Underneath it all.

Today's Tids Issue 4,261

It's always there:

In about five months people of the northern climes will see buds poking through the warming soil. No matter how cold or dreary a winter may appear, rebirth will happen in April. It happens every year like solar clockwork. And, the older you get, the faster the cycle occurs.

Thanks will not be uppermost in the minds of investors if the markets continue to stop giving.

I have to say that for the most part I just glaze over at most of the news today. Especially all that is politically based. BTW, have you noticed how quickly national tragedies vanish form the small screen and newspapers. Does anybody still think about the Squirrel Hill massacre or the bar shooting in Thousand Oaks? The fires are atop everybody’s mind, until the next tragedy and cameras are refocused. But the victims and the families of all those lost or maimed are just beginning to live with their voids. How can heartaches be yesterday’s news.

The Question:

OK, rank the favorite Thanksgiving dinner side dishes.

The Headlines:

--Turkey Gets Presidential Pardon, But Stock Market Gets Axed; iPhone Growth Concerns Latest Market Hang-up; Target Profits Miss Bullseye, And Shares Get Trimmed; Loews Score On Strong Earnings.

--Obama Appointed California Judge Bars US Form Enforcing Trump Admin’s Asylum Ban.

--Three Killed In Chicago Hospital Revenge Shooting; Murderer Overreacts To Broken Engagement.

--California Rains Ending Fires But Perhaps Causing Mudslides.

--Saudi Royals Turn On King’s #1 Son After Killing.

--Seattle Housing Market Could Take A Hit As Amazon Moves To New Headquarters.

Remember to set you scales back 10 pounds this week.

Harvard Professor Steven Pinker says that (Despite all of the negativity and violence in the news) that “Life on earth is improving. By every measure of human well-being,” he says, “from personal safety to longevity, to economic security to happiness, people everywhere are far better off today than they were in the 17^th century.” 17^th century? Yes, no matter how much we romanticize the past, stuff is always improving even when it is hard to see. He says, “society is getting less violent over time, despite the mass shootings an other atrocities we hear of daily.”

The Voice had its first live step towards the championship. Personally, I like Dave Fenley and he entertained me last night. But there were a few other good performances that stood out. I was surprised at how good Tyke James in a tempered down mood and singing sincerely. Comeback girl Lynnea Moorer showed me that she really belonged and could be a challenger. Sweet voice, Nice feeling to her presence. One problem – voters already have favorites and are not used to voting for the newcomer. Sarah Grace has been strong, but she didn’t inspire me last night. She should move on. Kirk Jay proved once again why he has been an early favorite (Maybe the best of last night). DeAndre Nico is a solid singer and he could make it to the final groups. I liked Chevel Shepherd, and Chris Kroeze who actually got something out of the old Beatles song “Let it Be”. Kennedy Homes was a little disappointing and a bit of a letdown for me -- because I have liked her going in, and her song had so many possibilities. Sandy Redd is a little too emotional for me but she won votes last night. People like Reagan Strange, but she doesn’t thrill me. There’s little difference between McKensie Thomas And Kimberli Joye. Tonight, two will go. I think Kimberli and perhaps Lynnea will get cut, although I would send Reagan or Sandy Redd home and keep Moorer.

iTune purchases of The Voice performances began in earnest last night. Kirk Jay made the Top 10 at #10. The rest who got noticed by earnest money and made the Top 100 were at #22 Reagan Strange, #23 Tyke James, #38 Chevel Shepherd, #58 Chris Kroeze and #79 Kennedy Holmes. 4 of the six were considered “Country”, and Tyke sang like a country boy.. Noticeably missing – Dave Fenley.

One of the more noticeable changes of the past elections was movement of traditional strong “Red” suburbs into the totally blue category. They say that was propelled by suburban housewives who I’m thinning are perhaps tiring of The Presidents rhetoric.

Nobody nose the age of the guy with olfactory problems.

Last night while the endless The Voice commercials were on, I got to see almost all of that crazy, exciting NFL game between LA and KC. Mahommes was totally sensational, that is, when he wasn’t giving the ball away. LA errors by opposing QB Goff Also helped KC stay close in the rapid fire 53-50 game that lived up to the hype. The field looked wide open for these two super offense minded juggernauts. But, what will happen in the playoffs when the field gets tighter.

Well, last night DWTS may have lost all credibility as it crowned its winner -- it didn’t go over very well at all. Bobby Bones and pro dancer Sharba Burgess walked away with the Mirrorball trophy, but they were the most shocked of all that they won. The internet was alive with criticism as almost everybody thought the winners were out-danced by Alexis Ren/ Alan Bersten, Evanna Lynch/ Keo Monsepe and Milo Manheim/ Witney Carson. Neil Patrick Harris Tweeted: “Dancing with the Stars just confirmed why I don’t watch Dancing with the Stars.”

One of my favorites from the fifties, Ahmad Jamal, is still playing great piano in Paris.

Get ready for the Phil/Tiger match of rivals promotions. It could get tedious.

Active shooter drills are the new reality in US businesses these days. How sad is that?

I walked into my dentist the other day, and found nobody upfront. I opened the door to the back offices and heard the owners and staff talking about “Where to hide, and which windows would open easiest” in the event they were attacked.

One of the worst things about Thanksgiving week is that for the most part, radio stations have substitute personnel.

Steven Pinker has also argued that men and women are intrinsically different and that we are more driven by our genes than academics would have you believe.

The Answer:

#1 is certainly mashed potatoes. Next maybe mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, Stuffing, Gravy, Brussell Sprouts, Cornbread, Green beans in or out of casserole, Candied Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Rolls, Roasted Root Vegetables, Glazed Carrots and, finally, Corn. A lot depends on which list you are using. In general the lists hold up. A second list has #1 as Green Bean casserole followed by Stuffing, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce (Can), Biscuits/Rolls/Cornbread, Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes. Yet another list, has it Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Gravy, Breads, Mac n’ Cheese, Green Bean Casserole, Corn on Cob (Much too much late in season), Green Beans, Baked Sweet Potatoes and #10 – Croissant Rolls. In this one, Cranberry sauce doesn’t show up until #12. There are also several versions of Sweet Potatoes. Whatever is on that big table surrounded by happy people, Gravy is what ties it all together. Remember that as you go through life. I wonder if Steven Pinker knows about that?

Have a restful day.