Thanks, Uncle Joe!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been nice with above freezing temperatures mid-week, but now we're back into seasonable temperatures, and under threat of very frigid temperatures to start next week. They're predicting -30°. Our snowblower quit on Monday, but fortunately, we haven't had snow since. The repair guy found an electrical issue, and got it running again easily, but can't seem to keep it working. It made a ride home, but it wouldn't start here, so, it's back with him! Our choir practices started again this week on a new list of songs. Our Spring Concert is set for Mother's Day weekend. I have had another good week in the markets on the final week of the Biden administration. It usually takes up to six months to see the changes caused by the new administration, but if Trump follows through on his threats of rule by fiat, that may come more quickly. At this point, I simply say, "Thanks, Uncle Joe!" 
"Look what Biden did to America!" screams MAGA. 

According to the Department of Labor, the American economy added 256,000 new jobs in December, a number significantly higher than economists expected. That brings the total number of jobs created under Biden to 16.6 million and makes Biden’s the ONLY administration in history to have created jobs EVERY MONTH. Under the Biden administration, the nation has also had the lowest average unemployment rate of any administration in fifty years, ending at 4.1%. The U.S. gained more jobs during Biden’s four years than it did under Donald Trump, Barack Obama, or George W. Bush. Under Biden administration, the U.S. economy has grown faster and created more jobs than any other country with an advanced economy. Working-age women are now employed at record levels, and the gap in employment between Black Americans and their white counterparts is at the lowest level on record. The administration has brought the inflation of the early recovery back down to target levels, while incomes have increased. 

"But what about the price of eggs?" whispers MAGA... 

The Masters of Curling was my big event this week. My guy, #15-Koe, opted out of this event, so I was cheering for #3-Dunstone, #5-McEwen, #6-Jacobs, but McEwen didn't make the playoffs. On the women's side, my gal, #6-Einarson, made the playoffs, but has lost out. It'll be #6-Jacobs vs #8-Whyte in the men's final, and #1-Homan vs #4-Hasselborg in the women's final. In hockey, my Oilers have continued to win and have moved into a tie for the division lead. The Leafs remain atop their division, while Pens have fallen well off the pace. As is often the case on Saturday nights, all three played—Leafs won. In basketball, my #9-Jayhawks dropped a game to #2-Iowa State early in the week, but returned home to defeat interstate rival Kansas State today. Rock Chalk! 

Erica writes, "We had an uneventful trip back from Swift Current. It was fortunate that we decided to drive down on Friday, as the highways were really bad on Saturday. The temperature had warmed up and there was a light rain overnight that turned to ice on the highway. Then, we got a big dump of snow on Thursday. Our friend, Guido, had to go rescue one of his buses and ended up stranded himself! So, the highways were pretty bad. Other than the weather it’s been a pretty ordinary week. Well, I guess for January the weather is pretty ordinary as well!" 

Erin writes, "It's been a busy week. I got December month end done and now I’m onto month 13 before I can start January. We’re letting my assistant go Monday morning. So, I’m taking on more work until we find a replacement. The timing is tough because it’s already extra busy with year end, but it needed to happen. Anyway, my plate is extra full, but we’ll get through it—I can do it! Haha. I have my computer home to work on year end stuff, but I’m taking advantage of quiet brain time right now. I’ll get at it later today. Football playoffs are this weekend, too, so I’ll work that in somehow. My new team this season is the Lions. I found myself cheering for them early on and now they’re headed to the Super Bowl 🤞 haha. Ulrich magic. Jags will always be #1 in my heart though. We’ll start again next season. And one of the guys installed my battery maintainer yesterday, so I can plug it in just like a block heater. I’ll make it to work Monday morning no matter what! Kristian and I had a movie and appetizer night last night. He’s still sleeping. The cats are hanging out with me😻!"

Good-bye for now, Punta Cana!

Travis and Joanna have enjoyed two weeks in Punta Cana and have begun the trip home. They're facing a 60° temperature shift, from +30 to -30! Yikes! We've been enjoying having Marigold with us. She and Kali are playing well, and vigorously, together. Andrew is home, so he has been taking care of things at the house as well as tending to Moxley and Darby. 

And that's enough for this week.