The Old Main Street Bridge

The Old Main Street bridge in Cambridge Ontario. On the bridge there was affixed A bronze plaque which noted the date of construction as being in the 1930s.

When I read the plaque it made me think of those workers in the middle of the Great Depression, they must have been very grateful for the work. I see it as a case of public money being spent on the public good.

The old bridge has served the town for many years. I couldn't even guess at how many times I've crossed it, on foot, by bicycle, or in car. And now that we are on the edge of another economic hard time, the workers who are repairing it must be happy for the work, A little certainty for them, at least for the duration of the project.

To see the rehabilitation of this bridge makes me happy, happy to see public money being spent on public good.

A Good Story

My brain is an imperfect tool for the task of recollection. It's a flawed organ. Though it can usually be well trusted, sometimes it leaves things out, looses bits and pieces of detail. Sometimes, I'm afraid that it picks up random memories or imaginings and places them in the wrong place or order. I mention this not as a warning or disclaimer, but just as a statement of fact.

The truth is a great thing, a liberating thing, but it should never be allowed to stand in the way of a good story.

Retirement Shavings

"Stay the course", "Invest with discipline", " You're in this for the long term" .

I believed that which I was told.
I bought that which I was sold.

There now is nothing upon which to draw.
for all my gold has turned to straw.

I am entering my life's winter,
with no wood for fuel.
I blame no one but myself ,for trusting like a fool.

I don't think mutual funds are the best way to save for retirement, hugely promoted by all financial institutions, most people, myself included, are heavily invested in them. Roughly 90 percent of my retirement savings are in mutual funds. Now we have a financial meltdown and peoples' portfolios are slashed in half. All this is not without precedent. The last century has been host to a number of these downward events. If I had followed two simple rules, I would be much wealthier.

1: Save ten percent of my income.

2: Invest only in what I truly understand.

Oh well maybe in my next life.