The Great – I’m on a six-week trip through Newfoundland (pronounced “New-fin-land, as I understand it – still trying to verify 😊) across the entire island. It’s an extraordinary place with wonderful engaging and inviting people that make one feel right at home… Furthermore, it’s great to be disconnected from the media and mayhem of America for at least a short period of time…

The Good – News on the USA economic home front in the last week was very good, including:

• 2^nd quarter annualized growth of the USA economy at 2.4% - higher than projected.
• Inflation was down from the last quarter and slower at 2.6% - or, lower than most analysts’ projections.
• The USA economy is 6% larger today than it was prior to the onset of COVID-19.
• Real business investment and consumer spending were up 7.7% in real terms… 

The Bad – I read all 45 pages of the August 1^st indictment of our last USA President and developed severe dyspepsia. See “The Occasional Perspective” above…

The Ugly – The fact that Jack Smith, the Independent Counsel in charge of the investigation related to conspiracy issues of our former President, has had to seek protection because of death threats is an incredibly sad commentary. We – in the USA – are no longer acting like a “leader” country but more like a 3^rd rate, lawless nation falling under the control of gangs!

The ongoing saga…

 The Great – Time with family and friends in a far-off land allowed me time to think, to ponder, to wonder, and to consider all that is happening in the world around us.

The Good – The Greeks have got cooking down to an art form. I simply try to imitate their innate abilities with my culinary exploration – which includes the six cups of fruits and vegetables described above in Consulo Indicium!! 

The Bad – We are castigating immigrants for problems they did not create (SEE above “The Occasional Perspective”

The Ugly – The vast destruction of the Anthropocene Era on life here on Mother Earth and the lack of action we are taking toward resolving the real problems that surround us!

The ongoing saga… 

The Great & Good – I am just back from a holiday in Greece with our adopted family. I continue to believe that the people of Greece are some of the friendliest and finest people that I know. I cherish their friendship.

The Bad –– Three mass shootings over the Fourth of July weekend. When is enough, enough? Sensible control is “part” of the answer. But, understanding the societal allowance for moving to these types of extremes to solve problems is a whole other issue that we rarely hear about nor do we seemingly understand…

The Ugly – The ongoing findings of the Department of Justice Independent Counsel related to Donald Trump’s activities with secure data and attempts at overturning the last Presidential election. If you doubt the findings, read them here. You, too, will be quite disturbed.

The ongoing saga… 

The Great – Spring has sort of sprung and we seem to be on the verge of summer or at least that’s the way it feels in Maine. The Southern States have already been hit with multi-day temps or more than 100 so, they may be looking forward to Fall.

The Good – I’m still thinking about it… 

The Bad – I don’t care which side of the aisle you sit on – the Trump indictment is a devastating document that speaks to obstruction, obfuscation and any number of other problems that we should never allow among any of our leaders.

The Ugly – The tenor and tone of our rhetoric in media and between ourselves is troublesome at best. We should all take “listening” lessons.