It’s a little tiring to hear the repeated attacks on President Donald Trump,  accusing of paying oh-so-much attention to the stock market. As if everything he does is designed to boost the markets. To boost his own wealth.

He’s not clever enough.

Besides the markets are hugely important–for you and me.

First, it’s where so much of yours and mine pension fund money is invested.  By the hour, the day and the week, pension funds are taking hits, big ones. All those people with defined benefit pensions need to be concerned. Especially Chicago and Illinois government employees, whose pension funds are at least $140 billion in the hole. Likely a lot, lot more now.

And those with defined contribution pensions mostly depend on the markets to increase or at least safeguard their investments. Retirees and those who are about to retire are seeing the quality of their life diminished. Or worse.

Second, the average American is an important part of the market. Consider this:

Individuals Own Stocks. It is households that own equities, 37.6% of total equities in the U.S., and equities represent households’ largest financial asset holdings at 38.2%. According to the Federal Reserve, 52% of HHs in the U.S. own stocks (65 million households), which shows the figure is greater than one percent of income earners (estimated at 1.6 million households). Our analysis inside this section shows that the low balance reported by the Federal Reserve – median value of $40 thousand for a household’s stock holdings – demonstrates a much wider universe of Americans own stocks.

In more ways than one, we sink or swim together.

[email protected]

www.dennisbyrne.net 

My historical novel: Madness: The War of 1812

In the interests of an even-handed approach to the pandemic, I’m linking to an article in the Bulwark that closely looks at how President Donald Trump and his administration responded to early warnings about the danger that America faced:

During the critical period between the outbreak in China and the landfall of coronavirus in America, Donald Trump was warned about our general vulnerabilities and the specific actions his administration needed to take to avoid the worst. This is the timeline of how he ignored them.

One thing we hear too little of during the COVID-19 quarantine crisis is the serious mental health consequences of social isolation.

How this is being left out of the public health equation is puzzling and certainly dangerous. Maybe it’s a media reaction to President Donald Trump’s raising the mental health issue, including his warning about increased suicides. You know how anything Trump says is automatically discarded as a lie or the product of a crazed mind.

Whatever the explanation, Sujata Gupta examines the subject in Science News:

Social distancing comes with psychological fallout

Experts warn prolonged isolation during the pandemic may worsen or trigger mental health problems

Here are some selections from the article

Many quarantined individuals experienced both short- and long-term mental health problems, including stress, insomnia, emotional exhaustion and substance abuse.

• One cited study found that symptoms worsen after a 10-quarantine.
• “Health problems associated with social isolation tend to crop up when the situation goes on beyond a few weeks.”
• “Especially at risk are the elderly, who both get more ill from the coronavirus and already experience high rates of social isolation.”

And modern technology is no substitute for human touch, such as holding hands, hugging or massage, which studies suggest can affect health, including possibly lowering blood pressure and reducing the severity of symptoms from the common cold.

Neuroscientist James Coan especially worries about those individuals requiring medical care during this pandemic, either for COVID-19 or some other condition. Many hospitals are barring visits from loved ones which makes sense to prevent the virus’ spread. But that also reduces touch when people need it most, says Coan of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. His work suggests, for instance, that handholding can reduce physical pain.

The social and economic disruption caused by isolation on a national and global scale is unprecedented and unstudied. We’re flying blind when trying to estimate the threat of the coronavirus to public health. It’s time to start considering all the consequences, some of them unintended and unseen, of such a desperate and radical change to our life style.

[email protected]

www.dennisbyrne.net 

My historical novel: Madness: The War of 1812

During the current crisis, my schedule includes “musts” like brushing my teeth and “lesser musts” like taking the dog for an official “walk,”complete with time outs for sniffing and a visit to his favorite fire hydrant. There’s a grocery store less than a block away, but I haven’t been there in two weeks.

Taking stock, I have apples and oranges in the fridge, along with some cheese, yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, milk and low-fat (but really good) peanut butter. Add some basic condiments, canned goods and a few ready-to-use Chinese sauces, and that’s about it. The freezer is well stocked, as long as you’re in the mood for cod or chicken.

I defrosted some of the cod for dinner last night. It’s a mild flavored fish, which is a nice way of saying it’s a bit bland. That can actually be a plus, if you’re planning to pair the cod with an aggressively flavored sauce or pasta. I’ve also used cod in soups and stir-fries, since its sturdy flesh doesn’t fall apart after it’s cooked.

With time to spare, I browsed some of my favorite cookbooks, beginning with two written by Donna Hay, an Australian who knows how to format a recipe and make it doable, even for cooks with limited talent or time or both. A lot of her recipes use Asian ingredients, which feeds my passion for dishes from that part of the world, but she also does recipes rooted in the cuisines of Italy, Australia and the whole of Western Europe.

I’ve made her recipe for Caramelized Lime Fish before. The recipe calls for nesting the cooked fish on a bed of fresh cilantro, sliced scallions, and cucumbers sliced into ribbons. Scallions, cucumbers and cilantro aren’t part of my current inventory. Neither are fresh limes, although I do have some bottled lime juice. 

As for the soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar and chili flakes, those I have. Fish sauce is a must-have condiment for anyone who has any interest in making Southeast Asian food, a list that includes Thai and Vietnamese. It keeps well, and it’s widely available in mainstream grocery stores.

My pantry does include rice, so I simply used that as an accompaniment, along with some frozen veggies. I’ve always cooked with the idea of freezing or refrigerating what’s left and using it for another meal. I recently read an article that advised against freezing rice, but I’ve never had a problem. Frozen in serving-sized packets, it’s like money in the bank.

Caramelized Lime Fish

Serves 4

2 pounds firm white fish fillet

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons lime juice

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

Plating

3 small cucumbers, sliced into ribbons

1/2 cup cilantro leaves

4 green onions, sliced

1. Cut the fish into large pieces.
2. Heat a non-stick frying pan over high heat.
3. Add the oil and fish, and cook for one minute on each side or until brown and sealed.
4. Combine the lime juice, sugar, fish sauce, soy and chili (if using).
5. Add the sauce to the pan. Cook, turning the fish once, for 4 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the reduced sauce is sticky.
6. Plate on a nest of cucumbers, cilantro leaves and green onions (if you have them). Spoon the remaining sauce over the fish and veggies.

From “The Instant Cook” by Donna Hay (Fourth Estate, $34.95) Fourth Estate is an imprint HarperCollins/Publishers

Times are a bit difficult now for everyone.  Basically all forms of entertainment have been suspended with the exception of things we can do at home.

Getting back into the outdoors is one thing that so many are anxious to do.  The itch comes to us with the weather breaking and spring being in the air.

With State and local parks being closed, fishing from a boat and even from shore is out for places including Heidecke, Braidwood and LaSalle Lakes.  Many ramps and shore fishing spots are closed at the Illinois, Kankakee, and DesPlaines River.

Here’s a website statement from Chicago Harbors as of April 3^rd:

Chicago Harbors Closure:  All docks, boat storage facilities, parking lots, launch ramps, and other harbor properties will be closed to the public through April 30 in accordance with Governor Pretzel’s extension of the “stay-at-home” order and the resulting Chicago Park District closures. We will keep you updated as this changes.  Boaters who ignore this order and attempt to bring their boat into the harbor during the closure could have their permit revoked.

If you’re thinking of using private marina’s to launch your boat on Lake Michigan or any of the rivers, call ahead first check if they’re open.

Too, remember that there is a Stay at Home order out and it’s probably best that anyone going out of the house do that only for essential purposes.

This is tough on all of us, but we will survive if we keep our distance from others.  Wear masks and gloves when out of the house to get food, prescriptions or other necessities.  We’re constantly hearing about hand washing but going back to the gloves, it’s good protection when touching things that others have, like gas pump handles, grocery carts, even food items on the shelves.

Be safe.  Be careful. Take that extra effort to avoid getting the Coronavirus yourself or passing it on to another.  Don’t worry; before too long we’ll be Back into the Outdoors.

Last night, I dreamt I went to the Imaginary Writers’ Room again.

(How’s that, Daphne?)

When my dreams calmed down enough to let me get to the writers’ room in my imagination, there was a familiar-looking sign on the door: “Urgent Meeting! Come at once if convenient. If inconvenient, come all the same.”

I didn’t have to look at the ornate “ACD” at the bottom the the imaginary page to know those words. Except for the “urgent meeting” part, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had written them in this life.

I didn’t need to ask what the subject of the meeting would be. As usual, my team of my favorite great writers was gathering to help me get through the real-life emergency that has stopped services at my church, closed my temporary office, and limited my shopping choices to two: the pharmacy and the grocery.

“And it’s even closed the libraries!” cried Agatha Christie. “Of all the nerve!”

“Now, now, Dame Agatha,” said Sir Arthur. I remembered the “talkie” film I found that made me realize he sounded a great deal like my grandfather. ‘Think of the contagion. The virus must be stopped somehow, and if it means Margaret stays home, we’re here to help her cope.”

“That’s right, Mister — I mean Sir — Chairman,” said Robert Louis Stevenson from his customary spot on the sofa. “She needs our help. And it does look like she’s getting it.”

“Aye, Louis, a’richt,” said Arthur, agreeing with his fellow Scot. “She’s well-fixed for all of the time at home.”

“Her faither set her up well,” said Robert Burns, “All of those grand books he loved so, the omnibus editions and the biographies, and even –“

“Wheesht,” said Sir Arthur, glaring at the poet, but Burns went on.

“Even detective stories,” he said.

Arthur sighed.

“She has enough of yours, Sir Arthur, to re-read from now to V-V Day,” said Daphne.

When that name drew confused looks, Daphne said, “Virus-Vaccine Day, of course.”

“So we’re left by the wayside for a while, Dame Daphne,” said Dame Agatha. “She hasn’t nearly as many of our stories to try for the first time.”

“Ahh, but the ones Margaret does have are some of her favorites,” said Daphne. ” ‘Rebecca’ is always around, and your ‘Ten Little’ whoevers, Agatha,” she added.

“Margaret even has the latter in French,” said Agatha proudly. “She likes two puzzles at once.”

“But what about help?” said Arthur. He looked around the committee table and over to Louis’ sofa.

“I’ve given her the best help,” said Robert Burns. “I’m glad to know that the anguish I went through has given Margaret something that can help her through this modern mess.”

“And that is?” said Agatha.

” ‘A Prayer Under Pressure of Violent Anguish,’ ” said Burns.

“Ahh, that is a great help,” said Louis, and Arthur nodded.

We all bowed our heads silently — even I did.

After a few moments, Agatha said loudly, “Don’t you want to hear it, Margaret?”

“I don’t need to,” I told Agatha. “I know Robert wasn’t talking to me. And you see, I have this thing called a link that I can put in the minutes of the meeting. Anyone who doesn’t know the prayer can read it at the link.”

“Amazing,” said Agatha.

“Rather,” said Daphne. “And she’s right, the prayer’s not addressed to her.”

(Actually, that line’s from the film version of a book called “Greyfriars Bobby,” a favorite in my family. But it fits this prayer.)

The room fell silent again.

“Resolve, firm resolve,” said Louis. ‘”That’s in the poem, and that’s what everybody on earth needs just now.”

“Indeed,” said Agatha. “Resolve — and books!”

I opened the door back into the rest of my imagination. “Alan, would you come in, please?” I said.

A tall, thin Englishman with striking eyes walked into the room. “Yes, of course,” he said.

“Sir Arthur, committee members, may I present Alan Milne — A.A. Milne in his bylines,” I said.

Milne shook hands around the table — we can still do that in my imagination — and walked over to the couch to greet Louis Stevenson.

“Welcome, Mr. Milne,” said Sir Arthur.

“Another man,” Daphne said to Agatha, sniffing slightly.

“Yes, but an Englishman, not a Scot,” said Agatha to Daphne.

“Yes, an Englishman,” said Milne. “And I have a reminder for Margaret  and her own readers.”

“Not ‘The Red House Mystery,’ ” growled Sir Arthur, “where you had to go borrowing names I invented.”

“No, Mr. Chairman, not that,” said Alan Milne. “it’s a term I came up with myself.”

Arthur relaxed, and Louis propped himself up on one elbow on the couch.

“Sustaining Books,” said Alan.

“Oh yes?” said Daphne.

“Yes,” said Alan. “I had my son’s little bear get stuck –“

“Little!” said Agatha.

“All right, not so little in that story. But when he was stuck in a place of great tightness –“

Robert Burns spoke up here. “Ah, ye’ve learnt your capital letters properly at last!”

“Well, it’s out of consideration for Margaret,” said Alan. “Anyway, I think you all know that Pooh bear was stuck in a friend’s doorway.”

“Ah, that’s right — he asked for a book,” said Arthur.

“A sustaining book to help and comfort,” said Alan, smiling shyly.

“We’ve all had work fall in that category for Margaret,” said Agatha.

“So we have,” said Arthur. “And  everyone seems to be talking about books again, now that people need to stay home to stay healthy.”

“Indeed,” said Daphne. “So will you help us keep talking about books, Alan?”

He looked around, from Agatha and Daphne on one side of the table to Arthur at the head of the table, Louis on the sofa, and Robert sitting across from the ladies.

“N-no,” he said. “I’m just visiting. I need my social distancing. I’m not good in crowds.”

With a nod to me to open the door, he was gone.

“Social distancing!” cried Agatha. “Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

“I have,” I replied. “That’s why I’m hanging around you so much — you’re the ones who don’t mind. But I think I’ll have a walk and see what my own characters are up to in the other room.”

“Well done, lass,” said Arthur.

I closed the door and walked away.

Margaret Serious has a page on Facebook.

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Yeah, I know it’s technically spring. And, yes, I also know it’s in the 60s today in Chicago. But I’d be surprised if we didn’t get one more bout of snow before Mother’s Day. Plus, it’s never to early to plan ahead for next year’s winter nip.

So, I’m going to plant a springtime seed in your head: If you don’t already have winter tires, you should consider getting them.

You might argue we don’t get a lot of snow in Chicago. But it’s not just about the cold white wet stuff. Its about actual cold weather.

During a recent pre-COVID-19 trip to Quebec, Canada, the folks at Michelin explained most experts recommend winter tires at consistent temperatures less than 40 degrees. This isn’t about grip or the ability to plow through snow. This is about the compound tires are made of and whether they stay pliant or get stiff — which could cause slippage on dry pavement.

I’m one of those weird people who actually keeps rubber samples in her freezer to show people the difference between compounds used for summer, all-season and winter tires. It’s significant, as you can see in the image below.

These are the rubber samples I keep in my freezer. The winter compound is not the current X-Ice Snow compound, but it still paints a vivid picture. (Photo by Jill Ciminillo)

While we were in Quebec, we tested Michelin’s new X-Ice Snow tires, which have the winter compound as well as special grooves and biting edges designed to handle the weather. We compared them to some top-brand competitors, and while there wasn’t a huge difference, the X-Ice Snow tires did grip a little quicker than competitors and move more confidently through deep snow — both in new and worn conditions.

One of the big reasons why: The grooved pattern on the tires as well as the winter weather rubber compound run down through a 2/32nds depth — and this is when tires should be replaced at 4/32nds.

A lot of competitors don’t go deep — which means they’re competitive when they’re new, but there’s a huge difference in stopability when they begin to wear.

In tests, Michelin said the stopping distance could be as much as five car lengths quicker in the X-Ice Snow tires. That can mean the difference between an accident an keeping your car dent free.

If you would like to see a full review of our test experience, be sure to visit my story on The Median.

But the overall moral of the story: Winter tires make a huge difference.

Other items in the Feature Friday series:

• Rear Camera Mirror
• Lane Keep Assist
• Passive Entry
• Automatic Reverse Braking
• Hyundai’s Remote Smart Parking Assist (aka Smaht Pahk)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Around-View Backup Cameras
• Mazda’s Infotainment System
• Hyundai’s Blind View Monitor

You would think that I have all of the time in the world to write now, wouldn’t you?

Well… yeah, you are right.

BUT, if I am going, to be honest with you all I have found myself with at a loss of what exactly to say. This is a crazy time in the world and if I am going to be completely honest, I do not want to do anything that is going to add to that.

Yes, I know I am not some huge influencer or blogger and that the amount of people who actually read my work is probably really really small… HOWEVER, I think I am seeing something that people are missing about this whole entire thing.

We all, EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, plays a role in this.

And that is where the issue is… and that is exactly why I took the time I needed to get my thoughts in order before I shared them.

This virus is showing us that we ALL have an impact. This virus is showing us that we ALL make a difference in this world. This virus is showing us that this is OUR WORLD, and WE decide what happens to it.

And sadly, some of us haven’t caught on to that…

So many individuals think that they, themselves, don’t have the power to make the difference. That they, personally, cannot make or break this… That it really doesn’t matter what they do because they are insignificant in the scheme of it all.

AND THEY COULDN’T BE MORE WRONG.

Trust me, I get it. It seems bizarre that one individual not washing their hands or hanging out with your best friend could lead to all of this. BUT, that is what is happening.

It is hard to wrap your head around when we have gone through life with the mentality that we are just one person and it is difficult to see from the perspective that you as an individual can have such a dire and lasting effect on so many others.

So instead of continuing to think that you, personally, don’t matter… have some confidence. Understand that you DO have an impact in this world, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW and that YOU need to do what you can to make a difference.

Stay home. Wash your hands. Social-distance.

Every Friday morning comes, thank the gods for that. More new music and another chance to impact someone’s life with that song. Last week it was Butch Walker with “Pretty Crazy,” this week it’s the Rolling Blackouts CF with their new single, “She’s There.” The album is due out in June.

Born Ruffians continue to challenge ears, with “Breathe,” which is a good thing. Today their full length album JUICE was released.

Jimmy Buffett is back this week doing his thing with new music called, “Down at the Lah De Dah.”

Local H released another new single called “Beyond The Valley of the Snakes,” from LIFERS due out this month. Here’s a live performance of their latest single from Gallagher Way in Chicago.

A couple of cool new rap offerings this week. First, packed full of great lyrics, we get “Fifteen Pennies” from Sam Lachow.

“Never had a fortune or trust fund/Never had a dealer cause I was one.” 

Second, Sacred Safe is the new album and single from the collaboration between rapper Quelle Chris and multi-instrumentalist Chris Keys.

Brendan Benson is back! Phish is back? Yep, and so is P.E.!

“Number one, Flavor don’t know the difference between Bernie Sanders, Barry Sanders or Colonel Sanders,” Chuck D said. “We already talked about this beforehand. Public Enemy Radio went up, his lawyer said ‘I’ll cease and desist,’ I’m like, ‘good move.’ “

I thought Chuck D and Flavor Flav had split up after the Bernie Sander’s fiasco, but Chuck now recants, saying it was an “April Fool’s Joke?” Um, ok.  Regardless, the new single and album, Loud Is Not Enough, hit Spotify this morning, and it’s good stuff so far.

I know my daughter would love the collaboration between Icona Pop and Steve Aoki. It has everything a seven-year-old is looking for. It’s a dance hit with a catchy chorus sung by pop stars. Aoki is a household name now, it seems everybody wants to work with Steve.

Finally, Andrew Bird gives us a protest song in “Capital Crimes.”

Jazz, anyone? Here it is, your cut of the week. Dynamics in Meditation is the album by the Gianmarco Scaglia & Paul Wertico Quartet. The song is “Ornette.” Enjoy!

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