Contemplating the Legacy of Pope Francis

 

I was a child of the 1960’s, Vatican 2, the Vietnam war, the women’s movement, a shift in the fabric of American society. 

Priests and nuns left the Catholic Church. I attended a Catholic elementary school across the street from our house. The church and the convent were the street from our house.

I was a theological rebel. I attended Catholic elementary school and asked inconvenient questions- even at the age of 6. That was an indication of things to come. My childhood transitioned from the Latin mass to post Vatican 2 services. 

By the time I escaped my childhood, I rebelled and eschewed the  church of my youth. I still struggle with the history of the Catholic Church and the hypocrisy of the leaders. I’ve not completely abandoned the faith of my youth; however,  I’ve questioned the belief system and cannot understand why the Church leaders turn a blind eye towards modernity. 

There is something about the spiritual experience of sitting in a beautiful church built by the faithful over centuries. Attending a Mass at Notre Dame de Paris, St Peter’s, or a tiny Church in Tien Mu Taiwan  alters one’s perception. 

Despite my questions, I cannot completely abandon the Catholic church of my youth. There is something there. I’m not sure what it is; but I believe there is a higher power we must embrace. 

America Thrived for 150 Years Without A Safety Net

 

This photograph depicts my ancestors more than 100 years ago. They were farmers, living on their land in Southern  Indiana without electricity, indoor plumbing, refrigerators, tractors, automobiles, or any of the comforts of 21st century life. Family supported family. Many who were educated in a one room school house learning from the McGuffey Readers were far more educated than college today.

My blind Great Aunt Mary, blind from her teenage years, raised my father and his siblings, ran the farm, and was one of the most well read people I’ve known. Adversity created strength, resilience and character.

Too many people living in the USA today have never experienced true deprivation. The soft, easy life has created generations of lazy, over privileged, over protective, ingrates who don’t have the ability to work hard, endure adversity, understand that nobody is guaranteed anything, that the government and taxpayers owe nothing more than secure borders, and that they should be grateful they don’t live in pre-industrial revolution society. 

I would venture to guess that. 85% of the US population could not have survived the upbringing experienced by my parents and their siblings. They could not appreciate that achieving a nice but modest life in an older house without air conditioning, having modest jobs, contributing to community, sending their kids to college and enjoying a few international trips would cause them to appreciate that they ‘made it’. 

The plumber’s daughter and the dirty little farm boy stood on the Great Wall  of China, amazed at how far they ‘d come without handouts, free meals, welfare, food stamps, or Medicaid. They believed they’d achieved the American dram.

It truly is a shame that more Americans don’t feel gratitude for their good fortune instead of criticizing the success of this great experiment. 

Does Anyone Really Understand Their Political potsArguments?

 

I must admit that I troll the mind numbing comments that people write who believe they are brilliant, insightful, common sense posters to articles in the Washington post. When asked to provide empirical evidence to support their idiocy, they often respond that readers found their comments insightful, clarifying or thought provoking. This clearly establishes these posters are uneducated troglodytes. 

I must admit it is fun to engage with the nonsensical people who spout hate for no reason other than  the inability to consider their preconceived ideas could be wrong. 

But ultimately,  I have realized that people will believe whatever supports their pre conceived notions notwithstanding the truth. 

Extremists will ignore the moderates and disregard the will of the people to support their marginalized views. One can only hope sanity prevails. 

Troglodytes Torch Pennsylvania Governor’s Home

 What had become of American society when some troglodyte thinks it is just fine & dandy to set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion because they dislike his political affiliation, religion, choice of socks, or the sound of his voice? There is no acceptable explanation.

Of course, when people conclude it is acceptable to firebomb Tesla dealerships, vandalize cars, glue themselves to priceless works of art, celebrate a cold blooded assassin, suggest killing politicians is a reasonable response to disagreements, hold demonstrations to denigrate or call for the annihilation of Jews or Israel, choose to support terrorists, argue for free speech as long as it does not differ from one’s ideology, treat those with differing political views as enemies, support the rights of illegal aliens over the rights of legal residents, and advocate for violence instead of peaceful protests, any atrocity is feasible.

Perhaps, people have forgotten the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. I have not. I can only hope and pray that someone steps into the fray and stops the insanity.

Twenty Working Days Until Retirement

 

I can’t believe I only have 20 more working days until retirement from my position as an AVP Executive Claim Director at one of the largest multinational insurers. 

My first day as a rookie claims adjuster was June 9, 1980. I’d graduated from college early and was still too young to legally consume adult beverages. Seriously, I had zero knowledge about the job. I’d never even heard of a claims adjuster. I only took the job because it was offered to me and I needed to be self sufficient. 

After several months of training, it dawned on me that I was a quota hire. That truly pissed me off. When I stormed into my manager’s office outraged, he looked at me and asked how did I know that I wasn’t the best candidate? My sails lost wind immediately.

There have been many times over the years where I loathed my job, generally in the early days when my assignments were routine and boring. However, the last 23 years have afforded me the opportunity to thrive handling the most complex coverage and catastrophic injury matters that gave me a type of euphoria when negotiating a resolution. 

While I truly continue to dislike the mundane aspects of the job, I loved the thrill of victory and survived the agony of defeat. Ultimately, however, it is the frustration of the minutiae, the micromanagement, the Thursday morning quarterbacking, duplicative reports, and the fight to get legal bills paid that caused me to retire. As always, it was the bull shit. 

Thirty More Working Days Until Retirement

 

When I made the decision to retire, I was ambivalent about how much notice would be appropriate. I’ve been with my employer over 23 years. I have immense respect for my VP and genuinely appreciate her. She has been fair and equitable during the years I’ve worked for her.

However, my spouse reminded me that over that 23 years there have been situations in which I was not afforded opportunities for growth because of business needs. I am well aware of my personality traits that make me less than an ideal candidate for senior leadership. If someone asks my opinion, Intendvto give it notwithstanding the perils of doing so in corporate America. 

I have worked in complex casualty insurance claims throughout my career. I self describe as a clean-up batter, a firefighter, an EPA superfund manager, a windmill tilter, a master negotiator, a dump site, a litigation manager, an ear for those who are frustrated, a friend, a provocateur, an excellent analyst, a leader, a resistance fighter, an advocate for the policyholder and a career long commitment to do the right thing.

Sometimes my personal code has conflicted with the leadership of ,y company.  I have refused to compromise my ethics. I am comfortable with that decision even if has cost me promotions.

I’ve refused to drink the kool-aid. I’ve been true to myself. It is time to let go of the corporate world that values profits over integrity, limits merit increases to an average of 2% despite record breaking profits, and a CEO who has made it clear he does not care if people leave.

Yes, I could work another year or two, bump up my 401K and accumulate more stock. But, I just don’t care anymore.

Instead, I’ll enjoy my koi pond, get healthy, enjoy my friends and family, and celebrate every day that I have left.

What it means to be Libertarian

 

Recently, I’ve had posters on social media comment that I cannot be a true Libertarian if I do not accept the concept that biological males should be able to compete against biological women in Collegiate sports. What a load of hypocrites gwash.

As an ideological Libertarian I believe that the government has not right to appropriate the wages I’ve earned to redistribute to those who dropped out of high school, decided to have children out of wedlock and steal money from working Americans, those who decided it was easier to go on the dole than work, those that looked for a physician that would put them on disability even though they can work, or those that think it is okay to let those who work support those who don’t.

The particular issue that generated discord in the last 25 hours- whether it is discrimination under Title VII to deny transgender women the right to compete as women in NCAA sports. It is not. Biological men have strength, endurance and muscularity that gives them a distinct advantage.

Outside of physiological issues, be who you want to be. Identify as you prefer. Live your life to the fullest.as long as you do not insist on foisting your beliefs on me, I am fine. 

That is the tenet of being Libertarian. Live your life as you see fit. Do not infringe on the rights of others. Support limited government. Do not stick your hand in my pockets or bank account.

Essentially, keep government off my property and out of my wallet. Consider the right of others without interference in common sense. Fringe elements have a right to exist on their own property. Just don’t force it on others.

Making the Decision to Retire

 

Making the decision to retire wasn’t easy. It was a struggle to determine if the time is right, if I’d saved enough money to live the life I’ve envisioned, and if I was prepared to give up the identity I’d established as a high performing, valued, claim professional in the P&C insurance industry. There is no question that I’m still at the top of my game. But, the machinations required by my company and the toxic litigation environment made it too challenging to do the job. 

The stress has been overwhelming. It is not as if an incorrect decision would result in people dying or losing their homes or livelihoods; instead it is the acknowledgment that making the wrong recommendation could cost my company millions of dollars and more Thursday morning quarterbacking than I want to endure.

Activism amongst the judiciary, ethically challenged plaintiff attorneys, juries that do not appreciate the value of a dollar, greed, shortsightedness, anger towards corporations that employ people, intolerance for accidents, and the apparent need for some people to transfer wealth from those who create to those who believe society owes them has created a landscape I no longer want to navigate. 

The inmates have co-opted the asylum. Even the parts of the job that energized me no longer compensate for the negativity. My only hope is that the cycle will tilt towards what is reasonable. But, I’m no longer willing to wait.

I’ve Decided To Retire | May 9, 2025!

 

This was me a year ago, March 2024, celebrating my dad’s 92nd birthday. Since that time, we’ve lost my father-in-law, my aunt, my mother-in-law, my dad, and my husband’s bio mom. I’ve had a friend that had a mastectomy just before Christmas and a long time acquaintance, from university that died of brain cancer. 

Talk about a wake-up call!

Life is short. The time passes. All of a sudden we realize that we’ve spent decades trying to accumulate assets so we can retire comfortably. What does that mean? For me, I’ve adjusted what I originally thought was necessary for the next stage. I still have things on my bucket list, but the list is shorter.

Quality of life, finding peace & serenity, living everyday with optimism, celebrating the little things, focusing on health, finding beauty in my environment, being grateful for my blessings, and appreciating the people who have given me the skills to live my life to the fullest bring me joy. 

Perhaps a few more years in the corporate world would have given me a bit more financial flexibility. But, I am at peace with my decision. It is time to embrace the next stage of life! Bring it on!

Disrespect For Our Democratic Procss

 I have not always been a supporter of Donald Trump.However, he is a far superior representative of the USA than our former incompetent, mentally deficient, plagiarist, petty, puppet that was Joe Biden, who diminished our role in the world order.

The Democrats that showed disgraceful disrespect at the State of the Union yesterday are an embarrassment to the USA. The hubris, corrupt, disdain for American citizens is noteworthy. These elected officials make fun of the people they purport to represent. They claim they ‘know better’ than everyone else. It is condescending at the minimum and disdainful in any forum. 

These members of Congress are supposed to represent their constituents. Instead, they represent themselves, their greed, their need for adulation, their egos, their need to feel superior, their disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law.

I was embarrassed by the  antics of the Democrats in Congress. I’ve been dumbfounded by the obstructionist  votes that marginalized the will of the people. 

The Democrats acted with rudeness, antipathy, disgust for fellow Americans who disagree with their skewed view of what life in the USA should be like be.

I applaud Donald Trump assembling a cabinet of outsiders who may shake up the old world order into the  current world in which we live. The Cabinet is diverse. There are views that should generate discussion. Let us hope it is the end of the status quo. 

Term limits! Line item veto for appropriations, tax reform. Cling the right thing. Taking care of  Veterans and paying active duty soldiers a living wage. 

DOGE, Do-nothing Congress, Trump & Entertainment

 

I have lived just outside the Washington, DC beltway for more than 30 years in suburban Maryland and Virginia. For several years I commuted daily into Washington. Washington is a dynamic city with first class museums, beautiful monuments, amazing restaurants and the heartbeat of our federal government. One thing that has resonated with me over the decades is the fact there is virtually no traffic when the government is shut down and only ‘necessary’ employees are required to show up for work. If government employees are not ‘necessary’ why are we paying them with our tax dollars? 💸 

The outcry over Elon Musk and the DOGE team looking for efficiency, fraud, wasted taxpayer dollars, and  right sizing the government puzzles me. I can only suppose that those howling the loudest are afraid DOGE will discover boondoggles, shell companies, the fact that many who work at federal agencies do zero productive work while having more protections than any civilian employees, and that the massive waste caused by the regulatory environment just perpetuates the perception of ordinary Americans that government serves itself.

Yes, jobs will be eliminated. Grants will be revisited and conditions revised. Pork may be made into sausage. Automation will replace people.Contracts will be reviewed and revised with a much  lower allowance for charging overhead. 

But,  it is time we returned to a meritocracy.  Perhaps the audacity of Donald Trump and his fearlessness may give Congress the impetus to do its job. I am furious that so much time, money and argument is wasted on showboating. Just STFU, figure out how to play together in the sandbox, and fix the broken system. For once in my lifetime, I want to see the political class do the right thing for the USA instead of perpetuating the status quo and pandering to special interests to get re-elected. 

In the meantime, I’ll read media reports, social media posts, listen to the apoplexy and enjoy the show. Trump is a showman. I’m enjoying the show. 

Lockerbie with Colin Firth on Peacock

 

My reaction to the first two episodes of Lockerbie, starring Colin Firth, was visceral. December 21, 1988 Libyan operatives smuggled explosives onto Pan Am Flight 103.by way of Malta, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, raining debris over the village and killing several people on the ground. 

This event is personal for me, in part  because I heard about the terrorist attack when I landed in Cincinnati that same evening following air travel from Chiang Kai Shek Airport in Taipei, Taiwan. I’d flown that Pan Am Flight from Heathrow in the past. Ultimately, it was the death for Pan Am, which had been the American flag ship airline from the early days of commercial aviation. Lockerbie defined the moment for me.

I was living in Asia during Tiananmen Square, the 1st gulf war, terror attacks on US facilities.  I knew people who were traumatized by the bombings in Lebanon, the evacuation of US citizens in Tehran during the revolution, the airline and cruise ship high jackings, and understood that if we were in danger- the best places to find help included the Swiss and Canadian government entities…not the US. How disappointing to know that my own government did not have the best interests of its citizens at the forefront.

Perhaps it is for this reason that I felt the agony of those fighting for answers after Lockerbie. Secrecy     Y governmental entities is toxic. It erases trust of citizens. Maybe this is why so many Americans applaud DOGE. Transparency! Light! Peeling away the layers of the onion. 

The people are entitled to truth. God bless Dr. Swire for reminding me that government owes us truth. Lockerbie is a reminder of that. Obfuscating is wrong. Opacity is wrong. We, the people, deserve truth.

After Years of Exploring BedLinens~ It’s Cozy Earth

 

I e spent years looking for the perfect sheets that satisfy the disparate requirements of my spousal unit and me. If I were only concerned about my personal preference, I would luxuriate in my Belgian linen sheets, which I’m saving for the unfathomable future. My partner believes they are too scratchy for his sensitive skin. I love the breathability and natural antibacterial properties.  🤔

My partner loves Egyptian cotton. As a woman of a certain age who continues to experience ‘personal summers’ not allayed by air conditioning, this is a non- starter for me.

About ten years ago, my dearly departed mother suggested exploring bamboo sheets. I did my due diligence and decided to try a set that was offered at Costco at one of the regular special events. This set was comfortable with a disappointing life expectancy. 

During a holiday special, I tried Cozy Earth. We both loved the Cozy Earth sheets that felt like silk, laundered well, and provided the durability we wanted. However, these sheets are expensive. When it came time to replace them, I went down the research rabbit hole looking for comparable quality at a more affordable price point. 

Reviews for the Quince viscose bedding were excellent. My sister exclaimed the quality of Quince products. So, I ordered a set. Within a week the bottom sheet pilled. I reached out to customer service. Quince replaced the set at no cost. The bottom sheet pilled yet again. I tried another resource. My husband found them unsatisfactory. 

Consequently, we decided that at this point in our lives we were worth the cost of Cozy Earth. The new set arrived today. Feeling the sheets as I opened the package convinced me we’d made the right decision. Easy care. Silky. Moisture wicking. Luxurious. I anticipate an excellent night’s sleep. 

Cozy Earth is worth it! 

Looking Forward to New Adventures

 

2025 may be a turning point. I’ve reached a place where I’m yearning for new adventures, the next phase of life, another reinvention. After a year of losses, I feel it is time to move forward and embrace there years ahead of me. 

Interests and hobbies abound. When I pull the plug on my career, I have no trepidation that I will face boredom. There are too many opportunities to embrace- new and old.

On ce our darkroom is divested of car parts, I plan to re-engage in collodion wet-plate photography. I love the process, the artistic engagement, the striving for a unique perspective..

Todd and I together enjoy attending antique car events. I’m particularly enthusiastic about future opportunities now that we’ve jointly invested in a 1929 Auburn. We can now participate in events with the Auburn Cord Duesenberg club. I’m so excited to have a classic Indiana car. 

Gardening, fitness, meditation, exploring new recipes, target practice at the shooting range,  Civil War. Era civilian events, educational travel, wineries, special events at museums in DC & Richmond, longer time spent reading at the beach and trying new dining establishments.

I’m ready. The degradation of the civil litigation environment into a morass of unethical behaviors by judges, attorneys, physicians, legislators, litigation funding agencies, runners, fraudulent individuals, and dimwitted jurors has exhausted me. Whatever happened to honor, ethics, fairness, common sense and reason?? Rhetorical, I know. But I’ve reached a point where I feel the need for a decontamination shower at the end of my workday. 

Moving Forward in 2025

 

After a heartbreaking 2024, Todd and I have decided to celebrate life on 2035. There is no magic formula. It is one minute at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time. Despite the losses, we know that together we are stronger. We are optimistic about the future. We’ve made plans individually and jointly.

That is the beauty of a healthy relationship. Todd has his goals. I have mine. And we have collaborative plans. I support his goals. He supports mine. That may require one of us to work longer, one of us to embrace independent travel, both of us to make compromises. 

 But that is the beauty of a healthy relationship. We don’t agree on everything. We have joint and disparate interests. We bicker. We discuss. We disagree. We see eye to eye. We know we are on different, parallel, joint paths at the same time. And, it is okay. We support one another. And, we’ve jointly bought a 1929 Auburn. So, we have a plan.