CRITICAL THINKING

The Impact of Heuristics, the Bandwagon Effect, and the Dunning-Kruger Effect on Our Thinking In today’s information-packed world, understanding the psychological factors that influence our decision-making is crucial. Let’s explore three key concepts that can affect how we think and make decisions:

1. Heuristics: Mental Shortcuts That Can Mislead Us What It Is: Heuristics are mental shortcuts that help us make quick decisions. They save time but can sometimes lead to errors.

ME AND THE Q

My history When I was 17 years old, my friend Dale called me and asked if I wanted to work that evening. I had a job… kinda. I was working at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) but what the heck. So, I drove over the Lupton’s Fat Man’s BBQ on 30th Street. Starting out as a bus boy which included overseeing the salad bar, I learned a good many things.

JACK'S BIRTHDAY

My son turns 20 today, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I recognize the inevitability of him spreading his wings. Being independent. Eventually, not needing to rely on his daddy. WHERE DOES THE TIME GO? Can’t help feeling very sentimental knowing Jack is no longer a teenager. I guess, as parents, if we do our jobs correctly and have a little luck, we are working toward our own obsolescence.

JACK E. GRIFFIN

Remembering Dad When I was 20 years old, my granddad (we called him Papa) passed away. He was 92 years old. He was the father of seven and had been married 62 years until my Grandma Griffin had passed two years prior. My dad, Jack, was the youngest of the Griffin kids. During the graveside service, it seemed like there were well over one hundred people in attendance. I knew most of the onlookers because the family get-togethers were a gracious plenty to use a grandma phrase and with six sets of aunts and uncles and all of my first cousins.

GRANDMA IVEY

Grandma Ivey Chantel’s and my grandmother passed away last night. While sad, this life was a stepping stone and she is now with the Lord. While on this earth, she instilled in me such pride. She was born in Tampa in March 1917. While most families may have a couple generations in this area, my grandmother wasn’t even the first Tampa native. Her mother, Edna Miley, was born in the Dade City hotel in 1884.

OUR WEDDING

DeeDee and I decided long ago that a traditional wedding was not the approach we wanted to take. We both agreed that Chantel and Mike’s (my sister and her husband) wedding was more to our liking. Chantel and Mike got married at Circles Bistro in South Tampa. A friend married them. The food was excellent and the cake was from Wright’s Gourmet in South Tampa. Like Chantel and Mike, we decided to check out some restaurants that we enjoy including Gino’s, Tio Pepe in Clearwater, the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor and a few others.

BBQ SAUCE

Barbecue Sauce As you know, I love BBQ. Here is a sauce recipe. The simple sauce is for my friends and family who do not enjoy heat while partaking in some delicious BBQ. The Spicier sauce is more for the ladies and gents that like a little more kick to their BBQ experience. Simple Sauce 1 1/2 cups of ketchup 1 cup of apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup of soy sauce 1 cup of packed dark brown sugar 2 Tablespoons of chili powder 2 cloves of minced garlic 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil 3 slices of oranges NOTE: I use a sauce pan, put the first two ingredients (ketchup and cider vinegar) and then put the pan on low while I add and mix the rest of the ingredients.

ORANGE DREAM PIE

Orange Dream Pie INGREDIENTS 1 8-ounce package of Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Butter Cookies 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 12-ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided 1 1/4 or so cups of orange curd (see recipe below) 2 teaspoons grated orange rind 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice INSTRUCTIONS Stir together cookie crumbs and butter; press evenly in bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pieplate.

POUND CAKE

Mom’s Pound Cake INGREDIENTS 3 cups all-purpose flour 3 cups sugar 5 eggs 3 sticks butter (or margarine) 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 tsp lemon extract 1 cup milk DIRECTIONS Mix wet ingredients Mix in sugar Gradually mix in flour Bake at 325 degrees for one hour or until done. Notes: I would use a greased tube pan for this.