Your legacy will live on through how you treat people

March 18, 2025

In my profession we are called upon to help, serve, defend and stand up for the unfortunate or people who can’t do it for themselves, for whatever reason that may be. It is kind of odd to think back and realize that is exactly how my dad brought me up to act each and every day. He did it through his words but, most importantly, through his actions. He lived what he preached. He was a financial advisor, but he was so much more than that because of the relationships he built with the people he helped. The people he served would be having the best or even the worst day of their ...

The Theory of Age Relativism

March 16, 2025

In some circles the term “relativism” is a dirty word. Moral relativism, for instance, holds to the belief that ethical truths depend on the people holding them. I disagree with this type of relativism. On the other hand (as a lawyer might say) there is a relativism that cannot be denied. I call it Age Relativism and I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately in light of another recent birthday. What we think about what we observe around us depends on our age. That’s Age Relativism. Former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes understood the concept. “Old age,” he ...

Without a strong Farm Bill, outlook is bleak for farmers and everyone who eats

March 13, 2025

March 14 is a big date this year. It’s the second day of the Big 12 basketball tournament (Go State!); it’s Pi Day – you can celebrate with math or dessert; and most importantly, it’s also the date set for a government shutdown unless Congress can agree to increase the debt ceiling. A big part of that shutdown is the ongoing negotiation for a long overdue Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is up for renewal every five years and is already almost two years past due. Luckily, Congress has renewed the Farm Bill through September 2025, but that doesn’t mean it’s without issue. Farmers ...

Memories of Opa

March 9, 2025

This is the story of a man of humble origins who moved to a new country and worked hard but never acquired wealth or fame. This man was my maternal grandfather and this year will mark the 60th anniversary of his passing. My grandfather was born in an East Frisian village near Weener, Germany, in 1892. He was named after his father, Dirk Gelder, but I knew him as Opa, the German and Dutch word for “grandpa.” Opa’s father died in 1899 leaving his mother a penniless widow with seven children, Dirk being the youngest. According to family lore, Hinderk, the oldest of Opa’s ...

Wonder what Dad has been up to today

March 6, 2025

While reviewing bills recently I noticed my monthly cell phone bill had increased by $18. I searched the statement looking for a reason for the increase but found none. I’m not a parsimonious old coot, but I am frugal and I was upset by an unannounced increase in the bill with no explanation for the increase. I found the provider’s phone number and decided to call for customer assistance. “Upset” probably isn’t an accurate description of my mood at the time. I was ticked off. This big corporation was sticking it to me. I was ready to share my irritation with someone. Then ...

Good people

March 2, 2025

I was reminded not too long ago that good people voted for our current president and his standards. The message came from a social media acquaintance who called me out for my morality. The irony of this is that anyone who has known me long enough knows very well that I am far from perfect. My life, as I see it, has been a journey towards becoming a better person. In my heart, I always thought that was the intention of the path. FYI: I apply that to the actions of others, especially our public representatives. Which leaves me disappointed. In Iowa right now, it feels like the mean ...