Through the Keyhole - July 2026

Through the Keyhole JULY 2026 Take a break from your day... Not your typical company OR newsletter "A tiny, beautiful 1907 covered bridge connecting two buildings over a narrow alley. It looks like something from a movie but most people walk right past it. Do you know what city this skybridge is located?"   Can you guess the location? Happy 4th of July!  250 years...not bad. Two hundred and fifty years ago, a ragtag bunch of colonists looked at the most powerful empire on Earth and said, “Nah, we’re good.” They signed a Declaration that told King George exactly where he could stick his taxes, then backed it up with muskets, grit, and an unshakeable belief that governments exist to serve the people—not the other way around. On July 4, 2026, the United States hits its Semiquincentennial, and if the Founders could see us now, they’d probably need a stiff drink… followed by a standing ovation for the American people.   Because let’s be honest: the people still show up. We innovate, we rebuild after hurricanes and recessions, we invent the internet and the cheeseburger, we argue at Thanksgiving dinner then pass the gravy anyway. We cross oceans to fight tyranny and cross neighborhoods to help neighbors. We turn deserts into farms, ideas into industries, and underdogs into legends. That stubborn, optimistic, can-do spirit? That’s the real America. The one that doesn’t need permission from Washington to be great.   Now, the politicians? Oh boy.   While the rest of us are out here grinding, many of them have perfected the art of looking extremely busy while accomplishing almost nothing. They campaign like revolutionaries—“This is your country!”—then govern like they’ve got lifetime appointments to some exclusive club we’re not invited to. Red team, blue team, same country club. They’ll spend weeks grandstanding over issues that could be solved in an afternoon if anyone actually wanted them solved. They print money like it’s confetti, lecture us about sacrifice while padding their own pensions, and somehow always land on their feet no matter how spectacularly they fail the rest of us.   It’s almost impressive. If only they channeled that energy into, you know, representing the people who pay their salaries.   But here’s the beautiful, tongue-in-cheek truth on our 250th: the Founders designed the system with exactly these characters in mind. They didn’t trust concentrated power, which is why they gave us elections, the Second Amendment, free speech, and enough checks and balances to drive any self-respecting tyrant (or career politician) up the wall. They knew government would always try to grow, and that eternal vigilance would be required. Turns out they were right.   So as we fire up the grills, fly the flags, and watch the fireworks in 2026, let’s raise a toast: to the Republic, if we can keep it. To the mechanics, teachers, entrepreneurs, soldiers, nurses, truckers, and dreamers who make this country run while the suits argue on cable news. To liberty, messy as it is. And to the next 250 years—may we remember that America isn’t Washington, D.C. America is us.   The politicians will keep doing what they do. We’ll keep doing what we’ve always done: working, creating, pushing forward, and occasionally reminding those in power that this experiment still belongs to the people.   Happy 250th, America. You’re still the greatest show on Earth—and the wildest, most stubborn bet on human freedom ever placed. Let’s keep proving the skeptics wrong. Small Business as a TARGET... Hackers are increasingly going after small businesses because we often have valuable customer data but weaker defenses than big corporations. Many of us run on outdated software, simple passwords, or limited IT resources, making us easy targets for ransomware, phishing scams, and other attacks. One successful breach can shut down operations, drain your bank account with ransom demands, damage your reputation, and even put you out of business.   That's why having a good partner, a competent MSP (Managed Service Provider) as your technology is so critical. Instead of trying to handle cybersecurity yourself while running your business, you get a team of pros watching your systems 24/7, catching threats early, keeping everything updated, and responding fast when something does slip through. They handle the complex stuff—like secure backups, email protection, and compliance—so you don't have to.   Bottom line: In today's world, going it alone with tech is risky and expensive. A good MSP isn't just an IT fix—it's smart protection that lets you focus on growing your business with peace of mind.   And we do thank you for your business...from the bottom of our hearts. Guess the Location Game Last month the winner of the guess the location game was Tiffany McMorrow who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING! ANSWER: Spanish Steps ROME, ITALY "Between a fountain's whisper and a hilltop sanctuary, a famous ascent awaits. A foreign title masks a Romanesque climb, watched over by church and square alike. Someplace they say you have to see..."  The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) in Rome are one of the city’s most iconic and photogenic landmarks: a grand, sweeping Baroque staircase of 135 travertine steps that dramatically connects Piazza di Spagna at the base to the Trinità dei Monti church at the top.   Despite the name, they are not Spanish in origin. They were designed by Italian architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi, funded by a French diplomat, and built to link a French church with a square long associated with the Spanish Embassy.   The idea of a monumental staircase here dates back to the late 16th century. Pope Gregory XIII showed interest in improving access to the recently completed Trinità dei Monti church (built 1502–1587 under French patronage, specifically the Bourbon kings). The church sits atop a steep slope on the Pincian Hill.   The steps were inaugurated as a symbol of harmony between France and Spain (and the papacy), bridging the French-owned church above with the Piazza di Spagna below. The square took its name from the Palazzo di Spagna, home to the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See since the 17th century. Over time, the staircase inherited the “Spanish” moniker from the piazza, even though French money and Italian design drove it. Its official Italian name remains Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti.   The staircase is a Rococo-Baroque masterpiece with 12 ramps and landings that create a graceful, theatrical ascent. It widens and narrows elegantly, offering changing perspectives as you climb. At the base lies the Barcaccia Fountain (“ugly boat”), a clever Bernini-designed (or attributed to his father Pietro) fountain inspired by a boat stranded in the Piazza during the 1598 Tiber flood. Its low profile and subtle water jets were practical solutions to low water pressure.   The steps remain a major tourist draw and people-watching spot, though rules have tightened. Sitting, eating, or lingering excessively is restricted or banned in places to prevent damage and overcrowding, with fines possible. There have even been occasional diplomatic spats over maintenance and ownership between France (tied to the church) and Italy.   They represent a beautiful convergence of European powers, artistic ambition, and Roman ingenuity—a stairway that literally and figuratively bridges history, nations, and eras in the Eternal City. Whether you climb them at dawn for quiet views, people-watch in the bustling square, or simply soak in the atmosphere, the Spanish Steps embody Rome’s layered, cosmopolitan charm.    ~ 2 minutes If you can't be there, this guy does a good job showing you...~18 minutes   With a Tour Guide... ~7 minutes Well this is Random... Come for the World Cup...Stay for the Food. ~2 minutes Scotland takes over Fenway Park.  ~ 10 minutes The Fisherman. A small boat pulled up to the dock in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist jumped out and complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish.   "How long did it take you to catch them?" the American asked.   "Not very long," the Mexican replied.   "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" the American asked.   The Mexican explained that this was enough to meet his family's needs.   The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"   The fisherman replied, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my friends. I have a full and busy life."   The American scoffed, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds, then buy a fleet of boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. Then you could leave this little village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York City, where you would run your expanding enterprise."   The Mexican fisherman asked, "But how long would this all take?"   The American replied, "15 to 20 years."   "But what then?" asked the fisherman.   The American laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions."   "Millions? Then what?"   The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal village where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play guitar with your friends."   The Mexican fisherman smiled, thought for a moment, and replied:   "Why would I need to wait 15 to 20 years for that?"   Just for FUN... Europeans SHOCKED at the REAL USA...  ~ 12 minutes Edgy. More Edgy Stuff... Oven Slow-Cooked Baby Back Ribs Ingredients (serves 4) 2–2½ lbs baby back pork ribs (1–2 racks) 1–2 tbsp olive oil or mustard (to help rub stick) Dry Rub (mix together): ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tsp smoked paprika 1–2 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder ½–1 tsp chili powder or cayenne (optional, for heat) Your favorite BBQ sauce (about 1–1½ cups)    Directions Preheat oven to 275°F (low and slow is the secret). Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs (slide a knife under it and pull—it makes them much more tender). Pat ribs dry, rub with a little oil or mustard, then generously coat both sides with the dry rub. Let sit 15–30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge for more flavor). Wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil (meat side up). Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 2½ to 3½ hours until very tender (meat pulls away from bones easily). Carefully unwrap, brush generously with BBQ sauce, and broil on high for 3–5 minutes (or finish on a hot grill) until the sauce caramelizes and gets sticky. Watch closely to avoid burning. These come out incredibly juicy and tender with minimal effort.     All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 210 S. Milwaukee Ave. Wheeling, IL 60090 USA