WELL ..... On to 24, eh? It seems the older I get the harder I have to try to NOT fall into regurgitationg the same old BLAH BLAH BLAH that One typically aludes to at this time of year, you know? Or maybe its me; Ya its probably definitely me!

I found myself, oddly enough, sitting in a booth at a Carl Junior's (which is like ... Hardee's Resturant, right? Like when Hardee's was in first or second grade kind ok...right?? I know, it IS weird!). So there I was waiting on my pal who was traveling with me that day... who was in the Men's Necessary at that moment, as well s almost 25 more moments after that one. With little else top do i sort of turned me ear towards the young Farming couple in the booth beyond me few feet and listened in as they started discussing how tough a year 2023 had been on them.

Suffice it to say, they certainly had a tougher year than I did from what I heard. Sadly, I couldnt shake the feeling that perhaps 2023 mioght have been just a wee bit more bearable had the "Welcome to the Mike" podcast been back up and running then...
All we can do is move upwards and onwards from here though. Therefore, this is our resolution.... to 'Exist' throughout 2024!

And so we shall!

Welcome to 2024 !!! This is kind of a short half-episode which i hemmed and hawed about doing but obviously I felt i ought to do it so here it is. While trying NOT to make a big deal out of this I felt I should let folks know that I have a particular health issue which, among many other more serious problems, this particular issue needed a bit of explaining so whether Right, Wrong, or Indifferent.... There it is! its out there!

Currently dipping my toe in the frigid waters of Facebook with the aim tpo start up a WttM Page so we can engage with anyone willing top send a text or email!! More on that coming up!
Please Like and Share!!!

Mike

We're back, and we brought some personal tales from our hiatus to share with you. From standing on the frontlines of food insecurity as employees in a food bank to grappling with our own financial setbacks, the pandemic has left an indelible mark on our lives. We also discuss the impact of COVID-19 on our communities, shedding light on its exacerbation of food insecurity and the crucial role of local food banks.

Switching gears, we take you on a thought-provoking journey through the streets of small towns in Virginia, showing you the stark class contrasts and the impact of corporations like Walmart on local economies. As we illustrate the struggles faced by these towns, we turn to a lighter note, dissecting the recent Black Friday trends, the surprising evolution of the Ninja brand, and the historical roles of samurais and ninjas in Japan.

As we round off, We talk about the unique culture, the complexities of Japanese addresses, and the significance of the emperor's symbol. Wrapping up, we reflect on our successful remote recording during these challenging times and reiterate the importance of supporting local food banks. Join us, enjoy the conversation, and remember: wherever you are, you can make a difference.