Having entered the September of my years as Frank Sinatra sings, or the 4th quarter of life as some others have less charitably put it, reminds one of the importance of taking inventory and adjusting at the close of each year.

Like most folks, I have a wide spectrum of friends.

As fall temperatures dip, and this endemic, former COVID19 pandemic and flu season again make their presence known, I am reminded of two life maxims for this time of pumpkin spice and the holidays.

Instead of penning something for Santa this year, I thought I might instead try to leave a note for Elon Musk, Genius and Budget Cutter in Chief, for helping another jolly man with a big round belly....though perhaps better known for keeping an enemies list than for checking things twice.

While I never really viewed our large, multi-generational, predominantly Irish-Catholic family as the Norman Rockwell portrait at Thanksgiving, as a child I always enjoyed the often raucous gatherings and holiday gorge-festivities, four generations deep, that were our Thanksgiving, Christmas and occasionally Easter holiday gatherings.

Four years ago, at about this same time, I was repeatedly telling many of my Trump supporting, GOP and conspiracy leaning friends... PLEASE stop this Stop the Steal crap.

Our Founding Fathers were certainly not perfect.

This is my 7th presidential election cycle, and 25th year of providing political analysis and commentary.