THE FATHER BLOG

Answer as always: it depends.

Deke has curly and kinky poodle -like hair which is prone to matting. However, he loves getting brushed and I don’t have much trouble keeping him looking nice.

Delaney has velvety smooth hair but getting her to sit still for brushing is like a damn Olympic event. She likes it but she rolls all over, tries to bite the brush, etc.

Bottom line for dogs who have hair that grows vs dogs with short hair/fur that doesn’t: it’s about every 4-8 weeks.

Deke got his haircut and grooming a week or so ago. He hops into the mobile grooming truck and a couple hours later he looks great. Delaney has to have hers done at the groomer attached to the vet office and go through “Chill Protocol” which is a nice way of saying we need to drug the hell outta her to make her grooming even remotely possible. Hopefully as she gets older and more mature, she will calm down and start to embrace the pampering.

Here is a “before and after” of Delaney.

What a coincidence that St. Patty’s Day falls on a Booze Tuesday blog day. Are you celebrating tonight…or all day? Let me know if you do anything special for today.

We will be hosting our 22nd annual St. Patty’s Day party this weekend. It is quite possibly my favorite day of the year. What’s better than great drink, food, music, and friends all day while I get to stand behind my bar and pour pint after pint of Guinness for friends and family? Everyone is happy, in a great mood, and since many of the guys bring the whole family, it’s a great opportunity to see the wives and children we don’t often see.

What started 22 years ago before Mary and I were even married continues on and hopefully will for many years to come!

So the kegs of Guinness are in the kegerator. The whiskey is set on the shelves. Corned beef is piling up in the fridge (I think Mary is making 6 or 7 this year). We have a few more things to prep before Saturday but we can’t wait!

So enjoy the day! Slainte!

The price of a barrel is $100…now it’s $95…oh wait…now it’s $110! What does all this have such an affect on the stock market?

It has everything to do with certain sectors of the market. Do your due diligence once again…this actually isn’t rocket science.

Here is a quick little reference guide:

The price of oil has a big influence on the stock market because oil is one of the most important inputs in the global economy. When oil prices move, they affect company costs, consumer spending, inflation, and economic growth. Here are the main reasons:

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1. Company Costs

Many companies rely heavily on oil or fuel.

Examples:

• Airlines like Delta Air Lines
• Shipping companies like FedEx
• Manufacturers like Ford Motor Company

When oil prices rise:

• Fuel and transportation costs go up
• Company profits shrink
• Their stock prices can fall 📉

When oil prices fall:

• Operating costs drop
• Profit margins improve
• Stocks may rise 📈

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2. Consumer Spending

Higher oil prices usually mean higher gasoline prices.

If people spend more at the pump:

• They have less money for other things
• Retail, travel, and entertainment companies may suffer

Example companies affected:

• Walmart
• Amazon

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3. Inflation and Interest Rates

Oil prices affect inflation because energy is used in almost everything:

• transportation
• manufacturing
• food production

If oil rises sharply:

• inflation increases
• the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates

Higher interest rates often push stock markets lower.

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4. Energy Sector Stocks

Some stocks move with oil prices.

Oil companies often rise when oil rises, for example:

• ExxonMobil
• Chevron Corporation
• ConocoPhillips

These companies make more profit when oil prices are higher.

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5. Signal of Global Economic Health

Oil demand reflects how strong the global economy is.

• Rising oil demand → strong economy → bullish stocks
• Falling demand → economic slowdown → bearish stocks