Most of us have attended hundreds if not thousands of meetings in our respective lifetimes.  Whether for school, fun, as an employee or as a volunteer, you typically ease your way into a meaningful role and ideally can be optimally effective.  Some members evolve over a period of time into leadership roles within their groups.  Others are content in remaining foot soldiers to the colonels and generals that tend to run the agenda of a particular campaign.

In 49BC, Julius Caesar rose to become consul and dictator of the Roman Republic.  He was already an accomplished military man with a storied legacy of conquests and successes.  Although typically brutal and ruthless to his adversaries, Caesar had a reputation for also being loyal to his friends and comrades.  With Ancient Rome being then a world of power politics, characterized by perfidy and pragmatism this one personal quality proved to be a fatal flaw.

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If you have ever been to or watched a car race on television, you have seen drivers dash into a pit lane to their designated spaces.  In a matter of a few seconds, a crew of six member’s race over the wall to change tires, refill gas, clean windshields and even offer the driver a drink.  For a two-tire change, the time in the pit can be a fast as five to seven seconds.  Even a four-tire change can be done typically in twelve to sixteen seconds.  Every precious second lost in the pit can literally mean the difference between winning and losing a race.  For example, a ten-second pit stop equates to other cars on the track gaining about ¼ of a mile over a stopped car.

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You have heard it dozens of time.  You have seen it on signs throughout the 13 original colonies.  It is true that his military and political career required many days, weeks and even months away from his primary home at Mount Vernon, Virginia.  However, for 45 years, he spent more nights sleeping at his plantation than any other place including his Presidential residences.

George Washington probably slept very well most nights putting in a hard day’s work.  Not only serving the people of the union, but also as an accomplished farmer. Tobacco was the lead crop produced.  However, because of the poor soil conditions, the plantation had to rotate its crops like wheat and corn to keep ahead of the curve.  Washington himself spent significant time experimenting with different fertilizer mixtures at a manure facility to get optimal yield, come harvest time.    The results were quite impressive as the plantation expanded from 2,000 to 8,000 acres in the 45 years he was its master.  His home ultimately grew from 6 to 21 rooms.  There were also at least 12 outbuildings at its peak for worker’s living quarters, kitchens, stables and greenhouses.

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Many dogs like their masters tend to spend as much time as possible indoors during the winter months in regions known for frigid conditions.   It is very common these dog days of winter seeing man accompanied room to room by his fury friend much of these times.  Whether the main attraction for the weekend is a succulent bone or a hearty soup there is something very comforting about remaining home safe and inside from the wintry elements.   The days seem to slip away so fast; whether it is from sleeping in late or getting caught up with a good book.  Even watching a football game or a classic movie knowing your pet is nearby can take on a special meaning to warm up the coldest of days.

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Julius Caesar could have never envisioned back in 46 BC that the relatively modest celebration he organized to signify the start of his new “Julian Calendar” year would evolve into what it is now.  Ringing in the New Year has been done in so many different ways.  Over 60% of people these days actually watch the festivities from the comfort of their own homes via their television and computers.  Celebrations are wide ranged: they can be simple, quiet, intimate to fancy, romantic, adventurous, wild and everything in between.  Major cites everywhere around the world get into the act too, often in spectacular fashion.  Australia has its light and fireworks show over the Sydney Harbor Bridge.  Vienna plays over its airwaves “The Blue Danube” written by its legendary composer Johann Strauss II for everyone to dance and start anew.  The “Big Ben” clock in London is one of the most famous sounds with its pronounced chiming so vividly marking the transition at the stroke of midnight.  Times Square in New York City with its crystal ball descending 77 feet over the course of a minute hitting the bottom at precisely 12AM is witnessed first hand or via video feed by an estimated 1 billion people locally and abroad.

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In the United States and Europe there are over 85 million trees sold annually for the holiday season.  Over 100,000 people have full or part time jobs related to growing, distributing and disposing of evergreen trees each year.  In the US, this industry alone generates yearly revenues in excess of $1.3 billion dollars.  Oregon has nearly 70,000 acres of its farms devoted and leads the nation in most trees (6.5 million) produced annually.  The most popular evergreens sold are Scotch Pines (40% of market) followed by Douglas Firs (35% of total industry).

Each year tree growers systematically replace cut trees with a new crop of seedlings.  On average, it takes about 7 years for a tree to grow to at least 6 feet in height.  When a cut tree is purchased for the holiday and placed inside a home it also provides its occupants with a burst of new oxygen and a refreshing scent very appealing to most.  Each acre of tree farm produces enough oxygen to meet the daily requirement for 18 people.  These trees also remove dust and pollen to help further clean the air supply.  With over 4.000 tree recycling programs in existence nationwide, 93% of all cut trees are placed back into the environment.  Some are used to make sand as well as creating soil erosion barriers.  Others are placed in ponds to act as fish shelters.

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This time of year, almost everyone tests their willpower in adhering to limits within their daily diets.  Whether it is self-imposed or influenced through a significant force in your life (spouse, significant other, doctor, etc.), managing food limits day-to-day can be stressful too.   Are you having trouble saying NO to a second helping or that tray of holiday cookies?

Many people firmly believe they are most susceptible to weight gain during the holiday season.  However, there is good news here as people on average actually only gain 1-2 pounds each calendar year.   Although the majority of the fluctuation does occur between Thanksgiving and the New Year, it certainly is a relief that the shift is as marginal as this.   There are more than a few who perceive their weight gain is more likely 5 to 10 pounds each holiday season.  Of course, even an extra pound (or two) annually can snowball if you are not careful.  Staying active with walking and regular exercise is beneficial.  Another thing to remember is try to refrain from getting too hungry.  Cravings alone can (literally) get the best of you

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Imagine if deer were domestic creatures and could be trained to stop and look both ways before crossing roads.  How many of the 1.5 million deer related accidents that occur annually nationwide could be then avoided?  Drivers often see deer darting out on roads in greater frequency this time of year.  Heeding warnings to slow down or take alternate routes to lessen the chance of colliding with furry creatures is commendable.  Minimizing travel whenever possible during evening and early morning hours is another way to mitigate such a collision.

The word “collision” is the operative word in this context.  If the car you insure (regardless of who the driver is) collides with a deer you will be the primary insured and the claim will be considered a “comprehensive” (and not a collision) claim.  Comprehensive claims include losses caused by falling objects, fire, windstorm, hail, breakage of glass, and colliding with a bird or animal.  Although these types of claims do not generally have a surcharge associated with them, but they often impact your experience (tier) rating that could result in annual premium increases upon subsequent renewals.

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