebook would say that players couldn’t lift or pull a ball carrier, it no longer explicitly stated that they couldn’t "push" him. “It was an afterthought,” says Mike Pereira, the NFL’s vice president of officiating at the time. “Removing basically one word ended up creating a fiasco years afterwards.” With that seemingly inconsequential change to the rules, one NFL team has weaponized the tweak—and is driving the rest of the sport nuts.

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Inscrutable Quote

The Celebrity Cipher and CryptoQuote puzzles in the morning paper (at least in the Arizona Republic) are fun and a bit challenging. They might not improve brain function, but they are a good check on whether one's brain is working as well today as it did yesterday.The solution this morning, a quote by Loretta Lynn, is a real head-scratcher: "I'm proud of being part Cherokee and I think it's time all us Indians felt the same way." All I can say is, my mother was proud to be a coal miner's daughter.

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Consumer Pessimism Is Not Just a Polling Number: It Can Drag on the Economy

As Rachel Louise Ensign and Allison Pohle report, Americans are scaling back their summer vacation plans. In short, Americans are planning to take time off this summer, but their concerns about the economy are prompting them to swap air travel and extravagant holidays for road trips and shorter vacations.By way of example, Dan Ruswick, his sister and mother were planning to take their annual trip to Comic-Con in San Diego at the end of July. They had booked tickets to the event and a refundable hotel. The family, who lives in Illinois, was looking into flights when the stock market started dropping. In mid-April, they canceled the trip, which they estimated would cost about $2,500. The market’s rebound and the tariff pause didn’t change Ruswick’s mind. “I don’t have faith this is going to stay this way,” the 29-year-old software engineer said.

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Eliminating Ant Hills Naturally

A recent post explained how to get ants out of your kitchen. This article explains how to get rid of ant hills on your property naturally. 

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Why Reading Articles Is Better Than Listening to Them

As Shiri Melumad reports, research shows that listening to the news could lead to a shallower understanding— and a more-negative impression. Streaming audio has been a godsend for people who want to keep up with the news. Rather than sitting and reading an article, we increasingly listen to news podcasts on-demand while walking, audiobooks while cooking, and audio transcriptions of news articles while driving. But while streaming audio has clearly made news more available, does it also change our understanding of it? The answer is yes. In short, consumers who listen to news are often left with an understanding of it that is not only shallower, but also more extreme and negative compared with those who read the same story.

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Modification re Prediction re Trump 2.0

We have long predicted that the incompetence, wrong-headedness, cruelty, and corruption of Trump 2.0 would lead to its demise. We had thought it would be sooner rather than later given the draconian trade policies that were being put into place. Trump blinked when the Treasury market signaled calamity, and pulled back substantially. However, he remains hell-bent on pushing the policies he campaigned on and now is ignoring the flashing red lights the Treasury market is sending him. Although scaled down, as the Republicans knuckle under, those policies cannot escape the harsh hand of economic realism. In sum, our predictions of the end remain, even if the tipping point and unmasking the emperor with no clothes are more the product of a slow-roll than a bomb going off.

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System Informer: A Better Task Manager

This XDA article will explain the advantages of System Informer over Task Manager, as well as how to download, install, and configure it. Unlike Task Manager, which hides or locks out certain protected services and processes, System Informer shows you everything and lets you take control of it. It’s lightweight, fast, and surprisingly user-friendly considering how much power it gives you. From monitoring real-time stats to terminating stubborn processes, this tool has become my go-to for managing system performance and troubleshooting app issues.Unlike most task manager alternatives, System Informer doesn’t just replicate the Task Manager; it expands on it. If you’ve ever wanted to pause a process instead of killing it, inspect every open handle and DLL, or diagnose what’s eating your RAM with better details, this tool does it.

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Things Never to Clean With Windex

As this article explains, never use Windex to clean: stainless steel appliances, tinted windows, mirrors with decorative edges, wood and stone, and electronic screens.

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Mar-a-Lago: Club Money Maker in Chief

As Josh Dawsey and Emily Glaser report, Trump’s private clubs have emerged as a key money-making venture for the president’s second term, and a hub for donors and favor seekers alike. It now costs a record $1 million to join Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida resort, according to people familiar with the membership fees, up from about $500,000 during his first term. The initiation fee at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, N.J. rose to $125,000, surging from $75,000 in recent years, a person close to that club said. Another Trump golf club, near Mar-a-Lago in Florida, now charges more than $300,000 to join, according to people familiar with the matter. Trump has encouraged Republican Party officials to hold events at his clubs, where he headlines official dinners and cocktail parties. The clubs have in turn also attracted a new clientele of donors seeking to influence policy in the White House, including cryptocurrency executives pushing for deregulation, advocates seeking pardons for allies, and business leaders looking for exemptions from tariffs, among others.

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Chrome's Safety Check

Google Chrome has a built-in feature called Safety Check, first introduced in 2020 and regularly improved ever since, with its most recent revamp happening back in September 2024. Safety Check runs in the background and proactively keeps tabs on your passwords, your Safe Browsing settings, your Chrome version, your site permissions, your extensions, and potentially unwanted and/or abusive notifications. When Safety Check spots issues or areas with room for improvement, it’ll let you know along with instructions. To use Safety Check, navigate to Chrome’s Settings page by clicking on the three-dot menu at the top right and selecting Settings. In the left-side panel, navigate to Privacy and security. Then, in the right-side main area, look for the “Safety Check” section and click on the button labeled Go to Safety Check. At the top of the Safety Check page, you’ll see a section called “Safety at a glance” along with some alerts. number of alerts. For example, you can see if Chrome is up-to-date, if you have any compromised passwords, and whether Safe Browsing is on. Anything with a green tick is good; anything with a red exclamation warrants your attention.

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First Prize for Most Egregious Upside Down Answer at a Senate Hearing

Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem was on Capitol Hill to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on the Department of Homeland Security's budget for fiscal year 2026. She was asked by Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., to define "habeas corpus." The secretary responded: "Habeas corpus is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country." She's not a lawyer. But then, likely many of Trump's lawyer-loyalists would give the same answer.

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2028 Olympics Plus: NFL Players Can Be on Flag Football Teams

For the first time ever, NFL players are set to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympics after NFL owners voted to pass a resolution at the league's spring meetings. After conflicting opinions at the annual owners' meetings in April, the resolution received unanimous approval from the league's 32 owners, meaning the league can now begin negotiating with the NFL Players Association, Olympic officials, and national governing bodies, such as USA Football, on the details of NFL players' participation in Los Angeles Games. Do you think the TV ratings for flag football will top those for the Biathlon? 

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Kroger Overcharging

This Consumers Report newsletter details the extent to which  Kroger stores, across the country, misprices products on a large scale. Just as there's never been a golfer who has reported a score that was too high, Kroger's prices never err to the low side. One of the (many) reasons to do self-check out is that you can more easily see that the price being wrung up on each item is the price you wanted and intended to pay.

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NFL Owners Get It Right

In a vote of 24-22, the NFL failed to ban the Tush Push, inventing by the Eagles and copied (albeit a bit lamely)by some other teams. The word on the street is that the 22 owners on the losing vote side met to discuss what other rule changes can be made to compete with the Eagles.

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Handling Problems With Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Other NYT Games

Yesterday morning, the online NYT did not allow login to games, including Spelling Bee and Wordle. We sent an email reporting the problem, and within a couple of hours received the following response: "Thanks so much for reporting this issue — we really appreciate you bringing it to our attention. Our team was able to identify the issue and implement a fix. To apply the fix, we recommend force closing and reopening the app. That should do the trick and you should be able to log back in." Readers need not wait for us to address the problem. You should feel free to deal directly with the merchant in such circumstances. Of course, we are here to help you and give moral support if you want to proceed on your own.

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Keeping Ants Out of Your House

As explained in this House Digest article, if there's one silver lining to the average household ant invasion, it's the vast array of easy methods you can use to fight it. Many of the most popular ant repellents today are eco-friendly and affordable all-natural products, supplying safe and stress-free solutions for a persistent seasonal issue. Add a delightful fragrance, and pest control almost becomes a pleasure to tackle. Take your pick from the many essential oils that deter ants from invading kitchen cabinets, choosing aromatic blends you and your family can't resist. Patchouli fans, in particular, can rejoice, as their favorite earthy, musky scent is also one of the best oils to manage these common nuisances. The article explains how to prepare the mixtures and cautions to take.

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Note re Movie Reviews

Our movie review staff has been known to watch a movie it has seen before. Often times, it will remember having seen the movie before, but on occasion, well, it can lead to two reviews of the same movie showing up on this blog. What's reassuring though, and considered the acid test of HOF movie reviewers and a wellspring of reassurance to our readers, is: How uncannily similar the two reviews always are.

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Hiding Your House From Google

If you want to hide or blur your house from Google Maps, it's easy to do. We have not done a post on the issue because, what we don't get is, if you do that, how will Amazon deliver packages to you or Waymo know where to pick you up or drop you off?

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Trump's Coalition Is Starting to Fray

As we predicted, the WSJ now reports in some detail how the various demographics supporting Trump  in the 2024 election are starting to crack.

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MLB Takes Another Small Step Forward

One of the calls in baseball that generates much debate among people who really understand the sport is the check swing or checked swing call by the home plate ump or, upon request, by the first or third base ump. Here's the astounding thing: MLB has no written standard by which the umps are supposed to make the call. As this WSJ article sets out in more detail, MLB will experiment next Spring training with a hawkeye camera and an objective standard for whether the batter checked their swing. Good for MLB. I can't wait for MLB to finally cross the bridge to the 21st century by having balls and strikes called electronically.

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You Can't Turn Back Time: A Simple View

The 1930s saw the American economy, which had been heavily agrarian, giving way to industrialization, and the farmers were hurting. To protect the farmers, and rollback their losses, Congress passed the Smoot-Hawley tariffs aimed at imported farm goods. They crashed the economy and brought on the Great Depression. Trump's rationale for tariffs today is to protect American manufacturers, and rollback their losses. One big difference with the 1930s tariffs--Trump's are much bigger. One big similarity--they both are an effort to turn back time, this time, to reverse the trend America has been on as it had shifted from a manufacturing economy to a service/tech-innovation economy. The bottom-line: Trump  is no Cher.

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AI Improvement to Outlook

Microsoft is adding a feature in Outlook that will use Copilot to summarize search results and attached files directly within emails. So, instead of wasting time reading lengthy emails just to realize there's nothing of value, Copilot will do all the heavy lifting for you and summarize the contents. Though other AI tools can do the same thing, this feature will be integrated right within your inbox. Instead of needing to copy the email you just received and then prompt an AI chatbot separately, Copilot will handle everything in place. So, if you're used to nervously opening your email inbox on a Monday morning fearing all the emails that must be waiting for you, this feature will definitely come in clutch, especially when you're short on time and just need the gist without the fluff.

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Amazon Fresh Delivery

Amazon Prime members have access to the online grocery store Amazon Fresh, which provides free deliveries to some locations. Amazon Fresh has some similar products to Whole Foods but generally focuses on a broader range of groceries and home products at lower prices. Anyone can purchase products from Amazon Fresh, but only Prime members get free same-day delivery. Amazon Fresh also has 44 physical locations that offer special weekly deals for Prime members.

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GrubHub+ Free for Amazon Prime Members

As an Amazon Prime member, you get all the benefits of Grubhub+ for free as long as your Prime membership stays active and your Amazon and Grubhub accounts are linked. If you would like to cancel your free Grubhub+ membership, you can unlink your accounts by visiting Manage apps & data services in the Manage Your Data section on the Your Account page of amazon.com.

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Amazon Prime Members Can Get 10 Cents Per Gallon Off on Gas

Amazon Prime Members can save 10 cents per gallon at BP, Amoco, and AM/PM gas stations. Prime members who want to take advantage of this perk must first activate the offer. After the one-time activation, you simply go to the pump and input your phone number or linked payment method for instant savings.

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Inheritance (2024 Movie on Netflix)

There are many movie titles of Inheritance or variations. Any of them has to be better than this one.  Polish movies are a wonderful genre, but this one, which pretends to be a murder mystery comedy, does not belong, and I'm no joking. Avoid it like the potato late blight.

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Pitfalls in Transferring Homes to Heirs

As this WSJ article explains, most states have set up a new way for homeowners to document their wishes when it comes to their homes. It is called a transfer on death deed, and it has taken off in the past 15 years. Caution is needed, however, because these are blunt instruments, and they don’t account for all the complications of life. If the article is relevant to you, you might check with your estate lawyer.

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ABUSA Investing

As this James Mackintosh explains, ABUSA, or Anywhere But U.S.A., is the latest trend when it comes to investing. Last week, global stocks made an all-time high—as long as the U.S. is excluded. True, U.S. stocks rose above where they started the year for the first time since February, on the back of a strong recovery from the post-Liberation Day lows. But being flat for the year isn’t much to boast about when stocks elsewhere are up 11% in dollar terms. The big question for investors is whether U.S. underperformance is just the unwinding of last year’s overdone bets on U.S. exceptionalism, or whether the U.S. is beginning a long and painful decline relative to the rest of the world, or perhaps a product of both.

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AI's Future in Retail Shopping

AI has already changed the way consumers research products on search engines, with results serving up AI-generated summaries. But shopping agents operating without human intervention is another thing entirely. At some point in the future, shoppers will deploy an agent, like OpenAI’s Operator, and tell it they want to restock on groceries or buy a new flat-screen TV. Operator will scan the internet and surface relevant products based on what it knows about the user’s preferences. Ultimately, agents will even be able to complete the purchase, including payment. That change will force retailers to rethink the way they advertise, describe products online and even price them. Retailers risk losing control of the direct customer relationship if the checkout process moves from their own website to that of the third-party agent, like Operator or others to come. If you think I'm making this up, think again, as Isabelle Bousquette will inform you, Walmart is planning for just this scenario.

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Refrigerator Food Storage Tip

Much of my couples therapy involves helping them resolve their differences when it comes to food storage in a refrigerator. One pushes to use the smallest container possible and the other couldn't care less about the size of the container. Here's the bottom-line: Using the smallest possible storage dishes when refrigerating food helps to ensure food safety and maximizes fridge space. Smaller, shallow containers allow food to cool down more quickly, reducing the risk of bacteria growth. Additionally, smaller containers are easier to handle and store, making it more convenient to organize the refrigerator.

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Reader-Requested Reviews (re Sturhling Watches) and Research (re Avoiding Ads on Android Devices)

1. Here are reviews on the Sturhling watches noted in an earlier post. That post did not recommend the watches. It just pointed out how cheap and good looking they were, and how beloved a Seiko watch might be.

2. Here is a Malwarebytes article urging steps Android users should take to avoid being bombarded with unskippable ads, consistent with steps we've urged here (e.g., install apps only from Play, and take care with granting permissions and notifications).

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Preserving the Battery Life of a Windows Laptop

I hardly ever run my laptop not plugged in. But I realize many people do. This Ken Culborn column has some useful tips as to how to preserve the battery life of a Windows laptop.

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Outlook-Google Calendar Sync (OGCS) Bug Fixed

The latest Alpha update of OGCS prevented it from minimizing on start up. I know how annoying that's been for all of us who use OGCS. After having struggled mightily with no success in resolving the problem, I reported the issue on the GitHub help board, and quickly received a suggested fix. It's a little tricky to apply, but it works. If you have any problems installing the fix, let me know or ask Fafner1976 at GitHub who sent the fix.

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If Wealth Were Distributed Equally in the United States

According to the Federal Reserve, U.S. households hold $160 trillion in combined wealth, which is the value of every American’s assets minus their liabilities. To say it’s distributed unevenly is too much of an understatement to even qualify as an understatement. According to Google’s Data Commons project, the U.S. is home to roughly 340 million people.If they divvied up the country’s $160 trillion jackpot equally, each would have about $471K. That’s $940K per couple. If a couple had two kids, the four of them would be sitting pretty with $1.89 million. Further, if there were a wealth tax that capped anyone's wealth at $1 billion (which for most people would be enough to live on), the result would not look dramatically different given that, as of September 2024, there were only 801 billionaires in the U.S., with a combined wealth of only $6.22 trillion. Bottom-line: It is hard to see any justification for not having a wealth tax. 

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AI Needed to Improve PGA Golf

One of the crimes of PGA golf is that the on-course crowds negatively impact the course, making it far easier than its design and set-up would call for--especially for the more popular golfers (because the crowds tend to swell on the holes they are playing). That is because the crowds stop errant shots and trample down areas that should be penal for landing in. The only objection that one might see for eliminating the attendance of fans (beside losing the monetary gate) is that the TV audience might not enjoy the telecast as much. With AI that's an easy fix both in terms of populating the course with fans and simulating the crowd noise (which actually would have the additional benefit of eliminating drunken obnoxious crowd noise that no one except perhaps Matt Kuchar likes).

PS: We have the following additional suggestions to improve the sport: (i) With all due respect to the unbelievably great golfers at the top of the game, and acknowledging the truly despicable character Tiger Woods is, find another Tiger Woods; (ii) announcers should be told that, if their comment starts with the phrase, "I know this is trite to say, but ....," they need to find another profession instead of finishing that sentence; (iii) if the first tee announcer is going to identify non-American players by country, then do so for American players as well instead of identifying them by state; and (iv) while the term "hole location" is okay in some instances (e.g., the hole location on 17 is a tough one today), it is misused ad nauseum in a repetitive duplicative fashion that is really annoying.

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Never Again: Blueprint for Democrats

After Nixon, a series of reforms and regulations were enacted to prevent repeat abuses. If the country, the world, and the planet survive Trump, given how easy it has been for one person to harness the resentment of millions and bring democracy, the rule of law, the world economy, and the planet to the brink, the need for a new set of guardrails is obvious and tantamount. If the Democrats want to reclaim a position of leadership and protect this country with a “never again platform,” they need to develop a "guardrail with the American contract." What those guardrails might be and what that contract might encompass might be open to debate. But, if the Democrats can’t figure it out, they don’t belong in the political arena.

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Where Is the Washington Post?

Bezos announced some time ago as to its editorial page that "We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets." Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said earlier this week that some prices could rise within weeks because of the tariffs imposed by Trump. Trump responded Saturday, posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Walmart should “EAT THE TARIFFS” and “not charge valued customers ANYTHING.” As Trump further wrote, “Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year.” We canceled our WaPo subscription so I'll never know, but I trust its editorial page will bash Trump.

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Fixing a Disposal

If you're disposal stops working--just seems to have gone dead, there are a few things to do before calling your handyperson or plumber: (i) check that it's not a circuit breaker issue; (ii) push up the little red reset button on the bottom of the disposal; (iii) insert the disposal tool that came with the disposal into the slot in the bottom of the disposal and turn the crank; and (iv) if none of those work and the disposal still seems to have died, do the crank several more times and push up the red reset button again. 

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Formidable Bluetooth Tracker

The Pebblebee Clip Universal finder tag (for about $35) has some neat features that make it stand out from the AirTag. First up, the Pebblebee Clip Universal works with both Google's Find My Device and Apple's Find My Device networks. You can switch the device from one network to the other with a few presses -- it does factory reset the tag, but it does mean that you're not tied to one network. The tag is also rechargeable, so you won't have to throw away CR2032 button cells. It has a USB-C port on the bottom to charge the battery, which should last about a year between recharges. This alone makes the Pebblebee a standout tracker in my book, and something I wouldn't mind gifting during the holidays. Each tag comes with a USB-C cable for recharging (as if we don't have loads of these about the place these days), but I appreciate the gesture. While all finder tags have a loud buzzer to aid in locating the lost item, this tag also has a bright LED that makes locating your items in low-light conditions a snap.

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Two Expensive Watches on Sale

This $495 Stuhrling watch is on sale for $63 and this better looking $395 Stuhrling watch is on sale for $79. I've got a fantastic Seiko that I've cherished for more than 40 years so I have no interest in either.

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Dealing With the Dark Web

This WSJ piece covers how to lock down your finances and online accounts after a data breach spreads your information to the secret corners of the internet, aka the dark web.

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cya

[Prefatory Note: Most readers of this blog are under 30 (which is why our reporting and research staff is heavily made up of under 30 year-olds). We are sure they do not need the tutorial below. But we have older readers who might benefit from it]

If you get a text saying, "I'm on my way, and my ETA is 3:15 pm. CYA," the ETA means "estimated time of arrival," and the CYA does not mean "cover your a _ s." It means "see ya." 

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Things to Keep Out of Cast Iron Cookware

You can technically cook anything in cast iron -- even fish and eggs -- but some foods react poorly to cast iron if not done properly, leading to surface decay or food with a metallic taste. Specifically, acid-based foods and sauces should be kept out, including especially: tomatoes, vinegar, lemon juice, and wine-based sauces. This cnet article explains it all and why.

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Air Shim to Enable Cleaning Under a Refrigerator

While I like picking up a refrigerator as part of my daily work-out routine, not everyone has the strength to do that. And even those who do have trouble doing it with one hand to allow one to get the dust out with the other. This Wirecutter recommended air shim for about $20 will do the lifting for you. No need to consider it cheating.

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Tips re AI Writing and Editing

An AI bot left to its own choices will tend to produce robotic text. Here are some ways to have the bot produce a work closer to what you want: (i) suggest a style (e.g., 1920s gangster, cowboy, medieval wizard, or give it a paragraph of yours and a style name and direct it use that style); (ii) polish my writing (e.g., “Proofread this text for grammar, flow and clarity. Simplify run-on sentences. Maintain my voice. Mark up changes to the original text. Bold any words you add and strike through any words or phrases you remove. [PASTE YOUR OWN WRITING HERE]”); or (iii) write persuasively  (e.g., “I’m trying to get a better price for [INSERT ITEM HERE]. Create a script for me to negotiate").

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Who Said the Dems Are Some Coastal Elite?

Anyone who thinks the Dems are part of a group of wealthy coastal elite would do well to read this WSJ piece describing the humble Bethesda Maryland abode and its residents.

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Computer Brain Implants

Computer brain implants are in their infant stage, but they are already letting people with paralysis control computers and communicate their needs, and will soon enable them to manipulate prosthetic limbs without moving a muscle. This WSJ report covers the current state of the science and its future, which will serve as interfaces between humans and their smart devices. Pre-ordering is not yet open.

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The Biggest Fan (2025 Movie on Netflix)

The Biggest Fan follows disgraced actress Lana Cruz who has been canceled by Hollywood so she heads back to Mexico to work in a film and prove that she's still a star, but she is not prepared Polly, her biggest fan and worst nightmare. It might not be as bad as you had feared. Still, it's quite bad. Don't watch.

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Travel Bidet

Almost all, if not all, our loyal readers have taken the advice here and installed bidet attachments at home, and can't even remember the horror of living without it. The one drawback is that so doing has turned travel into a nightmare having to be in STRs or hotels or other people's houses that don't have bidets. We are pleased to tell you, that travel long national nightmare is now over. The portable travel bidet for $25 is here.

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Cleaning an Oven Glass Door Without Bad Chemicals

This The Mirror article explains how to use baking soda to clean a glass oven door. It's not only safer and less expensive, it will do a better job than a commercial oven cleaning chemical. It will even clean baked on grease that has been there for years.

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PS re the Crispy Quality of Cornstarch

A post yesterday extols the benefit of cornstarch when searing a steak. A loyal reader has pointed out that the same effect/benefit is produced by putting cornstarch on chicken.

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New Phoenix Website for Building Permits

All residential permits have moved from the old permit search “PDD online search” to the new website “Shape Phx.” If you have any troubles with the new website, feel free to email the permitting department any time at NPC@phoenix.gov with any suspicious building construction activity and they will investigate it.

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Wintoys

Wintoys (not to be confused with PowerToys) is a powerful, while light on resources, free tool for customizing Windows easily. In addition to changing the items that appear on your desktop and customizing your PC with something like Windhawk, you want to make system settings easily accessible. Wintoys does precisely that. It lets you select the most important Windows settings directly from the utility. It is a real time-saver since you don’t need to dig through menus to improve performance. This tool is a collection of the essential settings you need to make Windows more responsive, including: optimize the performance of your device and increase the framerate in certain games by just tweaking some settings; access hidden or obscured system settings; keep Windows stable and free up disk space using the built-in cleaner; run the most advanced repair tools available in Windows in a few clicks; take control over ads and privacy settings;personalize your desktop and learn cool new features that are worth using; uninstall any app, even those apps that don’t have an uninstall option in Windows; find out which services you don’t need and safely disable them with only two clicks; and see specs about your device and statistics in real time.

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Baking Soda to Rescue Your Garden

Baking soda has many uses around the home, from spot treating laundry to a leavening agent in baking. But baking soda can also be used outside in the garden, becoming a superstar of sorts for enhancing plant productivity, preventing pests, killing weeds, and more. This Martha Stewart article explains how to use baking soda to: deter pests and disease; kill weeds; boost flowers; and remove compost odor and rust.

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First Two Big Supreme Court Cases Coming

The Supreme Court is about to tackle the first two "Trump cases." They are a big deal and might shed light as to where we are going to end up. First case: Can President Trump deny citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal aliens? Second case: Can a solitary federal district judge issue an injunction that applies nationwide? Just as in baseball, football, and other sports, when the referees/umpires make bad or even corrupt decisions, the game's result stands. And they don't have lifetime-tenure. 

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American Airlines Making Connections

We don't like any commercial airlines or flying at all. But as Southwest goes backwards when it comes to customers,  American seems to be going forward. First, it made boarding speedier. Now, it has announced the introduction of new technology which aims to help passengers make their connecting flights. The company said it has begun testing technology at Dallas Fort Worth airport which identifies connecting customers who might miss their flight. If the technology determines that the flight can be delayed without any impact to the airline’s schedule, staff will hold the flight briefly to ensure connecting customers can get onboard.

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The Resistance Per the Democratic Leadership

It is difficult to rank the various harms Trump is inflicting or to say what the worst is. It is reasonable to argue that it's the rule of law (aka democracy), the environment, the economy, civil rights, science and education, and others. But Senate Minority Leader Schumer has a clear vision: It's Trump's getting a new jet from Qatar. As he blathered bromides in objection to every other outrage, when it comes to the jet, Schumer swung into action holding up further Trump appointments. After letting the likes of RFK, Jr. and a parade of Fox News personalities into the highest offices, it's at best closing the barn door too late. At worst, it tells us the time for new Democratic leadership is long overdue. As if we didn't know when Biden and his enablers selfishly took us down the road to Hell.

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Searing a Steak to Perfection

We don't eat steaks or red meat of any kind, but we recognize and respect our readers who do. For them, there's a secret, unconventional method to a perfectly seared steak, and you'll find it in your pantry. A dusting of that kitchen staple, cornstarch, helps dry the surface of the steak. A super-dry surface helps the steak develop that coveted crust, which is why it's so important to always blot your steak with a paper towel. But in this case, a paper towel isn't enough for an extraordinarily crispy crust. To achieve that, you'll need a little extra help from cornstarch and its unique water-absorbing properties. The technique is based on Argentinian-style steaks, or churrasco. They're cooked low and slow over a wood fire — the complete opposite of the near-instant sear that American chefs strive for. The longer cook time helps the steak develop its iconic crust, which is the key to good churrasco. Traditionally, the crust isn't just crispy, it's crunchy: Fans describe it as a lightly breaded texture. And guess what? Cornstarch helps with that, too.

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Home Decorating Tip: Pillows as an Icebreaker

Alice Roosevelt Longworth (Teddy’s daughter) had a pillow in her sitting room that said: “If you can’t say something good about someone, sit right here by me."

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Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and the Baseball Hall of Fame

The so-called Baseball HOF is actually The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Thus, it functions as and consists of three entities under one roof with a museum, the Hall of Fame, and a research library. Its mission is to preserve the sport's history, honor excellence within the game, and make a connection between the generations of people who enjoy baseball. Putting Pete Rose, Joe Jackson, Barry Bonds, Sammy  Sosa, Mark McGuire, and other cheaters in the Hall's museum would be understandable. Allowing them to be honored along the likes of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken, Jr., Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Roberto Clemente, Yogi Berra, Robin Roberts, Dick Allen, Steve Carlton, Mike Schmidt, Richie Ashburn, and their ilk is a disgrace.

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Creatine

Creatine is all over social-media groups and chat rooms, discussed among everyone from middle-aged women and seniors to gym bros touting before and after pictures. This WSJ article explains what creatine is and has a brief overview as to why one should or should not take it.

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Achieving an 850 Credit Score

The most widely used credit scoring model is FICO, which ranges from 300 to 850. A perfect 850 credit score is achievable, but most of the population will never have scores that high. According to the most recent available data, only around 1.7% of U.S. adults have FICO scores of 850. The group most likely to achieve score perfection is older adults, since they have the benefit of longer credit histories and more financial stability, both of which help build high scores. All that said, you need not have an 850 score to get the benefits that go with having excellent credit as long as you have a high score and credit rating.

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Devour Summer Chefs Series: Phoenix Culinary Treat

The Devour Summer Chefs Series should not be missed. From May to September, experience an exclusive 5-part dinner series where five of the Valley’s most celebrated chefs come together to highlight some of the best of Arizona’s culinary scene. Each month, two of the five Chefs (one of whom, Chef Beckett, is a neighbor of ours) will come together to create an unforgettable 4-course, pairing menu that tells a story of local ingredients, seasonality and collaboration as you experience each space in their unique environment. But this isn’t just about the food—it’s about supporting the people behind it. The Devour Summer Chefs Series is a way to show up for the chefs, their teams and the industry professionals who keep our food scene alive out of pure passion and love for Arizona. Tickets will be sold as a limited, full-series package  —  giving guests the opportunity to experience the entire journey from May through September, and truly immerse themselves in the stories, flavors and collaborations that define Arizona’s culinary spirit. Tickets are not refundable, but individual tickets or pairs may be transferred to a special client, a close friend, or family member. 

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Correction/Clarification re Trump Descriptor

A post yesterday used the term "ignorant" as applicable to all Trump supporters. As has been pointed out by a loyal reader, that was a wrong and wrong-headed, and a stupid, thing to say. I apologize and retract it. What I meant, and should have spelled out, is: "ignorant at best or uncaring at worst as to the harm Trump can inflict on democracy and the country."

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Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2025 on Netflix)

You might not be a Conan O'Brien fan or have watched his late night show or seen stuff he's written. And you might not be a fan of award shows. But if you like creativity, humor, irreverence, auctioneers, v_ _ _ _ _s, poignancy, absurdity, vulgarity, a self-pleasuring bear, or just plain LYAO, and at the same time being uplifted, then this thing is for you. Someone out there is going to take credit for pounding us unmercifully until we watched it. We hate seeing a grown person crying so we will say, "Fine, you get all the credit. Happy now?" At the same time, we take full credit for bringing this recommendation to our loyal readers and to the more than 700 other people (and bots) who hit on our blogsite every day.

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If You Like the Stock Market, You Have to Love the Trump/Saudi "Arrangement"

Trump has gone full-in with the Saudis. The Saudis have gone full-in with Trump. Boeing, Nvidia, and other U.S. companies have joined the party. China cannot contain its glee because it's the Saudis biggest trading partner. And the verdict of the U.S. stock market: Party on!

PS: Tell me again why I can't buy a Tesla?

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One Word to Describe All Trump Supporters

There are many different Trump supporters and ways to describe them. Some are racist, misogynists, and otherwise deplorables; others are greedy and corrupt; others are disenfranchised; others see themselves as victims; others are fed up with Democrats and the coastal elites; others believe any change from the status quo is needed; others want to see government programs terminated; others distrust science, research, and academia; others confuse patriotism with love of democracy; others see people of color and from other countries as a threat; others see themselves and America as being taken advantage of. But, even with all those, and a plethora of other, descriptors, there is one word that applies with equal force to all Trump supporters: Ignorant.

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How Music Affects the Brain

It is said that music is the one art form when, upon being exposed to it, it is impossible not to have a reaction. Thus, you can walk around art museum and have no reaction to painting after painting or artifact after artifact. But drop a phonograph record on a spinner or fire up your iPod, whether you like or hate the music that comes up, it is impossible not to have a reaction. This Science Alert article reports that a new theory suggests that we don't just listen to it; our bodies physically resonate with music, as our brains' natural oscillations synchronize with structures like rhythm and pitch. So, when the music comes on, start dancing! 

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Keeping Lettuce Fresh Longer

To keep lettuce fresh longer, do this: Wash the lettuce, and allow it to drain for a few minutes, and then place it in an airtight container. Before you close it, slip in a single paper towel. It will keep the lettuce fresh longer. It’s like magic!

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Eliminating Fruit Flies

This Arizona Republic article sets out the simple tricks you can take to eliminate fruit flies before they multiply. Here is a summary of the key points: Start by thoroughly cleaning your kitchen and removing overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables; store fresh produce in the refrigerator; empty your trash bin frequently and make sure it has a tight-fitting lid; and clean drains and garbage disposals with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by boiling water. Then, you might want to set a fruit fly trap, such as: filling a small bowl with apple cider vinegar or wine or beer and a few drops of dish  soap; or cut a lemon in half and stick a few cloves into the flesh, and place it where you see fruit flies and the scent will repel them.

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Changing Landscape of Home Insurance

This article has interesting observations about the dramatic changes that have been going on in the world of home insurance, from rising premiums to difficulties in claims-processing.

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Who Won the US/China Trade War?

I know what to look at to figure out the impact of the rollback and pause in the US/China trade war, but I have no idea who won or lost, or what the real impact will be. Here is what I know and don't know:

The Knowns:

Trump has declared it to be a huge victory for him and America.

The stock market saw it as a big relief (with a huge rally in share and index prices and a big drop in the VIX).

The Treasury Market (10Y yields) saw a huge bump (which, btw, is not a good thing).

Trump likely will pivot to issues other than tariffs, such as taxes and slashing government programs.

The Unknowns:

Impact on supply chains or the level of uncertainty permeating businesses at all levels.

Likelihood of a recession (i.e, the impact on the economy).

Likelihood and magnitude of inflation.

Impact on Trump's approval/disapproval ratings.

What's different between the before the tariffs were imposed and their being lifted.

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