A man goes to see his bank manager one day and says: "I'd like to start a small business. How do I go about it?"
"That's simple," replies the bank manager. "All you have to do is buy a big one and wait."

I so enjoy reading these every day--thank you so much, Annie, for starting it, and everyone for contributing!

Haha

Hi jim,

Don't buy a newspaper - Google and Facebook have been sucking away their advertising lifeblood.

Our communities are losing the serious, in-depth, mainly responsible investigation of a variety of issues which they provided and many are concerned that our knowledge of, concern for and discussion of our communities' issues is deteriorating and suffering.

These issues are not only important in a free and democratic society but crucial to its continuing health, and the first thing that a number of recently-hatched dictators have done is to force them and other major news media into subservience or shut 'em down.

Don't buy a small non-chain store, for the increased efficiency and power of the chains made life difficult for them in earlier times ... and now the likes of Amazon, Shopify (did you buy shares last year to more than quadruple your investment?) and their ilk are burying them (with help from covid19).

Very uncertain times - especially for societies where people need to know and respect other people and agencies and be able to discuss issues and work through problems to solutions in order to function.

Good wishes as you plan and work toward implementing your responsibilities in this society and culture that has been so dear to us.

ole joyful

Olychick, I can relate to the cat on the cake! :-D

Joyful -- Great points. Thank you!