Inflation Management

Jenna and I discussed inflation after a complete day of swim lessons and an afternoon of "quiet time" with her boys.  Interesting that Jenna (a Milliennial - GenY) is concerned about inflation given that from college to now her actual realized inflation rate (13 yrs) is only 2.79% but close to my comment of thinking I have experienced 3% over my 50 years.  

Later I looked up my personal inflation since college (1976 -2026) of 50 years. The exact data based result using CPI is that $1 in 1976 is equivalent to $5.85 today or 3.6% compounded.   My gut guess of 3% was low.  

It's hard to remember prices out of college, however -  my first new car a 1976 Buick Regal was $5K; my first house in Hyde Park 1980 was $75K ; coffee at the office was subsidized $0.10 but normally $0.50; at college a pitcher of 3.2 beer was $1.50.

So what are the big wealth destroyers - inflation, healthcare, taxes and.... mis managing your money.

My Wisnerism Vistage quote related to this topic:

                                           "Manage your money or it will manage you."

Passport Persistence

Just received an email from the US Government reminding me my passport will expire NEXT YEAR (2027) in May! WOW - this mirrors best practices of a business - efficient consumer notification and revenue seeking enterprise with recommended convenient and easy renewal. With the reminder that some countries (like the Netherlands) require a passport to be valid for six month past the travel date to that country (meaning I would not be able enter the Netherlands November of this year). That brings back the memory of my Accenture trip to Amsterdam July 1997. Here is the long version of the story: 

 It was July 12, 1997 and I was a “seasoned” Partner with Andersen Consulting approaching the eighth year since my admission to the Partnership (Aug. 1989). One of the rites of passage of this “seasoned” Partner was to be invited to the Partner’s sabbatical educational “wellbeing” forum (Chautauqua style) in Amsterdam. A week to relax, listen to lectures on world affairs, economics, fine arts, and philosophy. I decided to combine this respite afterwards with a week of vacation with the family (Mom, Dad, Susan, and Jenna) in a cruise down the Rhine. I had dutifully checked that all family members had valid passports and properly noted that since Susan’s and my passport would be expiring Sept. 28, 1997, we should renew it once we got back from this overseas visit. 

 And so the story begins. Saturday evening July 12, 1997, I approached the Cincinnati Airport Delta check-in counter. As a Platinum Medallion Frequent Flyer, “veteran” and first-class traveler, I sauntered up to the special check-in counter as if expecting to be known on a first name basis while producing my travel credentials. 

 The gate agent, a smartly uniformed young male, began the clicking at his terminal computer to input my passport information, print a boarding pass and luggage tags. 

“Sir, did you know that your passport will expire in September?”, he politely inquired. Confidently I answered, “Sure, and once I get back, I will be renewing it, thank you for the reminder”. 

“I’m sorry sir, I can’t let you board this flight” he responded. “The Netherlands will not permit entry for those with passports with expirations within six months”. 

 Now I was confused, Andersen Consulting used one of the largest travel agencies in the world to book flights. I asked the agent, “Why would my flight reservation have been valid”? 

“Sir, I don’t know the answer to that, all I can tell you are the rules of entry that Delta must comply with.” “That doesn’t make sense - my reservation shows that I will be returning to the USA July 23 well before my passport expiration date.” “I’m sorry sir there is nothing I can do.” 

Here is where my self-importance kicked in - I’m a big wig Partner at Andersen Consulting, a first-class traveler and Platinum Frequent Flyer. “Just put me on the flight, I’ll talk to the Netherland’s customs agents to resolve this.” “I can’t do that sir”. “Why not?” “Delta will not only be required to immediately fly you back to the states, we will also be fined by the Netherlands government for flying you to the country to begin with”. 

 By now my blood pressure had risen, my reward for 8 years of partnership (20 years of hard work at Arthur Andersen) would be interrupted along with my family vacation plans. Meanwhile, time was running out for when the flight would board. Back in 1997 (pre 9/11 TSA) it was a red badge of courage to show up to the airport with just moments before the boarding of your flight. Seeing that I did not have time to escalate this to a higher authority before the flight would leave, I needed an alternate plan. Endlessly repeating “You’ve got to be kidding me”, I was unwilling to give up my place in line while I frantically thought of alternatives. My mind shot back to the 1963 movie “The Great Escape” with the iconic scene of Steve McQueen’s attempt to jump over a German barbed wire fencing protecting the German border on his motorbike.

“What country in Europe will accept my passport?” I demanded. A few clicks later, he said “Germany will”. “And what is your next flight to Germany”. “Actually, we have one leaving in 45 minutes to Frankfurt” the agent responded. (those were the good ol’ days when CVG was flying everywhere in the world!) “Good, book me on that flight, I guarantee I will find a way to get into Amsterdam!!”. Even if riding a bicycle or walking by foot through the countryside farmland, I would find a way in. The USA postal motto rang through my head! “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat ….. With nine hours of flight time and first class airphone capability, I had time to construct various strategies and plans to enter the Netherlands. 

 Time was the critical variable, so cost was no object. The goal was to attend the Partner’s Cocktail Reception Sunday evening at 7pm. The Great Escape/ Steve McQueen motorbike option was my backup plan. Plan A would be to determine the train schedule from Frankfurt Germany to Amsterdam Netherlands. With the founding of the European Union (November 1993), I presumed the travel rules and attention to passport detail might be lax on rail travel from one European Country to the next. The $100 cost of a one-way train ticket was not important, however the train added four to six hours to my estimated time of arrival depending on the number of local stops. That left less than 3 hours of contingency time to make the Partner’s Reception. 

 The heightened adrenaline flowing through my body combined with the airphone calls to the travel agency prevented any sleep on the Delta flight to Frankfurt. The flight landed Sunday morning at 9am and wearily, I passed through customs and navigated my way to the Euro-rail ticket office. What a waste of High School and College time learning ancient Latin – when now I needed some rudimentary speaking ability to navigate the local German rail system. I strategically decided not to book a nonstop rail to Amsterdam expecting the same passport checks that Delta Airlines had performed. A route with local stops would advance my position closer to the border in case my backup plan was required – entry by car, motorbike, bicycle, or walking. 

 Once on the train, I had another six hours to practice what I would say to any local conductor or authority that might question my passport credentials. I had no clue how European trains might transfer passengers or check credentials at border crossings. Planning alternate routes and scenarios was challenging with no cell phones or GPS mapping capability. It was three hours to the Netherland’s border so again no sleep since this risky action was creating stress. Now I know how criminals feel during a heist. Each time a new local conductor would check my ticket, my stress level would rapidly rise - would he ask for my passport? 

 We hit the border and the Netherland’s conductor appeared asking for my passport. Sweat was pouring down my sideburns and my body temperature was clearly heightened. My passport was filled with travel stamps – October 1987 France; November 1987 Liechtenstein, November 1993 Gatwick, April 1997 Gatwick, Canadian Work Visa November 1996; The conductor slowly (oh so slowly) flipped through the pages. He carefully opened the three-fold Canadian Work Visa puzzled by its presence. He asked if I spoke Dutch or German. I shook my head saying, “I only speak English”. Probably, too busy to take on this situation – he punched my ticket and moved on. My entry into the Netherlands was complete. I arrived at the Partner’s Reception promptly at 7pm. No barbed wire capture for this Steve McQueen veteran traveler. That trip and vacation was my personal “Great Escape!” 

 Postscript: Without 22 hours of sleep, I was in a daze sipping on my Merlot wine at the Partner’s Reception after successfully checking in and freshening up. I introduced myself to an Arthur Andersen Chicago Audit Partner and described my Steve McQueen journey to him. He pulled out his passport. “That’s funny - my passport expires in September too and I had no problem flying out of O’hare on United”.

 Addendum: Equally stressful was attempting to get Susan  into the country four days later. When I learned of the Delta/Netherland restriction, I was fully aware Susan’s passport expired in the same month as mine (we both applied the same time for passports for our trip to Switzerland in 1987).

 On Monday 7/14/1997, I called the Andersen Consulting office asking how long an expedited passport renewal would take since Susan was scheduled to fly to Amsterdam on Thursday 7/17/1997. Alas – even with Federal Express and expedited surcharges it was a risk that it could be completed by Thursday. I decided it was not worth the chance. 

 Since Susan was traveling with my parents and Jenna, changing all flights and the cruise dates would be cost prohibitive. A plan B was necessary – and not one as complicated as my itinerary. I was willing to bet if she could get past the Delta agent that Susan, with my elderly parents and a six-year-old child, Susan could talk her way into the country upon landing in Amsterdam. But how to get her on the flight?

 I assumed that the gate agent might have both a different check-in system and less knowledge than the front airport lobby. I told Mom and Dad to check all the luggage (including Susan’s) at the airport lobby. Proceed with Susan to the gate and have Susan check in at the gate for her boarding pass.

 Amazingly that got Susan on the plane. Once landed in Amsterdam there was still a risk. Luck again was on our side as the border entry process went smoothly. Susan, Jenna, and my parents arrived without a hitch on Saturday July 18, 1997 and a joyful family vacation cruise from Amsterdam down the Rhine was experienced returning safely to the USA July 23, 1997.

Shining Stars of Christmas

 

     Wisner Family – December 2025          

As we look back on 2025, we see not just events and milestones, but a sky full of stars — each one shining with its own story, together forming the constellation of our family. Some stars blazed brightly with joy, others flickered through challenge, but all were part of the same heavens, reminding us that God holds the universe — and us — in His hands.

⭐ Garen — The Explorer Star Charting galaxies of AI notebooks, stepping into Social Security orbit, and voyaging across seas from the British Isles to Mexico and Naples Fla Even when trees exploded and sewer backups froze the ground, his light kept moving, shifting from tennis to pickleball (maybe) and finding new constellations in faith with Men’s Emmaus Walk #112 and financial giving in spite of Accenture dodging.

⭐ Susan — The North Star Steady and radiant, as prayer servant on Women’s Walk # 129, bridge fellowship leader, and Indian Hill Moms President. Her glow was strengthened by good healthy habits and brightened by travels — from Chosen Season 5 to the British Isles — always a beacon of resilience and warmth.

⭐ Ellen — The Shooting Star Blazing trails with a new Hyde Park house, Mercedes, and adventures abroad with girlfriends. She sparkled in everyday rituals — Sams Saturdays, manicures, pickleball with Susan — and her orbit expanded with friendships, fitness, and laughter.

⭐ Jenna & Paul — The Twin Stars Orbiting together in creativity and achievement: Jenna as sous chef, neighborhood board leader, and home decorating guru; Paul as Elevance Sales Award-Winner, fantasy football commissioner, UC football ticket-holder, and Dad extraordinaire. Their constellation boosted with a Pacifica , a decorated dining room, and landscaping fronting the new fence framing their home.

⭐ Teddy & Wes — The Comets Streaking across the sky with Teddy starting preschool and his soccer launch,  combined Mario & Bowser worlds, and explorations of the zoo, fire museum, and Union Terminal. Their playful energy lit up VBS, Aunt Ellen sleepovers, Friday Skylines, and Sunday field goal stars, even as Wes scared us with his “terrible twos” breathtaking incidents. 

This year’s constellation also carried shadows, as some stars faded from this world’s sky (J.R. F.S.), others stepped into quieter orbits (E.W.), and many faced dimming light through health challenges (T.H. A.M. B.E.)  — reminders that even in sorrow and suffering, God’s heavens hold us together.

Rejoice!   God knows each of us and names your star, guiding our journeys and weaving our lights into His greater story. May we continue to shine together, reflecting His glory, and may your own family’s constellation of 2025 sparkle with hope, love, and faith.

                        Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

    "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name." – Psalm 147:4

Fantasy Football Xmas Finale

 

Wisner Family  December 2024

A Fantastic Fantasy Family and Friends Football Finale Frames 2024.  What better way to keep Sundays full of fun.  No waivers, trades or injuries required - as we are all healthy and continue to be blessed with plenty of game time. 

Jenna, Paul, Teddy and Wes (Defensive Backfield) – Teddy and Wes are no longer rookies and that backed up Jenna and Paul on defense.  Potty spring training was marginally successful which is why they remodeled their room for a new one.  Wes’s MOM cadence created many neutral zone infractions. Jenna’s Sunday cooking has made the NFL Ticket worth the investment. 

Ellen (KIcker) - Kicked up the Corporate Ladder, Ellen now can hold out for the best contract.  Her away game record during road trips for weddings, visits to friends, and ubering Susan to Akron has been unbeatable.  Plus, Pickleball Prowess Puts People in Place.  It was like a kick in the gut when Cleo, the cat, was blocked into a possible loss. Then an overtime miracle allowed Ellen to save the day. 

Susan (Quarterback) – Missing the fifth Chosen pick didn’t stop her in the draft.  Burrowing into first place Susan seems almost guaranteed to win the championship.  Susan doubled down in time and giving across three teams– Crossroads, Emmaus and Bridge.  I’ll ask a question on how to cruise into first place for next Season – maybe with an away opening game in England.

Garen (Offensive Lineman) – Seven decades and still in the game, Garen’s main offense is gaining pounds.  Can it be sitting in the chair is the problem?  His deep dive into spiritual small groups was Supercharged into Seven days in Utopia.  Fostering a new money offensive line will help protect the quarterback from social sacks and maintain security.

Podcast Play by Play – No notebook(LM) required for the Wisner activities this year. Lake Wawasee is now be traditional summer training camp for the entire team.  This year away games included AL, IN, and FL.  The home stadium gained some upgrades in garage parking, lavatories, grounds and main entrance.

Sadly, there were losses this year – too many for the Rufferee to recount.  Yet the good memories of past seasons of play can still revive the joy and new players (CAB) will give us hope. 

Regardless of your ranking this season, fans will return, championships are still a hope, and the real win is about being on a team.  Seasons come and go; the Wisner’s are grateful for another year to play with you in the Superbowl of Life.  

 

                                                

                      Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

                          “The most valuable player is the one who makes the most players valuable”

                                                                                                                                      Paintin’ Manning

                                                                                                                                                    

Rufferee's Time is Out

Today was a sad day as Fitch (our rescue black lab/mut) was put down - (2/2011 - 10/2024).  This time it was my turn to grieve as Susan historically had this duty for our other pets. One always thinks about the conversion of human years to dog years - Fitch lasted 13 1/2 years.   Actually, male black Labradors last typically 10-12 years according to this blog - How Long Do Black Labs Typically Live. Like human females, female dogs last longer 10-14 years and Fitch's sister Bella is still going strong (although she is losing weight lately). 

AI Copilot says a medium sized dog of 13 1/2 years is 68-80 in human years.  

So, many say "He had a long, good life" --- but long years don't determine good.  I think I can say Fitch had a good life - measured by how I would like to have lived if I was a dog.

We still own two dogs (Bella and Wally) after the acquisition of Jenna and Paul's dog - Wally in 2023.    I actually think Wally extended Fitch's life as they seemed to like to spar and added new life energy to the older dogs.

The whole family will miss Fitch - the Rufferee :)    He called a Time Out.

Grandparent Dividends

I'm only 6 months late in blogging about the second Grandparent dividend that was payable on 4/5/2023 - the delivery date of Wesley Allen Robinson.  Today was a bonus day when Jenna brought over "Baby Wes" for a visit.  I quickly had to find all the infant devices (e.g. the over the door molding bouncer) out of storage.  

Born 4/5/2023 at 9:42am 8lbs 10 oz and 21.25 inches, Wesley Allen Robinson has doubled the grandparent equity account in a short two years from Teddy's arrival (4/13/2021). Two boys at about two years apart is what my Mother experienced with D'Lane and myself 69 years ago.  

Watching Jenna and Paul navigate a "one on one" strategy gives me some insight into what my parents were up against in raising D'Lane and me. I can now relate to Wes who will be faced with a lifetime of hand me downs.   

A.M. was totally correct when he told me that he had "underestimated the Grandpa thing".  But now with 5 months of experience interacting with two grandsons simultaneously, I can accurately say that it drains my energy more than double.  

With such great ROI on family relationships, we have now reinvested the dividends into a Van for family vacations.

Christmas 2021

Wisner Family (et al) December 2021

The circle of life surrounded the Wisner’s with plenty of change – a year of lost and found.  Joy is on the inside of suffering and finding that Joy took plenty of labor.  One Grandpa left us making some Leeway possible for another. This year we all discovered how much assisted living is necessary for each of us to both give and receive at every time in our life.  We are so grateful for the present – and the memories that are permanent.

Garen (“ ____ the Halls”) -  Man he looks good (in the Mirror that is), with his home maid haircuts.   Some call him a COVID Rogue with no verbal escape – can his hearing or speech be overpowered by even twin turbos?  Now a Vistage Veteran (or Hero), his entire focus has been Outback – chainsaw corridor, ____ design, pool potential, fire features, or grill gravitas.  Hands down, he travels in 4.2l uber select style.

Susan (“____ it’s Cold Outside) – Nana is now her Chosen name – Frozen in time but infinitely available for ____ tag team troubleshooting.  She makes a point of outside needles only for special stockings.  Restless in many ways, no medical mystery means much (Medicare in the making).  Susan expands her consulting business into real estate, hair styling, Euclid landscaping, J.H. Catering, and Dyson distributor. 

Ellen (“It’s the Most Wonderful ____) – It was a Rocky year for Ellen, but she Wrangled through her COVID infection.  A litter later, she vaxed up to New York City in frannic fashion.  Wasson Way welcomed her with whiskers when work waned.  Fidelity found favor in her free form phone finesse (and Flex-____).  

Jenna, Paul, & Teddy (“___ to the World”) – Now in the family business, Teddy arrived (4-13-2021) for his orientation and requires full time, stay at home, supervision 😊.   This new payroll pressure pushed Jenna to pick up Accounting versus picture projects.  Now the Aura is Teddy until the shining metal smile disappears.  Paul has the juvenile ___ in jabber, jumpy, juggling of jamboree….. and job. 

Yoshi & Cleo (“_______ Around the Christmas Tree”) – After 14 years Rambo and ______, no longer rule the house (inside that is).  Yoshi has exclusive prowl since Cleo prefers Ellen as her roommate.  Ollie roams Euclid when Wally takes vacation visits wearing out Fitch and Bella.   Without pets who could survive COVID isolation?

Travel was limited to sunny spots – Sea Island, Kiawah, and Naples (with a Dallas stop off). Now a full family of antibodies, social activities can resume.  Holiday gatherings test the paradox of friendship and love – apart or together.  Circumstances of this world interferes with the relationship glue that love provides.   Keep the Spirit of Love in your heart and let JOY make it overflow to bind us back together in 2022. 

 

                      Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.”     Richard Puz    

 

The Grandfather Club

 What a inexcusable oversight -  the birth of Theodore Lee Robinson in April.  This inducted me into the Grandparents Club and reminded me of A.M.'s wisdom 10+ years ago.   I was in my 50's and developing my "Decade Planning Document" along with a Vistage Presentation on Longevity.   Since my timeline of family life events was about 10 years behind A.M. and others, I asked the question -"What one lesson (words of wisdom) of your last decade would you share for me as I embark into my 60's?    I remember A.M.'s response distinctly:  "I totally underestimated the Grandfather thing!".  

My first unsupervised babysitting of Teddy was Wednesday evening as Paul was subbing for me at tennis.  The memories caring for Jenna and Ellen as infants flooded into my mind as I was revisiting the football hold, the diaper techniques, burping, rocking and keeping calm in the face of crying.  The hour and half reminded me of how exhausting newborn's can be.   The difference as a Grandfather - the handoff to the Mom :)

This weekend I will miss the Wells Family Reunion which yearly honors the generations.  Dad and Aunt Revae (now 105) will be spotlighted.  The memories of prior generations are the foundations for the new generation to utilize in stewarding forward.  Teddy now enters the world with hope and joy.  The Grandfather club starts the process of passing the memory baton.

Vaccination Variables

 It's time for me to weigh in on vaccination hesitancy.  

First disclaimers....   I have been researching risks and rewards of vaccination only recently and I am clearly not an epidemiologist  or  vaccination expert. I have a bias related to Jenna's diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes (Jan 2019) directly after a bad reaction to a required flu shot (all nurses were encouraged/required to get a flu shot) in addition to the fact I have never had a flu shot myself. Also I tend to be the equivalent of a Christian Scientist that minimizes all drugs and chemicals in my body.  However I tend to have a philosophy of utilitarianism in evaluating cost/benefits in moral behavior.  I have had COVID-19 (a mild case 12/7/2020) and survived with proof of the antibodies in my blood.  I have not had any direct family members who have died as a result of COVID-19 (although you could say my Dad's passing might be indirectly related). I'm a rusty statistician and have strong opinions about proper statistical analysis, terms and protocol.  I have not received the vaccination and have purposely deferred the decision with the expectation (maybe misguided) that my antibodies give me the necessary protection short tern against reinfection with the variants.  

Now to the point -  I believe the "herd effect" promotion of vaccination is driving momentum to rush to judgement about it's efficacy.   The general population (including the media) misunderstanding of efficacy and effectiveness (along with the fear both serious illness and/or death) has driven the herd to rapidly jump to vaccination as the defacto solution to the pandemic.  Finally - as a rusty statistician - I am appalled by the data not being collected; the lack of control groups; and the rush to judgement on non peer reviewed, small sample size, laboratory based theories, that are being revealed as science proven population truths.  There are long term risks that we can't predict - unknown costs that only time will reveal. 

Weighing this viewpoint against the altruistic "duty" to others becomes the central emotional variable that divides the vaccinated from the unvaccinated (in addition to each individual's self fear of getting the virus).  It is that moral dilemma  that I have studied rigorously for the past 10 years.  My best recommendation is to read  "Justice - What's the Right Thing to Do" or listen to Sandel's Harvard Lectures.  

The press, government (CDC), and vaccinated group would aspire to the practical viewpoint that the few casualties associated with the vaccine over-ride the benefits for the entire population (while justifying that -as and example- the blood clots are not any more than what is experienced in the pre vaccination world).  This says a few deaths are worth "saving" the many.  Yet this same logic could be applied in the macro view - 570K deaths for the 330M affected by non medical interventions (economic shutdown; educational casualties; etc. etc.).  Using numbers (particularly percentages) and elapsed time are the fundamental ways to erroneously argue the philosophy. 

But numbers don't count in the emotional world of individual decision making.  Reason and logic will never trump the spirit and soul inside.  It takes a higher order of philosophy to determine the truth.  It takes looking into the heart to understand motive and action.   

"Inside the envelope of patience there are many letters of forgiveness."   Time is the currency of patience.  COVID has been with us well over 500 days and will likely be with us permanently.  There is much we don't know but we do not have to fear the unknown. 

  

 

Heaven Board #17 - Grandparent Club

Susan and I were just inducted into the Grandparent club.  God's gift to Jenna and Paul occurred at 6:28am EDT as Theodore Lee Robinson (8lbs 7oz and 21 inches) entered this world.  We are blessed that Jenna (with Paul) managed her T1D in such a successful pregnancy.   

The Rookie Grandparents are prevented from holding Theodore because of Hospital COVID-19 restrictions and we will await the discharge of Jenna and Theodore accompanied by driver and proud new father Paul.  

All the nests are prepared - nursery at two locations - parents and grandparents.   What a year of change with two Heaven Board entries!   

Plenty of room for more :)

New Time and Space - Xmas 2020

 

Wisner Family (et al) December 2020

As the 202^nd decade descends, we welcome its close.  After three consecutive years visiting ICU rooms, we look forward to the end of COVID-19 and the hope of NEW TIME and SPACE for the next decade – 01-01-2021.   

 

Ellen (NEW JOB) – Now holds the Cum Laude College GPA family record along with the shortest Graduation ceremony in history.  She can now Escape from college homework into calling Fidelity Investments her center of Serious(7) Studies.  Ellen fought like a Tiger for savings for a Jeep – I guess she will settle for the moon.

 

Jenna and Paul Robinson (NEW LIFE) – Making room for new life is not easy. Olfactory odors overwhelmed ownership.  But a new sunroom, bathroom, and emerging nursery, created the necessary diversion and it seems the future is in full swing.   SO FAr the Councilrock offsite storage solution is working. 

 

Susan – (NEW SKILLS) – Nothing to conceal in her dislike about the election results, Susan refused this year to carry any virus and scooted COVID-19 free this year.  Adding Drug Free clients to her business allowed a new view from her desk.  With the deep pockets of Sports Club investments and grocery errand expeditions, Alexa announced the “Best Mom in the World” – as one who provides daily nutritional meals on wheels. 

 

Garen – (NEW HEALTH) – His new COVID-10lb diet let Garen ZOOM down to his college weight.  Now that he is more than halfway to 70, he finally grew the TV size beyond his height and age.  Competing with Amazon, his Christian Man delivery route was supplemented with his own prime series.  Hiding in his own basement, the outdoor patio heater extends his Man Cave activities. 

 

It was a grave day when Cincinnati lost its Painters, but friendship is an absolute truth despite a Boston Illegal gathering.  Even with cancellations of the Rockies and Hilton Head, the family squeezed in travel to KS, NV, NY, and FL.  But ten months of shelter in place gave us full understanding of like inside invisible fences and COVID restricted Nursing Homes. 

 

Susan and I are blessed to have a parent each to honor and protect – DNA history of good physical and spiritual well-being.  Falls are hard but calls are heard.  The COVID-19 veil clouds our physical connections with family and friends.  Even so, the bonds of relationships are eternal regardless of time and space. 

 

  Merry Christmas and

       Happy New Year

“Time and Space are not conditions in which we live,

but modes by which we think.”      Albert Einstein

TGIF

For Wall Street Investors the adage "Thank God It's Friday" may be an understatement.  As I write this blog at 3:06 EST the DJIA has dropped 16% for the week, 33% for the month.  The market drop is better defined now as contagion - the combination of emotional fear from the economic impact of lockdowns with the Saudi/Russia Oil fight, and a sprinkle of political uncertainty. 

In this environment - cash is king, physical supplies is queen.  This is my second day locked down at the house.  Taking a walk in the neighborhood, it felt like grand central station - cars, people walking, children playing outside, even an Indian Hill Ranger patrolling and stopping to say hello.  Of course it helps that it was a sunny day with temperatures in the 50's.

Ellen cooked some brownies, Jenna was outside playing fetch with her dog Wally, Paul was working making client phone calls, and Susan attempting to collect receivables for her clients.  I sat transfixed on the red and green ups and downs of individual stocks while listening to the gloom and doom of CNBC.

Will the pressure cooker of this week's activity continue to build over the weekend?  With little routine outlets available for weekend decompression, everyone will be trying to find new activities and ways to fill their time.  What a great opportunity to re-evaluate how we spend our time together and what we can do to be emotionally supportive of each other. Like the feeling of being snowed in during a winter storm, we can practice ways to create calm and peace.  Here are some ideas:

(1) Turn off the media
(2) Read a book
(3) How about a puzzle; or art; or a family game
(4) Take a walk outside in the neighborhood
(5) Do one of those home organization projects you have put off indefinitely

Take the time to appreciate your home and feeling safe at home.

Call to Action

Decided to stay at home today and due to various circumstances everyone else was here at home also -  Susan, Ellen, Jenna and Paul. It felt like Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday. Also today was the celebration of  32 years of marriage - with anniversary gifts of Bird Scooters - but unfortunately a rainy day -  so no ability to ride in tandem.

There was  relative calm in the stock market (even with a 1200 point range on the DJIA).  Everyone is figuring out how to live socially with virtual connections.   Friday Morning Men's Fellowship will be via ZOOM web conferencing tomorrow morning.

With continuous updates of news it is hard to concentrate on anything except the future unknown of this virus.  The opportunity for cooperation domestically and internationally is yet another test for all of us.   I enjoyed seeing the Brazil way of promoting this:

Instead of searching for blame and shame, we need to use this crisis for world-wide cooperation in preventing future pandemics.  It demonstrates how futile nationalism is and our interconnectedness is comes with both risks and rewards. 

As boredom sets into the isolation of cocooning, courage to risk face to face relationships will again emerge.  There are countless times Christians "run toward the plagues", stay in the cities to help the suffering, and put their own lives at risk to help others.   Jenna faces this as she returns to work after to cancelled vacation plans. So many Doctors and Nurses will be called upon in this crisis to help others.  They are the front lines - now we are called to back them up.  How will you help?

Christmas ecard 2019

   Wisner Family (et al) December 2019

"May His Blessings light your way and bring joy to your hearts this Christmas"

Blue Mountain e-card

It was a year of medical matters – major malaise, mishap, Medicare mystery and DM- Diabetes mellitus.  Yet, even with physical and spiritual attacks, we relied on faith, family and friends to emerge Brave, Bravely, Bold and Fearless this year.   Read on:

Ellen (BRAVE) – The i-fly flight didn’t cause shortness of breath but convinced Ellen she would ignore Dad’s advice and become parachute “worthy”.  Luckily she will stay in the plane when she drops into see D’Lane and Ann in Scottsdale.  Crossfit groupies felt a partial identity loss when Ellen accepted an internship at the Sports Mall. Just three semesters from early graduation at U.C. the key question is will her Finance degree stabilize or will she Master something else?

Jenna and Paul Robinson (BRAVELY) – “I see you” is not a juvenile game when blood sugars are high.  Jenna is now attached to the medical device industry in addition to her excellent patient care at Christ Hospital.  Paul steadies the Robinson/Wisner roots by intertwining Emmaus Walk #103 with a USI promotion.  BRAVELY this pair takes on the challenge of T1D management even with auction accidents, Dexcom outages, and healthcare enrollment math.

Susan – (BOLD) – Nothing this year was easy – not even Emmaus Walk #123.  Drains, phones and falls, oh brother it was a challenge!  She reluctantly accepts no more Lipp and remained silent at the Abbey using her spiritual backup to fight Screwtape’s attacks.  Even the Tahoe’s have blind spots.  Her BOLD motherly protection instincts have combated the obstacles that medicine can’t solve. 

Garen – (FEARLESS) – A man without fear, Garen needed to re-subscribe in several areas.  He hit the oil jackpot only to tie for second place (in a field of three) for the Jefferson Award.  Testing his own blood for three months made him wonder How God Makes Men.  Sixty-five years forced him back into medical money mania – code named IRMAA.  Needing time to research Medicare, he dropped Miami Mock Recruiting to sign up for the ILR (Miami Institute of Learning in Retirement). Garen chose Lord Byron’s Drug Plan Z – “Always laugh when you can – its cheap medicine.”

The family zipped down to Austin for Dayna and Sam’s wedding and travel this year was exclusively concentrated on family affairs (Naples, Akron, Derby, Scottsdale, Chautauqua).  May we know that “family first” is an important prescription..

The Grinch of 2019 has not dried up our spirit.   We are so grateful for our family and friends support.

Love is the antidote to suffering. We pray that the medicine of Christ will heal your spirit and put joy in your heart also.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”.   Proverbs 17:22

Volatility in my Blood

For less than a month, I have been testing my blood glucose levels.  As an experiment to understand, in a small way, the intrusion of mandatory activities that a Type 1 Diabetic must perform, I decided to buy a glucose monitor (Accu Chek Aviva Plus) and the necessary strips, lancets, and control solution.  

Today's rude awakening of the cost of test strips occurred when I ran out this morning and drove immediately to Walgreens to buy another set of 50. I was not using any insurance card for this purchase.

The pharmacist rang up the ticket - $109.99.   I nearly fell over (my blood sugar must have dropped suddenly)  since I had spent only  $22.95 for my first set of 50 test strips from Amazon.com.  And I had another 50 test strips on order for $15.00    How could there be a variation of over 7 times the cost?

That led me to an internet search to understand Why Test Strips Cost so Much -  $2.20 a strip.  Should I be upset with "Big Pharma", insurance subsidies, or the drug retailers?   The marginal manufacturing cost is less than $0.15.  But the technology needed (R&D) and the quality necessary (and different by vendor) is evident in testing the various Pharmaceutical companies.  In fact, this research raised my awareness that not all strips read accurately, there is significant potential user misuse (wrong strips, expired strips, etc.) and recalibrating and checking your monitor and batch of strips is a necessary part of the process.  Even the need for  a backup monitor is a good idea.

Now that Jenna has a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) from DexCom, we have found several times where it's accuracy does not match her stick glucose monitor.  As a Statistician this has heightened my awareness of the whole subject of false positive readings and variations.   When your monitor reads 100 -  that really means 80 - 120.  The FDA requires more precision at the lower level but: " For results below 75 mg/dl: 95% of test results must be within plus or minus 15 points of the actual blood glucose level. So a reading of 70 means 55 to 85."

So - there is much to learn in this world of Type 1 Diabetes - physical, emotional, and ----  financial.
I guess volatility occurs in all the areas - glucose readings, confusion about data, and cash register/pocket book impact.


PS -  Why Test Strips Cost so Much - Part 2

Kinfolks Always Welcome

Jenna and I had an hour long discussion with my oldest Cousin, K.W., who has had Type 1 Diabetes for over 30 .  K.W. like his dad (my only Uncle) is funny, direct, and open.  Just what we both needed.  He provided the good, the bad, and the ugly stories of his own journey spiced with tips and encouragement about the worst is in the rear view mirror.

A conversation like this shows the power of sharing your vulnerabilities with others - a gift of therapy, compassion, and service.  We are made to help each other and it is when we isolate ourselves under the guise of independence that our souls decay.  A gift that is the mystery of love - transactional because it requires someone in need (a gift requiring courage to ask for help) and someone to help (the gift of providing service to someone requesting help).

In some cases it becomes a trinity - with an intermediary connecting the two.  In philanthropy it is called the Artful Asker (see 3/3/2010 "Artful Asker") - grateful recipient, joyful giver, and Artful Asker.

At the end of the conversation, I told K.W. that for the near future, I would be traveling to Florida on likely a regular basis and would likely show up at his door at anytime requesting and delivering a hug.   His response - Kinfolks always welcome!

Diabetes Downer

It has been quite a week of emotional challenges for the family.  Jenna now faces Type1 Diabetes and the family now enters a new journey of learning and support for this chronic condition.  Like first learning a new vocabulary word, buying a new model car, or any other newly learned (or acquired) item, suddenly the incidence of occurrence all around you seems greater than ever before.  Almost as common as every other part of your life.

For Diabetes the numbers are large but still a small percent of the population - 422 Million (2016) or 8.5% of adults. 90% of those have Type 2 so those with Type 1 are more rare  (1.25 Million in the USA).  Even with so small a number, as people we know have compassionately reached out to us, we have found numerous friends and their families with Type 1 Diabetes (8 and counting). Even though Type 1 is usually diagnosed at an early age (Juvenile), our connections were all diagnosed in their 30's.

Causes of Type 1 are unknown, but they have found some genes (HLA genotypes)  that influence the risk.  Other theories include environmental factors - possible viral infection or diet (gliaden a protein present in gluten).  But there is no real evidence for any of these yet.

As I told Jenna, knowing the cause (without any cure - preventative or post) does the person with the condition no good. Any anger associated with it just becomes self defeating and an unproductive use of time. Better to move as quickly from this emotion and from grief (which will occur)  to an emotional equilibrium with this new condition and hope for achieving the best future possible.

Easy to say (especially from a person that doesn't have the condition), but in reality everyone of us has some condition or weakness (inherited or created) that we must live with, cope with, and use to the best of our ability to achieve the purpose we were created for by God.  We maybe equal in the eyes of God, but we are all unequal in our own eyes. Only when we look at others, are we tempted to judge our own circumstances.  We can either let envy flood our thoughts or compassion redirect our attention into service and humility for our blessings.

Real Estate in Heaven - Joy

Source:  Blue Mountain ecard

Wisner Family et al  Dec. ‘18

Changes in interest caused a year of real estate rollovers – selling, buying, renting, and leasing (or releasing).  Numerous invitations to special places added to location locomotion – AZ, NV, VT, IL, KS, CA, SC, NY, TN, FL.  But there is no place like home – now exactly where is everyone located?  Read on:

Ellen (39.128351, -84.513986) - The most frequent mover in many ways, Ellen continues in serious grade point pursuit 4 all U. C.. No longer moving rows, she crossed into new fitness with others – this is us.  Sign Language turned into Greek – now a Phi Mu – I guess one sister was not enough.  On the Verge of another move, she now chooses luxury spaces for next year (parking too).  

Jenna and Paul Robinson (39.191350, -84.371240) – Planting roots in one location is fine, but constant changes inside and out make landmarks hard to find.  Smoke signals for parental help (tools included) were not enough as heavy equipment plowed the land into greener acres. Paul dutifully does the dirty deeds necessary to downplay deeper budget depression. However, coming to the rental rescue, renewal rates rise as Jenna requires.  Commission and Compassion to all.

Susan - (39.191132, -84.366470) – Euclidian geometry made Madeira an equal lateral triangle of perfect destinations – including a subway for deliveries to Garen’s office.  Even St. Paul helped the Emmaus relocation project by landing it close to home – another Madeira Miracle (or did Susan get it confused with Miraval?). Now retiring from Emmaus Lay Director, Susan moves her attention from scheduling music to dancing to it.

Garen – (39.187384, -84.363254) – The least mobile (17 years and counting), Garen spent this year cutting – was it trees or real estate - Nor-Wood or Oak-ley? He has plenty of Wood stock now.  No longer a deer in the headlights, his bitcoin cash has slowly entered the market.  What is he thinking, or drinking?  Will this new market brew fall flat?  At a Tipping point now, Garen wants No Man Left Behind – one prayer at a time.

Fitch, Bella, Rocky & Rambo (39.155094, -84.324394) – Fixed in one location, inside and out, they are in a pet haven (or heaven).

Finding weddings this year was a challenge from sea to ski (Islands to Inns). But 30 years of marriage shows the joy of dancing together regardless of the music.  Crossed in fitness and roads weaves the Wisner’s with others.  Even a brother breeze can move Golf into our activities again (What?). 

No place, premise, or real estate exists that will fill the longing for home. Joy arrives at any place – when family, friends and community gather together.  Invest in that Real Estate – a legacy of giving yourself and being with others –   your real GPS – a Godly Placed Spirit.

                                                                                                                                                              Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

 “Joy is the Real Estate of Heaven”