Words Of Wisdom

In his 1987 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffett shared this wisdom...

Ben Graham, my friend and teacher, long ago described the mental attitude toward market fluctuations that I believe to be most conducive to investment success. He said that you should imagine market quotations as coming from a remarkably accommodating fellow named Mr. Market who is your partner in a private business. Without fail, Mr. Market appears daily and names a price at which he will either buy your interest or sell you his.

Even though the business that the two of you own may have economic characteristics that are stable, Mr. Market’s quotations will be anything but. For, sad to say, the poor fellow has incurable emotional problems. At times he feels euphoric and can see only the favorable factors affecting the business. When in that mood, he names a very high buy-sell price because he fears that you will snap up his interest and rob him of imminent gains. At other times he is depressed and can see nothing but trouble ahead for both the business and the world. On these occasions, he will name a very low price, since he is terrified that you will unload your interest on him.

Mr. Market has another endearing characteristic: He doesn’t mind being ignored. If his quotation is uninteresting to you today, he will be back with a new one tomorrow. Transactions are strictly at your option. Under these conditions, the more manic-depressive his behavior, the better for you.

But, like Cinderella at the ball, you must heed one warning or everything will turn into pumpkins and mice: Mr. Market is there to serve you, not to guide you. It is his pocketbook, not his wisdom, that you will find useful. If he shows up some day in a particularly foolish mood, you are free to either ignore him or to take advantage of him, but it will be disastrous if you fall under his influence. Indeed, if you aren’t certain that you understand and can value your business far better than Mr. Market, you don’t belong in the game. As they say in poker, “If you’ve been in the game 30 minutes and you don’t know who the patsy is, you’re the patsy.”

Wisconsin Foodie

Ever wondered how Wisconsin potatoes go from local farms to fine-dining dishes? 

In this episode of Wisconsin Foodie, Chef Luke Zahm takes you on a deep dive into the farm-to-table journey of one of the Midwest’s most essential crops. Step into the kitchen with Chef Luke as he transforms these humble spuds into a high-end culinary masterpiece featuring a silky potato purée, crispy thousand-layer potatoes, and black truffle-infused confit. 

But before the magic happens on the plate, we take you back to where it all begins: Sterling Farms – Meet Wisconsin potato farmers who use sustainable growing practices to produce some of the best potatoes in the country. Alsum Farms & Produce – Go behind the scenes at a potato packing facility, where technology and tradition ensure these farm-fresh potatoes reach kitchens nationwide. 

MKE Chef Collaboration Dinner – Watch Chef Luke craft a dish that celebrates the flavors, textures, and versatility of Wisconsin-grown potatoes in front of Milwaukee’s top chefs.

Alsum Farms & Produce was featured in a Wisconsin Foodie episode that aired on PBS on February 6, 2025.  

The episode, titled "Milwaukee's Chef Collaboration Dinner, Sterling Farm, Alsum Farms & Produce", explored Wisconsin's potato industry.

I see these spuds at the grocery all day long.

This is more than just food—it is a tribute to the farmers, the land, and the flavors that make Wisconsin’s food scene unforgettable.

Now I know the rest of the story..... 

Quote Of The Day

In the short run, the market is a voting machine but in the long run it is a weighing machine.

- Ben Graham

Wood Is Good

I've owned and lived in multiple old houses over the years and engaged in countless repairs and remodeling projects.

You?

If so, have you ever noticed how much the 2 x 4 studs have evolved?

Mid-19th Century balloon framing utilized long 2 x 4s that were actually a full 2 x 4 inches running continuously from foundation to roof.

Dimensional lumber was standardized  in the early 20th Century  and the 2 x 4 shrank  to 1 3/4 x 3 3/4 after milling.  

Mid 20th Century replaced balloon framing with platform framing utilizing shorter 2 x 4 studs for each story.  The lumber was further standardized resulting in the modern 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 size.  

Older growth rings on older lumber

My current home was constructed within the last couple of decades and makes considerable use of solid wood.  It also utilizes engineered wood products - namely manufactured materials made by binding wood strands, fibers, or veneers with adhesives to create strong, durable and consistent building materials designed to maximize the use of wood while improving performance relative to solid wood.

Modern commercial construction makes regular use of steel studs for building-out office space within a larger big box. 

Notable Quotable

Russia should 'introduce geopolitical disorder into internal American activity, encouraging all kinds of separatism and ethnic, social, and racial conflicts, actively supporting all dissident movements – extremist, racist, and sectarian groups, thus destabilizing internal political processes in the U.S. It would also make sense simultaneously to support isolationist tendencies in American politics'.

 - Alexander Dugin - Foundations of Geopolitics, 1997

Highway Patrol

Here's some recognition of Wisconsin's contribution to the Highway Patrol.  

The 1972 AMC police patrol cars, the Ambassador and Matador, were specially designed law enforcement vehicles offered by American Motors Corporation (AMC). These vehicles were built to compete with police packages from the "Big Three" automakers—Ford, Chevrolet, and Chrysler—offering durability, performance, and affordability.

1972 AMC Ambassador Police Package

The AMC Ambassador was the larger of the two police models, featuring:

• Wheelbase: 122 inches
• Length: 210.78 inches
• Width: 77.24 inches
• Trunk Capacity: 18.2 cubic feet
• Turning Circle Diameter: 40 feet 5 inches
• Engine Options: Likely included the 360, 401 CID V8 engines, providing high torque for police pursuits.

The Ambassador was used by many police departments, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), which needed powerful, full-size patrol cars for highway and city duty.

---

1972 AMC Matador Police Package

The AMC Matador was a slightly smaller, more maneuverable police vehicle, featuring:

• Wheelbase: 118 inches
• Length: 206.05 inches
• Width: 77.24 inches
• Trunk Capacity: 18.2 cubic feet
• Turning Circle Diameter: 39 feet
• Engine Options: Similar to the Ambassador, the Matador could be equipped with 360, 401 CID V8 engines for high-speed pursuits.

The Matador became more widely used by police departments across the U.S., especially in city patrol roles. It gained significant recognition when the LAPD adopted it as their primary patrol car from 1972 to 1975.

---

Performance & Legacy

Both AMC police cars were known for:

• Powerful V8 engines suitable for high-speed pursuits.
• Spacious interiors accommodating police equipment.
• Durability & reliability under tough patrol conditions.

The Matador, in particular, gained a strong reputation and was even featured in various TV shows and movies depicting law enforcement. By the late 1970s, however, AMC faced stiff competition from Ford and Chevrolet, leading to a decline in AMC's police vehicle sales.

Child Safety

From the 1961 Sears Catalog: Auto Strap for front-seat tots.

 

My generation is further evidence of the Survival of the Fittest…..