While we were surprised at the timing (or at least the announcement), it’s pretty clear that Microsoft knew Steve Ballmer was going to be retiring soon. Not necessarily in the next 12 months, as was announced, but certainly within the next three years, after his youngest child began college. Because he said that several times.
Continue reading When the Founder goes…
A big birthday for my daughter. The second to youngest- but still has 8 years on her brother.
This past year, she and her significant other traveled across the globe. To see what they could see. Leaving about a month past her last birthday.
Continue reading A ‘0’ birthday… It would have been cooler if it were tomorrow…
Three really bad things can happen to you when you file your tax return late. Before you jump up and down, please remember that if you file before the expiration of any extension you requested, you aren’t filing late. (But, you also need to know that filing an extension does not mean you have an extension to pay your taxes- they are still due on the original filing date for taxes; the 15th of March (business) or 15 April (individuals.) I am really discussing the situations when you elect to file your taxes a year late, a few year’s late….
Continue reading Are you trying to make things worse?
I’ve written about distracted driving a lot. Because too many folks try to escalate the practice of talking on the phone (hands-free) to a national calamity. When it is clear that talking on the phone is no different than talking to a compatriot in the same car or listening to talk radio, and certainly less of an issue than turning around to deal with one’s children in the car.
Continue reading Music to my ears?
About a month ago, I wrote about this new policy that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) was employing in poultry processing plants. I expressed grave concerns about this practice- and now we know even more. And, the situation is worse than I described!
Don’t worry- that’s only the sound my bones make as I walk. Or, maybe I mistook that sound for the wheeze emanating from my lungs.
Continue reading What makes this new moon different from all other new moons?
This is nearing the end of my annual introspective season. Today is the last of the 30 days of Elul. Tonight (all Jewish days begin at night; the Tora says, “There was evening, there was morning, one day”) is Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year). The first day of Elul was the anniversary of my mom’s death and the coming of age of my eldest daughter. Elul or Rosh Hashana are normally associated with the advent of the academic year. Plenty of reasons to wonder: Am I where I want to be? But, the questions I will pose today are ones we all need to examine each and every day….“How much do we really need?”
If you have been reading my blog- or visited my house, you know that I enjoy my art. My dining room has no open wall space- it even has easels to hold more art. Same with my living room. And, the staircase wall. And, my bedroom. And, my office. And, my family room…
We all want to help. But, most of us have limited funds. Even as an advisor/director of trusts, there never are unlimited funds to help every charity that deserves it. (Professional advisors- who we do not employ- never answer that question directly, either. Instead, they offer you categories of charities that meet their specifications. You still have to choose!) How do you decide? Continue reading Tzedaka