As we celebrate the holidays, most Americans say they can’t wait to see 2025 in the rearview mirror.

Little wonder. All across the nation, millions of Americans are mired in a deep economic funk. Nearly half of adults say they are struggling financially, with a large majority describing the country as going in the wrong direction. They also express the opinion that they have never seen their country this divided.

With Christmas just weeks away, most of us are caught up in the pre-holiday hustle and bustle. That means shopping for the perfect gift, a skill I have never managed to master.

Isn’t it wonderful that the holiday season begins with Thanksgiving? I like the idea of looking around your life and finding things you are thankful for. Now is the perfect time to make a list. You don’t need to share it at the turkey table, but I hope you do. I’ll share mine to get you started.

I like to think I’m not resistant to change, because it can make life better. However, this past year may well do me in. As if what’s happening (or not happening) on the political side isn’t distressing enough, along comes artificial intelligence.

As a kid growing up on our dairy farm, October was my favorite month. It was high harvest season. After-school hours and weekends were filled with hard physical labor that seemed more palatable when working in the cool, crisp fall days. I remember watching my father tour the farm buildings every year around Halloween.