Over the last few years, I really took interest in trying to learn as much as I could from my Dad. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough time in a day to acquire the expertise of a Master in his own domain. In retrospect, an individual has to develop a desire to want to learn while committing the time and effort to see the lessons come to fruition.

This past weekend, I decided to take some of the lessons learned and apply them to make prosciutto for the first time. I purchased the leg of kosher pork and followed some YouTube videos on how to prepare it. As my Mother and I took on the challenge, we conversed.

My Dad always complained about his knee and the poor guy experienced a lot of unnecessary pain due to a botched surgery. Nonetheless, I must have had sympathy pains, as my right knee was killing me. Once we completed the prep job for the prosciutto, we headed upstairs to have an espresso. As I waited patiently, my phone fell onto the floor as I was letting my Mom know about the terrible pain in my knee. I was grateful that I didn’t go to my Yoga class.

When I picked up my phone, it displayed a message. I pressed play and the message was the voice of my Father asking me about my knee and telling me to take care of myself. I can’t make this stuff up because it’s real. My Mother and I just looked at each other bringing tears to our eyes. It was freakish as if he was listening to our conversation.

Click below;

https://www.kapwing.com/videos/63c8629c2c9d4e0011864c3f

Speaking about messages from another realm, it seems surreal how markets continue to get pulverized. The new year started with hope and optimism but quickly dissipated with disappointments. There are no exceptions as American Retail Sales were down <1.1%> in December vs an expected drop of <0.8%>.  As a result, the USD Index plummeted toward the 101.50 level sending the currencies and Precious metals soaring. The Cad$ on the other hand lagged behind despite the surge in Oil above the $82.50/B level.

The main focus of Central Bankers is trying to control Inflation. The method incorporated to reduce this madness is by imposing higher interest rates. This has been applied exponentially in a consorted effort globally. The intention is to curb spending but the reality is, if governments do not manage their own spending, nothing can be done to curb the evil among us.

Here is an illusion the Product Producer Index (PPI) a measurement of Inflation slips to an annualized rate of 6.2% in December from the previous (7.3%) a year earlier. Bravo, you might say to yourself but the real question is at what cost? The game of numbers is merely a false impression, and the impact on people is severe. The variables can change but the ones that impact people most remain constant. Have you purchased a head of lettuce lately, Romain lettuce (3), $8.99/pack?  If one doesn’t have the financial means to cope, they will fall into a spiral of debt which the majority don’t pay attention to. The availability of credit at exuberant rates is made very simple to access especially for the most vulnerable in society.

Yesterday, the stock market lost another <600> basis points while today’s Pre-market is losing another 200 bp’s before the open. The USD Index regains the 102.40 level as fear sets in. Further, USA Housing Starts were down 1.4% while Building Permits fell 1.6% in December. Jobless Claims are lower at 190K vs the expected 214K, the previous (205K). Lastly, Philly Fed Mfg comes in at <-8.9%> vs the expected <-11%>.  The markets looked toward a flight to safety as we witnessed a surge in USD. It is a false prophet that is losing its’ appeal.

If I were a betting man, it seems to me that the safety of the USD is merely an illusion. Precious Metals will be the barometer for the USD. The expectations are for an overall weaker USD as the interest rate cycle winds down. Volatility will remain consistent. The Canadian dollar as the example dropped from the 0.75 cent level and within minutes slid toward the 0.74 cent level. Oil has now given up all its recent gains and slips below the $80/B level.