Opinion

Mark on Markets

There has always been a fine line between business and politics. Back in the early 2000s, I would occasionally observe that the markets would be largely up or down based on news of political unrest coming out of somewhere overseas. The markets would swing widely if there had been a conflict between political powers around the world. We called this action “geopolitical risk”, and it was nearly impossible to handicap. The good news was that it was a rarity, and you could manage your investments without putting too much thought into the trappings of some dictator over in the Horn of Africa.

Read MoreMark on Markets

Around the Kitchen Table with Nanny

Finally the snow and ice are just about a thing of history. Sun is shining and it’s just a beautiful afternoon. But don’t be fooled, it’s still a very cold time to be out, so bundle up if you plan on going out for a walk because it’s still pretty chilly. Speaking of a cold night, starts me thinking about a wintertime easy supper that is quick and simple. So, here is a very tasty, quick fix recipe for you to try.

Read MoreAround the Kitchen Table with Nanny

What’s Cooking by Valerie Paterson

I always like dessert recipes that include vegetables. It’s an easy way to get people, especially children, to eat more vegetables. It’s important to eat plenty of vegetables daily to stay healthy. Vegetables are a good source of minerals and vitamins (such as magnesium, vitamin C and folate), dietary fiber and a range of phytochemicals including carotenoids.

Read MoreWhat’s Cooking by Valerie Paterson

The Good Stuff

One last round of football game notes as the gridiron action comes to a close for a little while. I’m a traditional Cowboy fan, and in recent years have developed an affinity for the Indianapolis Colts, so I really didn’t have a particular rooting interest in this year’s game.

Read MoreThe Good Stuff

Speaking French

The day of love is now in our past and so is my week of services to Bennett’s in Jonesboro. I find it extremely strange how two areas, not even an hour apart, can be so different. I was amazed by the people who rushed in and the amounts of money they were spending. But it felt great to be back with my old crew.

Read MoreSpeaking French

Here and There

I have what might seem to be an unusual hobby. I like to visit and stroll through old cemeteries. You can learn a lot about communities and cultures by visiting old graveyards–family names, life spans, and some very interesting epitaphs. Also some impressive cemetery art.

Read MoreHere and There

The Maynard Gang

Reading a river fishing story on the Internet has caused me to reflect on the historic and cultural significance of Fourche River. The writer regarded the Tennessee stream as his family’s ancestral river as I do the Fourche.

Read MoreThe Maynard Gang

Mark on Markets

The movie quote is “It’s not gambling if you know you’re going to win.” Sadly, it’s not that simple but we can still look for similarities and differences to better understand both sides. What makes one opportunity a foolish gamble and another a wise investment? Many times, the separating the two is ever so thin. Is one inherently good and the other inherently bad? Are they both matters of personal preference? Let’s find out.

Read MoreMark on Markets

Life is a Journey

It was a Valentines weekend get away, another couple and us, sweethearts still young enough, well still young enough! It had been a long day, and then a long drive to Branson, I wasn’t feeling so good when we got there. We had rooms rented at The Victorian Hotel it had been real nice, as we entered there was a sweeping staircase up to the second story, a Baby Grand Piano off to the right side and a beautiful Chandelier (just in case, there was any swinging to be done) hung from the second story ceiling. We got rooms with Romeo and Juliet balconies, just big enough for two, oh where for art thou my Romeo! We were up on the third floor, and soon all settled in, we’d all met back in the lobby. Hungry we went out to have a lovely Valentine Dinner with talk of sweet days gone by, these guys could after all be romantic! We had enjoyed all the sight seeing and lights and we were soon back to the hotel, and off to our rooms, but not before they said I felt warm and they could feel me shaking when they laid their hands on my arm, overly tired was my self diagnosis, nothing sleep wouldn’t cure, for there had been a big day full of fun planned for tomorrow! I chose my side of the bed and then My Valentine’s big surprise had been slipped into the bedside table drawer, while Red was gone to the bathroom. We literately fell into bed, he asked me how I was feeling, then took my hand, for we had always held hands going to sleep each night (which lasted for many years and still) his head would scarcely hit the pillow before he was fast asleep, asleep and snoring! In earlier days I would beg him to let me go to sleep before him, because with his snoring, for me sleep became a hard place to drift off too. When the snoring began in earnest, it was safe to proceed with his special surprise, quietly I slipped them from the drawer, opening the plastic bag I quickly sprinkled the whole contents across Red, me and the bed, barley able to hold in the laughter choking it back. Then with visions of what Red would think floating through my mind I finally drifted off to sleep. Sometime in the wee hours, Red awoke and he said he laid his hand on my thigh, feeling something he’d ran his hand down the length of my leg, knowing that I hadn’t felt good, he just knew I had broke out with something all over, now at this point I am still dead to the world, YET! Quickly he’d jumped out of bed throwing the covers back and ran to turn on the light, I am awake now! What are you doing you crazy thing you, I ask looking at him through bleary eyes? I just reached over and touched your leg and thought you were all broke out with something, bewildered his eyes now spirals sees all those hearts, confetti hearts in three sizes in shades of reds and pinks even. Happy Valentines Day I tell him, he stands there a few minutes taking the whole thing in, then leaves a happy trail of red and pink hearts all the way into the bathroom! I collapsed back into sleep, morning came way too early for sure, there were hearts sparkling in the sunlight where the sun had crept into our room, to be sure I am a cheap date, I admit it, I love glitter always have, always will! So we get up and take a good look at each other we were broke out in confetti hearts real bad. There was confetti here confetti there confetti in the chair. Confetti, in our hair confetti everywhere, confetti where it is not meant to be. Confetti where we could not reach ourselves! That confetti most definitely had multiplied in the night, we laughed like crazy just looking at us! OK Glitter I knew, confetti well it’s a totally different thing, let me tell you one true thing about confetti it sticks like glue, it embeds in your skin a bit, you can’t just brush if off! We never did quit smiling that morning! Just Like Ticks they had to be picked off one by one! In our case we pulled and picked hearts off of each other! So there we were two grown human beings standing in the middle of a hotel room looking a bit like monkeys, no longer able to keep a straight face, we were at each others mercy, we begin grooming one another, very soon we were laughing out of control even, like idiots if you will. It was a very intense time. Finally each of us we were totally de-hearted, well save for the ones that were beating inside us. Our thoughts then turned to the room strewn with hearts. Umm are they going to bill us with an extra cleaning fee, will the bathtub still drain tomorrow? Oh, my heavenly day, what on earth will the maid think? Just wish that I had taken a picture of it all. In hindsight we should have scooped up a handful of those hearts as souvenirs! Red wasted no time at breakfast, telling this story to our friends. Seemed everyone in ear shot, wore a jealous smile. Happy Valentine Day Y’all!

Read MoreLife is a Journey