What is "rich" or "wealthy"?

We all think we know what wealth is, but sometimes the "obvious" misses the mark.

Asking "what is wealth?" seems needless because we all know what wealth is: never having to work again, endless leisure, endless consumption of the "good things of life," being waited on hand and foot, luxurious belongings, vehicles and homes, a life of travel and sport, trust funds, stacks of secure gold, and so on.

All this is "obvious," but is that certainty illusory? There are many people with $2 million in net worth, a significant number with $20 million, and more than a few with $200 million. All would be considered wealthy by the average household earning $63,000 annually with a total net worth of less than $100,000, not to mention the 61 million American wage-earners who pull down less than $20,000 a year who own negligible net worth.

Those with a mere $2 million may not reckon themselves wealthy, if their eyes are fixed on those with $20 million. But if a wealthy person suddenly discovers they are riddled with fast-growing cancer, then they quickly lose interest in financial wealth except in terms of what medical treatment it can buy.

There really isn't much more modern medicine can do for someone worth $200 million than it can for someone worth $2 million; once one's life and health are at risk, then conceptions of "wealth" are drastically reordered: health is wealth, and nothing else matters.

Once lost, health is difficult to restore, and financial wealth is no longer the key metric. The graveyards are full of extremely wealthy people who died "before their time."

A life of leisure may not be all it's cracked up to be, either. Whether it is paid or not, work is the foundation of meaning and identity. Those without work become depressed, those who retire often fade and die, and those with no goals or work ethic become dilettantes who enrich various therapists and pyschiatrists with their ailments and unhappinesses.

It's not just leisure that's wealth, it's control of one's work life.

We might also ask if wealth correlates all that closely with happiness. Judging by the hordes of wealthy people who are drugged-out, alcoholic, and in permanent therapy, we can surmise the correlation is not quite as strong as the "financial wealth is everything" PR would have it.

Thank You Victor Niederhoffer!

 

11/10/2010

Dear Victor,

One day long ago a cane arrived and my very sincerest “thank-you” is in order.  My Dad, my biggest hero nearing age 88, is using your cane every day on the White Earth Indian Reservation where we are members.   Dad loves the cane as it is a step-up from the diamond-willow cane he had used for years and which had been cut in 1937!   I had your cane proudly displayed in my office and when Dad was sitting here he tried it out and hasn’t put it down. 

I am the grandson of two very respectable trappers and was raised on wild, remote Indian reservations across Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.  I put myself through college in the 70’s by trapping fox, coyotes, coon, mink, badger, muskrats and beaver and do business with a number of clients who are active in all facets of the trapping business.  

I had bit of a “view” into your CT home by way of the YouTube videos done by the Asians and wasn’t quite sure how you might display this gift but I think it unique and Aubrey someday may appreciate   what it represents, as the oldest corporation in North America is the Hudson Bay Trading company.

This is a lethal trap so make sure when Aubrey gets a bit older and stronger he brings a healthy dose of respect to what this trap can do.  It is designed for fox and can easily hold coyotes.  It was designed and manufactured by a client, Rob Caven who is part of the team at Minnesota Trapline Products.

If Aubrey ever wants a trapping lesson on canines I would be elated to be his instructor.  Trapping bobcats, fox and coyotes is much easier than taking money out of the market every day.  The reasons why animals get caught never change.   If the Chinese ever decide fur is fashionable again it might even get me back on a trapline in serious pursuit.  Now I trap for the fun, to teach the skills to my sons and to get out and enjoy the bounty of beautiful renewable resources.  I hope the gold overlay will always reflect the brilliance which you share your life’s journey.  Thank you for helping make me a better speculator and catch more in the market. 

Sincerely,

Dean Parisian

SPRING BEAUTY in TN

This is a Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), a common silkmoth species found in Tennessee.

Let’s dive into the details of the Rosy Maple Moth and its presence in Tennessee.

Identification and Characteristics

The Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) is a member of the Saturniidae family, which includes other silkmoths like the Luna moth. It’s easily recognizable by its vibrant and distinctive coloration:

• Wings: The wings display a striking combination of pink and yellow, often with a gradient or patchy pattern, as seen in your image. The forewings are typically more yellow with pink bands, while the hindwings are predominantly pink with some yellow accents.

• Body: The body is covered in fuzzy yellow and pink scales, with feathery antennae that are more pronounced in males.

• Size: This species is relatively small for a silkmoth, with a wingspan of about 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm).

The Rosy Maple Moth’s bright colors make it one of the most visually stunning moths in North America, often described as looking like a piece of candy or a tiny sunset.

Habitat and Distribution in Tennessee

The Rosy Maple Moth is common in Tennessee, which aligns with its broader range across eastern North America, from southern Canada down to Florida and as far west as Texas. In Tennessee:

• Habitat: They are frequently found in deciduous forests, woodlands, and suburban areas where their host plants, particularly maple trees (hence the name), are abundant. Tennessee’s mixed forests, with species like red maple (Acer rubrum) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum), provide an ideal habitat.

• Seasonality: Adults are typically active from late spring to early summer (May to July), though in warmer parts of their range, they may have a second brood in late summer. Since it’s April 25, 2025, you might be seeing an early emergence, possibly influenced by warmer weather trends.

Life Cycle and Behavior

• Larvae: The caterpillars, known as Green-striped Mapleworms, are green with faint white stripes and feed primarily on maple leaves, though they can also use oak leaves. They can sometimes be considered minor pests in large numbers, as they may defoliate small sections of trees, but they’re not a significant threat in Tennessee.

• Adults: Like many silkmoths, adult Rosy Maple Moths do not feed—they lack functional mouthparts and focus solely on reproduction during their short lifespan of about a week or two.

• Behavior: They are primarily nocturnal, often attracted to lights at night, which might be how you encountered this one.


Presence in Tennessee

Tennessee’s diverse ecosystems support a wide variety of moths, and the Rosy Maple Moth is a well-documented species in the state. According to resources like the Tennessee State Parks and the University of Tennessee’s entomology records, Dryocampa rubicunda is a regular sight in areas with maple trees, which are plentiful across the state, from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west. They’re not considered invasive or problematic, and their populations are stable.

Fun Fact

The Rosy Maple Moth’s vivid colors serve as a form of aposematic signaling, warning potential predators of their unpalatability, possibly due to chemicals they sequester from host plants as larvae. Despite their delicate appearance, they’re surprisingly resilient in their natural habitats!

Going in the NIL PORTAL

I am looking to make a winning program top tier, so entering the PORTAL.

Have two years of eligibility left, probably nothing left in the tank after that

Desire starting position on Offense or Defense, prefer Defense

Coaches, please take note:

Highly Coachable

Willing to listen, still learning

No tats, still have lots of short hair, lots of common sense

Will work very hard, can still sprint somewhat

Good balance (yet)

Age: (minor consideration, attitude is everything) 71

Weight: Around 215

Height: Was 5'10" now shrunk to 5' 9"

Speed: Once ran a 10.3 100-yard dash, now quick to the training table

Testosterone Level:   Diminishing

Was unanimous all-conference running back in high school, averaged 7.6 yards per carry

Still hold my HS school record for longest run from scrimmage at 98 yards

Good teammate

No children to support at this time

No felonies or misdemeanors, no court dates to interfere with practice schedule

Am Drug-Free, no bowls of pot, gummies, or joints

Don't stay out late partying

Prefer a program with great eye candy from the sideline bench

Outstanding training table effort in the off-season

Willing to work with the cheerleading squad if needed

Declining appetite, will be a cheap training table expense

Have degrees, classroom work won't interfere with team meetings or practice

Most importantly, have a winning record of high optimism and a positive attitude.

With appreciation...............

You have to be your own man.   Your way.   Your risk profile.

You can't have a lot of success looking to follow.  It's your bottom line, your mirror. 

There are some traders in the stock market that I greatly respect.

They have their own methodology, their own way of doing things.

They wade onto X with honesty, with nothing to sell, nothing to gain.

Winners. 

Respecting risk, deleveraging when needed, respecting EMA's, trendlines, support, and resistance levels.

The last couple of months have tested most investors.  It's not easy or comfortable when net equity is falling faster than lies coming from Pam Bondi.

Today's follow-through action will be met with some downward selling.  

They don't go straight up or straight down.  

Respect the action, define your risk, and cut your losses quickly. 

Over time, the market only goes one way.

  

So you want to hear a lie from the head of the FBI?

KLOWN WORLD, AMERICA STYLE.................

Nicholas Turza

If this lunatic still is employed by the Department of Defense on Friday I will send $1,000 to support James O'Keefe! 

AIBL Chapter of the Year

Congratulations to the UMM Chapter on their Las Vegas awards.