Losing money is really tough; especially when it’s due to overlooking details, it can feel even worse. Two years ago, I had the chance to design and launch a new website for a friend. Everything went smoothly, and once the site was live, I sent him the bill for my work, which he paid promptly. I also took care of arranging the hosting for the website, providing him with the billing information and details. He reassured me that he’d handle any extra costs, including the hosting fees. However, for several months, I noticed a small monthly charge of about $10 from the hosting company.

At first, I thought this was just related to my own websites, so I didn’t do anything. But yesterday, I discovered that I had been charged for two years of web hosting on my credit card. I quickly canceled the service and removed my credit card info from their billing system. Even while I was talking to the host’s representative, I couldn’t help but think how silly I was for letting this happen. My mistake. It reminds me of an old saying: “The devil is in the details.” I promise I’ll remember that going forward.

Many of us my age fondly remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before school started. We knew the words well and felt proud to say them aloud. Today, this tradition is becoming a distant memory in schools. Yet, every day, news outlets highlight the importance of taking pride in our country. It’s a shame to think that we might not see this meaningful practice return—imagine flags waving in classrooms and children’s voices echoing through the halls. How could anyone not find this inspiring?

Long before smartphones became popular, we relied on incredibly skilled telephone operators. It’s pretty remarkable to think that nearly every city had its own version of this setup. I still fondly remember dialing “o” and hearing the operator kindly ask, “number, please,” or a similar phrase. There was also a special joy in calling just to hear the time of day, which always felt like a little treat. This was another example of cheap entertainment on Vallejo Street. I was pretty lucky my mom missed me dialing away.

Sometimes, important events happen that we might not notice right away. The potential funding cuts to NPR and public broadcasting could impact us all. I’ve been a radio enthusiast for many years; shows like All Things Considered reach millions every day. PBS will also feel the effect, and programs like the NewsHour are at risk. Many government programs require adjustments or budget changes, but public broadcasting shouldn’t be one of them—it’s a valuable resource that benefits us all.

Now, these very well-dressed shoppers would have looked right at home on the “Queen for a Day” show! That’s a pretty snappy fridge for 1941. The older I get, the more I enjoy seeing these vintage ads. I looked up how much a fridge like this would have cost — $250 back then. And, guess what, shoppers? In today’s dollars, that’s a whopping $3,280! My dad was a mailman at the time, and I can’t even imagine what his take-home pay was.

Although I was never really into watching TV, my mom and I always enjoyed watching the show “Queen for A Day” together. It was way beyond great TV entertainment.

Women would come on the show with Jack Bailey, sharing their hopes with the audience, who would then vote on who should be crowned “Queen”. I can hear the audience yelling who is their choice. What a fantastic way to go home with your very own Dishmaster.

Meet Washington, DC’s police chief, Pamela Smith. She has the challenging role of leading law enforcement in DC, especially with the recent addition of National Guard troops to the police force. It’s a complex situation, and some may worry about the legality of deploying Federal troops under Federal Law. Personally, I feel that seeing federal officers walking down the streets might not give the most welcoming impression of our beautiful Nation’s Capitol.

As any reader of my posts will notice, I rarely add something controversial. I happened to see this and thought, hey, wait. Is this a good idea? I am aware that people enter the US and do overstay their stay. It’s anyone’s guess why someone overstays their visa; however, if we demand a substantial pre-payment to enter, we are implying the person will overstay. That doesn’t seem right to me; I’m not aware of any other country that has a policy like this. Should we be setting a bad example with such a unique policy?

Wow, he’s truly one of the all-time great actors! Beyond his role in “The Godfather,” he brought every character he played to life with such passion. There are so many wonderful films to choose from—my personal favorite is a movie that many have enjoyed: ‘The Apostle.” I’ve watched this movie a few times, and each time I do, I find myself liking it more. Wishing you a very happy birthday, Robert!