GOOD THANGS — The Weekly Opine

This coming Sunday is a favorite day on the calendar, featuring a big increase in daylight. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Time to talk about good

Focusing on good things today because, Lord knows, we hear enough about the bad. Like the ongoing pandemic. And people taking sides in red or blue states, Republicans vs. Democrats, with deep contempt for one another. Or continuous arguments over mask-wearing, particularly in schools. And now, the Putin/Russia-instigated war against Ukraine, with Trump saying Putin is a “genius.” (Back in 2015-2016, you had to be truly ignorant not to recognize that Trump is pure evil.)

However, today we attempt to balance the narrative by writing about good stuff. This is just a small sample. I’m sure everyone can provide additional feel good commentary to accompany what is presented below.

Person of the Year

Sure, it’s only mid-March, not even a quarter of the way through 2022. And no one asks for my input when Time Magazine anoints its annual Person of the Year. That said, today The Weekly Opine selects Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, as 2022 Person of the Year.

Zelensky, formerly an actor and comedian before entering politics, has inspired the Ukrainian people to stand strong and unite to defend their nation against Russia’s unprovoked invasion. He has not run away from the fight as Trump did on January 6.

Despite being targeted for assassination by Putin, Zelensky bravely gives daily updates. He implores NATO countries to do more to help his nation. And he vividly demonstrates to the people of Ukraine that he is in charge. Standing front and center, leading the nation during this dangerous, scary time, Zelensky inspires Ukrainians and democracy-loving people all over the world.

According to intelligence reports, Ukrainians have turned Putin’s anticipated cakewalk into a nightmare of shoddy logistics, undelivered supplies, confusion, and low morale among Russian troops. Hopefully, Zelensky and the Ukrainians can hold on for a couple more weeks which could turn into months, if NATO provides Ukraine with more weapons necessary to defend their country.

Regardless of the outcome Zelensky, to borrow a sports term, is a stud.

More daytime

Everybody knows this but it is worth taking a moment to acknowledge that on Sunday, at 2 a.m., clocks move forward one hour. Which means daylight that currently ends around 6 p.m. this time of year in Chicago will extend to 7 p.m. Which means you can save on your electric bill. Sweet.

Hopefully, this post office drop box will be repaired soon. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Double good

Imagine running a business with a requirement from Congress that you must fully finance your employee’s future healthcare benefits, in advance, covering the next 75 years. There’s a very good chance your business would operate one small step ahead of insolvency.

No private companies or federal agencies are hamstrung by this requirement but that’s the predicament the U.S. Postal Service was in.

That is, until this week when Congress showed surprising bipartisanship. Perhaps inspired by Zelensky and the Ukrainian people, who are showing the world how formidable a spirit of cooperation can be, the Senate voted 79-19 to pass legislation that, most importantly, removes the USPS’ draconian 75-year financial constraint. The House previously voted 342-92 in support of this legislation.

The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature and will provide USPS a pathway to continue operating beyond 2024. (In my home town USPS provides excellent service.)

This is good news on two fronts; USPS will survive, and Congress proved capable of working together, across party lines, to do the right thing.

Bring on the Big Dance! (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Cookies and March Madness

The past year has been an interesting period for college sports. Athletes can now (finally) make money off their own name, image and/or likeness. They can stick around for another season if they choose, due to covid ruining the 2019-2020 season. The NCAA granted athletes a “covid year” so that players can opt for an extra year of eligibility, to finish their career having played four years under normal circumstances i.e., fans in the stands and post-season tournaments. Meanwhile the transfer portal, while somewhat haphazard and angst-causing for coaches, allows players more freedom, control, and flexibility.

Now, March Madness is upon us. It’s the greatest month (including conference tourneys) on the sports calendar.

Last year’s Big Dance was held entirely in the state of Indiana. It was a novel and outstanding solution to running the tournament, considering the coronavirus situation. This year, things are back to relative normal, with NCAA tournament games staged at venues across the nation, as is customary.

Another March Madness custom, for me, is watching games while munching on girl scout cookies. (I only buy trefoils and thin mints). Add a side of milk, for an occasional cookie dunk, and I am a happy camper.

Snow go…

In December, three inches of snow has a dual effect. First, it reminds you winter is here and there will be, oh, another 35-40 inches of snow before winter is over. And second, because temperatures are colder, the snow does not melt for days. Sometimes weeks.

Snow in March usually melts really fast. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

When it snows in March, the snow often melts within a day or two because the weather is warmer. A forecast of three or four inches of snow in March elicits a shoulder shrug. This week it snowed three inches on Monday and the next day, on Tuesday, it quickly melted. Vamoose!

Taking stock

Another rite of spring is making a visit to my certified public accountant. Whether you owe Sam or Sam owes you, filling out your tax form(s) is a great opportunity to take assessment of where things stand. Particularly with inflation running higher than it has in decades.

A Tuesday visit to see “my guy” was a good one. We’ve worked together for around 20 years, so our sit down included getting the work done along with a welcome infusion of friendly banter. As often happens, our planned one-hour meeting drifted into nearly 90 minutes.

At the end of the meeting, before leaving his office, I picked up two boxes of thin mints and two boxes of trefoils.

Springtime is upon us. Let’s dance.