Today was the first time all summer, Leah and I were able to spend quality time together without anything hanging over our heads. Leah started off her morning with a 16-mile bike ride, while I took care of some things at home, including making blueberry muffins and corn chowder. After Leah returned from her bike ride, we took a trip to The Landing on Lake Charlevoix next to the world-famous Ironton Ferry, where we had lunch on their floating dock. Since it was such a beautiful day, I asked Leah to ride in the cart with me while I played golf at the Don Ross course at Boyne Highlands. Following golf, we had a nice relaxing dinner at the Country Club of Boyne, which we had all to ourselves. On the way home, Little Traverse Bay was as pretty as it gets with the sun setting over the water.
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As a 71-year-old, I was pretty bummed out when I read an article today saying that the average life expectancy of an American male has dropped to 73.2 while the American female is at 79.1. At the same time, my financial consultant says I should manage my money assuming I am going to live until I am 95. I don’t know if I should throw caution to the wind or follow the advice of my financial consultant. What is a guy to do?
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I received good comments and feedback following yesterday’s blog. The Video of the Day of Playing for Change doing a cover of U2’s “I Still Can’t Find What I am Looking For”, was a big hit. You can find many videos by Playing for Change on You Tube. There were also some very thoughtful comments about moving to EVs. I am glad I was able to stimulate conversation on a subject that affects all of us today as well as future generations. Based on how Michigan cannot come up with a plan to fix our terrible roads, bridges and dams, when the State is looking at a $6 billion surplus in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, I am not optimistic a plan to address our infrastructure will happen any time soon. It is important that our politicians put their differences aside and start the work now before it is too late.
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Per the Detroit News, the Michigan Supreme Court might decide whether Michigan voters will get the chance to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution this November after a state elections board deadlocked Wednesday over whether to place the proposal on the ballot.
In a heated debate over a lack of spacing between words in the petition text, the Board of State Canvassers split 2-2 along party lines — Democrats voted to place the constitutional amendment on the November ballot, while Republicans rejected it on technical grounds. The impasse vote came hours after the state elections board also split over a separate ballot initiative related to expanding voting rights in Michigan.
The deadlocks mean ballot initiatives for abortion and voting rights will not proceed to the Nov. 8 ballot short of court intervention.
I have reviewed the petition and it appears the lack of spacing is because someone used block spacing which had all lines start and end at the same point. This caused some words to be squeezed together and look like there was no spacing. It was not caught by whoever proofread the petition. It is a simple but costly mistake which may prevent two important issues from being on the ballot for the citizens to decide. Sometimes it is important to pay attention to the detail.
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Elections Matter. Pray for peace and tolerance. What are you doing to stop the violence and mass killings?
Orchid of the Day: Leah, for making my day so enjoyable and fun all after completing a 16-mile bike ride
Onion of the Day: The news that the average life expectancy of the American male is now 73 years old.
Quote of the Day: “In life it is important to know when to stop arguing and let people be wrong.” A former umpire.
Question of the Day: Do life expectancy projections change how you manage your life?
Video/Image of the Day: Let’s do Playing for Change one more time: “Imagine” by John Lennon