Hiking Rivers in the Winter-The Need for Nature

Sometimes you just need to get out of the house and enjoy nature. One of the beautiful things about the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is that you can be outside the small city within a few minutes. It is possible to go for little hikes on a lunch break if you so desire.

As humans I believe we are most at rest when we are near nature. It is what puts us at ease and helps our minds relax. Like many other animals we need greenery around us to feel comfortable because our historical development has been in nature and not in cities. Large cities only came onto the scene for most of us in the last 500 years.

Obtaining some of the benefits of nature can come from pictures on your office wall, a small garden in your back yard,  plants in your house, or eco vacations where you can see nature at its full beauty.

The little dogs name is "Chewy" who loves the snow as much as I do.

Flexibility after Weight Lifting-Yoga Routine

Muscles get tight after a heavy weightlifting sessions. Some trainers state that it is wise for body builders to stretch or do yoga at least three days a week. On your rest day (s) you should consider engaging in yoga, light walking, or other forms of activity that keep your blood flowing but still allows for significant rest. You don't want to be one of those guys/gals that get so tight they lose their range of motion and begin to rip muscles. Think of total health.

Your Brain Still Creates New Cells While Older-It's Important to Keep Learning

New research shows that even old brains can continue to create new cells. It helps lend to the argument that we should continue to use part of our time to read, study and learn new things. A healthy brain needs some practice and like a muscle should be worked out with intellectual stimulation.

Its easy to get into a rut and not study or learn anything after college. When we stop learning we also fail to keep up with changes in society. We stop mastering and understanding our environment. For some that might simply be reading a book while for others it may be more about attending different types of meetings

I have seen it over and over people just sort of get lazy in their lives. Come home from work and watch hours of numb tv without thinking much about anything. This study helps us understand why we should not let our brains go to waste when we can continue to learn and grow.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/older-adults-can-grow-new-brain-cells-study-finds/

Two Year Research on Plastic Sea Voyage Out of San Diego

Two San Diego Sailors are making their way around the world to study plastics in our oceans. The pollution is impacting the fish supply, habitats, and food for human consumption. Up to 50% of the pollution is caused by one time use plastics like forks. Their travels will take about 2 years.

I always thought that it would be a good idea, once my boat is ready, to take it down to South America and drag a net. Maybe obtain a research grant for a few months and slide along the coast where people come in contact with the plastics on a regular basis through swimming and fishing. Not sure if I will ever do it, or my boat would be ready for such a trip, but I always mulled it in the back of my head.

Trade War...Good or Bad?

A looming trade war with China is brewing. Will it be good or bad for the U.S. economy? That might depend on how you look at it. There will be those who feel it will hurt the U.S. economy and there will be those who feel it will help us. One thing is for sure if it starts....it will get worse before it gets better.

Hurt the U.S. Economy:

-Agriculture and manufacturing will be hit and lose sales.
-Fewer cheap products for consumers.
-More expensive raw materials.
-Regional encampment and conflict.
-Depressed stocks as companies sales decline.
-Isolationist ideas take hold.
-Constant conflict and underbidding by both parties fighting for markets.

Help the U.S. Economy:
-Find new markets and stop focusing on China.
-Chinese will be starved for our technology.
-Instead of investing in China companies may invest home.
-Companies may be forced to adapt and get better.
-New AI and digitization investments that reduce products.
-Increased patriotism.
-Mining more of our own natural resources.

In the long run it is possible that the U.S. may take a big hit in the beginning and adapt to the new market realities and improve its long run position. Yet that is anyone's guess. With all their facts and figures economists really don't know! They look to history to determine the future but they are often not one-for-one comparisons. It could be the death blow to our global supremacy that has been slipping or it could force us to get better and rejuvenate to a higher platform of existence.