"Watching hard rain knowing real show is coming" by: Mike Reddell

   I’m writing this late Saturday afternoon, watching the last of a hard rain come down  Already at this point, we’re under a hurricane warning.   But looking a weather radar for Bay City, it’s hard to tell whether this rain was outer bands or some other inland system.

"Hurricane season serves up a variety of reminders" by: Jessica Shepard

   If you’ve lived on the Texas coast for long enough, you figure out which hurricanes you can ride out, when it’s better to prepare to the best of one’s ability, and when to evacuate.  The last time we evacuated the Reddell homestead was for Hurricane Harvey in 2017 – a category 4 storm.

"Hopefully we will dodge another financial calamity" by: John Sample

   I am beyond grateful for the stock market of late.    In my real world, I have suffered an accident resulting in double digit stitches, fires and floods in New Mexico, and now a possible hurricane.    Just waiting for the locust to swarm.

PSA: How strong is your emergency fund?

   You can’t predict financial emergencies - but you can prepare for them.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ thrives on nostalgia, comedy" by: Jessica Shepard

   My siblings and I grew up on the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise and once I saw the trailer for the long-awaited fourth installment, I knew it was going to be my movie review for this week.

‘Constructive Responder 101’

   We can all benefit from constructive criticism.    Without the adjective constructive, criticism can open a flood gate to anger and defensiveness in our professional and personal relationships.    So how do we handle critical people and sidestep messy fights?

"Recalling the all-star lineup of past 4th of July holidays" by: Mike Reddell

   Independence Days in my life are like Christmases past.  Except most 4th of July holidays have involved fireworks and most Christmas days center on presents and Yuletide wrapping.  And, in my life, both holidays have overwhelmingly been about families.

"Observing Independence Day has summer nostalgia resurfacing" by: Jessica Shepard

   Did you know the last time we published a paper on Independence Day was in 2019?  While I just think that’s an interesting tidbit, it also serves to add more nostalgic daydreaming to my Monday afternoon.

"It really is summer and I haven’t done one thing yet" by: John Sample

   We have moved into the second half of the year.    The second quarter was in fact a good one for the various averages and indexes.   The adage about sell in May was a complete bust with the likes of Nvidia pulling the markets along up to record levels.

PSA: Talk to your family about wealth transfer

   If you’re anticipating an inheritance, you may want to talk about it with your parents or other family members - because early, open communication will benefit everyone involved.  Many people are reluctant to have these conversations.