Thoughts for the Day, April 1, 2026: Six years and counting

Thoughts for the Day-Six years and counting

Six years ago on April 1, 2020, I posted my first blog. I had no idea what I was doing, but since I was bored because of the covid quarantine, I thought I would give it a try.

As I look back on those blogs, I cannot believe how bad they were. The grammar and proofreading were terrible. Over time, I learned some important tricks like writing on Microsoft Word and using all the tools Microsoft has to offer before I copy and paste it to the blog. This simple act was a game changer for me.

For the first five years, I struggled with reaching people. It turns out the platform I was using was antiquated. When Substack emerged a couple of years ago, I quickly jumped on board and the activity jumped immediately.

As of today, there are over 200 subscribers, of which 65-70% open the blog on any given day. Each blog is averaging close to 350 views because of Facebook, LinkedIn, and being shared by viewers and subscribers.

I have learned that publishing the blog on Monday and Wednesday works best for me. Anything more, I find it becomes a burden and a chore. I also find that mentally I need a break each week. The current atmosphere in this country wears on me when I get too deep into it.

God willing, I plan on continuing the blog as long as it remains fun and stimulating.

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Do as I say, not as I do

Once again, President Trump is trying to curb the use of mail-in-ballots even though he just used it to vote in a recent Florida election.

From The Guardian: Donald Trump has signed an executive order instructing his administration to create a national voter file and curb the use of mail-in ballots, in an unprecedented move that is probably unconstitutional.

The order directs the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Social Security Administration to draw up a list of verified US citizens who can vote in each state. It also directs the United States Postal Service (USPS) to develop a process that would require states to notify it of voters who want to vote by mail and ban them from receiving a ballot unless they are on a USPS-approved list of eligible voters. As well as being probably unconstitutional, the plan appears unworkable for practical reasons.

• What does research on voter fraud show? Repeated studies and investigations have shown there is no widespread voter fraud, including fraud through mail-in voting. Trump has repeatedly spread misinformation about voter fraud.

• Why is it probably unconstitutional? The constitution explicitly authorizes states to set election rules, giving the president no authority over elections.

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Thank you President Trump.

From multiple sources: Average US fuel prices have exceeded $4 a gallon for the first time in four years, burdening drivers with steep costs as Trump’s war on Iran continues to cause oil prices to surge. The average reached almost $4.02 on Tuesday, according to AAA data, capping an extraordinary rise from $2.98 just a month ago.

Air travelers are paying the price for airlines’ surging fuel costs.

Airlines are raising fares, adding baggage fees and dialing back routes as they try to cover the skyrocketing costs of jet fuel, which is among the biggest expenses that airlines face.

Starting in Europe and Asia and now moving to the U.S., airlines have been slapping new fuel-related fees on tickets. Air France-KLM hiked its fuel surcharge on certain routes, while Cathay Pacific Airways said it would boost its fuel fee by even more this week. Starting April 1, a new add-on fee of $200 will be charged, up from the $149 customers paid in March, according to Cathay’s website.

JetBlue Airways said earlier this week that it was starting to charge more for bags, with many routes during peak periods costing $49, up from $40. And some requests to check bags within 24-hours of travel will now cost $59.

This is a self-inflicted wound caused by an ill-conceived attack on a foreign country. How long are Americans going to tolerate this increase in the price of gasoline? This is my Question of the Day.

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To those who participated in the No Kings marches on Saturday

As We Marched

I imagined every step a step toward integrity,

toward justice. Toward language that respects

diversity. Every step a step toward equality. Truth.

I imagined every step one step closer to peace

in our country, toward peace in the world.

I am old enough to not believe in arrivals,

I am fool enough to believe in love.

I am human enough to believe in community.

I am scientist enough to know we need each other.

Perhaps some part of me wondered what good it did

for a few hundred people in a remote mountain town

to walk together a few blocks, chanting, then walk

back to the courthouse again, but tonight, in my body,

I feel it, the trust in humanity that rises when I think

of how we gathered and drummed and believed

in what our country can be. My heart beats

a new rhythm in time with belonging.

“This is what democracy looks like.”

Tonight, after we’ve all gone home,

I know we’re all still marching.

—Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

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Contact your Congressperson

Contact your congressman by following these easy steps This can be done in a few easy steps.

Step 1: find your congressman by clicking on this link, Find Your Representative | house.gov

Step 2: Put your zip code in the proper space.

Step 3: Click the button “find your representative””

Step 4: In the new page that comes up you will see a picture of your congressman. Click on your congressman’s name under the picture.

Step 5: In the new page that comes up, Click on Contact Me at the top of the page and then click on Email me.

Step 6: Fill out the information as required.

Quote of the Day: “When you’ve sold your soul, selling people is a bonus. Somehow people who worship money forget that 1. they will die 2. they can’t take the money with them and 3. they can’t come back and check on it!” A subscriber in response to Monday’s Thoughts for the Day article titled Selling Humans?

Orchid of the Day: The Detroit Pistons, who clinched the Central Division championship with their win last night over Toronto. It is their first division title since 2008.

Onion of the Day: The Detroit Tigers, who blew a four-run lead to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday by allowing the D-backs to score six runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. When the relief pitchers fail to throw strikes, bad things happen.

Question of the Day: The war in Iran is taking its toll on American’s pocketbook. How much will American’s tolerate paying for a war that most Americans do not support?

Lyrics of the Day:

Got out of town on a boat goin’ to Southern islands
Sailing a reach before a followin’ sea She was makin’ for the trades on the outside And the downhill run to Papeete…

Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me larger voices callin’
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

(Around the world) I have been around the world
(Lookin’) Lookin’ for that woman girl
(Who knows she knows) Who knows love can endure
And you know it will

Lyrics of the Day for March 27, 2026. One Shining Moment by David Barrett of Ann Arboer. Ironically, he wrote the song after finishing a set while performing in a bar in East Lansing. Between sets Larry Bird was playing on television, and Barrett wrote the song on a napkin. He created a demo tape, shared it with a friend who had some connections with CBS. CBS loved it and played it at the end of the NCAA championship game in 1987. It was so well received, it has been played at the end of every NCAA men’s basketball championship since.

Video of the Day: Crosby Stills Nash - Southern Cross

I write reflective, opinionated essays on leadership, politics, sports, and life—grounded in experience rather than ideology. If this perspective resonates with you, you can subscribe here for free.